Expert Analysis

• Russia Sanctions Spotlight: Divergent Approaches Emerge

  

  With indications of greater divergence and uncertainty in Russia sanctions policy between the U.K., European Union and U.S., there are four general principles and a range of compliance steps that businesses should bear in mind when assessing the impact of a potentially shifting landscape, says Alexandra Melia at Steptoe.

• Opinion

  UK Court Of Appeal's FRAND Ruling Is Troubling

  

  The U.K. Court of Appeal's recent decision in Optis v. Apple disregards a lower court's extensive factual findings and contradicts its own precedent regarding fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms for cellular patents, says Enrico Bonadio at the University of London.

• What Santander Fraud Ruling Means For UK Banking Sector

  

  A London court's recent judgment in Santander v. CCP Graduate School held that a bank does not owe any duty to third-party victims of authorized push payment fraud, reaffirming the steps banks are already taking to protect their own customers from sophisticated fraud mechanisms, say lawyers at Charles Russell.

• Arbitral Ruling In EU Fisheries Clash Clarifies Post-Brexit Pact

  

  The Permanent Court of Arbitration's recent ruling marks a pivotal moment in the evolving jurisprudence surrounding the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, concluded between the U.K. and the EU after Brexit, and sets an important precedent for interpretation and enforcement of trade and environment clauses in cross-border disputes, says Josep Galvez at 4-5 Gray's Inn.

• Apple Ruling Provides Clarity For UK Litigation Funders

  

  The Court of Appeal's recent Gutmann v. Apple decision that litigation funders can take a fee before class action members are paid helps relieve the concerns of insufficient funding returns that followed news of a broad sector review and a key high court ruling, says Matthew Lo at Exton Advisors.

• FCA Update Eases Private Stock Market Disclosure Rules

  

  The Financial Conduct Authority’s recently updated proposals for the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System would result in less onerous disclosure obligations for businesses, reflecting ongoing efforts to balance an attractive trading venue for private companies while maintaining sufficient investor protections, say lawyers at Debevoise.

• Expect Complex Ruling From UK Justices In Car Dealer Case

  

  While recent arguments before the U.K. Supreme Court in a consumer test case on motor finance commissions reveal the court’s take on several points argued, application of the upcoming decision will be both nuanced and fact-sensitive, so market participants wishing to prepare do not have a simple task, says Tom Grodecki at Cadwalader.

• Why Cos. Should Investigate Unethical Supply Chain Conduct

  

  The U.K. government’s recent updated guidance for businesses on reporting slavery and human trafficking in supply chains underscores the urgent need for companies to adopt transparent and measurable due diligence practices, reinforcing the broader need for proactive internal investigations into unethical or criminal conduct, say lawyers at Seladore and Matrix Chambers.

• UK Top Court Charts Limits Of Liability In Ship Explosion Case

  

  A recent U.K. Supreme Court ruling, capping a ship charterer's damages for an onboard explosion, casts a clarifying light upon the murky waters of maritime liability, particularly concerning the delicate operation of limitation under the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, says Josep Galvez at 4-5 Gray's Inn.

• What Latest VC Model Document Revisions Offer UK Investors

  

  Recent updates to the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association model documents, reflecting prevailing U.K. market practice on early-stage equity financing terms and increasing focus on compliance issues, provide needed protection for investors in relation to the growth in global foreign direct investment regimes, say lawyers at Davis Polk.

• Decoding Arbitral Disputes: Precision In Jurisdiction Clauses

  

  The High Court recently held that a contract requiring disputes to be heard by U.K. courts superseded arbitration agreements between long-time business affiliates, reinforcing the importance of drafting precise jurisdiction clauses that international commercial parties in multiagreement relationships will use to resolve prior disputes, says Josep Galvez at 4-5 Gray's Inn.

• What Age Bias Ruling Means For Law Firm Retirement Policies

  

  The recent employment tribunal age discrimination decision in Scott v. Walker Morris demonstrates that while law firms may implement mandatory retirement schemes, the policy must pursue a legitimate aim via proportionate means to pass the objective justification test, says Chris Hadrill at Redmans Solicitors.

• Acas Guide Shows How To Support Neurodiverse Employees

  

  A new guide on neurodiversity in the workplace from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service reminds employers of the duty to make reasonable adjustments that will effectively alleviate any disadvantage an employee may experience at work, say lawyers at Withers.

• UK's Arbitration Act Is More A Revision Than An Overhaul

  

  The recently enacted U.K. Arbitration Act 2025 represents the most significant update to English arbitration law since 1996, and while it reinforces many strengths that made London the leading arbitral seat, its failure to address certain key areas means the legislation missed the opportunity to truly be a benchmark, say lawyers at RPC.

• Google Win Illustrates Hurdles To Mass Data Privacy Claims

  

  The Court of Appeal's December decision in Prismall v. Google, holding each claimant in a mass data privacy suit must demonstrate an individualized and sufficiently serious injury, demonstrates the difficulty of using representative action to collect damages for misused private information, say lawyers at Seladore Legal.