Expert Analysis

• Decision Shows Cost Consequences Of Rejecting Mediation

  

  An English county court's recent first-instance decision in Conway v. Conway & Meek, which imposed a reduction in costs due to what the judge saw as the defendants' unreasonable refusal to consider mediation, underscores a growing judicial willingness to promote mediation through cost sanctions, say Gerard Kelly and Gearoid Carey at Mason Hayes.

• Duties And Questions To Consider In Expert Witness Selection

  

  A spotlight has recently been shone on the role of expert witnesses due to the ongoing Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, which should remind all parties to take steps to understand what an expert witness is responsible for and what the selection process should look like, says Toby Hunt at HKA.

• ECJ Cartel Damages Rulings Are Wins For Multinational Cos.

  

  Two decisions from the European Court of Justice last month clarifying the limits of the single economic unit doctrine in cartel damages proceedings will help multinational companies anticipate and prepare for litigation within a narrower band of possible jurisdictions, say lawyers at Linklaters.

• Takeaways From EU's 'Pay Or Consent' Advertising Probe

  

  Anne-Gabrielle Haie and Charles Whiddington at Steptoe examine key points from the European Commission's recent investigation into Big Tech's use of "pay or consent" advertising models, as well as the European Data Protection Board’s opinion on how such models can comply with EU competition and data protection laws.

• UK Judgment Could Change Anti-Money Laundering Regimes

  

  After the Court of Appeal of England and Wales' determination that criminal property remains criminal property in the hands of its purchaser even if purchased at market value, many businesses could face a new or heightened risk of prosecution for criminality in their supply chains and related money laundering offenses, say lawyers at Macfarlanes.

• Decoding Arbitral Disputes: Blasket Win Is A Beacon Of Hope

  

  A Belgian court's recent decision in favor of Blasket Renewable Investments, enforcing an arbitral award against the Kingdom of Spain, signals that despite the European Court of Justice's restrictive interpretations, there is judicial support within the European Union for enforcing investors' rights under international arbitration agreements, says Josep Galvez at 4-5 Gray's Inn.

• UK Approach To AI Patentability Appears Settled For Now

  

  After a High Court ruling upended the status quo last year, the Court of Appeal’s recent decision that Emotional Perception’s artificial neural network is not patentable represents a return to the U.K.’s familiar, albeit often complex, approach to patentability of artificial intelligence technology and computer programs generally, say lawyers at Potter Clarkson.

• How Digital Markets Act Will Enhance Consumer Protections

  

  The Digital Markets Act represents a major shift in U.K. competition and consumer protection law by introducing a new regulatory regime for large digital firms, and by giving the Competition and Markets Authority broader merger investigation powers and a wider enforcement remit for online activities, say lawyers at Cooley.

• What Steps Businesses Can Take After CrowdStrike Failure

  

  Following last month’s global Microsoft platform outage caused by CrowdStrike’s failed security software update, businesses can expect complex disputes over liability resulting from multilayered agreements and should look to their various insurance policies for cover despite losses not stemming from a cyberattack, says Daniel Healy at Brown Rudnick.

• Drafting Settlement Agreements That Avoid Future Disputes

  

  Several recent U.K. rulings highlight the importance of drafting precise settlement agreements to prevent time-consuming and costly disputes over what claims the agreements were meant to cover, says Michelle Radom at Osborne Clarke.

• Int'l Treaties May Aid Investors Amid UK Rail Renationalization

  

  The recently introduced Passenger Railway Services Bill seeks to return British railways to public ownership without compensating affected investors, a move that could trigger international investment treaty protections for obligation breaches, says Philipp Kurek at Signature Litigation.

• Insurance Rulings Show Court Hesitancy To Fix Policy Errors

  

  Two recent Court of Appeal insurance decisions highlight that policyholders can only overcome policy drafting errors and claim coverage if there is a very obvious mistake, emphasizing courts' reluctance to rewrite contract terms that are capable of enforcement, says Aaron Le Marquer at Stewarts.

• AI Reforms Prompt Fintech Compliance Considerations

  

  With the EU Artificial Intelligence Act's Aug. 1 enforcement, and the U.K.'s new plans to introduce AI reforms, fintech companies should consider how to best focus limited resources as they balance innovation and compliance, says Nicola Kerr-Shaw at Skadden.

• Should Arbitrators Do More To Encourage Settlements?

  

  In light of discussions on settlement in arbitration, there is a consensus that arbitrators in English-seated proceedings should play a greater role, but determining the extent of that involvement is difficult, as arbitrators can inadvertently place themselves in a position of potential conflict, say lawyers at Dentons.

• Irish Businesses Should Act Now To Prepare For EU AI Act

  

  Artificial intelligence is increasingly transforming the Irish job market, and proactive engagement with the forthcoming European Union AI Act, a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for Irish businesses, will be essential for Irish businesses to responsibly harness AI’s advantages and to maintain legal compliance, say lawyers at Pinsent Masons.