Expert Analysis

• UK Corp. Crime Landscape Raises Global Governance Stakes

  

  The Crime and Policing Act 2026 recently entered into force, highlighting a growing emphasis on governance and senior management oversight, the influence of compliance on commercial decision-making, and an overlap between legal and regulatory risk across jurisdictions, say lawyers at McDermott.

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  Practice Leader Insights From Shakespeare's David Vaughan

  

  David Vaughan, international disputes lead at Shakespeare Martineau, discusses how a European upbringing and working across different firms have shaped his leadership abilities, the challenges of representing a sovereign in a foreign court, and how proper global networks are needed to deliver results in cross-border disputes.

• Decoding Arbitral Disputes: Award Enforcement Is Just Step 1

  

  In Qatar National Bank v. South Sudan and Bank of South Sudan, a D.C. federal court recently confirmed a $1 billion arbitral award, but the judgment itself remains only the entrance to the asset-recovery exercise, says Josep Galvez at 4-5 Gray's Inn Square.

• UK Top Court Eases Creditors' Path To Enforcing Foreign Debt

  

  The recent U.K. Supreme Court ruling in Drelle v. Servis-Terminal that an unrecognized and unregistrable foreign judgment may found a bankruptcy petition presents a real risk for debtors, who could find themselves facing insolvency proceedings with very little warning, say lawyers at Dechert.

• Int'l Arbitration Can Serve As Critical Tool In Hormuz Crisis

  

  As the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to severely disrupt global commercial navigation, companies should understand the key claims likely to arise in emergency and expedited arbitration procedures — including force majeure, breach of contract and pricing disputes — and the contractual safeguards and protective measures to consider, say lawyers at McDermott.

• Despite Acquittal, Gallery Case Warns Of UK Sanctions Risk

  

  Although art gallery Hauser & Wirth was able to defeat criminal charges of breaching the U.K. Russia sanctions regime, the ruling illustrates that prosecution for those operating in high-value international markets is a real-world risk, say lawyers at Fieldfisher.

• Saxon Woods Ruling Clarifies Directors' Duty Of Good Faith

  

  The U.K. Supreme Court’s recent landmark judgment in Saxon Woods sends a clear message to businesses that a director's conduct must withstand objective scrutiny, affirming that even if an individual believes they are acting in the company's best interests, they cannot deceive fellow board members, says Richard Clayman at Kingsley Napley.

• Entain Ruling Offers Parties Key E-File Guidance

  

  The U.K. Commercial Court’s recent decision in Various Claimants v. Entain PLC provides guidance for the first time for those navigating a court document filing pilot scheme, offering a practical template for parties to litigation involving sensitive issues by balancing transparency obligations with legitimate confidentiality concerns, say lawyers at HSFK.

• BlueCrest Decision Tightens Test For LLP Tax Treatment

  

  The U.K. Supreme Court’s recent judgment in HMRC v. BlueCrest Capital Management clarifies the tax framework for assessing whether limited liability partnership members are genuinely operating as partners or should be treated as employees, which is likely to be significant far beyond the hedge fund sector, say lawyers at Stewarts Law.

• Patent Dispute Takeaways From Ruling In Kodak Appeal

  

  The Unified Patent Court’s recent appeal decision in Kodak v. Fujifilm, confirming that the UPC may exercise jurisdiction over non-UPC patent designations, creates opportunities for patentees to pursue claims involving both UPC and non-UPC designations before a single forum, say lawyers at Morgan Lewis.

• How Employers Can Prep For EU Pay Transparency Directive

  

  Although most EU member states failed to implement the Pay Transparency Directive by the June deadline, employers should take steps to address the overarching requirements, as compliance obligations could come into force quickly and with little advance notice, say lawyers at Morgan Lewis.

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  Practice Leader Insights From Covington's Louise Freeman

  

  Louise Freeman, Covington's co-chair of commercial litigation, discusses how she combines a longer-term outlook with a fast-paced approach, the challenges of representing clients from six different jurisdictions, and why junior lawyers need to be ready to adapt and pivot to where the work is.

• A Practical Guide To Key Changes In ICC Int'l Arbitration Rules

  

  The International Chamber of Commerce’s recently revised arbitration rules, while not a seismic reset, create a coherent set of practical reforms focused on streamlining the process to parties’ needs, sending the message that preparation and strategic clarity will be rewarded, say lawyers at White & Case.

• Decoding Arbitral Disputes: Post-Award Noncompliance

  

  Grainful Holdings v. Mineev, a recent Commercial Court decision that resulted in a sentence for contempt following post-award enforcement proceedings, illustrates the point at which proceedings, having moved beyond recognition of an arbitral obligation, engage the court's own coercive jurisdiction, says Josep Galvez at 4-5 Gray's Inn.

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  Practice Leader Insights From Baker McKenzie's Andy Moody

  

  Andy Moody, head of Baker McKenzie's London disputes team, discusses the traits that he prioritizes as a leader, the unique challenges of international arbitration cases, and how global political and economic disruption is likely to generate more litigation and arbitration.