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?

Purpose-built student accommodation in Europe has evolved from alternative real estate to an established institutional asset class, but affordability pressures are forcing the industry to rethink its approach. As the market matures, investors face a more nuanced question: not whether to invest in PBSA, but how student housing converges with co-living, flex living, and the private rented sector to create platforms that follow customers beyond university enrollment.

Notwithstanding the change in Prime Minister in July 2026—with Andy Burnham becoming the seventh person to hold the office in a decade—there is, at least for now, little indication that the UK’s recalibrated approach to merger control and investment screening is set for a comparable shake-up in the short-term, at least.

Pension superfunds like Clara offer defined benefit schemes an alternative route to insurance buy-out, providing regulated consolidation with dedicated capital buffers at potentially lower costs.

The European Commission has proposed the EU KIDS Act, a comprehensive regulatory framework that will fundamentally reshape how digital services interact with minors across the Union. Building on existing legislation like the DSA and AI Act, this proposal introduces age-based access restrictions, mandatory safety-by-design requirements, and strict age assurance obligations that will affect far more businesses than traditional social media platforms. Companies offering online games, app stores, operating syst

Today I attended the IT-ISAC’s threat presentation on cyberattack trends in 2026, titled “Make It Harder: Turning Today’s Cyber Threats into Action.” Among the trends it highlighted was one that should keep every executive and board member up at night: AI is accelerating vulnerability discovery, and with it, cyber risk itself.

Sustainability considerations are increasingly integrated into mainstream lending decisions, moving beyond labelled products to become fundamental credit, risk and value factors. The Loan Market Association examines how climate risk, transition plans, and regulatory expectations are reshaping lending practices across sectors, affecting both borrowers' access to finance and lenders' portfolio strategies.

Portugal’s rise as one of the world’s most sought after property destination has been remarkable. Once viewed as one of Europe’s quieter markets, it is now firmly on the radar of international investors seeking both lifestyle and long-term value. From Lisbon’s cultural revival to the Algarve’s enduring appeal, Portugal’s property market continues to attract buyers looking for more than just a second home.

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.