United Kingdom: Corporate/Commercial Law

When people think about a legal career, charities law is not always the first specialism that comes to mind. Areas such as corporate, employment and litigation often receive more attention...

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.

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 Financial Ombudsman Service has announced significant reforms to its complaint-handling framework, introducing a registration stage, expanding dismissal grounds, and clarifying the fair and reasonable test. These changes, taking effect from October 2026, aim to streamline investigations, reduce duplication with regulatory reviews, and provide greater certainty about how complaints are assessed against applicable standards.

The Skilled Worker visa is the UK's primary work visa route for overseas nationals with job offers from approved UK employers. This comprehensive guide covers eligibility requirements, salary thresholds, application procedures, and what employers and employees need to know about sponsorship, extensions, and changing employers under this immigration pathway.

The Information Commissioner's Office has introduced new procedural requirements for handling data protection complaints in the UK. These changes affect how organizations and individuals must navigate the complaint process under data protection law. Understanding these new rules is essential for compliance and effective complaint management.

The UK's defence sector is undergoing a fundamental shift as private capital becomes essential to meeting ambitious security goals. With government spending alone insufficient to drive the innovation...

Scotland's technology start-up ecosystem is experiencing remarkable growth, with new business formation outpacing the rest of the UK. However, converting this entrepreneurial momentum into sustainable, scalable success requires founders to prioritize intellectual property protection from day one, as IP assets increasingly determine investment decisions and long-term competitive advantage.

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.