Commercial Awareness

Merricks v Mastercard: A Surge in Mass Consumer Claims Expected?

Merricks v Mastercard: A Surge in Mass Consumer Claims Expected?

What just happened?

On 11 December 2020, the UK Supreme Court handed down a landmark ruling on the hugely anticipated Merricks v Mastercard case.[1] This has followed the £14bn collective action on behalf of 46.2 million consumers, brought against Mastercard concerning anti-competitive interchange fees.

NHS Workers Rightfully ask for Pay Rise- Will the Government Approve?

NHS Workers Rightfully ask for Pay Rise- Will the Government Approve?

What Just Happened?

Throughout 2020, NHS workers worked tirelessly to save thousands of lives across the UK. While their efforts have been praised via social media channels and “clap for carers” last year, NHS workers are still being overlooked by the government after requests for a 15% pay rise have been ignored.

Record Number of Domestic Violence Applications

Record Number of Domestic Violence Applications

What just happened?

The Law Society has again called for non-means tested legal aid to be made available to domestic abuse victims after government data revealed unprecedented high numbers of family court applications. Data from the Ministry of Justice last week showed an increase in the number of domestic violence remedy order applications between July and September this year.

Only 30 Minutes outside... COVID measures too harsh for Children?

Only 30 Minutes outside... COVID measures too harsh for Children?

What just happened?

There has been an ‘urgent notification’ issued to the justice secretary addressing major concerns of the quality of care and leadership at a privately run youth prison near Rugby.
This notification could be considered emergency action, and these notices are rare, but the so-called “bleak regime” has raised widespread concern.

Have 'Big Tech' Firms Become Too Powerful? Regulators Think So...

Have 'Big Tech' Firms Become Too Powerful? Regulators Think So...

What’s just happened?

Facebook is being sued in the US in a landmark lawsuit that could end up with the tech giant being stripped of its prized assets, Instagram and Facebook.[1] Regulators, who argue Facebook built its digital monopoly over the years by violating antitrust (competition) laws, are considering breaking up the company.

Review of the Human Rights Act 1998 Necessary?

Review of the Human Rights Act 1998 Necessary?

What just happened?

The UK government has appointed a panel, led by former Court of Appeal Judge, Sir Peter Gross, whose task is to review and critique the ‘structural framework’ of the Human Rights Act 1998 (“HRA”).

‘A New Strain of Job Loss.’ Mutated Covid-19 Spreading Faster

‘A New Strain of Job Loss.’ Mutated Covid-19 Spreading Faster

Though it was only 10 days ago that the first person in the United Kingdom had received the heavily anticipated Pfizer vaccine, said to be 90% effective against combating Covid-19, increasing whispers about a different variant or modified strain of Covid have been spreading through the South East of England, about as quickly as the new strain has too.

Will the UK be admitted into the Lugano Pact despite Brexit?

Will the UK be admitted into the Lugano Pact despite Brexit?

Recently, influential legal and commercial entities have joined the bid for the UK’s accession into the convention by writing to Charles Michel, president of the European Council. These include the law societies of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland; City of London Corporation; British Retail Consortium; British Chamber of Commerce EU & Belgium; Which?; and the Chambers of Ireland.

"I Feel the Need, the Need for Speed"

"I Feel the Need, the Need for Speed"

The title, a famous Hollywood line from Top Gun, brings back wonderful high-speed memories of the Concorde. The legendary aircraft of old has been grounded and retired since 2003 after more than 30 years of record-breaking commercial flights. However, putting aside it’s breaking of the sound barrier, the Concorde’s wings were clipped for various reasons, and the major reasons being environmental.

'Green Bonds' Allow Investors to Support Environmental Initiatives

'Green Bonds' Allow Investors to Support Environmental Initiatives

The UK will be issuing its first ever Sovereign Green Bond and will become the first country in the world to make Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD-aligned disclosures) mandatory by 2025.

Labour Propose Legal Changes to Tackle Sexual Exploitation

Labour Propose Legal Changes to Tackle Sexual Exploitation

What just happened?

On Wednesday 9th December, Labour's Dame Diana Johnson introduced a Ten-Minute Rule on the ‘Sexual Exploitation Bill’. If introduced it would make paying for sex a criminal offence and decriminalises selling sex. This would create offences of enabling or profiting from someone else's sexual exploitation, among other things.

COVID-19 Vaccine: Will the UK criminalise “Fake News”?

COVID-19 Vaccine: Will the UK criminalise “Fake News”?

What has just happened?

With the imminent arrival of the first vaccinations against COVID-19, the Labour Party has called for new laws to introduce criminal and financial penalties for social media companies that fail to crack down on misinformation surrounding coronavirus (specifically “dangerous anti-vaccine content” that appears on their networks.

Has the Rush for PPE Compromised our Ethics?

Has the Rush for PPE Compromised our Ethics?

In an investigation conducted by The Guardian, it was found that the UK government procured PPE kits from Chinese factories that employed North Korean women working under conditions of ‘modern slavery’. The government received huge backlash and criticism from Human Rights activists for their lack of due diligence in coming up with policies and steps that instead of discouraging and tackling the problem of modern slavery, aided and contributed to it.

Lawyers Targeted by Money Launderers During COVID

Lawyers Targeted by Money Launderers During COVID

What just happened?

The SRA defines money laundering as not a victimless crime – “it has severe impacts across our society and economy. It allows criminals and their associates to use funds from crime, such as the illegal drugs and firearms trade, people trafficking and fraud.”

‘Flipping Madness’: Property Market Finds its Feet Amidst Global Pandemic

‘Flipping Madness’: Property Market Finds its Feet Amidst Global Pandemic

What’s just happened?

While this year has undoubtedly been one for the history books, seeing a housing ‘boom’ is something many wouldn’t have predicted. However, it turns out that not only being cooped up with in-laws, parents, and partners has been a blessing for the stable family unit, it’s seemingly worked wonders for the property market too.

Klarna Email Blunder – Is it a breach of GDPR?

Klarna Email Blunder – Is it a breach of GDPR?

What has just happened?

Multiple individuals have reported receiving marketing emails from Klarna, a ‘buy now, pay later’ service, despite never having signed up.

The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) have announced that they will make enquiries into Klarna, as many people complained after receiving the email.

Bristol MPs Backing Corbyn Suspended

Bristol MPs Backing Corbyn Suspended

What has just happened?

The chair, co-secretary, and a number of other members in Bristol West Labour have been suspended from the party and threatened with an investigation after it passed a motion criticising the treatment of former leader Jeremy Corbyn as a “politically motivated attack against the left of the Labour Party by the leadership”.

Reforms to the Supreme Court, More Power for the Government?

Reforms to the Supreme Court, More Power for the Government?

What just happened?

The United Kingdom’s (UK) Conservative government has announced plans to consider renaming and reforming the UK’s Supreme Court. These changes are currently under ministerial discussion.

Behind the Scenes of the Luxury Sector, Through Blockchain

Behind the Scenes of the Luxury Sector, Through Blockchain

Blockchain is essentially digital information stored in a public database. This technology is gaining popularity among the luxury retail sector. For example, in 2019 it was announced that LVMH would be launching the first global blockchain, using the Aura platform to allow consumers to trace the origin and authenticity of products.