Blog
From garage to unicorn – Employment law lessons for scaling tech teams
Catherine Bourne
7 September 2023
Court of Appeal ruling raises hope for clarification on CBD legal status
Cannabidiol (known as ‘CBD’ for short), is a non-psychotropic extract found in the cannabis plant, which means that its consumption does not make a person high. Rather, it is claimed that it can help ease anxiety, pain and insomnia (research is ongoing in relation to these claims). The CBD market has been growing expeditiously in recent years and, according to a report commissioned by the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry, CBD sales in the UK valued at £690 million in 2021, with the British public now spending more on CBD supplements than Vitamins B and C combined.
7 September 2023
The ICAEW’s approach to the misuse of social media – what are a regulated firm’s responsibilities?
The ICAEW recently extended the Duty to Report Misconduct to member firms (see our blog from last month). In light of this, when does an ICAEW member firm have a duty to report a principal or staff member who is a member of the ICAEW and who has potentially misused social media?
Member firms must report to the ICAEW any events which may indicate that a relevant person may be liable to disciplinary action in accordance with the Disciplinary Bye-Laws (DBLs). But how do firms assess whether questionable social media communications cross the threshold of seriousness to amount to conduct which may be liable to disciplinary action?
6 September 2023
Thematic Review on the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements in workplace complaints - SRA reports further room for improvement
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) published the results of its thematic review into the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in workplace complaints on 14 August 2023. NDAs are commonly used when settling employment disputes, usually within a settlement agreement or COT3 agreement. The SRA’s relevant report reflects on the role of solicitors in drafting and advising on NDAs and provides the profession with some key learning points, and reminders, to ensure regulatory compliance.
30 August 2023
Legal advice: understanding the UK's revised Russia sanctions
Julie Norris and Alun Milford the UK's latest wide-ranging prohibition on legal advisory services connected with Russia
24 August 2023
Law firms: radical reform on the cards for the future supervision of AML
- Most England and Wales based law firms are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), including for anti-money laundering (AML) and counter terrorism (CT) purposes.
- Under reforms currently being considered, responsibility for the supervision of AML and CT could be taken away from the SRA (and other legal regulators UK-wide), and given to a new body, meaning firms could be subject to dual regulation in future.
- The consultation on this issue closes on 30 September 2023 and given the potential implications for law firms UK wide, is worth responding to.