United Kingdom: Compliance

UK consumer enforcement is entering a new phase as the government announces a crackdown on misleading discounts and accelerates subscription rules, while the Competition and Markets Authority recalibrates its approach following the Emma Sleep judgment. With reference pricing, subscription renewals, and customer journey scrutiny now firmly in the spotlight, businesses face a sharper enforcement environment where pricing claims and consumer choice architecture will be tested under both existing law and the Di

The Employment Rights Bill introduces sweeping reforms that fundamentally reshape the role of managers in workplace compliance. From day one unfair dismissal rights to expanded flexible working obligations, these changes demand greater legal literacy, rigorous documentation, and enhanced interpersonal skills from those on the front line of employment decisions.

Drawing on an analysis of 175 contract-based cases, the study provides the first comprehensive examination of how contractual arbitration has functioned in practice at ICSID

The Supreme Court has ruled that Home Office civil penalty notices for illegal working must clearly specify the exact basis of an employer's alleged liability, not simply list all possible reasons. This landmark decision affects how employers can challenge penalties and what information they're entitled to receive when accused of employing workers without proper permission.

The UK's Normal Minimum Pension Age is set to increase from 55 to 57 in April 2028, but what transitional protections will apply to members caught in between? Meanwhile, the High Court has delivered a significant ruling on how pension trustees should assess discretionary increases when scheme funding is uncertain, and new guidance emerges on pensions dashboards reporting and collective DC authorization.

The organisations that thrive in the AI era will not be those that automate the fastest, but those that govern the best. For years, organisations viewed compliance as a support function, a necessary safeguard operating alongside the business. Regulations were monitored, audits conducted, policies updated and advisors consulted when questions arose.

The UK Intellectual Property Office has released new guidance following the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Emotional Perception AI Ltd v Comptroller-General, fundamentally changing how AI and computer-implemented inventions are examined in the UK.

From 1 October 2026, the UK's illegal working regime is undergoing a major overhaul with complex new rules that will significantly change who needs to conduct 'right to work' checks and when. While the immigration and employment implications are substantial, these changes will have far-reaching effects on commercial contracts, particularly in supply chains involving subcontracted services and intermediary platforms that connect workers with clients.

Understanding how HMRC calculates penalties under Schedule 24 is crucial for taxpayers facing investigations. The penalty framework considers the taxpayer's behavior and level of culpability, ranging from innocent mistakes to deliberate concealment, with significantly different financial consequences at each level.