Legal briefings from the world's leading law firms

The Government has been forced to publish a controversial report on reforming employment law prepared for the BIS last year. Shoosmiths provides background details on the report and outline which of its points are being taken further or considered, and which proposals are not being taken forward.

The grace period granted by the Information Commissioner's Office to enable website operators to comply with the new laws relating to cookies ends in just a few days' time. Shoosmiths outline why it's now important to consider whether enough has been done to avoid the ICO's enforcement powers.

Decisions from the European Court of Justice over the last few years have changed the legal landscape regarding holiday entitlement and sickness absence. Shoosmiths analyses the recent ECJ decision in Neidel v Stadt Frankfurt am Main to see whether it clarifies a number of uncertainties.

This briefing provides examples of promotional practices which go against Government guidance. Additionally, Shoosmiths uses the BIS Pricing Practices Guidance to outline some of the rules retailers should follow to avoid misleading consumers with their promotional campaigns.

Contracting parties seek to protect the extent of their exposure by qualifying the extent of obligations they undertake. Rather than taking on an absolute obligation, a party may contract only to endeavour to achieve an outcome. Shoosmiths provide an introduction to the three types of obligation.

The UK Bribery Act is wider in scope than the US Foreign & Corrupt Practices Act in a number of respects. As such it may not be safe for corporations to rely on FCPA compliance for protection against liability under the Bribery Act. Shoosmiths outline the key points that need to be considered.

A long-awaited High Court appeal decision could have considerable implications for businesses, especially concerning the long held belief that a parent company as a separate legal entity from its subsidiaries could not be held responsible for the subsidiaries' failings or liability.

The ICO has taken action following an administrative error by the Aneurin Bevan Health Board, which led to a serious breach of the Data Protection Act 1998. Shoosmiths look at what went wrong, what the penalty was and provide tips for organisations handling personal data.

With the Information Commissioner's Office 12 month grace period for enforcing the new cookies rules almost at an end, this briefing from Shoosmiths outlines how and why companies should work with their website developers at an early stage to ensure compliance.

To comply with RoHS, producers need to analyse components and materials used in their products to ensure that the relevant prescribed levels of restricted substances are not exceeded. This briefing looks at the revised directive, including the draft regulations and Government consultation.