Vermilion Holdings Limited v HMRC - Decision From The Supreme Court (Gated)

The UK's right-to-work regime is undergoing a fundamental transformation that will extend compliance obligations far beyond traditional employment relationships. From 1 October 2026, businesses engaging contractors, agency workers, platform-based workers, and complex supply chains will face new liability risks that travel up entire contracting chains. Understanding these changes and implementing the required contractual terms, substitution controls, and identity verification systems is now critical for orga

The Employment Rights Act 2025 represents the most significant overhaul of UK employment law in a generation. Whilst much of the focus has been on day-one unfair dismissal rights, guaranteed hours, and changes to family-friendly rights, employers should not overlook the substantial implications for the use of fixed-term contracts.

As Parliament enters its summer recess, attention turns to how new Prime Minister Andy Burnham's leadership may shape the future of employment law in the UK. With many Employment Rights Act 2025 reforms still pending implementation, his track record as Greater Manchester mayor offers insights into potential policy directions. Will his commitment to 'good employment' principles signal further workplace reforms beyond the current legislative agenda?

For mums re-entering the job market after a career break, unpaid internships can pose a significant barrier. Many mothers face the challenge of re-establishing their careers...

From October 2026, UK employers will face significantly tougher legal obligations to prevent workplace harassment, including a new duty to protect employees from harassment by third parties such as clients and customers.

What employment and immigration law changes are coming in 2026 and 2027? From new unfair dismissal rights and extended tribunal time limits to enhanced harassment protections and trade union access requirements, this comprehensive guide maps out the key legislative reforms affecting UK employers and workers over the next two years.

Workers have a statutory right to be accompanied at certain disciplinary and grievance hearings by a work colleague, trade union official or certified union representative.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 has been described as the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation. It contains a number of reforms, the breadth and complexity of which will have a significant impact on employers.

From 30 October 2026, independent trade unions will gain statutory rights to access workplaces - both physically and digitally - regardless of existing union membership or recognition. With tight statutory deadlines for responding to access requests and penalties reaching £500,000 for repeated breaches, employers face a significant shift in how unions can establish themselves in previously non-unionised workplaces.

The UK government has published a technical consultation on transitional provisions for the increase in Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA) from 55 to 57, effective April 2028. The draft legislation aims to protect individuals aged 55 or 56 who have already taken steps to access their pension benefits, ensuring these payments remain authorized and avoid tax penalties.

The Financial Conduct Authority has released a comprehensive package of regulatory updates and findings covering investment management, wealth management, and consumer protection. Key developments include reforms to MiFID costs and charges disclosures, remuneration code changes, AIFM regime overhauls, and detailed reviews of firms' Consumer Duty compliance, financial crime controls, and governance frameworks.

The European Commission's broad information-gathering powers under EU competition law have been reinforced by the General Court's dismissal of Broadcom's challenge to document production requests. The case raises critical questions about the extent to which the Commission can compel production of documents held overseas that are subject to legal professional privilege in other jurisdictions, particularly communications with non-EU qualified external counsel.

From 2 August 2026, the EU AI Act introduces mandatory transparency obligations requiring anyone using AI professionally in the EU market to disclose AI-generated or manipulated audio, video, images, and certain text content. These obligations apply to both AI providers and deployers, with non-compliance potentially resulting in fines of up to €15 million or 3% of global turnover.

This is the first full trial judgment in a case that has considered whether related companies can be made liable for damage that occurs overseas...

The autumn 2026 edition of the Reward update examines significant proposals to reform directors' remuneration reporting requirements, including changes to the DRR and removal of the annual shareholder advisory vote. It also covers FCA consultation on solo-regulated firms' remuneration, the impact of Employment Rights Act changes on share plans, equal pay reform proposals, and updates to AIM rules affecting corporate governance and remuneration disclosure.

The US Treasury repo market faces a fundamental transformation as SEC rules mandate central clearing for most Treasury repurchase transactions by June 2027. This regulatory shift is accelerating buy-side adoption of "sponsored repo" arrangements, requiring firms to navigate new operational frameworks, documentation requirements, and clearing relationships. Understanding the mechanics of sponsored membership and preparing for compliance will be critical for buy-side participants seeking to maintain efficient

The Court of Appeal has clarified the meaning of "public domain" in non-disclosure agreements, holding that professionally drafted NDAs use this term in its established legal sense to mean information generally accessible to the public. The decision provides crucial guidance on how courts will interpret confidentiality exceptions and what level of disclosure actually strips information of its protected status.

Transfer pricing litigation in the UK has historically been rare, but recent procedural cases reveal HMRC's increasingly aggressive approach to enquiries. With average enquiry durations now exceeding 40 months and transfer pricing yield surging to £3.4bn, understanding the legal boundaries of information requests and closure notice applications has become critical for multinational groups facing contentious disputes.

In a landmark High Court ruling, two former Petrofac directors facing bribery charges have secured the right to continue receiving defence cost coverage from their insurers under a Directors and Officers policy. The decision addresses fundamental questions about when insurers can avoid policies based on alleged fraud and establishes important precedents for executive protection during criminal proceedings.

The European Union's new foreign direct investment screening regulation introduces significant procedural improvements and standardised risk assessment criteria, while simultaneously expanding the scope of mandatory filings and eliminating preferential treatment for allied investors. Understanding how these changes will affect cross-border transactions and what steps dealmakers should take during the 18-month transition period is crucial for navigating the reformed regulatory landscape.