Mayer Brown (LexBlog United Kingdom)

What are the key drivers for reform? The UK Treasury (“HMT“) noted the following as drivers for reform: Further, the FCA has stated that: “PISCES could be an innovative, flexible, efficient and effective solution for private companies to provide investors and employees with concentrated liquidity events in which to buy and sell shares. It should...

The UK government is currently consulting on draft primary legislation establishing a UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (“CBAM”), which is set to come into force from 1 January 2027. The current consultation is limited to ensuring that the draft primary legislation implements the Government’s stated policy intent, rather than seeking further stakeholder comment on the...

Other authors: Kirsty Morris The House of Commons’ Joint Committee on Human Rights (the “Committee“) has launched a new inquiry to examine the UK’s current framework in relation to forced labour in international supply chains1. The Committee is seeking to establish if the current framework is effective in managing the risk of exposure to forced...

With significant changes to employment law on the horizon, knowing what to expect in 2025 by way of changes is key. Whilst there is currently a fair degree of uncertainty as to when some of the forthcoming proposed reforms will come into effect, there are some important dates to note in Q1 and Q2. January...

On 15 October, the UK’s independent public spending watchdog (the National Audit Office or NAO) published its overview of the Government’s approach to the three areas of environmental improvement, net zero and climate change adaptation. The report provides a high-level critique of Government programmes to date on these three interrelated areas emphasising the scale of...

The recent High Court decision in the Cineworld restructuring plans case [2024] EWHC 2475 (Ch)  again illustrates how even the most pro-active landlords cannot insulate themselves from the effects of a statutory restructuring scheme under Part 26A of the Companies Act 2006, despite determined and novel tactics by the two landlords, the Crown Estate Commissioners...

Following the UK Competition and Markets Authority's ("CMA") recent investigation regarding 'Green Claims' in the fashion industry (discussed here), the CMA has now published a Compliance Guide to help fashion businesses "stay on the right side of consumer law". This is part of the CMA’s “essential” work to ensure consumers can make informed choices based on environmental claims that they can...

On 3 September 2024, the UK Government published its factsheet on the Great British Energy Bill which received its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 5 September. The purpose of the Bill is to establish a publicly-owned energy company designed to drive clean energy deployment and support the UK Government’s aim of decarbonising...

Following our previous article on the rollout of eVisas in the UK, the UK Government has confirmed that all those who hold Biometric Residence Permits (“BRPs”), which are credit card sized identity documents which hold a migrant’s biographic data, biometric information and details of their UK immigration status, which expire on 31 December 2024, may now...

Following our previous article on the rollout of eVisas in the UK, the UK Government has confirmed that all those who hold Biometric Residence Permits (“BRPs”), which are credit card sized identity documents which hold a migrant’s biographic data, biometric information and details of their UK immigration status, which expire on 31 December 2024, may...

A major overhaul of the UK’s planning (zoning) system was unveiled on 30 July.  This is aimed at tackling the UK’s chronic housing shortage, as well as the challenge of net zero.  The lack of affordable housing in the south-east of England, for example, means that average house prices there are ten times the average...

The King’s Speech 2024, delivered on 17 July 2024, outlined the new UK Government’s legislative agenda for the next session of Parliament.  The new MPs will be busy, with close to 40 separate bills slated for debate.  With regard to real estate, especially with the private rented sector, there is a distinct feeling of déjà...

In case you missed it, the latest edition of Insights, our employment, benefits and mobility publication, is now out. Highlighting key critical topics for businesses, Insights includes perspectives from a range of jurisdictions on topical issues: If you have any questions or would like to receive future editions of Insights, please contact Louise Fernandes-Owen.

Deforestation is now the second leading cause of climate change globally, after burning fossil fuels, and is responsible for around 11% of all greenhouse gas emissions.  In the last 60 years more than half of tropical forests worldwide have been destroyed, reducing biodiversity and endangering rare species (see Fifth Special Report of Session – 2023-24: ...

