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Antony Sassi named RPC Managing Partner

Published on 15 Jan 2025. By Antony Sassi, Managing Partner

International law firm RPC has elected Antony Sassi as its next Managing Partner. Antony will commence his four-year term on May 1, 2025, succeeding James Miller, who has been in the role since 2017.

Regulatory Radar: quick takes May 2025

Published on 12 May 2025. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory

Welcome to the latest edition of our bi-monthly Regulatory Radar: quick takes update, which collates the latest developments from across the UK’s regulators.

Competition Compliance & Advisory

Having a clear, widely understood competition law compliance policy is the best way to avoid legal trouble when navigating a merger or similar competition activity.

Competition Investigation & Dawn Raids

Whether you’ve received a gentle call from a regulator or need to navigate a dawn raid, our competition investigation lawyers are here to minimise costly disruption to your business

Merger Control

As authorities become more interventionist, our merger control lawyers can help you get your international deals over the line.

State Aid / Subsidy Control

Since the introduction of the Subsidy Control Act in 2023, organisations need to be familiar with state aid competition laws and subsidy control guidance. Our experts are here to help.

Foreign Direct Investment / National Security

Navigate your organisation’s national security obligations with confidence, thanks to the support of our leading foreign direct investment law firm.

Competition Litigation

Whether defending against antitrust proceedings or using the courts to enforce your competition rights, our competition litigation team will support you every step of the way.

Competition

From litigation to merger control, and competition compliance to dawn raids, our competition lawyers are here to support your business.

Five RPC lawyers feature in Thomson Reuters' Stand-out Lawyers 2025 list

Published on 24 Mar 2025. By Peter Kwon, Partner, Head of Korea Desk and Patrick Brodie, Partner, Head of Employment, Engagement and Equality and Richard Breavington, Partner and Alexandra Anderson, Partner and William Hogarth, Partner

Thomson Reuters has selected five RPC lawyers globally for its 2025 Stand-out Lawyers list, a global recognition based on independent client feedback.

RPC's Snapshots app brings together the latest legal developments…at the touch of a button

Published on 06 Jun 2023. By Joseph Akwaboa, Associate and Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

Students and commercial lawyers alike can access a rich database of updates from the commercial, data, digital, consumer and advertising legal landscape

RPC scores top rankings in Chambers UK 2023

Published on 20 Oct 2022. By Kimberley Nanson, Senior Communications Manager

RPC has achieved top ranking in nine practice areas in Chambers UK 2023.

Six-cess! RPC recognised as top-tier firm across six areas in The Legal 500 UK 2023

Published on 29 Sep 2022. By Kimberley Nanson, Senior Communications Manager

The 2023 edition of the Legal 500 UK rankings has been released and we are delighted with the latest results.

All is not (necessarily) lost: Crypto crime recovery

Published on 30 Jun 2022. By Adam Craggs, Partner

With over 2 million people in the UK now holding and using cryptocurrency, and the Chancellor announcing that a government backed non-fungible token ("NFT") is to be issued by the Royal Mint this summer, the market for crypto-assets is expected to continue to grow in the coming months and years; so much so that legislation is planned to implement a new regulatory regime for the crypto market.

What is a foundational model?

Published on 11 Jun 2025. By Caroline Tuck, Partner and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer and Rory Graham, Associate

Part 1 - UK AI regulation

Published on 11 Jun 2025. By Caroline Tuck, Partner and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer and Ricky Cella, Senior Associate

There has been consistent messaging from the UK Conservative-led government that the UK has decided to adopt a light touch approach to regulating AI. This was evident in the AI white paper published in March 2023 which outlined a principles based framework (see ['The Ethics of AI – the Digital Dilemma'] for more information about the principles themselves and see here for additional coverage of the AI white paper). The UK government held a consultation on the AI white paper in 2023 and published a response on 6 February 2024 that adds slightly more flesh to the bones of the UK framework.

The Role of AI in Disputes

Published on 10 Jun 2025. By Daniel Hemming, Partner and Ricky Cella, Senior Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

While lawyers have had various forms of AI available to them for years, it is generative AI and the development of large language models (LLMs) which is likely to represent a fundamental shift for dispute resolution. This technology now offers language capabilities that have never been seen before, and is likely to transform the way lawyers conduct proceedings.

Generative AI – Addressing Copyright

Published on 10 Jun 2025. By Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer and Rory Graham, Associate

When it comes to the interaction of AI and IP rights, bar a flurry of activity surrounding the inevitable outcome by the courts in the Thaler, Dabus case (see here) and the Court of Appeal's ruling on the potential for exclusion from patentability of artificial neural networks in the Emotional Perception case, most attention has been focused on copyright issues. There are three main potentially thorny issues and all have been extensively covered by the mainstream media.

AI and Privacy – 10 Questions to Ask

Published on 10 Jun 2025. By Jon Bartley, Partner and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer

We set out in this section 10 key questions to ask yourself at the outset when developing or deploying AI solutions in your business.

The Ethics of AI - The Digital Dilemma

Published on 10 Jun 2025.

This is Part 6 of 'Regulation of AI – raising the trillion dollar bAIby'

Part 6 – Practical Considerations

Published on 10 Jun 2025. By Caroline Tuck, Partner and Ricky Cella, Senior Associate and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer

AI focussed actors and providers have been focussing on their forthcoming AI obligations and on governance for some time, but it is now prudent for the majority of organisations to assess how their use of AI will come within the scope of regulation in key territories and become familiar with each regime (and devise a means to keep up with the anticipated fast moving changes). Planning for the costs of compliance and for AI governance including systems and procedures for data retention and record keeping should also be part of current business strategy together with building expertise on AI internally and identifying trusted advisors from the "noise" of what is being offered externally.

