Rachael Johnson

Tonbridge

Writer at Freelance

Contributor at In-House Perspective

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ibanet.org

Articles

What’s driving deals

1 month ago | ibanet.org | Rachael Johnson

Global Insight assesses what’s shaping corporate activity and the M&A landscape by analysing trends across four key markets: the United States, Asia, the United Kingdom and Germany. The United StatesThe beginning of 2025 saw M&A activity moving slowly. As the administration of new US President Donald Trump began its work, uncertainty arising from its tariff policies as well as fears of a possible recession have tempered expectations for the rest of the year.
Championing the public interest

2 months ago | ibanet.org | Rachael Johnson

Assessing four recent cases, Global Insight considers how the law can be used to promote the public interest, enable access to justice and check corporate power. Campaign groups, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and others continue to bring litigation and other legal action to hold powerful organisations to account in the public interest.
The future of disputes

Nov 18, 2024 | ibanet.org | Rachael Johnson

Access to justice and accountability, as well as the existential challenges of the climate crisis and artificial intelligence, are just some of the issues shaping developments in dispute resolution. Global Insight reports. In autumn 2023, the UK Court of Appeal found that parties to a dispute can be ordered by the court to engage in alternative dispute resolution (ADR). The finding was part of a judgment handed down in Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.
Climate crisis: further action needed from legal sector on environmental impact

Oct 24, 2024 | ibanet.org | Rachael Johnson

Substantial work is needed from the legal profession to reduce its environmental impact. A survey of law firm leaders, carried out by the IBA Law Firm Management Committee’s ESG Subcommittee and published in September, found that 59 per cent of respondents hadn’t yet calculated their carbon footprint. Meanwhile, the survey identified that of the three pillars of ESG [environmental, social and governance], the ‘E’ is the least well represented within the strategies of law firms.
Climate crisis: action needed for legal sector to reach net zero targets

Oct 22, 2024 | ibanet.org | Rachael Johnson

Significant progress is needed for the legal sector to be aligned with the global net zero pathway. Getting there requires a 42 per cent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 25 per cent reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030.
Canadian price-fixing case highlights potential for mass class actions to deliver justice

Oct 14, 2024 | ibanet.org | Rachael Johnson

Two companies – George Weston and Loblaw – have agreed a $363m settlement, one of the largest antitrust deals in Canadian history. The payment in July settled their involvement in nationwide class action lawsuits that alleged the price of bread was fixed over a 14-year period. The class actions have been brought against George Weston, Loblaw and several other companies.
Finance: overhaul of UK’s listing rules aims to balance risk and growth

Aug 28, 2024 | ibanet.org | Rachael Johnson

New listing rules came into force in the UK in July – the most significant change to the regime in over 30 years. The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) says the new rules aim to boost growth and innovation in the country’s stock markets by introducing ‘a new simplified regime that maintains high standards that compare well internationally’. The number of listed companies in the UK has fallen by about 40 per cent since 2008.
The importance of the ‘S’ in ESG

Aug 20, 2024 | ibanet.org | Rachael Johnson

While historically it may have been difficult to define the social element of environment, social and governance (ESG), the World Benchmarking Alliance’s Social Benchmark may offer a starting point for companies and their in-house legal teams. In-House Perspective asks how organisations can meaningfully address the ‘S’ in ESG.
Access to justice: rising numbers of litigants in person add to complexity of cases

Jul 23, 2024 | ibanet.org | Rachael Johnson

Recent analysis by the Law Society of England and Wales (the ‘Law Society’), published in spring, shows a rise in litigants in person (LiPs) in family law cases. According to the analysis, thousands of people in the jurisdiction are being forced to represent themselves in divorce or separation cases because they don’t have access to legal aid.
Directors reckon with nature-related risks

Jun 7, 2024 | ibanet.org | Rachael Johnson

A lack of legal clarity is adding to the challenge for directors facing nature-related risks. In-House Perspective assesses how general counsel can help out. A new legal opinion (the ‘Opinion’) has concluded that directors in England and Wales could be exposed to liability for failing to have regard to nature-related risks.