The Government’s consultation marks the most ambitious attempt in decades to reform payment in construction. These developments herald substantial change in contract drafting, advisory practice, and dispute resolution. The reforms may carry costs and risks, but they represent a determined attempt to resolve problems that have dogged construction for generations.

Registering a trade mark is only the first step. Once registered, the proprietor enjoys the exclusive right to use the mark in relation to the goods and services for which it is registered (s9, Trade Marks Act 1994 (“TMA 1994”)). Unauthorised use by third parties can amount to infringement, and the TMA sets out a structured framework for identifying when infringement has occurred.

Section 10 of the Act defines three main types of infringement. These largely mirror the relative grounds of refusal under section 5, but they apply after registration and are enforceable by the proprietor.

Part 36 of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) incentivises parties to make sensible offers to settle their disputes by attaching cost consequences to a party’s failure to beat an opponent’s Part 36 offer at trial.

Company directors hold a pivotal role in steering corporate strategy and ensuring legal compliance. However, with this power comes a framework of statutory duties and legal checks and balances designed to prevent directors from acting beyond their authority and to ensure they act in the best interests of the company and its shareholders.

With the introduction of the Casinos (Gaming Machines and Mandatory Conditions) Regulations 2025, operators face a much tighter regulatory regime—bringing gaming machine standards in line with the expectations long imposed on remote gambling. This isn’t just a compliance update—it’s a cultural shift toward greater transparency, oversight, and player protection.

The recent wave of litigation targeting major AI players like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Stability AI has brought one issue to the forefront: the legality of using scraped data to train generative models. The New York Times lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft alleges wholesale reproduction of its copyrighted content without consent, while Getty Images v. Stability AI raises the alarm over unauthorised image scraping. Nvidia, too, is facing questions around whether its data collection practices may violate copyright or data protection standards.

Many UK-based AI companies are left asking: What is permissible under current law? The answers are nuanced.

Operating a remote casino in the UK requires careful navigation of a highly regulated and evolving legal landscape. With increasing emphasis on regulatory enforcement and responsible gambling, operators must ensure that their licensing and compliance practices meet the latest standards set by the Gambling Commission.

A new Practice Note for the Commercial Court and London Circuit Commercial Court was issued on 6 June 2025. This Practice Note raises the value thresholds at which cases will generally be transferred out of the Commercial Court to the London Circuit Commercial Court and the County Court.

The changes reflect a concerted effort to manage judicial resources more efficiently, ensuring that the Commercial Courts can focus on the most complex and high-value cases.

There is a growing issue of adjudicator fees in construction disputes, highlighting concerns around proportionality and fairness. Court of Appeal decisions — Systech v PC Harrington and Steve Ward Services v Davies — take contrasting approaches to whether adjudicators are entitled to fees in different circumstances. Julian Critchlow offers practical insights for legal professionals, contractors, and referring parties navigating adjudication processes.

For UK businesses aiming to expand their global footprint, establishing subsidiaries overseas is a well-trodden path toward unlocking new markets, improving operational efficiency, and mitigating domestic risk. Yet international expansion is far from straightforward. It brings a web of legal, tax, employment and regulatory complexities that must be managed from the outset. Without careful planning and local insight, businesses risk delays, enforcement action, and reputational harm.

When commercial relationships break down, the critical question for leadership is often the same: do we settle — or do we fight? In 2025, this decision carries more complexity than ever before. Courts expect early engagement. Litigation costs are rising. And the scrutiny from investors, regulators and the media is more intense.

The rapid evolution of payment methods spurred by digital innovation, consumer demand and changing financial infrastructure has had profound implications for the gaming and betting industry. Operators are increasingly exploring new payment methods, including digital wallets, open banking solutions, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) offerings, and cryptocurrency. However, each payment method brings with it distinct regulatory, compliance and reputational risks.

Often, the value of a brand can rival or surpass that of physical assets. A well-protected brand may confer significant commercial advantages by enhancing consumer trust and creating enduring recognition in oversaturated markets. Trade mark registration is one of the most effective legal tools available to secure brand. Below, we outline the key principles of trade mark registration in the UK and the legal framework under the Trade Marks Act 1994 (as amended) ("TMA 1994/ the Act").

As the use of third-party funding becomes increasingly embedded in the practice of arbitration and other forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) has released its Proposed Guideline on Third-Party Funding (Proposed Guideline).

The Proposed Guideline, which is open for public comment until 17 June 2025, represents a much-needed opportunity to bring clarity and structure to a complex and evolving area of practice.

The Arbitration Act 1996 has served the UK well: it put party autonomy at the centre, limited court intervention, and gave London and other UK seats an enviable international reputation. Almost three decades on, however, practice has evolved. Digital evidence, third‑party funding, emergency relief, and transparency expectations have all out paced the 1996 framework. Enter the Arbitration Act 2025 (“the 2025  Act”).

As digital technology becomes increasingly embedded in every aspect of life, the UK's criminal justice system faces growing challenges in managing the vast amounts of digital evidence emerging in modern investigations. Nowhere is this more apparent than in fraud offences, which are becoming more sophisticated, data-heavy, and international in scope. In response to these issues, the UK government commissioned Jonathan Fisher KC to lead a comprehensive review of current disclosure laws, resulting in the report Disclosure in the Digital Age: Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences. The report offers key insights and recommendations on how to modernise the legal framework to make it fit for a digital-first world.

In a world where content is created, shared, and monetised at the click of a button, copyright is one of the most important legal tools available to protect your business’s creative assets. Yet despite its significance, copyright remains one of the most misunderstood areas of law, particularly when it comes to ownership.

Whether you are commissioning a brand identity, publishing marketing materials, or developing digital platforms, it is critical to understand your rights—and your risks.

When selling a business, one of the most important decisions owners must make is whether to sell the company's shares or its assets. While both methods can achieve a successful transfer, they carry very different legal, financial, and tax implications. Understanding these differences is essential for both sellers and buyers to avoid future disputes and ensure a smooth transition.

Running a gambling business comes with significant regulatory responsibilities. A licence review by the Gambling Commission is not just an administrative hurdle—it can have serious consequences for your business, from financial penalties to potential licence suspension. If you’re facing a review, it’s crucial to approach the process with diligence, strategy, and a clear understanding of your obligations.

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) recently published its "Guideline on the Use of AI in Arbitration (2025)" (the ‘Ciarb AI Guideline’).

The Ciarb AI Guideline provides practical guidance to practitioners and other participants in dispute resolution processes who wish to benefit from the responsible use of artificial intelligence (‘AI’).

This initiative reflects the Ciarb's commitment to embracing technological advancements while maintaining the integrity and fairness of the arbitration process.