United Kingdom: Corporate/Commercial Law

The independent education sector is experiencing significant consolidation through mergers and acquisitions, raising critical questions about when schools should conduct due diligence. With budgets under pressure and governing bodies scrutinizing every resource commitment, moving directly into full transaction processes can prove costly if fundamental issues only emerge after substantial investment, making preliminary due diligence an increasingly attractive alternative.

A High Court decision demonstrates the judiciary's readiness to impose substantial costs orders against parties whose unreasonable conduct obstructs estate administration, particularly where charitable beneficiaries face prolonged delays in receiving their entitlements. The case involved a seven-year dispute over a residential property estate where persistent objections and meritless challenges prevented distribution, ultimately resulting in indemnity costs orders exceeding £148,000 against the obstruc

The Charity Commission's 2026 Risk Assessment reveals a troubling 67% increase in cases of charitable status abuse over two years, with generative AI now enabling sophisticated fraud in registration and grant applications. As public trust remains high but vulnerabilities grow, what governance measures can charities implement to protect against private benefit exploitation and technological threats?

The UK's defined benefit pension landscape has shifted dramatically, with around 80% of schemes now in surplus. New legislation introduces a statutory framework enabling trustees...

Entrepreneurs are used to relying on their own judgement and are often sceptical about the value of professional advisors. In a challenging legal market, that can limit opportunity, and the value of an exit.

The UK M&A market demonstrated remarkable resilience and momentum through 2025, notwithstanding political and geopolitical instability. Against that backdrop, DMH Stallard’s Corporate team experienced robust activity. This article distils what happened, why it mattered, and how corporate leaders can position for value-accretive deals in 2026.

The legal landscape for in-house counsel continues to evolve rapidly, with significant regulatory changes affecting AI usage, subscription contracts, privilege protections, payment terms...

Discover how in-house legal teams are approaching litigation strategy in 2025, from viewing disputes as operational necessities to leveraging alternative funding and managing geopolitical risks.

The Competition and Markets Authority has imposed six million pounds in fines against three businesses for misleading sales tactics, including fake time-limited offers and hidden fees. These enforcement actions demonstrate the regulator's increasingly robust approach under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, signaling heightened scrutiny for businesses employing questionable promotional practices.

European defence technology start-ups secured a record $8.7bn in venture capital during 2025, creating unprecedented challenges in talent retention and incentive design.

What would it take for Britain to build its first trillion-dollar company and ensure the benefits of its success are shared more widely? This episode explores the ambition, capital and talent needed to turn promising British start-ups into global companies that stay and grow in the UK, examining how policy changes could help close the country's scale-up gap.

Sam Tidswell-Norrish, Partner at Access Holdings, shares his journey from founding team member at Motive Partners to leading fundraising and investor relations across London, Baltimore and New York. With extensive experience in alternative investments and financial technology, he discusses building strong investor relationships, supporting portfolio growth, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people rather than treating your career as a single player game.