<p>Filter Knowledge</p>

Key employment and business immigration developments for employers.

Although many commentators argue that this election is extremely difficult to predict, let’s assume that polls suggesting a Conservative majority turn out to be correct. In that case, the expectation would be that the new government would be able to secure the passage of its Bill implementing the renegotiated draft Withdrawal Agreement.

Liverpool FC has recently emerged victorious from a battle with sportswear maker New Balance over a right for New Balance to match the terms offered by a competing kit supplier – but it was a close-run thing. As we pointed out in our briefing on a similar case involving Rangers FC and Sports Direct, such rights often appear attractive – but both cases also demonstrate how easily they can lead to disputes.

It’s well known that if two competing firms fix prices or share customers/markets, they can be fined for breaching competition law. But a recent case involving the energy sector highlights the potential for liability to be imposed on businesses such as software providers which have helped to facilitate anti-competitive activity.

Travers Smith LLP has advised Merian Chrysalis Investment Company Limited (the Company) on its subsequent placing under the placing programme described in the prospectus published by the Company on 11 October 2018.

We are delighted to announce that Travers Smith’s Partner and Head of Pension Daniel Gerring has, for a fourth consecutive year, been ranked in OUTstanding’s worldwide 100 LGBT+ Executives List, which has this year been published by Yahoo Finance. Placed in the top 25 internationally and in the top 10 in the UK, Daniel is also the highest ranked practising lawyer on this prestigious list, which has, over the years, grown to be truly international in its scope, to comprise leaders from all over the world.

Environmental degradation, gender expression, and subjugation are just some of the themes being explored in this year’s Travers Smith CSR Art Programme.

There is an emerging trend towards post-completion or post-occupation reviews of the efficacy of planning obligations which result in clawbacks or uplifts in financial contributions or mitigation works, sometimes for a number of years post-completion. This leaves frayed edges to completion-driven real estate transactions and can leave tenants potentially exposed to unknown or unquantified additions to service charges.

Travers Smith LLP has advised Livingbridge and senior management shareholders on the sale of Sykes Holiday Cottages to Vitruvian Partners.

In the briefing below, we look at the Court of Appeal's recent decision in Lloyd -v- Google [2019] EWCA CIV 1599 to allow a giant class action regarding the alleged unauthorised use of iPhone internet browsing data to proceed against Google, under 19.6 of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (the "CPR"). The decision may represent a landmark, where we see the courts of England and Wales smoothing the way for more 'opt-out' models of class action to be brought.

Travers Smith LLP has announced that Cathryn Vanderspar has joined the firm as a Consultant in its Tax Department.

Travers Smith LLP has advised Njord Partners on its second fundraise, which beat its initial target of €250 million by holding a €271 million final close due to participation by a diversified mix of institutional investors.

Travers Smith LLP is advising Numis Securities Limited and J.P. Morgan Cazenove in their roles as joint financial advisers (and, in the case of Numis, Rule 3 adviser and sponsor) to Capital & Regional plc (“Capital & Regional”) in connection with the recommended £72.5 million partial offer and £77.9 million share subscription for a majority stake in Capital & Regional which has been announced by South Africa’s largest listed REIT, Growthpoint Properties Limited (“Growthpoint”).

Travers Smith LLP has acted for Rothesay Life PLC in connection with the £3.8 billion buy-in of the Asda Group Pension Scheme. 

The revised Brexit deal announced by the UK and the EU yesterday contains some important changes to the package agreed during Theresa May's premiership – but before we look at what's different, it's important to keep in mind what hasn't changed:

What were the constitutional implications of the historic judgment given last month by the Supreme Court in relation to the Government’s purported prorogation of Parliament for 5 weeks? A full panel of eleven Supreme Court justices ruled unanimously that the prorogation was unlawful, void and of no effect.

Travers Smith LLP has advised Auto Trader Group plc on the acquisition of KeeResources Limited.   

The University of Cambridge and Travers Smith LLP are delighted to announce the creation of the Travers Smith lgbtQ@cam Doctoral Bursary. This is an important three-year commitment from leading law firm Travers Smith and the first corporate support for the University’s lgbtQ@cam programme.

As you know, the new UK Corporate Governance Code (the 'Code') took effect for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. Many companies with a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange will now be in an accounting period to which the new Code applies and will need to ensure they can operate their executive incentive arrangements in compliance with the following provisions: