BIS has proposed a major overhaul of the UK competition law framework, the proposals for which are contained in its consultation document issued in March 2011. The 2012 Competition Law series will provide up to date guidance on all the major changes as and when they are brought in, as well as analysis of whether the new regime is providing benefits for users in terms of costs, efficiency, flexibility and enforcement.

The Construction Law Webinars continue to go from strength to strength, and so Butterworths has launched its third series. Once
again they will cover key issues relating to construction law whilst focusing on relevant topics in the current climate. Initially, consider
how to select the appropriate construction contract before looking at procurement and of course competition and bribery.

Butterworths Corporate Crime webinars programme offers legal practitioners an opportunity to hear the latest developments and best practice from the leading experts in the field. Designed to convey important relevant information to corporate and criminal lawyers alike, the programme focuses on key areas of topical interest in this rapidly developing field. The new Bribery Act and prosecution

The introduction of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill has alarmed many practitioners as the changes it proposes are likely to have a dramatic impact on the provision of legal aid in criminal proceedings. This slashing of budgets puts the future of many criminal lawyers in jeopardy and raises the wider question of limiting access to justice. Our September webinar will explore in detail the consequences of these reforms and provide you with practical strategies for survival. In October our speakers will examine how the Bill has affected sentencing reform.

The first webinar looks at how the Bribery Act 2010 affects employers, and the second at pensions for employment lawyers (including automatic enrolment). Both are extremely relevant in view of the legislative changes which are taking place. Later webinars deal with collective redundancies, an update on TUPE, the impact of the repeal of the default retirement age, developments in Tribunal practice and procedure, and an assessment of the working of the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 a year after their introduction. The 2012 series will end with an update on the Equality Act 2010.

Family law has been subject to significant change over the last couple of years, with no sign of slowing down. Indeed, with family units becoming more fragmented, marital agreements and pension issues will continue to remain highly topical. The recent Supreme Court decision in Kernott v Jones has also emphasised the lack of legal clarity concerning cohabitees and the status of their homes.

The pressure on in-house counsel is mounting with budgets being squeezed and the need to illustrate value to internal clients becoming paramount. The regulatory landscape is creating new risks and challenges, with the introduction of the Bribery Act 2010 putting the onus on organisations to ensure that they have ‘adequate’ anti-bribery procedures in place. Our July webinar will examine the impact of the Bribery Act one year on.

Intellectual property is often the modern business’s most valuable asset. Our expert speakers will ensure that you are fully up to date on all the latest regulatory and case
law developments, while providing you with practical tips on how best to protect your intellectual property.

The perennial favourites such as design rights, trade secrets and confidential information, and trade marks will also be covered, offering you an update on the
latest significant decisions.

2011 was a disappointing year for law firms with a deepening of the Eurozone crisis and budget paralysis in the US having a major impact on global markets. In the UK the Government’s austerity budget started to bite and for many firms it has been a subdued period.

Personal injury lawyers continue operating in a rapidly evolving environment. The impact of the implementation of the Jackson Review on civil litigation costs will
be wide ranging. While many defendant lawyers welcome the changes, claimant lawyers are fearful about how they will survive in the new environment. Our February
webinar will examine in detail what the proposals are and consider their impact on the Contingency Fee Agreements and After the Event insurance. Our September

The 2011 Budget introduced important changes to taxation which will have a dramatic impact on tax planning for private clients. The proposed Statutory Residence Test, which is expected to take effect from 6 April 2012, is welcomed by practitioners in need of clarification on this complex area. Our February webinar will ensure that you are fully up-to-date with the latest proposals.

A special series of webinars that focuses on current topics of particular interest.