UK Knowledge Collection | Employment law in 2025, consumer law consultations, and the future of financial services

Next year will see important developments for businesses, with the government's employment law reforms. Our employment team has produced a dedicated microsite to track the status of these, and our Insight rounds up some of the current issues. In January, we are hosting a webinar on how employers can prepare for the changes and in February we are holding an in-person seminar on data privacy in the workplace, including the use of AI, data subject access requests and ICO enforcement. Our latest GDPR for HR update includes a recent case on the identity of the data controller and the ICO's recommendations on the use of AI in recruitment.

The significant reforms to UK competition and consumer law, under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, will start to come into force in 2025. The government is consulting on the implementation of the new subscription contracts regime and the Competition and Markets Authority is consulting on draft guidance on the unfair commercial practice provisions in the Act (including in relation to drip pricing and fake reviews). Regulators CAP and BCAP are also consulting on amendments to their advertising codes to reflect the changes to the law. Our Insight looks at the impact of this on businesses, which will need to ensure they are compliant.

Our Future of Financial Services series will return in February, with a mix of webinars and a half-day event in London, covering a wide range of topics including digital regulation, innovative strategies for funding and fostering business growth, and the evolving regulatory environment for financial services.

Recent Insights

ESG Knowledge Update

Our latest round-up of ESG-related legal, regulatory and market developments in the EU, UK and internationally.
Read more >

The Energy Transition

Reporting on developments in the UK's energy transition, this edition considers the government's new action plan to achieve its goals for clean power by 2030, updates on electricity market reforms, and more.
Read more >

GDPR for HR

Our update on data privacy in the workplace includes the ICO's audit findings on AI tools in recruitment and a High Court case on who the data controller is for data subject access requests.
Read more >

UK Employment Law Coffee Break

A look ahead to what lies ahead in 2025, including the statutory pay increases announced from April, and the implications of an Employment Appeal Tribunal ruling on comments about accents and racial harassment.
Read more >

DMCCA consultations launched on implementation of UK consumer protection

With the unfair commercial practices provisions due to come into effect in spring 2025, businesses (whether they deal with consumers directly or indirectly) should start bringing their practices into compliance now.
Read more >

Upcoming Events

Employment laws in 2025 | Preparing for change

16 January | 09:30-10:15

A discussion of some of the main features of the government's proposed reforms to employment law, focusing on flexible working and "fire and rehire", protecting staff from sexual harassment, and managing the increased risk of unfair dismissal claims.
Register now >

From breach to enforcement: critical insights into cyber security and data privacy

22 January | One London Wall | 08:30-11:45

The in-person event will explore the most pressing issues surrounding cyber security and data privacy enforcement, with a keynote speech from the ICO, together with regulatory developments and litigation updates in the UK and EU – and how best to respond to them – boardroom cyber priorities, and more.
Register now >

Construction Disputes Review of the Year       

29 January | 09:00-10:00

A deep dive into key cases from the past 12 months.
Register now >

Future of Financial Services

4-6 February
 

Deciphering DORA

4 February | Webinar | 09:30-10:30

The EU Digital Operational Resilience Regulation applies from 17 January 2025. What are the next steps firms and third-party ICT service providers should take?

Navigating digital regulation

4 February | Webinar | 12:30-13:30

How to keep track of digital regulation affecting financial services.

Into the (cyber) breach

4 February | Webinar | 15:30-16:30

The best strategies for managing simultaneous FCA and ICO investigations and meeting both regulators' requirements after an incident.

Growing your business in a challenging environment

5 February | One London Wall | 12:30-20:00

A half-day in-person event followed by networking drinks.
View agenda >

FinCrime: AML, sanctions and fraud

6 February | Webinar | 09:30-10:30

Insights on the direction of travel for anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance.

Financial Services case law: the ones that got away

6 February | Webinar | 12:30-13:30

A round up of financial services English law cases you might have missed.

The rising tide of group litigation

6 February | Webinar | 15:30-16:30

Opt-in and opt-out collective actions are rising in the UK, and the financial services sector is in the firing line. What can the sector expect in future?
Register now >

GDPR for HR | 12-month glance back and look forward

12 February | 17:15-19:30

Our in-person seminar, taking place at our London office, considers recent developments and what is on the horizon for the processing of HR-related data, including AI in the workplace, data subject access requests and ICO enforcement.
Register now >