Business Law and Corporate Law

Before expanding, taking investment, franchising or licensing a business, it is essential to confirm that the brand is clear to use, properly owned and capable of protection in priority markets.

Domestic franchising, (i.e. national franchising within the UK) contributes £19.1 billion to the economy annually. There are now a record 1,009 franchise systems operating across the country, up 8% since 2018...

The NBA and FIBA have announced a joint European basketball league launching in October 2027, with 12 franchises across major European cities and franchise fees ranging from $500M to $1B.

Employers in England, Scotland and Wales will soon face new obligations to inform workers about their right to join a trade union, but the implementation date has been pushed back to January 2027. The Government has now clarified what the standardised written statement must contain and how it should be delivered to both new starters and existing employees. Understanding these requirements and preparing HR systems in advance will be essential for smooth compliance when the duty takes effect.

From 1 October 2026, UK right to work obligations will extend far beyond traditional employment relationships to include worker contracts, subcontracting chains, online matching services, and substitution arrangements. With civil penalties reaching £60,000 per illegal worker, organisations across all sectors must now review their contractual supply chains and implement comprehensive compliance frameworks to avoid extended liability for illegal working.

Websites are increasingly subject to legal and regulatory scrutiny around data protection, accessibility, and transparency. Many organisations overlook critical compliance requirements that can emerge gradually over time, creating risks that extend beyond legal obligations to affect reputation, customer trust, and user experience.

The UK’s new Trust Registration Service regulations require certain non-UK express trusts holding UK land acquired before 6 October 2020 to register by 1 September 2027. They also introduce a de minimis exemption for qualifying low-value trusts and extend the registration grace period for certain trusts.

The high-profile case of Sir Ranulph Fiennes has sparked debate about the legal boundaries of Lasting Powers of Attorney and deprivation of liberty safeguards. When does an attorney's authority end, and what role does the Court of Protection play in resolving disputes over care arrangements for vulnerable individuals? This case highlights critical questions that affect anyone involved in making or acting under health and welfare decisions for incapacitated relatives.

As digital assets become integral to modern trust structures and estates, fiduciaries face unprecedented challenges in managing cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and other digital holdings. From securing private keys to navigating valuation complexities and regulatory obligations, trustees and executors must now combine legal authority with technological expertise to fulfill their duties effectively.

From 1 January 2027, the UK will remove the statutory cap on unfair dismissal compensatory awards and reduce the qualifying period to six months. For senior executives with valuable equity incentives, this fundamental shift transforms previously theoretical losses into real settlement leverage. How should employers prepare their share plans, documentation, and dismissal processes to manage this new exposure?

Equity incentive plans are frequently described to participants as a means of aligning them with the long-term success of the business. In practice, many plans do little more than measure the length of time an individual remains employed.

For eligible companies, EMI options and growth shares each offer distinct advantages in employee equity incentives. But what happens when you combine them? This analysis explores how EMI can wrap contingent growth-share interests, the valuation principles that must be respected, and why the hurdle, exercise price and performance conditions need to be designed together to avoid accidentally over-gearing management's participation.