News in Brief: Redmayne-Bentley expands branch network; Businesses warned to step up security and more

LEEDS-based independent stockbroking and investment management firm Redmayne-Bentley is expanding its branch network by opening its first branch in Wales.

After Redmayne-Bentley’s international expansion into Ireland last March the branch network continues to grow. The firm also has offices in England, Scotland and Ireland.

Senior partner Keith Loudon said: “I am delighted that we are opening a new office in Newport. When offering a new branch for clients location is very important but people are vital. The new team here are very much on our wavelength and I know they will quickly fit into our team and its values.”

Branch manager Daniel O’Connell will be joined by Robin Hall, Keith Poultney, Gerald Davies and Chris Taylor who between them have more than 75 years experience within the industry.

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EMPLOYERS are being given a stark reminder to protect themselves from former staff stealing data and using it to help a rival business.

The warning comes from lawyers in Leeds following a case in which an adviser was arrested and questioned by police over allegations of taking client information after they had resigned.

Paul Jinks, a data security specialist at Hammonds in Leeds, said: “This case is yet another in a long line of high-profile examples of data theft, loss and misuse which highlights that businesses must have robust security measures in place or risk facing blows to their bottom line as well as potential regulatory sanctions. Although it is an extreme example, this case shows just how serious it can be for an employee who unlawfully obtains personal data.”

If a former employee has taken confidential information before leaving the company, such as pricing or customer lists, the advice from Hammonds to businesses is to act quickly to protect their position.

Mr Jinks added: “If you think a former employee has stolen data and you want to take action to prevent its use or retrieve it, a hunch is insufficient. You need good, strong evidence and the ability to be able to identify exactly what was removed, when and by whom. Constructing an audit trail is always a good way to confirm the misappropriation. Or if you can prove that your customers or suppliers have been approached by your former employee they may be willing to give evidence to support your claim.

Mr Jinks emphasised the importance of checking the person’s employment contract to see if there may be restrictive covenants which apply.

“If they do, you will need to identify what they cover, how long they endure and whether they are limited by geographical area. Since the law on what constitutes a valid and enforceable restrictive covenant is complex specialist legal advice must be obtained,” he added.

In some cases of data theft the potential damage to a business can be viewed as sufficiently serious to justify an application for an injunction but injunctions can be difficult and expensive to obtain.

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BUSINESSES have received an update from law firm DLA Piper outlining the latest developments in the legal word that are likely to affect their company.
 
The Essential Legal Update covered the latest updates in corporate law including a cautionary tale about targeting overseas markets via the web using the example of how the UK creator of the famous Storm Trooper costume for the Star Wars movie was sued by Lucasfilm for copyright infringement.

Andrew Ainsworth set up an online business making the infamous white outfits he made for the 1977 classic into bespoke fancy dress costumes using his original mould.

Movie giant Lucasfilm felt his business infringed its copyright and started legal action against him. Because his website targeted the US market, Lucasfilm tried to sue him for breaching US copyright laws through the UK courts.

Although initially successful, the Court of Appeal eventually rejected the claim stating that a website did not constitute a formal ‘overseas presence’.

With online trade now a primary selling tool for many businesses, intellectual property partner Chris Tulley used the example as a way of highlighting the care local companies need to take when targeting overseas markets online to avoid potential disputes.

He also warned that companies should not automatically respond to allegations from overseas jurisdictions without first taking advice, as the claims may not stand up in the UK.