Website compliance - steer clear of costly breaches with our essential checklist

In the fast-paced world of online retailing, regulations are constantly evolving. Keeping on top of developments is a major challenge, but one that is crucial to address to avoid costly breaches.

Online retailing - The perils of paying lip service to consumer legislation

What is the potential impact of not complying with consumer legislation? While one of the biggest effects of non-compliance is to position a business in the marketplace as having little concern for consumer rights, it should not be forgotten these rules are actively enforced as well.

Green light for compulsory pension provision

Workplace pension reform emerged this week relatively unscathed from a government review of the policy (Making automatic enrolment work: A review for the DWP).

A drop in carriage clock sales? Time called on default retirement age

The Department for Business Innovation and Skills and the Department for Work and Pensions have issued a joint consultation on the Government's proposal to phase out the default retirement age.

Data protection in Europe

This alert deals with hot topics in European data protection – transferring data and the results of the CNIL's (the French Data Protection Regulator) 2010 annual report.

I want my postage back! Delivery Charge refunds under Distance Selling Regulations

The Distance Selling Regulations have been in force for almost 10 years now, but some thorny issues keep coming up. And whether or not retailers are required to refund delivery charges appears to be one of them, following an investigation carried out by the BBC.

Wragge & Co appoints nine new directors

Wragge & Co has appointed nine new directors, strengthening its credentials in core and key growth practice areas.

Consultation on supermarket regulator

The Groceries (Supply Chain Practices Market Investigation) Order 2009 (GSCOP) came into effect on 4 February 2010. The Order requires certain supermarkets to have written terms with the majority of their suppliers of goods for resale in place.

Terms to be imposed into supplier:retailer grocery contracts

On 4 February 2010 the Groceries (Supply Chain Practices Market Investigation) Order 2009 (the Order) comes into effect.

To move or not to move that is the question - is it better to change a location and make a reasonable adjustment than make no change in location at all?

A worker has a disability. There are various adjustments you could make, all of them "reasonable". It would be preferable, as the employer, in terms of cost and business impact to do all of this at another location.

Wragge & Co wins Smiths News PLC as new client

Wragge & Co LLP has won a coveted place on FTSE-listed company Smiths News PLC's full-service legal panel following a competitive tender.

Carbon Reduction Commitment - the basics

The Carbon Reduction Commitment is a mandatory emissions trading scheme. To be introduced under powers taken in the Climate Change Act 2008 its twin aims are to improve energy efficiency and reduce the UK's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The English court's turn to make a reference to the ECJ in yet another Google keyword trade mark dispute

In yet another trade mark dispute resulting from Google's AdWord service, the UK High Court has decided to refer a "comprehensive" list of questions to the European Court of Justice before the hearing of the main trial.

Shoots of growth - for a more benign merger regime - or a false dawn?

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has applied the so-called 'failing firm' defence for the first time since issuing a restatement of its position in December 2008.

The high street fights back - eBay censured by ASA

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned a poster advert for eBay which claimed that the online retailer was "25% cheaper than the high street on brand new items."

Government unveils new trade credit insurance scheme

A £5 billion initiative, unveiled as part of Wednesday's Budget, will enable companies which have had their trade credit insurance cover reduced by traditional providers to purchase 'top-up' credit insurance from the Government.

Wragge & Co endorses 'common sense' approach to people issues

Wragge & Co LLP's employment experts have joined calls for employers to be more innovative in managing people costs.

The shining beacon

Those involved in high density city centre developments may face claims that the scheme infringes rights of light enjoyed by one or more adjoining owners.

Maternity leave and pension contributions

Rules covering non-cash benefits will change this year for pregnant employees with a childbirth expectance week of 5 October 2008 or later.

Everyone is created equal (but some are more equal than others). Latest developments in discrimination law

The courts and tribunals have been busy as ever, delivering decisions in discrimination cases.

Brand owners score important point in eBay battle

In a decision that is bound to be welcomed by many brand owners, eBay has been ordered to pay more than €38 million (£31.6 million) to the LVMH group.

Immigration update

Wragge & Co's legal experts bring you the latest immigration news.

RFID - tracking privacy through the process

The retail applications for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) – ranging from general inventory management and improving customer service to the development of item level remote tracking - has the potential to revolutionise the shopping experience.

Getting to know you...

Pre-employment verification checks are on the increase. Action Against Business Crime (AABC) has launched a new service for retailers to help them carry out these checks.

CC recommends triple whammy for the 'Big Four'

Employment legislation diary - 2008 and beyond

Caught on camera - New CCTV Code of Practice out today

As public awareness of rights under Data Protection legislation increases, those who use CCTV should be aware of the appropriateness of their use of CCTV and their handling and storage of the data and images it produces.

CDM Regulations: compliance with mobilisation provisions