The new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 ( DMCCA ) has reformed consumer rights and protection. As of 6 April 2025 , the DMCCA has updated the unfair commercial practices rules (previously governed by the Unfair Trading Regulations...
All businesses should be clear in terms of what could trigger a termination right in a commercial arrangement and, equally, how to exit if required without unexpected liability. Termination notices cannot be withdrawn after they are served, and some mistakes...
As part of tax planning many of our clients have introduced trusts to their business structures over time. Whether a business trades as a partnership or a limited company trusts have for many years been, and continue to be, an effective Inheritance Tax...
As we move into March 2025, businesses must stay informed about key legal and regulatory developments that could impact their operations. From the government’s consultation on e-invoicing to new cybersecurity guidelines and the latest in AI regulation,...
For businesses that sell goods electronically, or by mail or phone orders, having an appropriate returns policy is important in order to manage stock and financial risk. What is ‘distance selling’? Distance selling includes any sales made...
The Commercial Agents (Council Directive) Regulations 1993 (“ CARs ”) are a product of the UK’s previous EU membership. They govern contracts entered into between a business (as principal) and a commercial agent (that is, a self-employed...
Following the Autumn 2024 Budget changes proposed by Rachel Reeves, there has been a lot of uncertainty around how existing, well-considered succession planning has been affected when it comes to inheritance tax ( IHT ). Whilst we are still waiting for a...
In this blog our Commercial team highlight some of the key provisions to consider when negotiating long term supply agreements with large national supermarket retailers in order to achieve contractual fairness and sustainable relationships across the...
I’ve read a fair few corporate finance documents over the last few weeks. A work stream that I’ve found myself enjoying more and more. However, all too often I’m told by property colleagues “the client doesn’t want advising on...
It is becoming more and more popular in today’s property market that management companies are being created to be handed over to the residents of a development once finalised. As the residents will invariably have little experience in the inner...
With the Covid-19 pandemic continuing to cause widespread disruption and uncertainty, many businesses may, understandably, be considering whether invoking force majeure is both possible and in their best interests. An effective commercial contract should...
A recent court case has found that the Model Articles of Association adopted, in whole or in part, by a lot of private companies do not allow those companies to have a sole director. Any company which was incorporated since October 2009, or which has changed...
Selling a business is quite an undertaking and can often flag up issues or concerns that require additional time and costs to resolve. Our Corporate and Commercial team have therefore compiled a list of issues to consider in advance of a sale to...
With Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 coming into force, from 16 July 2021 every business from outside the EU selling products directly or indirectly should have either an importer or an authorised representative located in the EU acting as an ‘economic...
In an effort to address public concern about the potential for live facial recognition (LFR) technology to be used contrary to data privacy laws, the ICO have provided guidance on the use of LFR in public places by private companies and public organisations....
Businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to stay afloat as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to ravage the UK. Despite several recent vaccine approvals and the government introducing a range of financial support schemes – including the Furlough...
The legal position on GDPR and personal data transfer between the UK and the EEA have changed post-Brexit as follows: EU GDPR Regulation As an EU Regulation, EU GDPR no longer applies to the UK. However, if you operate inside the UK, you will still need...
Following ten rounds of intense negotiations in the run-up to Christmas, the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement (the TCA) came into provisional effect at 11pm on 31 December 2020 when the European (Future Relationship) Act 2020 (the 2020 Act) came into...
Businesses are reminded to ensure their systems and processes are as secure as possible following the Information Commissioner's latest fines against two organisations for data breaches. In October, British Airways was fined £20 million for...
On 28 August 2020, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published an updated version of its "Statement on coronavirus (COVID-19), consumer contracts, cancellation and refunds" which was first published on 30 April 2020. The statement now...
There has been much talk recently within the media and industry of the impact on data protection rules since the announcement of the Schrems II judgment, but what is this case and how might it affect us? The position to date Data transfers to countries...
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is currently reviewing its Privacy Shield and Standard Contractual Clauses guidance following the judgment issued by the ECJ in the case of Data Protection Commissioner v Facebook Ireland and Maximillian...
New guidance has been released by the Government on maintaining test-and-trace records of staff, customers and visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guidance applies to establishments in the hospitality, tourism and leisure sectors, and close-contact...
The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 came into force on 25 th June 2020, with the aim of “relieving the burden on businesses during the Coronavirus outbreak.” The Act: Provides companies with temporary easements on Companies House...
As you will be aware, this month the Government eased the lockdown measures in England. As of 15 June 2020, non-essential retail premises were permitted to open, as were drive-in cinemas, retail art galleries, betting shops, auction houses, aquariums, zoos...
In some types of contracts/agreements, it is common to see a Material Adverse Change or MAC clause to deal with one party’s significant and damaging changes in commercial circumstances. This is particularly the case in financing documentation (such as...
The Covid-19 pandemic is likely to lead to a wave of disputes as to which party bears the risks of non-performance. There are some key principles which commercial parties should consider in order to assess the likely outcome of any dispute before risking...
The Covid-19 pandemic is likely to lead to a wave of disputes as to which party bears the risks of non-performance. There are some key principles which commercial parties should consider in order to assess the likely outcome of any dispute before risking...
The Covid-19 pandemic is likely to lead to a wave of disputes as to which party bears the risks of non-performance. There are some key principles which commercial parties should consider in order to assess the likely outcome of any dispute before risking...
The Covid-19 pandemic is likely to lead to a wave of disputes as to which party bears the risks of non-performance. There are some key principles which commercial parties should consider in order to assess the likely outcome of any dispute before risking...
If you are considering whether a force majeure clause can assist in dealing with current circumstances, we have set out below a summary of the main points to consider. The key takeaway is not to assume that a standard force majeure sweeper/general...
On 5 May 2019, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy published a consultation to reform corporate transparency. Generally, the consultation looks at guarding against the misuse of UK corporate entities and balancing transparency...
It is often a frightening concept to give away hard-earned assets and lose control over them and this, together with concern over future cash flow, can be a barrier to putting assets into a trust or simply making gifts. One of the key benefits of a family...
In its recently published 2018-2019 Business Plan, Companies House has set out its robust approach to companies not complying with their Persons with Significant Control (PSC) requirements. Since June 2016 UK companies have been required to hold an...
The risks of being a sole shareholder/director: Court provides a timely reminder of the need to review your company’s Articles of Association Are you a sole shareholder/director of your company? Do you have children, other family members or trusted...
