A key focus for many UK listed companies at this time of year is finalising their annual report and preparing for their annual general meeting. This snapshot considers developments and issues arising in practice over the last 12 months which impact on the 2021 annual report and the AGM in 2022. The key new reporting … Read more

We have published our half-yearly update briefing which summarises the major developments in UK corporate law and regulation that have occurred over the last six months, that is from July to December 2021, and which are of relevance to UK listed companies. The briefing is available here. Read more

We have published our latest annual global M&A report titled ‘M&A in 2022: FOMO overcomes FOGO’. With full year figures for 2021 confirming record levels of M&A activity globally, our report identifies continued drivers for strong activity in 2022. It also looks at some of the most important legal issues in global dealmaking: ESG taking … Read more

The National Security and Investment Act 2021 came into force on 4 January 2022. The Act gives the UK Government power to scrutinise a wide range of transactions on national security grounds. Key points to note are: notification of transactions will be mandatory in some sectors. Failure to notify when required will result in the … Read more

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a Policy Statement (PS21/23) and final rules and guidance in relation to climate-related financial disclosures for standard listed companies. It has also updated its guidance on climate-related disclosures for premium and standard listed companies. Rules for standard listed companies Under new Listing Rule 14.3.27R, standard listed companies are … Read more

Recent additions to our Corporate Notes blog include a summary of the updated institutional investor voting guidelines and the FRC’s report on creating positive corporate culture, a look at the FCA’s latest Primary Market Bulletin, HM Treasury’s response on proposed power to block listings on national security grounds and an overview of the Government’s consultation … Read more

The Environment Act 2021, which received Royal Assent on 9 November 2021, sets out a new regime in relation to the use of “forest risk commodities” in UK commercial activity. Under the new regime, it will be illegal for larger businesses to use, in their UK commercial activities, forest risk commodities that have not been … Read more

The Treasury has published a summary of responses to its consultation on a proposed new power to block listings on national security grounds and says it will proceed with the proposals. The Treasury published the consultation in light of concerns about possible links between a listing and national security, for example if the proceeds of a listing … Read more