Pimlico Plumbers lost its appeal in the Court of Appeal recently against the decision of the UK Employment Appeals Tribunal (the EAT) which found that one of its plumbers was a 'worker' for the purposes of the relevant UK legislation. Pimlico had argued that the plumber was engaged as a contractor and therefore should not be regarded as a 'worker'.
EmploymentThe UK Court of Appeal has clarified the scope of the disproportionate effort exemption, and the relevance of motive, when responding to Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs).
Privacy & Data SecurityThe minimum income requirements imposed by the Home Office in respect of British citizens (the Sponsor) wishing to bring a non-EEA spouse, partner or dependant to the UK have been 'held acceptable in principle' by the Supreme Court on 22 February 2017.
BelfastThe proposed Mediation Bill discussed in our recent article has now been published.
DisputesA recently published Private Member's Bill (The Employment Equality (Abolition of Mandatory Retirement Age) Bill 2016 ) aims to abolish compulsory retirement.
EmploymentOn the Domestic Front: Central Bank publishes letters to industry concerning life insurance pricing/reserving; The Consumer Insurance Contracts Bill 2017 is making its way through the Oireachtas On the EU Front: EIOPA publishes draft rules regarding the IPID; EIPOA consults on Guidelines on complex insurance-based investment products; EIOPA publishes its technical advice to the European Commission
Financial RegulationOn the Domestic Front: Central Bank publishes Guidance for Completion of the AML Risk Evaluation Questionnaire; Central Bank publishes a Report on Findings of Thematic Fitness and Probity Inspections in Credit Union
Financial RegulationOn the Domestic Front: Michael Hodson, Director of Asset Management Supervision in the Central Bank gives speech in relation to MiFID II On the EU Front: European Supervisory Authorities publish statement on variation margin exchange
Financial RegulationOn the Domestic Front: Michael Hodson, Central Bank Director of Asset Management Supervision gives speech on fund management company effectiveness and Central Bank supervisory & thematic priorities. On the EU Front: Joint Committee of ESAs consults on PRIIPs with environmental or social objectives; IOSCO report on loan funds survey
Financial RegulationOn the Domestic Front: Central Bank publishes Policy Statement on variable remuneration for Irish Less Significant Institutions and CRD IV Investment Firms. On the EU Front: Regulatory technical standards supplementing the Capital Requirements Regulation are published; Single Resolution Board publishes 'Approach taken in 2016 and next steps'
FinanceIn March 2016, a new regulatory framework came into force with the aim of increasing individual accountability within relevant authorised firms, namely: banks, building societies, credit unions, and PRA designated investment firms.
BelfastIn a recent case, Murray v Budds & ors [2017] IESC 4 the Supreme Court reviewed the law concerning recovery of damages for non-pecuniary loss (i.e. emotional distress) for breach of contract.
Commercial Contracts