Expert insights into key commercial issues and how they affect legal industry.
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Global Mergers & Acquisitions of Consumer Brands in 2020: Makeup, mobile gaming & multiplexes
Advising on mergers & acquisitions is part of a commercial law firm's offering to its clients. Companies from all industries seek to merge with or acquire other organisations for a variety of reasons, often in order to expand market share or increase their competitiveness amongst their consumer base.
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Designer plagiarism: what does fast fashion have to answer for?
The fast fashion market value is higher than $35bn, but creating cheap garments on demand has given birth to a more sinister trend—ripping off other brands, from high end fashion houses to smaller designers. Where does artistic interpretation end, and plagiarism begin?
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Business law goes global: an introduction to the international legal services landscape
Law, like business, has gone global. Although each jurisdiction enacts its own laws, in some cases the laws of various jurisdictions have been harmonised by treaty (intellectual property law is a prime example). In other cases, the laws of various jurisdictions must be taken into account before a transaction can take place. Conflicts among the laws of different jurisdictions are frequently in need of resolution.
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The business of Fashion: what are the current legal trends?
In this article, Simra (who you may know better as @theLondonLawStudent on Instagram) looks into the various trends and preoccupations of the fashion sector.
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Delays on government infrastructure projects: what’s the deal?
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Are law partnerships in decline?
Although the partnership model remains dominant, change is in the air. We look at what this means for law firms in the UK and US
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The Internet of Things: will it transform connectivity as we know it?
If you’ve been keeping up to date with tech news and business press, you’ll perhaps have encountered something called the Internet of Things. You’re also more likely than not to have used a device that’s connected to it. So what is it? Why is it important? And what do you need to know?
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IBM Watson: Oracle or Debacle?
For better or for worse, IBM’s latest AI miracle is expected to revolutionise the working environment.
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Social-media platforms and fake news
Recent scandals and allegations about misuse of data, election interference and misinformation has led to a surge in reviews, policy and regulations.
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The Next 100 Years: Women at the Bar
It’s a whole century since the barriers to women practicing law were finally lifted. Here we take a look at some of the professionals celebrating what’s happened in the industry since then, and look forward to the next 100 years.
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The "gig" economy vs employee ownership
Welcome to the future: two disparate forms of economic organisation are vying for supremacy in the 21st century.
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The legal reality of sporting events: what developments are required?
A major sporting event can carry wide-reaching advantages, providing it is organised in a diplomatic and fair manner—and takes into account the legal implications. Here, we take a look at two high-profile events and some of the challenges involved.
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Understanding the implications of autonomous vehicles
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A new era for the legal industry: how LegalDefence is making law more accessible
We spoke to Mike Roberts, managing director of LegalShield, about the launch of its new legal advice app LegalDefence. Will it succeed in making law more accessible to the public? And how might apps like this one challenge the legal industry as it stands?
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Financial Markets: Staying Afloat
For the first time, law firms are being floated on the London Stock Exchange, which prompts the questions of why and how they benefit from taking this step. We look at what law firms can hope to achieve from this process.
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Mergers and acquisitions: an anatomy
One of the biggest processes a client can go through is a merger or acquisition—in fact, there’s an entire area of practice devoted to it. Here’s a brisk run through the basics, so you’ll be able to keep up the next time you read about one!
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The growth of e-discovery
The massive growth of electronically-stored information (ESI) has increased the cost and complexity of the discovery process, coined a new term (electronic discovery) and resulted in the emergence of new roles in litigation support and trial technology.
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The Viagogo effect
It has long been the case that tickets for sold-out events re-enter the marketplace on ticket resale sites. One such site, Viagogo, has attracted significant legal criticism.
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The New Banks on the Block
Is mobile banking the wave of the future? If so, what legal challenges do they pose?
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Electric Vehicles: Fixing the Legal Blindspots
Climate change and health risks from pollution have spurred a technological revolution in the automotive industry. As petrol and diesel make way for electricity, laws need to be introduced and updated to reflect changes in infrastructure and clarify liability in ‘driverless’ vehicles.
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Space: the final legal frontier
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Next-generation connectivity
OSBORNE CLARKE'S latest research explores how the introduction of more sophisticated technology will change both our lives, and how we do business in the future.
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What role does the law play in the future of energy?
