The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (“the MSA 2015”) was passed on 26 March 2015 for a number of reasons, the primary driving force being to consolidate, simplify and update the legal protections against human trafficking and slavery.

Welcome to the latest edition of our Commercial Newsletter, bringing you essential legal updates and practical insights to help your business thrive in a fast-changing world.

The cost of intellectual property protection is notoriously high, particularly if you are seeking worldwide protection. It is a common misconception, however, that protection only arises when a registration of a particular intellectual property right is successfully achieved.

Gymshark took ex-influencer Nathanial Massiah to court for breaking a three-month non-compete clause by promoting rival brand YoungLA. The case, which settled before trial, sparked debate over fairness in influencer contracts and the risks brands face when enforcing restrictive covenants. It highlights the need for clear, balanced agreements and legal awareness in the influencer industry.

Understand employer liability for employees’ social media posts, key lessons from Higgs v Farmor’s School [2025] and how policies and training can mitigate risks.

The new pre-pack regulations are designed to regulate connected person pre-pack sales with the aim of balancing the rights of creditors affected by business failure with the need to promote viable business rescue options to businesses, especially in the current economic climate.

Human capital, intellectual property and a secure customer base often drive the value of an acquisition. To secure that value, the buyer of a business may want to retain key employees and prevent the seller from competing with the business for a specified period. The acquisition agreement therefore often includes certain restraints. Buyers and sellers may later disagree on the interpretation and enforceability of these terms. Various immediate dispute resolution steps must be taken to protect the value of the acquired business. Our commercial litigation team regularly acts for clients involved in this type of dispute.

Quite some time following the original enactment of the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 (“the Act”), neonatal care leave and pay will, as confirmed by the government on 20 January 2025, come into force on 6 April 2025.

The UK’s immigration landscape is shifting under Labour, with tougher border policies, rising fees, and stricter enforcement. But is this helping businesses? Explore the numbers, Government actions, and what the future holds for hiring and immigration policies.

Learn why using online images without permission can lead to copyright infringement and costly legal action.