Legal updates | Simmons & Simmons

A Human-AI Partnership – Rethinking the Future of Work The future of work doesn't arrive with a bang. It slips in quietly—an AI tool summarising your emails, a junior lawyer collaborating with a data scientist. The headlines warn of job losses, but the real story is more nuanced, more human, and far more exciting. What if the future isn't about humans versus machines, but about a powerful partnership? We go beyond the headlines to reveal how AI is reshaping not just what we do, but how we do it. Sarah James, Partner and Head of Adaptive, puts it plainly: “It's not just about efficiency and automation. It's about creating workplaces where innovation and human potential thrive side by side.” Ali Chaudhry, Legal Engineer, sees the shift from the ground up: “AI is both a productivity tool and a cultural shift.” The future belongs to those who can reallocate their time, master new tools, and—crucially—think critically about what AI delivers. The challenge now? To lead with care, build trust, and ensure that as we automate the routine, we elevate the meaningful. The future is multidisciplinary, human-centred, and—if we get it right—brilliantly bright. Join Sarah and Ali as they unpack the messy, exciting reality of AI in the legal world. Introduction authored by Percy, our Simmons internal AI colleague. Hear more from Ali by following his blog on the Simmons website or follow on LinkedIn 

Episode 14 - Barry Gros is joined by Ashley Thomas, Head of Structured Finance (UK) at ARC Ratings, to discuss the fundamentals of securitisation, focusing on its growing relevance in the data centre industry due to increasing capital requirements and the limitations of traditional bank financing.

Barry Gross and Andy Hartwill, Client Insights Lead at Simmons & Simmons discuss the current status of US tariffs, the hotly anticipated US Supreme Court decision on their legality and what happens next if SCOTUS rules against the Trump administration.

In this session, we examined the growing sophistication and complexity of major IP and tech disputes facing businesses and how the courts have been addressing them (e.g. Getty Images v Stability AI, IBM v LzLabs, and patent FRAND litigation). We discussed the strategies businesses should adopt to manage these risks, present their strongest position, and ensure appropriate governance and oversight.

In this session, we explored how businesses can navigate and thrive in an increasingly tech-regulated world. Drawing on real-world experiences from financial services regulation and past implementations of tech and data regulations, we shared valuable insights for companies facing the next wave of digital regulation.

This webinar will explore the GDPR's provisions on automated decision-making and profiling, including the right to human intervention and the requirement for transparency and fairness.

This session will discuss the rights of individuals under the GDPR in the context of AI, including the right to access, rectification, erasure, and data portability.

This session provides an overview of the data privacy requirements under AI laws, standards and regulatory guidelines in key APAC jurisdictions including China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, etc.

This session provides an overview of the Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) process and its relevance to AI-related projects, including the identification and mitigation of data protection risks.

This session will explore data privacy considerations that arise during the AI model training process, including the collection, use and sharing of data.This session explores data privacy considerations that arise during the AI model training process, including the collection, use and sharing of data.

This session will explore data privacy considerations that arise during the AI model training process, including the collection, use and sharing of data.This session explores data privacy considerations that arise during the AI model training process, including the collection, use and sharing of data.

The UK Supreme Court handed down its judgment on Friday 1 August in the motor finance commission case of Johnson, Wrench and Hopcraft. The decision might have significant implications for a wide range of businesses, beyond the motor finance sector.We hosted a concise, high-level webinar where our team explained what this ruling could mean for your business, including:What is the immediate impact on motor finance?Read-across risk: What impact is the judgment likely to have on:other intermediated lending business models; andother sectors including insurance, asset management and funds?Are there other sectors which could be impacted by the judgment?

As technology evolves, so do the challenges of product liability. This session will address the unique issues faced by businesses in the digital age, including cybersecurity risks and the liability of AI-driven products.Speakers: Olivier Mignolet, Minesh Tanna and Martin Binder

Learn from recent class-action cases in the healthcare and life sciences sector. Our speakers will provide insights into the strategies and outcomes of these cases, offering valuable lessons for businesses across industries. Speakers: Jacques-Antoine Robert, Machteld Hiemstra and Mauro Teresi

Delve into the global environmental challenges posed by PFAS and microplastics. This session will cover the legal and regulatory responses to these issues and their impact on product liability.Speakers: Ingrid Hobbs, Tim McCaw and Pierre-Alexis Maingon

With strong consumer protectionist measures and enhanced regulatory obligations for businesses in a range of product sectors, we provide practical guidance and strategy on how to protect business, mitigate civil liability and regulatory exposure, and safeguard innovation. Speakers: David Kidman, Olivia Delagrange and Udo Pickartz

In our latest podcast episode, "Developments in the German Regulatory Law Landscape”, host Betül Kohlhäufl and guest Bastian Kaufhold from our Frankfurt team take a look at the recent proposed update of the German shareholder control regulation

In this episode, we explore the proposed changes to the defined benefit (DB) pension surplus regime. With new rules on the horizon, DB schemes could soon gain greater flexibility to unlock and make use of surplus funds. Join us as we break down what these developments could mean for both existing and potential clients.