Gone are the days when the Big Six energy providers had a monopoly over the market—smaller companies are now taking their place at the table. But the law will need to play a part in ensuring that energy can be enjoyed from various sources without interruption.
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Globalised law and best friends networks
Law firms have responded to globalisation in different ways: some have expanded internationally, either through organic growth or via mergers. Others have increased their global reach by forging strong relationships with firms in other jurisdictions.
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3D printing and the future of intellectual property
We live in an age where sharing online is easier than ever, and with new 3D-printing technology, physical objects can now be constructed from a three-dimensional digital model. As reproducing and replicating products illegally becomes more and more common, how does IP law fit into the digital age?
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The globalisation of UK law firms: expansion into emerging markets
What are the possible new jurisdictions for law firms in the future, and what challenges will they face?
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Restorative justice—does it work?
Jonathan Doak, Associate Dean for Research at Nottingham Law School, weighs in on what restorative justice can offer us.
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What does the future hold for the paralegal sector?
When it comes to the paralegal sector, what does the future hold? Amanda Hamilton, Chief Executive of NALP, weighs in.
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Smart Cities
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Getting to grips with areas of law: the Macfarlanes perspective
There’s a wealth of practice areas out there for qualified lawyers, and you will likely experience some on your training contract, but it’s hard to get a real sense of exactly what each one involves. Ahead of Macfarlanes’ Practice Area Open Day, where you will have the opportunity to speak to each of their practice areas, we spoke to six lawyers at the firm. We gained an insight into their day-to-day responsibilities and found out a bit more about what life is like at Macfarlanes.
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For better, for worse: a deep dive into historic international mergers
M&A is a dominant practice area in law, and for good reason. When companies with international influence decide on—or are forced into—a merger, there are many legal ramifications. We examine some recent and historic mergers, as well as those that went wrong.
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Are UN resolutions legally enforceable?
The United Nations was set up in 1945 to maintain world peace and security, and to foster global co-operation. So how are UN resolutions formulated—and why, particularly in relation to Israel-Palestine, are they proving so difficult to enforce?
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Media law: home and abroad
What is the future of media regulation in the UK, and how does it compare to other counties? We look at the differences and similarities.
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The connected consumer: Osborne Clarke's key research findings on modern consumerism
The advancement of technology together with increasing globalisation has changed the way we consume—which in turn is influencing the way businesses work. Osborne Clarke has chosen to focus its research efforts on this ever-relevant development. Here we take a look at the work done by Osborne Clarke, examining how the connected consumer is relevant to the legal sector.
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In Uncle Sam's shadow: the US influence over UK law
Although the EU referendum focused attention on Europe’s influence over UK laws, the US has also had a significant influence in the past—and looks set to have an even bigger influence in the future.
Words: Emma Finamore. Images: Josh Krohn and Sam Jenkins.
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The future of GDPR
The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect in May this year, after years of fraught negotiation. But will this landmark law survive our departure from the EU, and what will that mean for data protection in the UK?
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Northern Irish border: the legal implications
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The pollution problem: cleaning up the UK's illegal air
With thousands of premature deaths per year attributed to poor air quality, this type of pollution is a problem bordering on a health crisis. When it comes to clean air, what legislation is in place – and what legislation needs to be introduced?
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Hillsborough disaster: Sir Norman Bettison charges dropped
Sir Norman Bettison faced charges due to alleged misconduct in relation to the Hillsborough disaster - but the CPS said on Tuesday that proceedings would be discontinued. What does this mean for the long campaign for justice for the 96?
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Tradition meets technology: tech developments in law.
As tech becomes the fuel of business, health, politics, and crime the world over, legislation has been introduced to regulate it. But technology has also been integral to the modern-day law firms and courtrooms. Here are our predictions of how tech is going to interact with your career, as it shapes law over the next few years.
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Femicide: an uncomfortable truth
In light of the recent conviction of a man guilty of killing multiple female partners, we look at the statistics around femicide: who is most likely to commit this crime, where, and to whom, as well as the potential steps that could be taken to curb the frequency of its occurrence.
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Sentenced to uncertainty: life in the UK's immigration detention centres
Donald Trump’s controversial separation at the border policy, which he ended yesterday after mounting pressure, calls into question the way in which countries treat undocumented individuals. We take a look at the UK’s immigration detainees, who never know how long they could be held.
