News & Views

Whether it’s the sight of Mo Salah taking a selfie on a Google Pixel mobile with the Anfield crowd behind him, or Welcome to Wrexham on Netflix opening up commercial partnerships with international brands like TikTok, sports businesses and clubs are continually seeking ways to grow their brand value.

It is no secret that the power of artificial intelligence (‘AI’) lies within the sheer volume of data on which it is trained. The question that is now being asked is whose data was that and should it have been trained on that material in the first place?

Whether your community business is for the benefit of your local community as a whole or a specific group of people, the interests of others will always be at the heart of your organisation. Ensuring that you have the right corporate vehicle to facilitate that purpose is essential.

The first American astronaut in space, Alan Shepard, said how sobering it was to look down on Earth and realise his safety was in the hands of the lowest bidder for a government contract. Not all commercial contracts involve rocket science, of course, but it always makes sense to try to exclude certain financial and operational liabilities in them whenever you can.

Your business website is likely to be your shop window for the world. As such, much time and effort can go into how you present your branding and messaging on your website, and it can be difficult to keep on top of important new legal requirements. Most recently, the Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCC) has introduced new requirements affecting how business websites should operate, in addition to existing online safety and data protection obligations. So, here is a brief round-up of some recent changes.

Like Fry and Laurie, Reeves and Mortimer, and Ant and Dec before them, the Bank of England (BoE) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are planning a regulatory double act to foster innovation and growth within the UK's financial services sector. This proactive stance aligns with Rachael Reeves’ recent reading of the Riot Act to regulators, emphasising their critical role in nurturing a dynamic and forward-looking financial ecosystem.

The UK's regulatory landscape for Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFMs) is under the microscope once again, with both HM Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launching significant consultations that could reshape the future of this vital sector.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has outlined its strategic priorities for the next five years, focusing on deepening trust, rebalancing risk, supporting growth, and improving lives. This strategy involves a commitment to being a smarter regulator, supporting growth, helping consumers navigate their financial lives, and fighting financial crime. Below, we’ve summarised some of the key takeaways.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced an ambitious and much-needed program to simplify its requirements for firms, following the implementation of the Consumer Duty. This initiative seeks to address justified concerns about the complexity and volume of FCA rules and guidance, which have often forced firms, diverse in their nature and scale, into a regulatory Procrustes' bed. The attempt to fit all firms into the same rigid framework has resulted in disproportionate burdens and stifled innovation.

The landscape of UK litigation funding is undergoing a period of transformation, marked by significant growth, high-profile cases, and increasing regulatory scrutiny. At O'Connors, we understand the critical role litigation funding plays in ensuring access to justice, and we are committed to providing our clients with clear and insightful guidance through these evolving times.