Search results

Thinking - Blog

Garden Villages - are they necessary?

Published on 09 Jan 2017.

A recent Government announcement has proposed 14 sites across England to be the first garden villages, with 3 further sites to be new garden towns. But with a country full of deserted and derelict buildings, are garden villages and towns the only way forward?

Thinking - Blog

Office to Residential Permitted Development Rights – an update

Published on 08 Aug 2016.

The rights to convert a building from office use to residential without needing to submit a planning application are not new, although a recent decision from the Planning Court have brought them back to the headlines and suggest that they may be more flexible than anticipated.

Thinking - Blog

Freedom of information: access denied by ministerial veto

Published on 04 Feb 2014.

Not since September 2012 when the Attorney General exercised powers under section 53(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) blocking the release of correspondence between Prince Charles and seven government departments has there been a matter likely to attract attention to the use of the ministerial veto.

Thinking - Blog

Court of Appeal's opinion on good faith clauses

Published on 11 Apr 2013.

In our February blog we reported on Compass Group UK and Ireland Ltd (trading as Medirest) v Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust [2012] EWHC 781 (QB) and the implications of the decision on the duty to act in good faith.

Thinking - Blog

Costs overruns in Target Costs contracts

Published on 22 Mar 2013.

Who is liable for costs overruns in a Target Cost contract, and to what extent? AMEC Group recently went to the TCC to appeal against an arbitration decision which found the Secretary of State for Defence ("the Authority") would only be liable for actual costs which were reasonably and properly incurred.

Thinking - Blog

NPPF – 1 year on: smooth transition or wasted opportunity?

Published on 21 Mar 2013.

Given that over 50% of Britain's local councils are still to adopt Local Plans, is the window of opportunity for local residents to take control of development in their local area about to close?

Thinking - Blog

New Kids on the Block : alternative funders in the real estate lending market

Published on 15 Mar 2013.

Over the last couple of years, there has been a surge in real estate lending by non-bank lenders as traditional banks started withdrawing from the market.

Thinking - Blog

Good Faith Clauses

Published on 26 Feb 2013.

There is no general doctrine of good faith in English law and it is not therefore implied into contracts.

Thinking - Blog

JCT Insurance Options: what's the right fit for fit-out?

Published on 18 Feb 2013.

Where a tenant is fitting out premises within a multi-occupied building, the JCT's standard insurance options are not always appropriate and, left unaddressed, place unintended and severe risks on the tenant.

Thinking - Blog

Government property, Kirstie and Phil style?

Published on 01 Feb 2013.

Ok, so Ms Allsopp and Mr Spencer haven’t quite been called in yet, but almost.

Thinking - Blog

Is the Green Deal a great deal?

Published on 29 Jan 2013.

There is no denying the Green Deal has many advantages but consider the deal in relation to short term leases and it may not be as great as it initially seems.

Thinking - Blog

NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contract "Guidance Notes": more important than you realise for interpreting the ECC

Published on 18 Jan 2013.

Certain terms of the NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contract ('ECC') are open to interpretation, and the recent case of E-Nik Ltd v Department for Communities & Local Government [2012] EWHC 3027 (Comm) has cast into doubt whether even something as routine as VAT is crystal-clear under the ECC.

Thinking - Blog

Development incentives – but at what cost?

Published on 14 Jan 2013.

In light of what is starting to appear to be a wholehearted failure to persuade local communities to meet requisite housing targets, Nick Boles last week proposed self-proclaimed "bungs" to local communities.

Thinking - Blog

Leaving customers without signal: the task of re-building the Telecoms Code

Published on 05 Dec 2012.

Now almost 30 years old, the Electronic Communications Code (the 'Code'), falls far short of representing the needs of a swiftly developing communications network.

Thinking - Blog

H&M: Brave New World?

Published on 27 Nov 2012.

We have all been involved in lease negotiations where there are differences of opinion as to what is or is not institutionally acceptable.

Thinking - Blog

End of the line for Village Greens?

Published on 14 Nov 2012.

Nothing can be more frustrating for a developer to see its scheme delayed or worse still derailed by an application for the registration of land as a town or village green ("TVG").

Profile

Saskia Mautner

Associate

+44 20 3060 6000

London

View profile

Thinking - Blog

Generative Artificial Intelligence Risks for Litigation Lawyers

Published on 09 Jun 2025. By Nick Bird, Partner and Cheryl Laird, Senior Associate

In R (on the application of Frederick Ayinde) v The London Borough of Haringey AC-2024-LON-003062 the President of the King's Bench Division (Dame Victoria Sharpe) and Mr Justice Johnson gave judgment in two referrals that had been made under the Hamid jurisdiction. That jurisdiction is the court's inherent jurisdiction to regulate its own procedures and enforce the obligations that lawyers owe to it.

Thinking - Blog

Six steps to AI Literacy (whether legally required to or not)

Published on 27 Feb 2025. By Paul Joukador, Partner and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer

At the beginning of February 2025, the AI literacy requirement under the EU AI Act came into force. The effect of this is that certain businesses must take measures to ensure a sufficient level of AI literacy in their staff.