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Ireland moves towards legalised abortion
The Republic of Ireland's landmark decision to repeal the 8th Amendment has been fraught with emotion. From the international response, the voters who returned home and the arguments on both sides, we take a look at the build-up to this historic referendum.
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The fall of Facebook?
The Cambridge Analytica scandal has portrayed data mining, Facebook and democracy in a shocking new light, ultimately causing CA to seek insolvency. We take a look at what happened when the scandal unfolded.
Words: Becky Kells. Images: Josh Krohn
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The UK's retail graveyard
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Alfie Evans: the legal perspective
Over the past few months, the case surrounding a severely unwell child became the centre of an international debate which spanned ethics, law and the decision-making rights of parents. The parents of Alfie Evans clashed repeatedly with Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool, over the decision to end life support and begin palliative care. With Alfie’s parents and the hospital unable to agree, the case was taken to the High Court.
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Beauty or the Beast?
Rupert Murdoch has announced a deal with Disney to sell assets, including his Hollywood film studio, a controlling stake in Sky (in the UK) and a 30% stake in Hulu. As the Federal Communications Commission in the US has also voted to dismantle rules regulating the businesses that connect consumers to the internet, we take a look at what all these potential changes mean for the media landscape, plurality, and net neutrality.
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Taking stock of the gig economy: lessons for technology companies
With big names like Uber and Deliveroo emerging on a global scale, the gig economy has become a prominent topic of debate in terms of how companies employ workers. Charles Pigott, a professional support lawyer at Mills & Reeve, talks through what you need to know about the gig economy and employment status.
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AAL Insight: Nestle v Cadbury – The Kit-Kat Case
It might sound like a tasty little case, but as Nestle has found out, there’s very little sweet about the trademarking battle that they’ve been having out with major rivals Cadbury over the distinctive shape of a Kit-Kat. AllAboutLaw investigated further.
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AAL Insight: Politics and Religion in Indonesia
Indonesia might seem like a world away from the UK, but it’s an exceptionally important state for the wellbeing world politics. Recent revelations have seen a Christian governor in a Muslim state, jailed for blasphemy, igniting the debate over whether a democracy can work if it is governed by religious principles. Jack J Collins weighed it up.
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AAL Insight: Freedom of Information changes provoke outrage
In the latest instalment of the battle for freedom of information and press freedoms, campaigners have begun warning that whistleblowers and journalists are under threat of being imprisoned for the revealing of sensitive documents, even if they’re in the public interest.
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AAL Insight: Social Media Targeting Voters
An investigation has been launched into the methods which political parties use to target voters on social media, and the parties have been warned that if they’re using distinct data on individuals in order to decide who to target, then they could be at risk of falling foul of the law.
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General Election – Housing
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General Election – Economy
In the penultimate issue of our election breakdown, we take a closer look at the policies which each party plans to put into place regarding the economy – including tax and business policies.
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General Election – Healthcare
In the third part of our election breakdown, we take a look at a topic which Labour are keen to press during this election – the healthcare system and what needs fixing.
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General Election – Security
In the fourth issue of our election series, we take a look at security, which has been a key battleground in the campaign of this election
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General Election – Education
In the first part of our six-part series on the General Election, we break down the Education policies of the different parties and examine what they mean in the grander scheme of the country as a whole.
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What does the Great Repeal Bill mean for the UK's legal system?
Trevor Tayleur is an associate professor at the University of Law. Here, he offers AllAboutLaw his insights into what the Great Repeal Bill's white paper actually means in terms of the UK's legal system, as well as the Court of Justice of the European Union's continuing influence for some years to come.
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AAL Insight: The Hillsborough Law
Following the final revelations about the cover-up and mass misleading of the public in the wake of the Hillsborough Disaster of 1989, a new law is to be presented to Parliament to offer more transparency in the public sector.
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AAL Insight: Marine A walks free - redemption or miscarriage of justice?
Marine A, or Alexander Blackman, as he has now been named, will walk free at Easter after his sentence for murder of an unarmed Taliban combatant in Helmand Province was quashed and reduced to manslaughter.
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AAL Insight: Hopkins, Monroe, and the future of Libel
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AAL Insight: UK v EU on Whistleblowers
The UK government has come under severe scrutiny for what has been called a “full-frontal attack” on whistleblowers, after it revealed proposals to dramatically lengthen prison sentences for revealing state secrets.