Part 5 – AI Regulation Globally

Published on 10 Jun 2025. By Caroline Tuck, Partner and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer and Ricky Cella, Senior Associate

On 30 October 2023 the G7 published its international guiding principles on AI, in addition to a voluntary code of conduct for AI developers. The G7 principles are a non-exhaustive list of guiding principles aimed at promoting safe, secure and trustworthy AI and are intended to build on the OECD's AI Principles, adopted back in May 2019.

AI-as-a-service – key issues

Published on 10 Jun 2025. By Paul Joukador, Partner and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer and Tom James, Associate

Artificial Intelligence-as-a-Service (AIaaS), in the same vein as Software-as-a-Service and Infrastructure-as-a-Service, refers to cloud-based tools that allow businesses to gain access to an AI model hosted by a third party provider.

Procuring AI – commercial considerations checklist

Published on 10 Jun 2025. By Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer and Paul Joukador, Partner

Many companies will no doubt be considering using AI within their business to take advantage of the massive opportunities for increased productivity and cost efficiencies promised.

Regulation of AI - introduction

Published on 10 Jun 2025. By Caroline Tuck, Partner and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer and Ricky Cella, Senior Associate

As with any new technology, existing data protection and privacy, intellectual property, competition, product liability, data security and consumer laws apply to its application in each jurisdiction. This has thrown up a number of important and newsworthy issues and considerations for AI developers and providers, legislators, consumers and rights holders. There are also several sets of high profile legal proceedings both decided and ongoing in several jurisdictions. These issues and legal proceedings are discussed in other sections of this AI Guide.

What is AI and why is it topical?

Published on 10 Jun 2025. By Paul Joukador, Partner and Helen Armstrong, Partner and Charles Buckworth, Partner and Caroline Tuck, Partner

Whilst there is no universal definition of what constitutes artificial intelligence, at its core, AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans. This encompasses the ability to reason, learn from experience, understand complex concepts, interact with their environment and look to solve problems.

Cyber_Bytes - Issue 74

Published on 21 May 2025. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Daniel Guilfoyle, Partner and Rachel Ford, Partner and Ian Dinning, Senior Associate and Christopher Ashton, Senior Associate and Elizabeth Zang, Associate and Emanuele Santella , Associate and Lauren Kerr, Associate

Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our regular round-up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.

European Data Protection Board adopts statement on age assurance technologies

Published on 10 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

How is the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) proposing to address the benefits and risks of age assurance technologies?

New ICO guidance for “consent or pay” online ads

Published on 10 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What is the view of the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) on whether “consent or pay” online advertising models are compliant with UK data protection law?

Status update on the UK’s new Data (Use and Access) Bill

Published on 10 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

The UK’s new Data (Use and Access) Bill (DUA Bill) is on its way, but where is it in the legislative process? And what are proving the sticking points?

Developing responsible GenAI – the UK and EU regulatory view

Published on 10 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What is the UK and EU data protection authorities’ view on ensuring responsible generative AI (GenAI) development and deployment?

High Court rules against Sky Betting’s targeted marketing

Published on 10 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What constitutes valid consent under UK data protection law, particularly in the context of targeted marketing to vulnerable individuals?

Snapshots Spring 2025

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.

Data Dispatch - April 2025

Published on 16 Apr 2025. By Jon Bartley, Partner and Helen Yost, Senior Associate and Amy Blackburn, Senior Associate and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer and Kiran Dhoot, Associate

Welcome to the latest edition of Data Dispatch from the Data Advisory team at RPC. Our aim is to provide you on a regular basis with an easy-to-digest summary of key developments in data protection law.

Cyber_Bytes - Issue 73

Published on 11 Apr 2025. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Daniel Guilfoyle, Partner and Rachel Ford, Partner and Ian Dinning, Senior Associate and Christopher Ashton, Senior Associate and Elizabeth Zang, Associate and Emanuele Santella , Associate and Lauren Kerr, Associate

Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our regular round-up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.

Data Dispatch - March 2025

Published on 05 Mar 2025. By Jon Bartley, Partner and Helen Yost, Senior Associate and Amy Blackburn, Senior Associate and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer and Kiran Dhoot, Associate

Welcome to the latest edition of Data Dispatch from the Data Advisory team at RPC. Our aim is to provide you on a regular basis with an easy-to-digest summary of key developments in data protection law.

Cyber_Bytes - Issue 72

Published on 04 Mar 2025. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Daniel Guilfoyle, Partner and Rachel Ford, Partner and Ian Dinning, Senior Associate and Christopher Ashton, Senior Associate and Elizabeth Zang, Associate and Emanuele Santella , Associate and Lauren Kerr, Associate

Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our regular round-up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.

Part 3 - AI regulation in the US

Published on 03 Mar 2025. By Caroline Tuck, Partner and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer and Ricky Cella, Senior Associate

Back in October 2022, the White House published federal guidance – a Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights identifying five principles aiming to guide the design, use, and deployment of automated systems. It was designed to operate as a roadmap to protect the public from AI harms and was followed in October 2023 by the US President's Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. The Executive Order sets out eight "guiding principles and priorities", detailing how those principles and priorities should be put into effect, and reporting requirements