11KBW

Bookings are now open for our Information, Technology and Media Law Conference on Thursday 13 March 2025. Full details and booking information can be found below: https://lnkd.in/enMPJ2UD

Joseph Barrett KC and Ben Mitchell acted successfully for Brown and Mason Limited (BMG) in its legal challenge to the award of the £40 million contract for the demolition of Aberthaw Power Station, the first phase of Cardiff City Council’s scheme for the carbon neutral regeneration of the Aberthaw site.  https://lnkd.in/ev5KDMnE

FINAL WEEK TO APPLY This is the final week to apply for the 2024/25 11KBW Scholarship for Black Students on the Bar Course. The successful applicant will receive £30,000 during their Bar Course studies. The deadline for applications is 11:59 GMT on Friday 7 February 2025. Full details are at https://lnkd.in/dh3RxZc

Beauty, Botox and betrayal… Rupert Paines and Lucy Jones discuss a Court of Appeal decision on non-compete and confidentiality injunctions, granted without notice. https://bit.ly/4hzhgY4   #ukemplaw

A important judgment has been in handed down in Michael Ashley v Commissioners for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs [2025] EWHC 134 (KB). The case concerns the application of the concept of “personal data”, the extent of searches required by Article 15 UK GDPR, the provision of contextual information and the proper approach to the application of the “tax exemption” under paragraph 2 of schedule 2 to the DPA 2018. Anya Proops KC and Zac Sammour acted for Mr Ashley. James Cornwell acted for HMRC. https://lnkd.in/eMx7fxeX

Safety Valve Judicial Reviews: the Secretary of State has sought to tackle the problem of Local Authorities having significant Dedicated Schools Grant deficits due to their High Needs Block overspends through a “Safety Valve” intervention programme. The decisions by Devon and by Bristol to enter into their respective Safety Valve Agreements have been challenged by judicial review. https://lnkd.in/e_bkDy4B James Goudie KC, Oliver Jackson and Rita Dias represent Devon. Joanne Clement KC and Peter Oldham KC advised and represented Bristol.

4 Members of 11KBW are in the Supreme Court today in Information Commissioner & Montague v Department for Business and Trade UKSC 2023/0178. The Supreme Court will be deciding whether public authorities such as the Department for Business and Trade can ‘aggregate’ the public interests in multiple exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act. Timothy Pitt-Payne KC and Peter Lockley act for the Information Commissioner. Chris Knight acts (pro bono) for Mr Montague. Robin Hopkins acts for the Department for Business and Trade, led by Sir James Eadie KC. https://lnkd.in/exTnBkXH

The Administrative Court has handed down judgment in R (Gould & Jeffrey) v Devon County Council [2025] EWHC 96 (Admin), an important decision on mandatory considerations for public bodies when making decisions on the closure or rearrangement of services.   Jonathan Auburn KC and Oliver Jackson acted for Devon County Council throughout, at both interim and substantive hearings. https://lnkd.in/e5NdUu77

We are delighted to announce that the King has approved the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor that Cecilia Ivimy and Tom Cross be appointed as King’s Counsel. They are expected formally to be appointed following a ceremony in March.   Members of 11KBW offer them all our warmest congratulations. https://lnkd.in/ekcax5K9

Following a five-day trial, Collins Rice J has handed down a lengthy and significant judgment on the approach to consent under the Data Protection Act 1998, the UK GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003.  https://lnkd.in/djR59GBC Christopher Knight, instructed by AWO, acted for RTM, leading Aarushi Sahore (Brick Court). Ben Mitchell also acted for RTM at an earlier stage. Robin Hopkins and Daniel Isenberg, instructed by Wiggin, acted for the SBG defendants.