Worldwide: Corporate/Commercial Law

The Charity Commission has reminded charities that they should be preparing for the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) updated Equality Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations.

The Charity Commission's latest annual research reveals evolving patterns in public trust and trustee governance, highlighting both sustained confidence in charitable institutions and emerging challenges from societal polarization. While trust remains high at 57%, financial pressures and changing donor expectations are reshaping how the public engages with charities, with trustees facing knowledge gaps in key governance areas despite overall strong confidence levels.

The Charity Commission has revised its guidance on amending charity governing documents, introducing separate frameworks for different charity structures and expanding requirements around conflicts of interest, member consultation, and trustee benefits. These changes aim to clarify legal obligations and improve practical usability for charity administrators navigating constitutional amendments.

Shareholder disputes can often turn on contract interpretation. It is important to receive legal advice in respect of any agreement under a shareholder-company relationship to avoid ambiguity in the terms.

The commercial value of sport has surged in recent years, bringing with it a sharp rise in legal disputes across the sector. From high-stakes broadcasting deals and sponsorship arrangements to complex investment structures and evolving regulatory frameworks, the landscape has become increasingly contentious. Since 2020, sports-related litigation in English courts has increased more than sixfold, with football leading the charge alongside motorsport, horse racing, and other major sports.

A joint venture sought an injunction to prevent a beneficiary from calling on a US$484 million performance guarantee, arguing the liquidated damages clause was an unenforceable penalty and the demand was non-compliant. The court examined whether injunctive relief could be granted to suspend a bond call pending arbitration, and what standard of proof applies when challenging such demands on contractual grounds.

Artificial intelligence is transforming corporate governance, requiring directors to navigate complex oversight challenges as AI systems become embedded across business operations. This article examines how established UK directors' duties apply in the context of AI adoption, exploring the practical implications for board-level decision-making and risk management. Directors must balance AI's strategic opportunities against emerging risks while maintaining effective human oversight and independent judgment.

Shareholder disputes can often turn on contract interpretation. It is important to receive legal advice in respect of any agreement under a shareholder-company relationship to avoid ambiguity in the terms.

Private equity and venture capital investors conduct rigorous due diligence to uncover hidden risks that could derail deals, with many of the biggest threats stemming from intellectual property, legal ownership, and governance issues rather than financial metrics. Understanding these potential deal killers and addressing them proactively can significantly improve a scaling business's chances of securing investment, acquisition offers, or international expansion opportunities.

The High Court has allowed an application by the administrators of a company under section 234 Insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986) requiring a bank to deliver up funds held in the company’s bank account: Laverty v Barclays Bank plc [2026] EWHC 1222 (Ch).

The Court of Appeal examined a commercial licence lacking a specified end date, distinguishing between indefinite and perpetual contracts. This landmark decision clarifies when parties can terminate agreements on reasonable notice, even when only one party has express termination rights, fundamentally reshaping how English courts interpret contracts without clear termination provisions.

Jersey is a popular place to establish companies because the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 (the Law) is modern, flexible and modelled on English companies legislation. This guide looks at the key things you need to know about the payment of distributions by a Jersey company (a company that is not an open ended investment company).