On 28 July 2022, the Law Commission of England and Wales published a consultation paper on the recognition and protection of digital assets. The consultation paper recommends law reform to recognise a third category of personal property – referred to as “data objects” – in addition to things in possession (such as physical objects) and things … Read more

The FCA has published the final rules and guidance and accompanying non-Handbook guidance relating to the new Consumer Duty (the Duty). While the nature and scope of the Duty remains largely unchanged in most areas, the final rules and guidance contain some significant changes and clarifications relating to how the Duty will apply in relation to distribution chains, closed books, wholesale markets and … Read more

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP have published an article in Bloomberg Law detailing the key legislative and/or regulatory solutions that jurisdictions have adopted to mitigate the risks raised by so-called “tough legacy” contracts following the discontinuation of the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) on 31 December 2021 in nearly all currencies and tenors (with an extension … Read more

In a speech delivered at Mansion House on 19 July 2022, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi MP, sets out the government’s vision for the future of UK financial service and discusses proposals which aim to keep the UK “the most open, inclusive, welcoming, competitive, safe, and transparent place to do financial services business, in the … Read more

The Court of Appeal has held that claims brought in the English court by over 200,000 claimants arising out of the 2015 collapse of the Fundão Dam in Brazil can proceed, overturning the High Court’s decision which had struck out the claims as an abuse of process in light of concurrent proceedings and compensation schemes … Read more

At a recent Case Management Conference (CMC), where a split trial was proposed by the claimants in a claim brought pursuant to Section 90A and Schedule 10A of the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA), the High Court has held that reliance issues should be heard at the second trial, with defendant liability issues to … Read more

In a judgment which has only recently become available, the High Court has allowed an application by a bank for summary judgment in its claim against a high net-worth individual, pursuant to a guarantee, for monies due under a loan agreement: Bank of Beirut (UK) Ltd v Moukarzel [2021] EWHC 3777 (Comm). This is an … Read more