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PISCES – Key questions answered

With the legal framework now in place for the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System ("PISCES") regime to become operational, in this briefing we answer the key questions that clients are asking about this innovative trading platform for private companies.

Financial Reporting Council publishes the updated UK Stewardship Code 2026

On 3 June 2025, the Financial Reporting Council ("FRC") published the UK Stewardship Code 2026 (the "Code"). The Code is a voluntary framework designed to promote high standards of stewardship among financial market participants, encouraging the responsible allocation, management and oversight of capital. This edition of the Code will replace the UK Stewardship Code 2020 (the "2020 Code") as of 1 January 2026.

Innovative remedies: an investor's role in cleaning up supply chains

Modern slavery and human rights abuses impact countless supply chains across the world every year. Businesses and investors may be exposed to risks arising from such abuses regardless of how far down the supply chain they occur and, in some circumstances, may be under a duty to identify, remediate and prevent further violations.

A Decade of Insight: UK Home Office updates guidance on supply chain transparency

Earlier this week, the UK Home Office published updated guidance (the "Guidance") for businesses on how to comply with the letter and spirit of the UK's Modern Slavery Act 2015 ("MSA"). 

UK Modern Slavery Act 2015: to reform or not to reform – that remains the question following latest position from Government

When the UK's Modern Slavery Act (the "MSA") was introduced in 2015, it was considered world-leading, with the UK being one of the first countries in the world to mandate corporate reporting on modern slavery. Now, nearly 10 years on, the initial optimism appears to be waning.

World Uyghur Congress Case Ruling: A game changer for supply chains?

Earlier this year, the World Uyghur Congress was successful in its appeal in a case which centered on concerns about the importation of cotton products to the UK from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region ("XUAR") in the People’s Republic of China1. In this article we will explore the important legal and practical ramifications of this decision, in light of more recent allegations against large multinational entities for failing to prevent slavery and human trafficking abuses in their supply chains. We will also examine the impacts this decision may have in other areas from a Proceeds of Crime ("POCA") perspective, along with practical steps organisations can take to manage supply chain risk. 

Update on UK Subsidy Control Act: Latest Developments

The UK Subsidy Control Act 2022 (the "Act") came into force on 4 January 2023 in order to replace the European Union ("EU") state aid regime and satisfy the UK's obligations under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The Act sets out a framework for public bodies to comply with when awarding subsidies to businesses and provides a means for private challenge of the granting of any such awards.

New EU AI Act – Corporate Governance Considerations

Earlier this month, the EU's European Artificial Intelligence Act ("AI Act")[1], the world's first comprehensive regulation on artificial intelligence, came into force. The AI Act aims to ensure that AI systems are safe, transparent, traceable and environmentally friendly.

The Dispute Resolution Yearbook 2024

The 2024 edition of our award winning Dispute Resolution Yearbook provides an overview of the disputes market in general, insights into our practice, and an opportunity to learn more about our team.

Sanctions Update: new US guidance for overseas sanctions enforcement, the impact of the EU's "no Russia" clause for certain businesses, the EU's new liability directive and some notable sanctions de-listings and challenges

This update provides a brief summary of some notable recent developments from an international sanctions perspective. This includes the publication of a 'Tri-Seal Compliance Note' by certain government bodies in the US, emphasising the potential applicability of US sanctions to non-US persons and the corresponding risks of non-compliance, the impact of the EU's new "no Russia" law, which requires certain contractual obligations to be satisfied when exporting specific goods from the EU, and  the EU's new directive imposing criminal liability on those looking to circumvent its sanctions regime.

Sanctions January Update: new UK enforcement unit, further guidance on ownership and control and OFSI's Annual Review

This update provides a brief summary of some notable recent developments from a UK sanctions perspective, including the introduction of the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation ("OTSI"), which will be tasked with trade sanctions implementation and enforcement in the UK, along with further guidance on a potentially wide interpretation of the "ownership and control" test, and the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation's ("OFSI") 2022-2023 Annual Review.

ESG timeline 2023 only

Our ESG timeline archive sets out past UK and EU legal and regulatory developments relating to ESG and wider sustainable business topics from January 2023 onwards. As with the main timeline, the timeline archive can be filtered according to your business type or the relevant ESG theme.

QCA Publishes Revised Corporate Governance Code

Last week the Quoted Companies Alliance (the "QCA") published its revised Corporate Governance Code (the "Revised Code"). The Revised Code will apply in respect of financial years beginning on or after 1 April 2024 and there will be a 12-month transition period (from 1 April 2024) during which companies will have additional flexibility to adjust to the provisions of the Revised Code.

Sanctions Autumn Update: Court of Appeal ownership and control commentary and OFSI first use of public disclosure power

This update provides a brief summary of some notable recent developments in the UK sanctions world, including interesting commentary from the Court of Appeal on a potentially wide interpretation of the "ownership and control" test, which was rapidly followed by a statement from the Government suggesting such an interpretation should be limited, and the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation's ("OFSI") first use of its public disclosure enforcement power.

Late payment clauses: time for a review?

The recent announcement of the UK Government's Payment and Cash Flow Review has once again put the spotlight on late payment clauses and other payment practices. Larger businesses in particular may be criticised for failure to comply with legal requirements or "best practices" in relation to their purchasing activity.

Landmark High Court Decision on Supply Chains and Human Rights

The British Government has defended a claim brought by the World Uyghur Congress ("WUC") and the Global Legal Action Network ("GLUN") (together, the "Claimants") over the alleged failure to tackle imports of Uyghur forced-labour cotton into the UK. Findings from the case create important milestones that have the potential to impact international trade and the use and import of forced labour goods across a wide variety of sectors.

Human Rights – time to refresh your corporate policies and procedures?

As legislators and regulators increase their focus on human rights and good governance, the UN Principles for Responsible Investment ("UNPRI"), an international organisation that works to promote the incorporation of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment decision-making, announced at the end of last year the creation of a new collaborative stewardship initiative, Advance.

ESG timeline 2022 only

Our ESG timeline archive sets out past UK and EU legal and regulatory developments relating to ESG and wider sustainable business topics from January 2022 onwards. As with the main timeline, the timeline archive can be filtered according to your business type or the relevant ESG theme.

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