Expert Analysis

• A Breakdown Of The SRA's Proposed New Fining Powers

  

  Thanks to the Solicitors Regulation Authority's pending new fining framework, which includes guidance on unsuitable fines and a fixed penalties scheme for low-level breaches, firms can expect to see more disciplinary findings leading to an SRA fine rather than referral to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, say Graham Reid and Shanice Holder at RPC.

• Problems With New UK 'Working Patterns' Bill Are Predictable

  

  While the worthy intentions of the new Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill are not in question, in not defining "predictable" it has a yawning vacuum at its heart, and given the enormous potential for claims something more specific is surely required, says David Whincup at Squire Patton.

• Court Of Appeal Charts Path For COVID Dismissal Claims

  

  The Court of Appeal's first COVID-19-related health and safety dismissal decision reassures employers that they can defend claims if they demonstrate they took steps to reduce the risk of infection, or any other type of workplace health and safety risk, in a clear and practical way, says Kathryn Clapp at Taylor Wessing.

• Lessons To Be Learned From Twitter's Latest Hacking Scandal

  

  Following the report of a recent data breach at Twitter, it is clearly vital for companies to adhere to best practices in data protection and IT security arrangements, including technical measures, and proper processes and procedures that mitigate risk and provide adequate training for staff, says Simon Ridding at Keller Postman.

• UK Court Reinforces High Bar In Human Rights Investigations

  

  Although the recent U.K. High Court decision in World Uyghur Congress v. Secretary of State found that a high evidential threshold must be cleared to investigate human rights abuses, this is not to be seen as an incentive for companies to ease back on their supply chain risk management and due diligence procedures, says Lloyd Firth at WilmerHale.

• How New UK Subsidy Control Rules Will Differ From EU Law

  

  The newly effective Subsidy Control Act contains key differences to the previously applicable EU state aid laws, and legal practitioners should familiarize themselves with the new regime, ensuring that their public sector clients are aware of the challenges it presents, say attorneys at Shepherd and Wedderburn.

• Preparing For EU's Pay Gap Reporting Directive

  

  An agreement has been reached on the European Union Pay Transparency Directive, paving the way for gender pay gap reporting to become compulsory for many employers across Europe, introducing a more proactive approach than the similar U.K. regime and leading the way on new global standards for equal pay, say attorneys at Lewis Silkin.

• Why Employers Must Address Differences In UK And EU Law

  

  Amid globalization and more location-fluid working arrangements, it is crucial that employers recognize and address the differences between U.K. and EU laws in several workforce management areas, including worker representation, pay and benefits, termination of employment, and diversity and inclusion, says Hannah Wilkins at Eversheds Sutherland.

• How UK Employment Revisions Could Improve On EU Laws

  

  There is concern that the U.K. Retained EU Law Bill might remove the numerous protections provided to employees by EU law, but it could bring with it the chance to make better the pieces of law that currently cause employers the biggest headaches, says Simon Fennell at Shoosmiths.

• Private MP Bills Could Drive Employment Law Reform

  

  Instead of a single Employment Bill, the U.K. government is supporting various private proposals by backbench members of Parliament, and cross-party support may mean this process provides a viable route for reforming employment law, says Jonathan Naylor at Shoosmiths.

• An Irish Perspective On The Women On Boards Directive

  

  The EU Women on Boards Directive marks a discernible gear shift in the campaign to achieve gender balance at board level that Irish listed companies must engage with, and those that embark on change now will be well placed to succeed under the new regime, say attorneys at Matheson.

• UK Ruling Adds Clarity To Duty Of Good Faith In Contracts

  

  The recent U.K. Court of Appeal decision in Compound Photonics Group on the implied duty of good faith in commercial contracts ties in with the established requirement to act rationally, although courts are still reluctant to set out a list of minimum standards that will apply in all circumstances, say Louise Freeman and Alan Kenny at Covington.

• Wearing Religious Signs At Work: The Evolving EU Case Law

  

  Based on a recent European Court of Justice ruling, the main criterion for allowing employers to prohibit employees from wearing religious signs on the basis of a policy of neutrality seems to be whether a genuine need exists for doing so, making it harder for employers to apply such a policy, says Chris Van Olmen at Van Olmen & Wynant.

• What Slovak Labor Code Changes Will Mean For Employers

  

  With newly effective amendments to the Slovak Labor Code strengthening employees’ rights in a number of ways, the default mindset of the employee being the weaker party may no longer be the right approach, says Katarina Pfeffer at Bird & Bird.

• An ICO Reminder On Managing Subject Access Requests

  

  Although the U.K. Information Commissioner's Office’s recent seven reprimands regarding mismanagement of data subject access requests are unusual, it is worth organizations considering what resources and training may be available to ensure these are properly managed in the future, says Ross McKenzie at Addleshaw Goddard.