A survey published yesterday of UK law firm partners at firms with 50 or more lawyers revealed that almost a third of these firms are ‘actively considering’ an initial public offering within the next 18 months. This article examines why this may be, drawing attention to the opportunities for growth which the pandemic has presented. It then looks at DWF as an example of a previous law firm IPO and considers why some may view the practice as a dubious prospect.
While the COVID-19 outbreak has undoubtedly affected most average individuals through the restriction of movement and increased risk of illness and death, vulnerable groups such as refugees have arguably felt the brunt of the pandemic worldwide. The United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) estimated that around 167 countries fully or partially closed their borders and among those, 57 did not make any exceptions for people seeking asylum. This is an infringement of the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.
There has been a notable increase in public concern over spiking in recent months, particularly with reference to reports of a new form of spiking- spiking by injection. This article demonstrates that the poisoning offences under the OAPA and s61 SOA criminalise a variety of activities that are typically classed as spiking. Neither offence specifies that the substance in question must be orally ingested, a spiking by injection is therefore likely to be applicable to the offences mentioned. A new offence specifically addressing injection spiking might not be strictly necessary to prosecute those who engage in the practice, but might be beneficial in the broader realm of the public perception of the severity of the issue.
On the 7th of October 2021, the Polish Constitutional Tribunal declared that the Polish Constitution takes precedence over EU law. In response to a motion by the Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, the Court ruled that European regulations authorising national courts to bypass provisions of the constitution or adjudicate on the basis of annulled norms are inconsistent with the Polish Constitution. This article discusses the legal implications of this ruling for Poland and the supremacy of EU law.
Discussion on the ‘metaverse’ is buzzing again after Facebook’s rebranding pivot last Thursday, with both businesses and law firms offering their takes on the concept. This article first offers a summary of the metaverse, what form it may take, and how the discussion is affecting non-fungible tokens and cryptocurrencies. It then considers the legal implications the metaverse may have, particularly in the areas of privacy and intellectual property.
The UK is slated to hold COP26 in Glasgow from the 31st of October to the 12th of November 2021. The conference has been delayed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but its importance has never been more emphasised. The upcoming COP26 is particularly important as research shows that global warming must be curbed at 1.5 degree Celsius for the goals set out by the Paris Agreement to be viable, hence it will be examined whether countries’ updated self-determined contributions are capable of doing so.
The Fixed-term Parliaments Act’s days are numbered, with a Government backed repeal and replace Bill having recently completed its first reading. This article seeks to assess the FTPA’s ‘central aim’ of preventing the sitting Government from calling a snap election, concluding that the Act is ineffective in this role.
After years of gruelling negotiations, 136 countries have agreed on a global minimum tax rate. The deal will ensure that multinational companies pay a minimum tax rate of 15%. Furthermore, to guarantee that taxes are being paid where they ought to be, the agreement will focus on making it harder for companies to avoid taxation.
In the recent case of Pakistan International Airline Corporation v Times Travel (UK) Ltd, the UK Supreme Court has ruled on the area of economic duress, bringing some needed clarification to the law.
Recently, Joe Biden has been elected 46th president of the United States of America in a landslide victory against former President Donald Trump. However, in proper Trump fashion, Biden’s victory has given rise to much political turmoil.
Daniel Ellsberg, Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning: A string of America whistle-blowers, all exposing to light the top-secret, unconstitutional conduct of the American Government. To add to this list, is the more recent case of Julian Assange. Charged with criminal theft of Governmental secrets, his case exposes just how immune our courts are to the winds of political rhetoric.
Last month, Allegro.eu, which is owned by the private equity firms Cinven, Permira, and Mid Europa Partners, announced its initial public offering. The leading Polish online marketplace sent shockwaves throughout the European economy as it raked in USD 11.2 billion on its first day as a publicly traded company.
Over the past week, hundreds of thousands of Poles have been marching all over the country and abroad in protest against the Constitutional Tribunal’s ruling which imposed a virtually complete ban on abortion. Demonstrators have disrupted the functioning of most major cities by blocking roads and bridges whilst vocalising a variety of anti-government slogans.
Covid-19 has spread all over China, preventing companies from performing their contractual obligations and has left them wondering if they are permitted to escape their obligations of payment or penalty fees without legal liability. This note explores if companies would be able to rely on legal mechanisms such as force majeure or hardship clauses to mitigate liabilities caused by the failure to perform contractual obligations.
After nearly 10 years of uncertainty, the legal proceedings for Julian Assange’s extradition to the US are set to begin next week. Australia, however, wants his return to his native land.
In January, the Welsh Government ruled that parents in Wales will no longer be able to withdraw their children from learning religious education (RE). Unsurprisingly, the announcement of the new compulsory curriculum has provoked conversation in relation to the enforcement of human rights.