In January this year, we reported on a decision from the Scottish Court of Session which held that employers can settle future claims which are unknown at the time of entering into a settlement agreement, even if the basis for the claims has not yet arisen (Bathgate v Technip Singapore Pte Limited):  https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/insights/publications/2024/01/the-unknown-unknowns-settling-future-e

The major political parties have all now launched their manifestos, with few surprises.  In the table below, we compare and contrast the policies set out in the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrats and Green Party manifestos insofar as they might impact on the real estate sector.  Policy Labour Conservatives Liberal Democrats Green Party House Building • 1.5...

During his remarks at a meeting of the International Bar Association’s Asset Management Industry Conference on Global Challenges and Opportunities in Boston, Commissioner Uyeda commented on investment research and the research rules. Commissioner Uyeda commented favorably on the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority’s consultation on modifying certain research unbundling rules required by...

The UK Government has responded to the recent ‘Sexism in the City’ report by the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee (the “Report”).  Among various recommendations in the Report was an outright ban on the use of non-disclosure agreements (“NDAs“) in sexual harassment cases, but the Government has decided it will not go that far....

With the announcement of UK General Election for Thursday 4 July 2024, the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill has not completed the legislative process before the end of the current parliamentary session and will therefore not become law. The Bill would reform the UK’s data protection regime reducing some of the regulatory burden on...

On 16 May 2024, the UK Government published an implementation update on its development of economy-wide sustainability disclosure requirements (the “Implementation Update“). The Implementation Update, which the UK Government committed to publishing in its 2023 Green Finance Strategy (which you can read more about here), discusses: IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards The UK Government has...

The Information Commissioner’s Office (the “ICO”) has clarified the methods it will use to calculate the fines it will issue for breaches of data privacy law in the UK by publishing its latest Data Protection Fining Guidance (the “Guidance“) on 18 March 2024. The ICO oversees compliance with the UK data protection law, including the Data Protection...

On 23 April 2024, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA“) published its “Finalised non‑handbook guidance on the Anti‑Greenwashing Rule (FG/24/3)” (the “Guidance“). The FCA has published the Guidance to help in-scope firms understand and comply with the anti-greenwashing rule, which will come into effect on 31 May 2024. Background The anti-greenwashing rule is part of...

On 23 April 2024, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA“) published its “Finalised non‑handbook guidance on the Anti‑Greenwashing Rule (FG/24/3)” (the “Guidance“). The FCA has published the Guidance to help in-scope firms understand and comply with the anti-greenwashing rule, which will come into effect on 31 May 2024. Background The anti-greenwashing rule is part of...

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA“) has announced that three fashion retailers have signed voluntary undertakings to ensure that consumers have a clearer idea of how green their clothes really are. At the end of March 2024, ASOS, Boohoo and George at Asda committed to only make green claims about their products that are...

This month, the latest instalment of annual increases relating to the minimum wage, the maximum claim amounts awarded in the Employment Tribunal and other statutory rates takes effect. We set out below the main rates and limits that employers should be aware of. 1. Increase in minimum wage The national minimum wage increased from £10.42...

The UK Government launched a Consultation on the introduction of a UK CBAM on 21 March 2024.  The Consultation closes on 13 June 2024.  This follows the announcement, in December 2023, that the UK would implement a UK CBAM similar to the EU CBAM which came into effect on 1 October 2023. In this update,...

New Immigration Rules came into force in the UK on 4 April 2024 which affect employers who sponsor workers under the Skilled worker or Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist Worker routes. Skilled Worker changes Broadly, the main changes are: Transitional arrangements Where an individual is sponsored under a Certificate of Sponsorship (“CoS”) assigned before...

When the UK Online Safety Act (the “Act“) became law on 26 October 2023, it had established one of the most comprehensive online safety regulatory frameworks in the world. The Act’s intention is to make the use of online services for individuals in the United Kingdom, especially children, safer. It introduces a long list of new duties...

Our latest legal update considers a recent decision from the Scottish Court of Session which makes it clear that employers can settle future claims which are unknown at the time of entering into a settlement agreement, even if the basis for the claims has not yet arisen (Bathgate v Technip Singapore Pte Limited). Find out...

With 2024 now underway, this is the perfect time to check out our Insights publication. In case you missed it, Insights highlights what’s on the horizon for employers this year across a range of jurisdictions, including the UK, France, Germany, Hong Kong and US, and provides a regional snapshot of the key hot topics across...