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The key takeaway from AB v GH Limited? Consent, intoxication and “unwanted” conduct are not always as clear-cut as they might seem. With the duty to prevent sexual harassment strengthening on 30 October 2026, employers should be focusing on prevention before problems arise.

On the 15 June 2026, the FCA issued a consultation paper: CP26/19: Changes to our penalty and decision-making policies. BCLP has responded independently to the consultation, supporting the FCA's commitment to effective enforcement, but raising concerns about the proposal to increase penalties for "wealthier individuals" by taking account of the size of their income or net assets when assessing deterrence. A copy of BCLP’s response can be found below.

Elizabeth Bradley, Global Practice Group Leader for our Tax, Employee Benefits and Private Client practice, was quoted in GB News on 30 August 2026 in an article examining record Capital Gains Tax (CGT) receipts and whether the recent increase can be sustained over the longer term. Elizabeth warned that the rise in CGT liabilities may be temporary and driven by taxpayers bringing forward disposals ahead of anticipated tax changes.

Elizabeth Bradley, Global Practice Group Leader for our Tax, Employee Benefits and Private Client practice, was quoted in the Daily Mail on 29 August 2026 in an article examining record Capital Gains Tax (CGT) receipts and the impact of taxpayer behaviour on future tax revenues. Elizabeth commented that the recent surge in CGT liabilities may be driven by forestalling ahead of anticipated tax changes.

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: PS26/16: Changes to Information Flows for UK Equity IPOs In a significant boost for UK capital markets, the FCA has scrapped two rules that had made UK IPOs slower and more costly than those in competing jurisdictions. FCA Inside information declaration form A new FCA procedural requirement takes effect on 21 September 2026 that will affect every first submission of equity documents. Issuers and their advisers will need to confirm whether a submission contains inside information and, if so, explain what that information is. Companies House delays presenter identity verification measures Companies House has postponed the introduction of mandatory identity verification for those filing documents at Companies House to no earlier than November 2027. Court permits derivative claim against director, without need to show financial loss De Menezes v Alves & Ors [2026] EWHC 1906 (Ch) The High Court has allowed a derivative claim to proceed against a director who set up a competing business, even though there was no evidence that the company had suffered any financial loss; the risk of future harm was sufficient to allow the claim to proceed.