Legal Changes In 2024 - What Should Developers Be Aware Of?

Dispute arises where one of those causes is the result of the employer's action or omission and the other is the result of the contractor's.

During the National Conversation, tenants identified repairs and maintenance as their top priority, with the quality of their homes coming a close second.

The UK Government has unveiled the next phase of the Renters' Rights Act 2025, introducing a mandatory private rented sector database launching December 2026 and transferring rent increase dispute resolution from tribunals to the Valuation Office Agency. These reforms will fundamentally reshape compliance obligations for landlords across England, requiring registration of all rental properties with annual fees and updated enforcement mechanisms.

Section 21 has been abolished for new possession action from 1 May 2026, but landlords who need to sell with vacant possession still have a route. Ground 1A of the amended Housing Act 1988 allows a landlord to recover possession where a genuine sale is intended, but it comes with a four-month notice period, restrictions on reletting and remarketing, and potentially significant penalties for misuse.

The UK Government's Commercial Payments Bill is rapidly advancing toward becoming law, with the proposed ban on cash retentions in construction contracts now scheduled for third reading in October 2026.

The prospect of a third runway at Heathrow Airport has resurfaced, bringing uncertainty to communities across West London and the Thames Valley about homes, property values and future planning. This guide examines how the compensation framework operates for affected homeowners, identifies critical gaps in protection during the years between policy approval and construction, and explains why reform is needed to address the human and financial costs of prolonged infrastructure uncertainty.

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 introduces sweeping changes to the UK rental market, including a mandatory national property registration system and a new process for handling rent disputes. Landlords face strict deadlines and significant penalties for non-compliance, while the government promises faster resolution of tenant challenges to rent increases.

The UK Government has announced the second phase of the Renters' Rights Act, introducing a mandatory Private Rented Sector Database that will roll out region-by-region starting in the West Midlands in December 2026. Landlords across England will face registration requirements, annual fees of £65 per property, and potential penalties of up to £40,000 for non-compliance, fundamentally changing how the private rental sector operates.

The UK Government has confirmed the operational framework for its new national rental property registration service, requiring landlords to register eligible private rented sector properties across England from December 2026. With registration costs of £65 per property annually and strict compliance deadlines varying by region, institutional investors and portfolio operators face significant data management and governance challenges. The rollout introduces ongoing reporting obligations that extend far

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 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.

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.

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.

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...

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 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.

The UK Government's decision not to include a new investor visa route in the upcoming Budget may appear to be a setback for wealthy individuals seeking UK residence, but the reality suggests otherwise.

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.

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.