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AAL Insight: Roe-ll it Back
With the recent death of Norma McCorvey and a resurgence for Republicanism across America, there’s talk of a change in the abortion laws. We take a look back at their history and examine whether there could actually be a change in the forthcoming years.
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AAL Insight: Heterosexual Civil Partnerships
Despite a recent defeat in a court case, the campaign for equal civil partnership rights for heterosexual couples has claimed a moral victory and another step towards gaining their ultimate goal.
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Lawyers back Article 50 amendment
Leading lawyers, economists and businesses have urged MPs to put through an amendment to Article 50 which will give the 3 million EU nationals living in Britain guaranteed rights to remain.
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Supreme Court Article 50 Ruling - Lawyers Respond
Lawyers and important legal figures from across the country were quick to release statements in the wake of the Supreme Court Article 50 ruling last week. Here at AllAboutLaw, we tracked down some of the most important statements from both academic and practising lawyers and have reproduced them here for you to gain a better understanding of the legal interpretations of the case.
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AAL Commercial Insight: Judges v Editors - Press Freedom or Right to Privacy?
There’s been a significant amount of scholarly debate recently, across the opinion pages of the Guardian and the Telegraph and all the bastions of the British press, as to whether the injunctions around celebrities’ private lives should be allowed to be upheld in a digital age where freedom of information is so important.
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AAL Commercial Awareness: Problem Solved? US style courts in the UK
It has come to light in recent weeks that British MPs have given the green light to the problem solving courts which are popular in New York. AAL examines what this means for the judicial system.
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AAL Commercial Awareness: Image Rights, Jose Mourinho and Sponsorship
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AAL Commercial Awareness: British EU Emigrants lose supreme court ruling
Britons that have lived abroad for more than 15 years will not be allowed to participate in the EU referendum next month, it has been decided by the supreme court.
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AAL Insight: Hillsborough, truth and long-overdue justice
When ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ rang out in startling fashion against Dortmund last month, and then Liverpool went on to record another famous victory, there was a suggestion that this could be an extraordinary month for the club.
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AAL Insight: Instagram, Littergram and corporate name battles
A row erupted into the public consciousness this week as Instagram has ordered the owner of an anti-litter app based in Britain to change its ‘unacceptable’ name.
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AAL Commercial Awareness: Poppers, decriminalisation, and the legal highs ban
Alkyl Nitrates are far more commonly known by their ‘street’ name – Poppers. Since the early 1970’s they’ve been used around the world, for two main recreational purposes.
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AAL Commercial Awareness: Jonas Gutierrez, Newcastle United and disability discrimination
We explore the depth of the ongoing lawsuit between Newcastle United Football Club and ex-player Jonas Gutierrez amidst claims of disability discrimination by the player.
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AAL Insight: End of the tampon tax?
In a move that will make campaigners breathe a sigh of relief and utter the words “about time too”, it appears that EU leaders have finally agreed a deal to scrap what has become known as the “tampon tax.”
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AAL Insight: Online courts dividing the profession
Almost a month after Lord Briggs' interim report regarding the opening of online courts, the debate shows no signs of slowing up. We examine what the different bodies are saying about the proposals.
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AAL Insight: Suitcase saga finally ends
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AAL Commercial Awareness: Stop and Search
A new study by the Home Office has revealed that large-scale stop-and-search operations by the police has no visible effect in reducing crime.
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AAL Insight: Wi-Fi providers not liable
A landmark moment took place earlier this month in the European Court of Justice regarding the debate about whether Wi-Fi providers should be liable for felonies committed by their users.
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The gender pay gap
In light of the recent government initiative to reveal the gender pay gap figures for companies around the UK, it seems a good time to examine the latest revelations that have provoked such a measure, and the reactions to this latest attempt to solve an ongoing issue.
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Why Has Taylor Swift Purchased Porn Domains?
The world’s number one pop star, Taylor Swift, is not averse to pre-empting a legal challenge.
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Chelsea FC, The Paris Metro & Racist Fans: Can They Be Prosecuted?
Two weeks ago, footage emerged of Chelsea ‘fans’ singing a racist chant and preventing a black from boarding a train on the Paris Metro.
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Can Taylor Swift Lyrics Be Trademarked?
If Taylor Swift’s legal ventures were as pop-tastic as her latest album, 1989, then she’d probably be the best lawyer in the world.