Rolling out a global share plan requires significant investment of time, internal coordination and collaboration with external advisors and administrators. Ultimately, success hinges on thorough preparation, clear communication, and the ability to anticipate and deal with regulatory, legal, and tax complexities.

On 16 December 2025, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published its proposals relating to the prudential framework that will apply to firms authorised to carry on cryptoasset-related regulated activities under the new UK cryptoassets regulatory framework. We previously published our briefing summarising the final cryptoassets legislation published by the UK Treasury, which is available here.

As reported in our previous briefing, the Sustainability Omnibus finally reached its destination last week, when the European institutions agreed on changes to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive ("CSRD") and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive ("CSDDD"). The text was subsequently approved by the Council's Coreper committee on 10 December, and on 16 December, the Parliament approved the text in its plenary session. Some sources are noting that final publication of the text will be in March 2026, with entry into force twenty days later, but importantly, no further substantive changes are expected. 

On 4 December 2025, the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (the "OTSI") published its first annual review. Although the OTSI has publicly been relatively quiet since launching in late 2024, given its focus on trade-based restrictions, at a time when there is an increase in international trade controls restricting supply chains and sales channels, now is a good moment to examine its impact to date.

The Employment Rights Bill has received Royal Assent, becoming the Employment Rights Act 2025. The Act paves the way for significant reforms to UK employment law, with the key changes to be phased in starting from April 2026.

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Here we look ahead to the New Year, which looks set to be another year of change for the real estate sector. Key themes include increasing regulation, planning change and ongoing transparency measures.

His Majesty's Treasury (HMT), published the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2025 (the Regulations) on 15 December 2025. While they may well ultimately be dated 2026 (Parliament rises for Christmas on 18 December and the Regulations must be approved by both chambers), this marks a key milestone in the UK's journey on digital assets, which will sit squarely within the regulatory perimeter of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The Regulations will come fully into force on 25 October 2027, meaning that (if one were minded to be critical) it will have taken the best part of seven years for the UK to establish a regulatory framework for cryptoassets, dating back to the consultation and call for evidence of January 2021.      

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, which received Royal Assent on 24 May 2024, contained the framework for various reforms to the residential long leasehold regime. One such reform would reduce the premium paid to their landlords by leaseholders upon collective enfranchisement.

Travers Smith LLP has advised LDC, the leading private equity investor, and Beauport Partners, the travel and leisure specialist investor, on the sale of Iglu.com ("Iglu"), the UK’s leading online travel agent specialising in cruise and ski holidays, to Flight Centre Travel Group ("FLT").