Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 24 DECEMBER 2025

HR Briefing - December 2025

Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Contributor
Macfarlanes LLP

Macfarlanes LLP

Macfarlanes is a distinctive London-based law firm with a unique combination of services built and...

View firm profile
Explore more from Macfarlanes LLP

Welcome to this month's briefing for HR teams and in-house employment counsel – bringing you this month's employment law highlights in an easy-to-read package.

United KingdomLaw Practice Management
Hayley Robinson
Hayley Robinson
Matthew Ramsey
Matthew Ramsey

Welcome to this month's briefing for HR teams and in-house employment counsel – bringing you this month's employment law highlights in an easy-to-read package.

Employment Rights Bill: big changes to unfair dismissal

The ERB has (finally) been passed by Parliament, and become the Employment Rights Act 2025. There are two very significant changes to unfair dismissal to note:

Qualifying period

We have written previously about the Government's difficulty in implementing in legislation its commitment to "day one" unfair dismissal protection for employees.As we flagged in last month's edition, the House of Lords repeatedly refused to accede to the Commons, and continued to push for a reduced qualifying period as an alternative to the complex statutory probation period that the Government had suggested.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

See more popular content from

Article

AI Hallucinations Reach The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has issued its first ruling on AI-generated false citations, striking off a lawyer who submitted fabricated case law to the court. This landmark decision establishes that existing professional standards apply to AI-assisted work, with no special leniency for technological errors. The tribunal's reasoning clarifies critical duties lawyers owe to courts when using AI tools in litigation.
United KingdomLaw Practice Management
Slaughter and May
Slaughter and May
Article

AI-Assisted Grievances: A New Challenge For Employers?

Employees are increasingly using AI to draft workplace grievances, creating lengthy, legalistic complaints that can obscure simple concerns. While AI can help structure complaints and improve accessibility, it also risks escalating conflicts, introducing data protection issues, and making resolution harder. HR teams must now balance fair treatment of AI-assisted grievances with practical, proportionate responses that focus on the real issues rather than managing overly complex documents.
United KingdomLaw Practice Management
B P Collins LLP
B P Collins LLP
Article

Streamlining Legal Practices With Web Based Document Management

In the bustling world of legal practices, where many documents could be the linchpin of a case, efficient document management is not just a convenience — it’s a necessity. Yet, many law firms find themselves entangled in the chaos of outdated document management practices and systems, where vital information is often buried in physical file cabinets or lost in disorganized digital folders scattered across multiple applications.
GlobalLaw Practice Management
IR Global
IR Global
Article

Reward Autumn Update 2026

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.
United KingdomEmployment and HR
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Article

Broadcom/VMware: EU General Court Again Weighs In Favour Of Commission’s Broad Information Gathering Powers

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.
European UnionAntitrust/Competition Law
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Article

Investment Management Update - September 2026

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.
United KingdomFinance and Banking
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Article

Investing In Infrastructure: The Capital Stack

The infrastructure capital stack is undergoing significant transformation as equity markets consolidate at the top while creating mid-market opportunities, private debt emerges as a bankability indicator for maturing sectors, and fund finance structures become increasingly sophisticated. This evolution is reshaping how capital is deployed, structured, and exited across the infrastructure investment landscape...
United KingdomFinance and Banking
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Article

Sponsored Repo And US Treasury Central Clearing – What The Buy-side Needs To Know

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
United StatesFinance and Banking
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Article

Few Surprises, As The CMA Finalises Its Revised Approach To Merger Efficiencies

The UK Competition and Markets Authority has formalised its new approach to assessing efficiency arguments in merger control cases, marking a significant shift toward a more holistic evaluation framework. This updated guidance, which emerged from the CMA's 4Ps initiative, introduces the concept of Rivalry-Enhancing Efficiencies and establishes clearer pathways for merging parties to demonstrate competitive benefits.
United KingdomAntitrust/Competition Law
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Article

Transfer Pricing Enquiries: HMRC’s Approach And Recent Cases

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.
United KingdomTax
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Article

The New EU FDI Screening Regulation: (Un)welcome Changes For Dealmakers

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.
GlobalInternational Law
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP