Business Law and Corporate Law

The High Court has ruled that the Solicitors Regulation Authority cannot compel law firms to produce documents protected by legal professional privilege during regulatory investigations without client consent. This landmark decision challenges the SRA's longstanding enforcement strategy and raises critical questions about how effectively the regulator can investigate misconduct complaints, particularly from third parties, when clients refuse to waive privilege.

A recent High Court decision has confirmed that the Solicitors Regulation Authority cannot compel law firms to produce documents protected by legal professional privilege, even during regulatory investigations. The ruling addresses a fundamental tension between the regulator's investigatory powers and one of English law's most fiercely guarded protections, with significant implications for how solicitors respond to statutory notices.

Privilege rules vary significantly across jurisdictions, so it’s important not to assume your home country position “travels”.

Businesses and consumers have grown to love subscription models, though their reasons may differ. While these models offer convenience, they can be complicated and difficult to exit. This may lead to consumers paying for services they no longer want or use. The government is addressing this through the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. The new rules are expected to come into force in January 2027.

International expansion in iGaming requires strategic intellectual property planning to protect your brand across multiple jurisdictions. Understanding territorial trade mark rights, selecting the right filing strategies, and building a comprehensive IP portfolio are essential steps for transforming a local operator into a valuable global brand while avoiding costly conflicts in new markets.

The High Court's decision in ABN Group Holdings Ltd v Yarrow (PC) 2026 clarifies when statutory notice requirements apply before lease forfeiture, particularly examining whether derelict premises still qualify as a 'dwelling'. This case demonstrates how the actual condition of a property at the time of forfeiture determines which procedural protections tenants can invoke, offering crucial guidance for landlords and management companies navigating enforcement actions.

The UK's Companies House has issued its first fines to directors who failed to complete mandatory identity verification requirements under the Companies Act 2006. Three directors faced penalties ranging from £197 to £515 for acting without proper verification, signaling serious enforcement of new corporate compliance obligations that took effect in November 2025.

HMRC has introduced anti-avoidance information notices (AAINs) under Part 6 of the Finance Act 2026, granting significantly broader powers to investigate tax avoidance promotion and facilitation. These notices can target a wide network of connected persons—including directors, advisers, and intermediaries—without requiring proof that tax was lost or that arrangements were ineffective. With substantial civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance, businesses and advisers must understand who ca

The Employment Rights Act introduces significant changes to workplace harassment prevention, requiring employers to take "all reasonable steps" rather than just "reasonable steps" to prevent sexual harassment. New third-party harassment liability extends across all protected characteristics, while upcoming NDA restrictions will limit confidentiality clauses in discrimination settlements.

The latest Investing in Women Code Annual Report 2026 reveals significant progress in funding access for female entrepreneurs, with signatories directing 32% of venture capital to teams with at least one female founder—more than double the wider market rate. While women-led businesses now achieve equal loan approval rates to male-led businesses, they still apply less frequently and request smaller amounts, highlighting persistent gaps in funding confidence and scale.

The UK's first-time equity investment market has experienced a significant resurgence in 2025 and H1 2026, with more companies securing external funding than at any point in the last four years.

Brandon Ashplant speaks with Kate Solway, Managing Director at Hedosophia, about the firm's approach to managing investment vehicles from Guernsey and the strategic advantages of their "Lux sleeve" structure. The discussion examines how speed, efficiency, and operational flexibility are reshaping fund management decisions in the private capital space.