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COVID-19 Secure – Government Guidance released

Published on 14 May 2020.

Following Prime Minster Boris Johnson's announcement on Sunday 10 May about limited easing lockdown restrictions, the government published various guidance documents to businesses on 11 May to assist with the process of returning to work.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)?

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?

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?

The "Unicorn Kingdom's" AI White Paper

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

The UK's pro-innovation AI White paper has been published. It landed almost simultaneously with an open letter from the Future of Life Institute which called for a six-month halt in work on AI systems more powerful than the generative AI system: GPT-4.

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.

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.

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?

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.

FCA consults on new reporting obligations for (i) incidents and (ii) third party arrangements

Published on 16 Jan 2025. By Mark Crichard, Partner and Nigel Wilson, Of Counsel and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer

On 13 December 2024, the FCA published consultation paper CP24/28 (the CP) on proposals for firms to report on operational incidents and, separately, on material third party arrangements. The CP mirrors similar proposals put forward by the PRA and Bank of England on the same day and is designed to align with current international standards (e.g. the EU Regulation on digital operational resilience (DORA)).

Securing electricity for development projects

Published on 14 May 2025. By Arash Rajai, Partner and Claire Wilmann, Senior Associate

Developers are facing significant delays in securing a point of connection, offer from a Distribution Network Operator (DNO), to reserve power on the grid for a new development site. In a challenging market, a development site that might be sold off with planning permission is more marketable if it benefits from reserved power.

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.

Construction and Engineering Law 2024

Published on 15 Aug 2024. By Tom Green, Partner and Arash Rajai, Partner and Alan Stone, Partner and Jonathan Carrington, Senior Associate

We are delighted to have contributed once again to ICLG's Construction and Engineering Law guide for 2024. The comprehensive guide delves into the multifaceted world of construction and engineering law, providing an essential reference for understanding and comparing the handling of common legal challenges across various jurisdictions.

AI in Construction

Published on 16 Jul 2024. By Georgina Haynes, Senior Associate

There is a lot of discussion around Artificial Intelligence ("AI") and its application to industry. We have considered what AI is, the benefits and risks, how it fits into the construction industry, the effect on insurers and what the future holds.

The Times recognises RPC among Best Law Firms 2024

Published on 30 Oct 2023.

International law firm, RPC, has been recognised by The Times in its Best Law Firms 2024 report, an annual ranking of the top 250 law firms in England and Wales.

Health and Safety bulletin – April 2025

Published on 25 Apr 2025. By Mamata Dutta, Partner and Rashna Vaswani, Associate and Sally Lord, Knowledge Lawyer Manager

Welcome to this month's health and safety update, keeping you updated with a round-up of the latest fines, sentences, and environmental news.

Health and Safety Bulletin – September 2024

Published on 24 Sep 2024. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Mamata Dutta, Partner and Rashna Vaswani, Associate and Sally Lord, Knowledge Lawyer Manager and Catherine Zakarias-Welch, Knowledge Lawyer and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

Welcome to this month's health and safety update, keeping you updated with a round-up of the latest fines, sentences, and environmental news.

Health and Safety Bulletin – March 2024

Published on 06 Mar 2024. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Mamata Dutta, Partner and Rashna Vaswani, Associate

Welcome to this month's health and safety update. View the headlines below or click the pdf at the bottom of the page to read the full articles.

Health and Safety Bulletin – August 2023

Published on 23 Aug 2023. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Mamata Dutta, Partner and Rashna Vaswani, Associate

Welcome to this month's health and safety update. View the headlines below or click the pdf at the bottom of the page to read the full articles.

Health and Safety Bulletin – November 2022

Published on 10 Nov 2022. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Mamata Dutta, Partner

Welcome to this month's health and safety update. View the headlines below or click the pdf at the bottom of the page to read the full articles.

Health and Safety Bulletin – February 2022

Published on 08 Feb 2022. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Mamata Dutta, Partner

Welcome to this month's health and safety update. View the headlines below or click the pdf at the bottom of the page to read the full articles.

Health and safety update - June 2021

Published on 28 Jun 2021.

Welcome to this month's health and safety update. View the headlines below or click the pdf at the bottom of the page to read the full articles.

Health and safety update - September 2020

Published on 30 Sep 2020.

Welcome to this month's health and safety update. View the headlines below or click the pdf at the bottom of the page to read the full articles.

Health and safety update December 2019

Published on 19 Dec 2019.

Welcome to our December 2019 health and safety update where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety update September 2019

Published on 01 Oct 2019. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Mamata Dutta, Partner

Welcome to our September 2019 health and safety update where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety update June 2019

Published on 28 Jun 2019.

Welcome to our June 2019 health and safety update where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety update March 2019

Published on 21 Mar 2019.

Welcome to our March 2019 health and safety update where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety update December 2018

Published on 18 Dec 2018.

Welcome to the latest edition of our health and safety update where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety update September 2018

Published on 28 Sep 2018.

Welcome to the latest edition of our health and safety update where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety update June 2018

Published on 25 Jun 2018.

Welcome to the latest edition of our health and safety update where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety update March 2018

Published on 26 Mar 2018.

Welcome to the latest edition of our health and safety update where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety update December 2017

Published on 14 Dec 2017.

Welcome the the latest edition of our Health and safety update, where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.

Health and safety law update, December 2016

Published on 19 Dec 2016.

Welcome to the December issue of our Health & Safety law update.

Health and Safety update, September 2016

Published on 29 Sep 2016.

This edition includes details of Merlin Attractions' £5 million fine following the Smiler crash in 2015 at Alton Towers, in addition to the latest case law and health & safety news.

Health and Safety June Update

Published on 03 Jun 2016.

Health and safety update June 2016

National Grid Gas plc hit with £2m fine for health and safety breach

Published on 11 Dec 2015.

National Grid Gas plc hit with £2m fine for health and safety breach

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.