This golden quarter marks a significant moment for the UK economy. Following a year of tepid retail spending, forecasts point to increased revenues driven by higher real incomes...

NEC is a standard form contract often used in nuclear projects and an understanding of how the mechanisms under the contract work is essential to be able to mitigate and manage risk.

The Lloyd's Market Association has introduced a new model clause for marine hull underwriters addressing transit fee demands in the Strait of Hormuz, fundamentally shifting how insurers approach coverage when payments are made to facilitate passage through Iranian territorial waters. This development transforms underwriting focus from navigation risk to sanctions control risk, with significant implications for both insurers and vessel operators navigating these geopolitically sensitive waters.

This August edition examines critical developments reshaping the insurance landscape, from agentic AI underwriting challenges following a major OpenAI incident to emerging liability concerns around unlabelled chemicals in consumer products. The analysis explores how autonomous systems, geopolitical transit fees, and AI-powered claims processing are fundamentally altering risk assessment and operational frameworks across multiple insurance lines.

Over the past two years, a growing number of London retailers have found themselves repeatedly targeted by the smashing of shopfront windows with no apparent motive of theft.

This edition comes hot on the heels of the Chancellor's Autumn Budget announcement. The reaction from UK retailers has been mixed, with some grocery chains welcoming the business rates surtax...

The Academies Programme's transformation from 200 institutions in 2010 to circa 11,600 today highlights interesting learnings about large-scale educational reform for the higher education sector.

As the higher education sector faces unprecedented financial pressures, more universities are taking up the invitation to explore innovative collaborative structures to change how they operate...

In this instalment we touch on a mixture of recent news stories and legal developments of relevance to professionals and directors and officers alike.

Governance and structures in the reformed self-improving schools sector have received plenty of coverage in recent years but they can only be part of the way ahead.

The Employment Appeal Tribunal's recent decision in the case of Dr Kate Barry v Upper Thames Medical Group & Ors [2025] EAT 146 offers a useful reminder for employers navigating the terrain of contractual breaches.

On 1 April 2009, the Local Authority Social Services and NHS Complaints (England) Regulations come into force. This brings a new complaints system into effect, merging health care and adult social care complaints.

James discussed how the 10-year plan relates to social care, noting the sector's desire for more clarity. Baroness Casey's final report on the long term future of adult care is expected in 2028...

Are nuclear bids different from other sectors? Yes. They demand auditable, regulator-aligned responses built on precise evidence, strict regulatory mapping, and a clear safety and governance narrative.

Even though the cost of distributing them may be disproportionate, in cases where net property realised is more than £10,000, should still be paid to unsecured creditors.

Earlier this year the Insolvency Service presented a draft of The Legislative Reform (Insolvency) (Individual Voluntary Arrangements) Order 2008 (the 'Order') to Parliament.

As a result of an important Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) ruling buyers can, in certain circumstances, take on assets from a business in administration without employees transferring to the buyer.

Inventions must be novel and contain an inventive step in order to be capable of being protected by a patent. There has been some recent debate as to whether an "inventive step" requires the invention to be shown to work, or whether patentability requires only that the invention is worth trying.

Our cross-practice team are available to provide tailored, straight-talking advice on navigating these developments and implementing appropriate planning...

We're excited to launch our new #DigitalFrontiers podcast, bringing together influential voices to share their expert insights and practical wisdom on the intersection of law, AI and emerging technology.