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Welcome to the Corporate Briefing, where we review the latest developments in UK corporate law that you need to know about. In this month’s issue we discuss: AIM Rule Amendments: Implementation of the Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 This month the London Stock Exchange amended the AIM Rules to implement the Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 (the “POATRs”). Identity verification for presenters postponed The identity verification rules for people filing documents at Companies House on behalf of a Company have been postponed until later this year. FCA fines an individual for insider dealing The Financial Conduct Authority has imposed a financial penalty of £309,843 on Russel Gerrity, an experienced Petrophysical Consultant, for engaging in insider dealing. Guidance to assist large companies reporting on payment data in directors’ reports The government has published guidance to assist large companies when reporting on the new payment data requirements in directors’ reports. The Wates Principles: FRC Reporting Insights The FRC has published its first reporting insights into the Wates Principles for large private companies. Pre-completion dividend was a transaction at an undervalue TAQA Bratani Ltd & Ors v Fujairah Oil and Gas UK LLC & Ors [2025] EWCA Civ 1669 The Court of Appeal has made it clear that, when determining whether a company has entered into a transaction at an undervalue, the relevant transaction is the arrangement that the company has actually entered into – and not any wider arrangement to which it is not a party.  

The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill was published on 27 January 2026.  Its stated purpose: to bring the feudal leasehold system to an end by reforming and reinvigorating commonhold tenure and banning the use of leasehold tenure for most new flats.

What happens under a FIDIC Yellow Book 1999 when the Engineer approves a variation and the varied work is carried out but both Engineer and Contractor fail to follow the relevant contractual procedures? Is the Contractor still entitled to payment? These are the tricky questions which faced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (Board) in the case of Uniform Building Contractors Ltd v The Water and Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad and Tobago) [2026] UKPC 2.

Teresa Ribera has completed her first year at the helm of the European Commission’s competition directorate (“DG COMP”). It was a year in which DG COMP has been busy working on possible amendments to key competition policies and guidance. But it was also a year that ended with questions unanswered regarding DG COMP’s strategic direction for the next four years.2026 could be the year in which we gain greater clarity on major policies and priorities at DG COMP, in particular in the regulation of M&A. In this article, we examine the strategic decisions that could be taken over the next 12 months, looking ahead to the draft revised merger guidelines and at the evolving relationship between DG COMP and its major international counterparts, notably in the US. We also consider key updates regarding the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation – which is attracting greater political attention after a notable case in 2025. And, as an addition to our annual look-ahead article, we cast our eye to the recently-revised merger remedies guidance in the EU’s former Member State, the UK.

Our January 2026 employment law update looks at the tribunal case of Peggie v Fife Health Board, which explores the regulation of single sex spaces in light of the judgment in For Women Scotland. We also include a news round-up including developments in implementing the Employment Rights Act 2025 and the latest on Employment Tribunals, including use of AI and listing delays.