‘If you build it they will come’ or (for the real film buffs amongst you) – ‘if you build it he will come’.

The UK Government is taking significant steps to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) with a series of proposed reforms and legislative measures. These initiatives aim to balance the interests of creators, businesses, and AI developers while addressing ethical and legal concerns.

The Stamp Duty Land Tax (“SDLT”) risks of holding over to manufacturing tenants.

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (“MSA” or the “Act”) requires organisations with a turnover of more than £36 million to publish a statement on their website which sets out the steps they have taken during the year to ensure that slavery and trafficking is not taking place within their supply chains.

The decision in West v Ian Finlay & Associates [2014] EWHC Civ 316 highlights the dangers to employers and clients in accepting net contribution clauses in construction documents.

The Shorter Trials Scheme (STS) aims to limit the time spent when businesses are locked in litigation.

Everyone likes the word “reasonable”, especially lawyers. It is an objective term that has been analysed and tested over the years. The popularity of the concept also means that it is perceived as an acceptable compromise position to allow contracts to be signed (and argued about later). A similar line of analysis applied to understand when terms will be implied into contracts has now been clarified and overturned.

In the first quarter of 2020 we have seen a couple of interesting Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 cases.

In Howe v Gossop, a couple lost their appeal against a proprietary estoppel claim brought by their neighbours over some land that they believed had been transferred to them by way of an oral agreement.

Our autumn / winter 2023 round up of news includes the usual cocktail of topics from Defra’s consultation on additional support for the farming sector; legislation to deter rural thieves; and an update on SFI agreements.