Thinking - Publication

Retail Compass Autumn 2024

Published on 02 Oct 2024. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner and Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead

Welcome to the autumn edition of Retail Compass. This edition sees a surge of ESG-related legislative and regulatory updates. We hope to guide you through the most pressing, as well as the wider upcoming legal and policy changes affecting retail and consumer brands.

Thinking - Blog

AI in auditing: Embracing a new age for the profession

Published on 08 Jul 2024.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rather new concept for many (ignoring those versed in 80’s Sci-Fi movies); it’s something many don’t know much about and certainly don’t use in our day-to-day lives (or at least appreciate we are using). However, that’s not the case for everyone. Auditors have long been reaping the benefits of AI, but are auditors just scratching the surface of what AI can offer and what impact will an increased use have on their insurance requirements and claims they face?

Thinking - Publication

Retail Compass Spring 2024

Published on 15 Apr 2024. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner and Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead

Welcome to the Spring edition of Retail Compass, where we guide you through key upcoming legal and policy changes affecting retailers and consumer brands and provide our thoughts on those crucial, need-to-know issues.

Thinking - Blog

Navigating the impact of AI on work: challenges, opportunities, and the human touch

Published on 20 Mar 2024. By Patrick Brodie, Partner, Head of Employment, Engagement and Equality

The fear of job losses because of technology and automation, including artificial intelligence, has been with us since the 1960s. For some time, academics have predicted the decline of routine, rules-based and process-driven roles.

Thinking - Blog

Virtual billboards: the future of immersive advertising?

Published on 15 Jan 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and Elizabeth Alibhai, Partner and Nick Lauw, Partner

With the deployment of immersive technologies poised to become the norm, the implementation of infrastructure for "virtual billboards", and the "property digital rights" which they demand, is demonstrating a lucrative gap in the market and huge growth potential.

Thinking - Blog

Thaler v Comptroller [2023] UKSC 49: the UKSC rules that AI cannot be an 'inventor'

Published on 10 Jan 2024. By Matthew Jones, Partner

To the surprise of no one, the UK Supreme Court (UKSC) has finally ruled that an artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be an inventor for the purposes of UK patent law. This judgment accords with the decisions of the lower courts in the UK and the initial ruling of the UKIPO. It also reflects similar findings from most of courts around the world where the claimant, Dr Thaler, brought similar actions.

Thinking - Blog

12 top tips for using AI in retail and consumer businesses

Published on 18 Dec 2023. By Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer and Brendan Collar, Senior Associate

Last year, we set out our top ten tips for retailers entering the metaverse. This year, AI is the hot topic in retail and pretty much everywhere else! AI is redefining the retail and consumer industry. It can improve consume engagement, aid decision-making, curate tailored promotions, improve efficiencies, and reduce costs. So what do retailers and consumer bran need to be mindful of when deploying AI?

Thinking - Blog

Coming to a bank near you? How "investment AI" could transform financial mis-selling claims

Published on 09 Nov 2023. By Daniel Hemming, Partner

Living under a rock is probably the only way anyone might have escaped the media attention given to ChatGPT and generative AI in recent months. Beyond the (considerable) hype, this technology could have a profound impact on financial mis-selling claims where financial institutions and fund managers turn to the new technology to help them select investments and products.

Thinking - Publication

Retail Compass Autumn 2023

Published on 17 Oct 2023. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner and Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead

Welcome to our Autumn edition of Retail Compass, where we guide you through the key legal and policy changes affecting retail and consumer brands and provide our thoughts on those crucial, need-to-know issues.

Thinking - Blog

EU AI ACT-ion stations

Published on 29 Sep 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Charles Buckworth, Partner

The EU is forging ahead with its vision for AI. With wrapping up talks on the EU AI Act between the EU governments, the Commission and the parliamentary negotiators imminent, we bring you up to date on the EU's risk based approach, the scope of the Act, a timeline, key points that will form the basis of the discussions and next steps.

Thinking - Blog

What To Know About AI Fraudsters Before Facing Disputes

Published on 29 Aug 2023. By Dan Wyatt, Partner and Christopher Whitehouse, Of Counsel

Fraudsters are quick to weaponise new technological developments and artificial intelligence is proving no exception, with AI-assisted scams increasingly being reported in the news, including most recently one using a likeness of a BBC broadcaster.

Thinking - Blog

The November 2023 AI safety summit and the UK's direction of travel

Published on 29 Aug 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Charles Buckworth, Partner and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

The government has confirmed that the UK AI safety summit will be held at Bletchley Park on 1 and 2 November 2023.

Thinking - Podcast

AI and ChatGPT in Law firms

Published on 04 Aug 2023.

First published by 39 Essex Chambers, in this episode Patrick Brodie, Head of Employment, Engagement and Equality at law firm, RPC, discusses with Katherine Apps KC the issues raised by the use of large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT in a law firm environment.

