United Kingdom: Corporate/Commercial Law

A team from Blacks Solicitors takes on the challenging 24-mile Yorkshire Three Peaks hike to raise funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research, the firm's 2026 Charity of the Year. The article shares their journey across Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, along with practical advice for anyone considering this demanding fundraising challenge.

The government has recently announced changes to the accounting and reporting thresholds which apply to charities. These changes will take effect in September of this year and will alter the reporting requirements that apply to many charities.

Charitable giving can be a useful part of estate planning, both as an effective way of supporting causes that matter to you and, in some cases, reducing the inheritance tax (IHT) payable on your estate on your death.

The National Security and Investment Act 2021 (NSIA) came into force on 4 January 2022, creating a standalone regime giving the UK Government broad powers to scrutinise – and potentially intervene in – acquisitions and investments on the grounds of protecting national security. Nearly five years on, the NSIA regime is well established. It replaced the national security aspects of the UK Government’s intervention powers under the Enterprise Act 2002 and operates alongside the UK merger control regime.

HMRC has released new technical guidance on inheritance tax changes affecting pension benefits, including information-sharing protocols between personal representatives and pension scheme administrators. The guidance provides draft templates for withholding and payment notices, clarifies response deadlines, and outlines HMRC's implementation timeline through spring 2027.

As widely anticipated, the Bank of England voted last week to hold Bank Rate at 3.75%. Whilst markets had expected the decision, it is noticeable that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) moved from a 7-2 decision, to a 6-3 one, with three members favouring a 0.25% increase. The move demonstrates the continued uncertainty around the UK’s inflationary environment, particularly in light of geopolitical tension, tariffs and trade disruption and political change, and their combined impact on global energy prices and the wider economic outlook.

The Competition and Markets Authority has wielded its new consumer enforcement powers for over a year, imposing millions in fines and redress orders while deploying AI monitoring and advisory letters to target businesses across multiple sectors. From misleading pricing to unfair contract terms, the CMA's expanding enforcement strategy reveals critical compliance risks that consumer-facing businesses can no longer afford to ignore.

How can mental health services ensure that a patient’s physical health does not become secondary to their psychiatric care? That question sits at the heart of the Health Services Safety Investigations Body’s (HSSIB) latest report, published at the end of July, which examines the deterioration of a patient’s physical health while they were receiving care in a low secure mental health unit.

B P Collins’ criminal team considers whether DPAs are a pragmatic tool of economic crime enforcement — or a Parliament-endorsed bargain that looks uncomfortably like a payment for protection from prosecution.

Innovate UK has announced its largest ever Women in Innovation cohort, backing 100 female founders with grants and business support to develop groundbreaking solutions across life sciences, digital technologies, and advanced manufacturing. Since 2016, the initiative has invested over £15 million in 260 exceptional female innovators while building a community of over 11,000 female business leaders.

Private equity and venture capital investors conduct rigorous due diligence to uncover hidden risks that could derail deals, with many of the biggest threats stemming from intellectual property, legal ownership, and governance issues rather than financial metrics. Understanding these potential deal killers and addressing them proactively can significantly improve a scaling business's chances of securing investment, acquisition offers, or international expansion opportunities.

Whether a business is preparing for a seed round, Series A fundraising, growth investment or a strategic partnership, investors will typically undertake some form of intellectual property (IP) due diligence before committing capital.