Our knowledge resources reflect the breadth and depth of our expertise, our insight into the issues which matter to your business, and our understanding of the markets in which you operate.
In this short video, Richard Offord, Katie Hindley and Jonathan Rush provide a 5 minute primer on key pricing issues in commercial contracts. Topics covered include whether suppliers can raise prices unilaterally, how to deal with inflation, cost plus and open book pricing, audit clauses, "best price" or MFN obligations, price-matching clauses and benchmarking.
Travers Smith LLP has advised Greystar on its successful acquisition of two purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) assets from "The Neighbourhood".
A regular briefing for the alternative asset management industry.
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is already conducting a market investigation into cloud service providers, including Amazon and Microsoft. On 1 January 2025, it gained extensive new powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 ("DMCC Act"). We look at whether these developments could lead to tougher regulation of major players in cloud services and what that would mean for their customers.
As we noted in our previous CSRD briefing, 2024 saw a dizzying number of changes for companies in scope of this landmark sustainability reporting regulation. Keeping track of these changes is a big enough challenge.
In difficult economic times, company boards (both public and private) are under increasing pressure to demonstrably deliver maximum value for shareholders. One method of unlocking hidden value, particularly in larger corporate groups, is by undertaking a 'carve-out' transaction and creating a win/win for Buyer and Seller.
Parties to a contract often do not give sufficient thought to how they should best resolve their disputes. For instance, parties might always use a template contract that refers disputes to the local courts, but that might not be the best option for each deal or contract. Referring disputes to arbitration can be hugely advantageous; this brief article highlights some of those advantages. However, it is vital that the relevant arbitration clause is drafted properly; an unclear or incomplete arbitration clause is a guaranteed road to preliminary and procedural battles that can be expensive and delay resolution of the substantive dispute.
Travers Smith LLP has advised Bridgepoint Credit on the financing of ECI Partners' acquisition of Insurance Insider, a leading digital platform that provides insights and analysis for the world’s top insurers, distributors, service providers, and investors.
In its recent judgment in HMRC v BlueCrest Capital Management (UK) LLP, the Court of Appeal has overturned the decisions of the lower tribunals and supported HMRC's narrow interpretation of "significant influence". In doing so, the Court introduced a new focus on the source of a member's influence, holding that the only influence that counts is that derived from legal rights and duties. In addition, the Court appeared to support HMRC's view that the scope of significant influence is limited to strategic influence over the affairs of the LLP generally.
Travers Smith LLP has advised EMK Capital (EMK) on the financing of its investment in engineering firm MARCH, as part of the sale from Aliter Capital.
Welcome to the January 2025 edition of our quarterly update for listed companies. If you would like to discuss any of these developments in further detail, please feel free to get in touch with any of the contacts listed at the end of this note.
The litigation funding market in England and Wales has grown rapidly in recent years under a largely self-regulated regime but change may be on the horizon in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision in PACCAR,1 which prompted renewed public discussion about the funding industry and the extent to which it facilitates access to justice. The government has indicated that it will consider any recommendations made by the Civil Justice Council (CJC), which recently released its interim report on the subject, and which is currently running a public consultation on approaches to regulation.
Travers Smith has advised Safestore Holdings plc, a long-standing client and one of Europe's largest owners and operators of self-storage with properties in the UK, France, Netherlands, Spain and Belgium, on its 50/50 joint venture with Nuveen, a leading global asset manager, to acquire Easybox, Italy's second largest self-storage operator by number of stores, for €175m.
The UK Treasury has indefinitely extended the exemption from mandatory clearing for UK pension schemes using derivatives to manage investment risks that relate to the solvency of the scheme.
In the final twist of this much talked about case, a consent order was filed on 18 December 2024 dismissing the shareholder action brought by 460 institutional investors against Barclays Plc ("Barclays") following a confidential settlement.
Travers Smith is pleased to have advised DBAY Advisors, an international asset management firm which manages a range of funds and investment vehicles for endowments, foundations and other institutional investors, and Aegros Bidco Limited, on the recommended cash offer for Alliance Pharma plc, valued at approximately £350 million.
Travers Smith pensions de-risking team has acted for the Trustee of the C&J Clark Pension Fund (Clarks Scheme) on a £540m buy-in with specialist insurer Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC). This follows an earlier £280m transaction on which the team also advised, meaning that the Clarks Scheme is now fully bought in with PIC. This is a momentous milestone in the journey of the Clarks Scheme and represents a highly valuable outcome for members.
Our New Year briefing, which discusses key developments for financial services firms in 2025, is available as a pdf below.
Leading independent law firm Travers Smith LLP is excited to announce it has become a member of Taxand Global in the UK, effective 1st January 2025.