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Regulatory Update | UK Immigration Sponsorship Compliance In brief: On 20 April 2026, the Home Office has published revised sponsor guidance clarifying that right to work checks are required for workers a sponsor employs or sponsors and removing earlier wording that had extended the apparent scope to certain unsponsored workers. Sponsors should consider whether internal guidance, training and compliance processes require updating in light of the change. The Home Office has reissued the principal sponsor guidance documents, together with the glossary and Appendix D, in a further update to sponsor compliance guidance. The publication appears to reverse a material change …

Data is increasingly being treated as an important business asset in corporate transactions. Whether a business is being acquired, involved in a merger, seeking investment, or undergoing restructuring, the type and quality of the data it holds can have an impact on valuation, how the deal is negotiated and what happens post‑completion. But data behaves very differently from traditional assets, creating unique challenges for everyone involved in the transaction. Data isn’t “owned” in the traditional sense, and its use is heavily regulated Unlike other assets, data can’t be owned outright. Instead, businesses usually hold a bundle of rights to use, …

For years glasses which could secretly film others and perform facial recognition, cross-referencing individuals’ social media content were the preserve of James Bond and Ethan Hunt. No longer. The release of smart glasses by Meta and a number of other players in the AI market has changed the landscape and offered those of us with a more sedate lifestyle the chance to experience a little of the spy world. With that, however, comes concern about privacy and how recordings made using the glasses will be shared with others. The issues raised by filming in public places is not new. Particularly, …

On 1 May the new EU Technology Transfer Block Exemption Regulation (TTBER) came into force, replacing the previous EU competition law framework for technology licensing. On the same date similar new laws were also introduced in the UK and are set out in the Competition Act 1998 (Technology Transfer Agreements Block Exemption) Order 2026 (TTBEO). The new regime preserves the competition framework around technology licensing and continues to provide much needed certainty for EU and UK businesses who are regularly involved in the licensing of patents, know-how, software and related intellectual property rights. What are the benefits of exemption? To …

As internship season approaches, more students and graduates are seeking opportunities to gain experience in the workplace. Internships offer a crucial chance to develop practical skills and are often a vital step into a profession. Internships can also be useful for employers, giving them an opportunity to access a pipeline of talent without a long-term commitment. Unpaid and underpaid internships have become increasingly common. According to a report by the Sutton Trust, 35% of graduates completed an unpaid internship in 2025, up from 27% in 2018. While the legal framework has not fundamentally changed, the Government’s recent response and the …

Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 ran from 11 to 17 May 2026, giving employers and organisations an important opportunity to reflect on how they support employee wellbeing and create healthier, more inclusive workplaces. This year’s theme, “Action” was a timely reminder that while awareness matters, meaningful change only happens when organisations take practical steps to support mental health at work. For employers, this is not simply a wellbeing issue. It is a workplace issue, a culture issue and in many cases, a legal issue too. Why mental health matters at work Poor mental health continues to have a significant impact …

For the first time, umbrella companies in the UK are being brought within a more formal regulatory framework. The Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA 2025), together with related consultations and implementing measures, introduces a new level of regulation and oversight that may make these businesses a less attractive link in the temporary labour supply chain. Umbrella companies play an increasingly important role in the STEM industry, where businesses often rely on flexible, highly skilled contractors to deliver specialist and project-based work. What are Umbrella Companies? An umbrella company is typically used where a recruitment agency or a temporary staffing agency …

The recent employment dispute involving Channel 5, ITN and former presenter Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije – alongside allegations initially made against Dan Walker – provides a useful case study in how employment law operates in practice, particularly in relation to harassment claims, settlement agreements, and vicarious liability. Vanderpuije brought claims of unfair dismissal, discrimination, harassment on grounds of race and sex, and breach of contract following her departure from Channel 5 News. She also alleged that she had been subject to a “toxic” workplace culture and that her dismissal was linked to whistleblowing about these issues. However, shortly before a five-week employment …