01 February 2012
The Office of Fair Trading (“OFT”) considers that competition is not working properly in the markets for aggregates, cement and ready-mix concrete in Great Britain. Therefore, on 18 January, the OFT referred these markets to the Competition Commission (“CC”) for an in-depth investigation.
01 February 2012
Validity of out of court administration appointments -more judgments but no greater certainty
27 January 2012
In this update we report on two developments which give a boost to the “Big Society” idea that local charities and community organisations will be best placed to deliver certain local services. We also consider an important decision concerning the financing of a privatised company’s pensions and report on a public consultation regarding possible changes to the rules applicable to public assistance for research and development activities.
27 January 2012
On 18 January 2012 Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude announced important policy changes in Government procurement in the form of a single ‘Lean' model, which will shorten delivery timescales to 120 days for all but the most complex procurements in Government. This Paper pulls together the key messages from these initiatives and suggests some high-level solutions which we believe will help Departments to meet the underlying objectives.
27 January 2012
Our latest IP and Technology newsletter includes details of a new small claims procedure for IP claims, information on a Government consultation on new copyright exceptions and summaries of recent developments in case-law concerning confidential information, registered design infringement and trade mark classification.