Insights & Events

Industrial relations are moving up the legal risk agenda. New measures under the Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA) are designed to strengthen the rights and influence of trade unions in the workplace. The first set of amendments will come into force on 18 February 2026.

The Supreme Court’s judgment in Providence v Hexagon clarifies interpretation of termination Clause 8.9.4 of the JCT Design and Build contract. It limits the ability to terminate for repeated default where an earlier default has been cured, reversing the position that had arisen in light of the Court of Appeal’s earlier decision in this litigation. The decision will be welcomed throughout the industry for its certainty and guidance.

The legal landscape for protest injunctions has shifted over recent years, with courts granting what’s known as newcomer injunctions against persons unknown (unnamed protestors). Protestors are increasingly targeting critical national infrastructure, food and defence manufacturers, and other large businesses, so it’s important for businesses to understand the key steps to take in the event of protestor disruption. Don’t leave it until protestors are already on site and the business is in crisis mode. Read on for practical advice which can help keep operations running and manage the impact of protestor disruption.

Late 2025/early 2026 has seen a number of procurement developments. In this article, we highlight some of the key issues on the procurement horizon.

As artificial intelligence reshapes the way construction, infrastructure and energy projects are conceived, delivered and managed, its transformative potential is becoming impossible to ignore. If you’re a stakeholder in this area, now is the time to understand how AI could be harnessed to supercharge your projects, while taking steps to stay ahead of the legal and operational challenges it could bring to your business.

A lesser-publicised aspect of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will empower communities to protect valued local spaces from development. Expect broader definitions, longer moratoriums, and a statutory right to buy. In this article, we look at what landowners and developers can do to minimise disruption and delay to their projects.

PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals’, are synthetic compounds widely used in industrial processes and consumer products because of their resistance to heat, water, and oil. They don’t break down easily, so they accumulate in soil, water, wildlife, and humans, causing health risks and environmental degradation. In this article, we look at potential liabilities associated with PFAS and what UK businesses can do to mitigate risk.

Open RAN once promised to bring greater quality and choice for a mobile network operator’s RAN, but adoption has been limited due to many barriers to adoption such as cybersecurity risks, uncertainty on interoperability and the lack of mandatory standards. With significant collaboration, investment and government support, there is a world where the telecoms industry can unlock the benefits of widespread Open RAN adoption.

We discuss the latest key developments in adjudication

Adjudication is designed to keep projects moving, but poor drafting can hand control to the Scheme and introduce unnecessary risk. Building robust contract provisions from the outset is the simplest way to stay in control of the process.

With proposals for right to work rules to be expanded to cover workers, contractors, self-employed freelancers, and gig‑economy workers, you will need to embed checks across your entire workforce. That means updating processes and contracts, training your teams, investing in efficient verification tools and staying alert to new Home Office guidance. If you don’t adapt, you’re exposing your business to significant fines, reputational damage and operational risk once the new rules take effect, which is expected in 2026.

Intellectual property law continues to evolve amid technological innovation, market shifts, and regulatory changes. As we enter the new year, we have identified the key issues you need to focus on to ensure your IP strategies remain effective over the next 12 months.