CMS launches 2024 Food & Drink sector legal seminar series

International law firm CMS has unveiled a series of free-to-attend events aimed at supporting Scottish Food & Drink companies on key legal issues affecting their sector. The CMS Scotland Kernel series is designed to support companies operating in the industry which employs around 120,000 people and is currently valued at £15bn per year. 

Led by specialist lawyers from the firm’s Food & Drink team, the online seminars will share updates and guidance on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues; the risks of class action lawsuits; and developments within the field of Intellectual Property (IP).

The first seminar, taking place on Wednesday 28 February, will cover ESG considerations in corporate investments and transactions within the sector, highlighting the increasing focus on ESG and how businesses can best manage the accompanying opportunities and threats around this.

Two further seminars, taking place on 30 April and 12 June, will look at the growing risk of class action claims to food producers and suppliers, and highlight IP developments within the Food & Drink sector, with a particular focus on recent UK cases. 

CMS partner and IP specialist Neeraj Thomas will be among the Food & Drink sector experts leading the Scotland Kernal series.

He said: “We’re delighted to launch this year’s seminar series which will support Scottish Food & Drink businesses by helping them get to grips with some of the key legal challenges facing the sector.

“This is now the third year we have run this series which has been incredibly well received by all participants.  We look forward to engaging with stakeholders from within this key industry and sharing some useful insights into core matters which have real potential to impact their businesses.”

All the seminars are free to attend and open to in-house lawyers and other in-house professionals operating within Scotland’s thriving Food & Drink sector. Registration details can be found here.