Thinking - Snapshot

Ethics in the age of AI: new Institute of Directors checklist

Published on 07 Jul 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What are the key considerations for boards regarding the ethical use of AI within their companies based on the Institute of Directors’ (IoD) Checklist for Boards (Checklist)?

Thinking - Snapshot

Government White Paper sets out UK approach to AI regulation

Published on 07 Jul 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

How is the UK Government looking to regulate AI?

Thinking - Podcast

Unlocking Generative AI’s Potential: Ethics, Creativity, and Impact

Published on 29 Jun 2023.

What if you could unlock the full potential of Generative AI and its impact on your life and company?

Thinking - Blog

Generative AI and intellectual property rights—the UK government's position

Published on 03 May 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Jani Ihalainen, Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

The IPO is to produce a code of practice by the summer that will provide guidance to support AI firms in accessing copyright protected works as an input to their models.

Thinking - Blog

New developments in AI may put law firms at greater risk of phishing fraud

Published on 28 Apr 2023. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group

As the computing power of Artificial Intelligence continues to grow exponentially, we consider how generative technology may expand the reach of traditional phishing frauds aimed at law firms.

Thinking - Publication

Sports Ticker (27 April 2023) – PL gambling sponsor ban, WWE x UFC merger and Schumacher's AI interview – a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 28 Apr 2023. By Jeremy Drew, Partner, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate

In a fortnight which saw Corach Rambler win the Grand National, the UK & Ireland submit its bid to host the UEFA Euro 2028 men's tournament, and 48,000 runners take to the streets for the London Marathon, we bring you updates on Spotify's new integration with Strava and Team GB's collaboration with Birds Eye. We also feature stories on a controversial AI-generated interview with Michael Schumacher and our own Kate O'Malley's sub-three hour marathon success.

Thinking - Publication

Retail Compass Spring 2023

Published on 27 Apr 2023. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner

Welcome to our Spring edition of Retail Compass, where we guide you through the key legal and policy changes affecting retail and consumer brands and provide our thoughts on those crucial, need-to-know issues.

Thinking - Blog

Understanding and managing the risks in artificial intelligence (AI) technology projects

Published on 12 Apr 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Ricky Cella, Senior Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

How do you go about managing the risks and challenges that might arise during the deployment of AI technology?

Press and Media

RPC reacts to UK Government White Paper on AI

Published on 30 Mar 2023. By Jon Bartley, Partner and Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead and Richard Breavington, Partner and Kelly Thomson, Partner, ESG Strategy Lead and Helen Armstrong, Partner and Patrick Brodie, Partner, Head of Employment, Engagement and Equality and Mamata Dutta, Partner

RPC reacts to UK Government White Paper on AI

Thinking - Publication

What if the CEO asks me about... using Artificial Intelligence in our Retail stores?

Published on 28 Mar 2023. By Paul Joukador, Partner

The term "artificial intelligence" (AI) describes a range of technologies that enable machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as the ability to comprehend, act and learn.

Thinking - Blog

AI technology projects – the regulatory landscape

Published on 24 Feb 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Ricky Cella, Senior Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

Parties engaged in AI technology projects should be mindful of the regulatory landscape, and the changes taking place within it. A failure to do so could result in an AI solution that is not compliant from a regulatory perspective, the use of which potentially creates risk for the technology provider and user.

Thinking - Snapshot

UK Government sets out proposals for regulation of AI

Published on 10 Oct 2022. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What are the UK Government’s plans for the future regulation of artificial intelligence (AI)?

Thinking - Snapshot

ICO launches AI and Data Protection Toolkit

Published on 28 Jul 2022.

How can those engaged in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) systems utilise the Information Commissioner’s Office’s AI and data protection risk toolkit (the Toolkit) to better ensure compliance with data protection legislation?

Thinking - Snapshot

UK government announces the launch of an AI standards hub

Published on 12 Apr 2022. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What does the new artificial intelligence (AI) standards hub mean for businesses seeking to develop AI technologies?

Thinking - Snapshot

UK authorities consider position of AI in preparation for a new Golden Age of Tech

Published on 09 Jun 2021. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

The question: What direction is the UK taking regarding policies on artificial intelligence (AI)?

Thinking - Snapshot

ICO publishes guidance on AI decision making

Published on 02 Nov 2020. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

How can companies comply with data regulation when using AI to make decisions affecting individuals?

Thinking - Blog

Landlord required to return £100,000s of insurance commissions

Published on 24 Jun 2025. By Michael Duncan, Of Counsel

In the recent case of London Trocadero v Picturehouse Cinemas [2025] EWHC 1247 (Ch), the landlord was ordered to repay c.£700,000 in respect of insurance commissions that had been charged to its tenant over an 8-year period.

Thinking - Blog

Tribunal discharges 'obsolete' restrictive covenant affecting land despite strong opposition

Published on 07 May 2025. By Michael Duncan, Of Counsel

A brief overview of a recent case in which a restrictive covenant was discharged by the Upper Tribunal because the benefit it secured was personal to the original covenantee and the covenant's purpose could no longer be fulfilled.