In our latest podcast episode, "Developments in the German Regulatory Law Landscape”, hosts Betül Kohlhäufl and Noujan Akbari from our Frankfurt team delve into the recent consultations by the German regulator BaFin.  In this brief episode, we touch on the following consultations: Consultation on investor influence on investment decisions for investment fundsConsultation on fit-and-proper requirements of managing directors of banks and financial services institutionsConsultation on changes regarding the Shareholder Control Regulation

Episode 12 - Barry Gross is joined by Anthony McDermott and Ronan Tynan from Mitchell McDermott, to discuss the evolution of data centres, cost and project management, contractor engagement and procurement strategies, and future-proofing data centres.

Drew Winlaw and David Huston discuss the development of Percy - an AI tool from law firm Simmons & Simmons - and how the project was selected by Microsoft for support.

Patterns of Protection : IP Strategies for Fashion A discussion on the CMA's Green Claims Code for fashion brands Presenters-        Marisa Broughton, Partner-        Frances Gourdie, Managing Associate Key topics-        The environmental impact of the fashion sector-        The Competition and Markets Authority's Green Claims Code -        Greenwashing & brand value-        IP considerations

Join us on Sustainability Insights as we explore key ESG and regulatory trends shaping the UK and EU landscape in 2025. Hosted by Noujan and featuring ESG legal expert Patricia, this episode covers crucial updates on corporate sustainability reporting, green finance, supply chain due diligence, greenwashing risks, decarbonisation policies, and ESG employment regulations. Stay ahead of evolving compliance requirements and discover how businesses and investors can navigate the shifting ESG landscape. Tune in for expert insights on sustainability success in 2025!

In this final episode of Seas of Opportunity: Navigating the Blue Economy, Sonali Siriwardena is joined by Will Oulton, Vice Chairman of the Marine Conservation Society, to explore the critical role of investors in shaping a sustainable future for our oceans. Reflecting on key insights from the series, they discuss how finance, policy, and advocacy can continue driving positive change for marine biodiversity.

The 16th episode highlights the growing momentum behind blue bonds as a key tool for sustainable finance. Willem Visser, Sector Portfolio Manager and VP of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International Ltd, outlines the innovative strategy driving their emerging markets blue economy bond, emphasising collaboration and phased growth to build this nascent asset class.

The Financial Market Digitalization Act ("FinmadiG") was passed on 18 December 2024 by the German Bundestag, despite political adversities, just in time before the application date of "MiCAR", the Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) on 30 December 2024, and “DORA”, the Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 (Digital Operational Resilience Act) on 17 January 2025. The FinmadiG is particularly important as it adjusts the German regulatory landscape to the two main European digitalization regulations affecting the financial sector, MiCAR and DORA. Market participants already feared that after the collapse of the German government, this key piece of legislation for the digital finance market in Germany would be postponed until after the elections in February.The video sets out key points of the FinmadiG. Betül Kohlhäufl, Supervising AssociateNoujan Akbari, Associate 

Speakers Sophie Sheldon, Partner, Digital Business, LondonDerek Lawlor, Partner, Financial Services Regulation, DublinKenneth Hui, Partner, Head of Hong Kong Regulatory 

Episode 11 - Barry Gross and Sophia Flucker, Technical Director at MiCiM Ltd and Managing Director of Operational Intelligence Ltd, discuss sustainability and power in the world of Data Centres.

In this episode, Dr Pushkala Ratan, Principal Specialist at the IFC, delve into the critical role of development finance institutions in mobilising capital for the blue economy. They discuss how the IFC has been at the forefront of blue finance, standardising guidelines and driving investments into projects that address pressing challenges like plastic pollution, coral reef degradation, and water scarcity. The conversation highlights the growing momentum in blue bonds and the transformative potential of innovative partnerships to scale sustainable finance in ocean-based industries.

Dive into our podcast series, "Seas Of Opportunity: Navigating the Blue Economy", a compelling collaboration between international law firm Simmons & Simmons, and the influential NGO Marine Conservation Society. This series brings together key ocean influencers to shed light on crucial issues surrounding our seas and their sustainable future. In this episode, Nicolas Pascal, Executive Director and Co-founder of Blue Alliance Marine Protected Areas, shares insights on leveraging marine protected areas to foster coral reef regeneration, combat poverty, and nurture a sustainable blue economy.