Corporate law
Corporate law
The UK’s legal environment is sophisticated, but supportive of well-governed, forward-thinking enterprises.
Corporate norms and legal obligations can differ markedly from those in other jurisdictions, particularly in areas such as director duties, shareholder rights, and disclosure requirements.
2025 has seen some developments for English corporate law. It includes the gradual introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, enforcing mandatory identity verification for company directors and persons of significant control. Failing to prevent fraud is also set to become a corporate offense. Large companies have until 1 September 2025 to implement a fraud prevention strategy, allowing them to defend charges of fraud.
The reforms aim to cultivate trust in UK corporates. Expectations around corporate governance, executive remuneration, and ESG compliance are reshaping business practices. Investors are increasingly scrutinising board accountability, with regulators and consumers demanding greater ethical conduct and transparency.
Listen now: doing business in the UK
What are the challenges when entering the British market? What should your company have in place before investing in the UK? And what help is available to ensure a smooth transaction?
Our Business But Better podcast has the answers.
Host and international trade specialist Richard Baigent is joined by our Head of International business, Bryan Bletso, and Nick Farmer, a tax expert from Menzies LLP. They discuss the unique advantages available to UK investors, the post-Brexit outlook, and the government’s industrial strategy.
How can we help?
Corporate law
Our corporate lawyers will help you grow, develop and achieve your commercial and strategic objectives. We assist at every stage of a business’ life cycle from formation, expansion by acquisition, strategic alliances such as joint ventures, capital raising and ultimately a sale or other exit event. We can help you with:
- Sales and purchases of businesses and companies
- Business formations
- Funding including private equity and venture capital
- Management buyouts
- Public company mergers and acquisitions
- Stock exchange listings and fund raisings
- Joint ventures and other strategic partnerships
- Corporate reorganisations
- Corporate governance
- Company secretarial services.
How can we help?
Corporate law Our corporate lawyers will help you grow, develop and achieve your commercial and strategic objectives. We assist at every stage of a business’ life cycle from formation, expansion by acquisition, strategic alliances such as joint ventures, capital raising and ultimately a sale or other exit event. We can help you with:
- Sales and purchases of businesses and companies
- Business formations
- Funding including private equity and venture capital
- Management buyouts
- Public company mergers and acquisitions
- Stock exchange listings and fund raisings
- Joint ventures and other strategic partnerships
- Corporate reorganisations
- Corporate governance
- Company secretarial services.