Q&As

Q&As

These Q&As seek to briefly address common questions faced when dealing with Commercial matters.

The Q&As supplement and link to other more detailed content within Lexis+® UK, but are intentionally short. It is anticipated that a brief Q&A will be most helpful when you need a quick overview of an issue and its likely impact. This might arise, for example, for lawyers needing to provide advice, provide business development or training at short notice.

The Q&A content on Lexis+® UK is date stamped. This date is the publish date and

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Latest Commercial News

ASA rulings—23 July 2025

Two complaints were received by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) concerning misleading pricing on the LoveHolidays website. The ASA upheld the complaints.

Weekly roundup of HMRC import, export and customs guidance—22 July 2025

Details of updates to HMRC import, export and customs guidance for the period from 15 to 21 July 2025.

DBT announces new powers to regulate online marketplaces under PRAM Act

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has announced that the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill has received Royal Assent, introducing new regulatory powers aimed at improving product safety standards across online marketplaces. The legislation responds to concerns about the sale of unsafe goods—particularly lithium-ion batteries linked to 211 reported fires in 2024 involving e-bikes and e-scooters—and seeks to align online platforms with the obligations placed on physical retailers. Under the Bill, marketplaces will be required to take steps to prevent unsafe products from being listed, ensure sellers meet product safety requirements, provide clear information to consumers and cooperate with regulators. The measures form part of the government’s Plan for Change and are expected to affect approximately 300,000 UK businesses operating in regulated product markets, with a combined turnover of £490bn.

Court entertains argument that statements in draft disclosure letter amounted to misrepresentations (Veranova Bidco LP v Johnson Matthey plc)

Commercial analysis: The High Court has entertained the argument that an allegedly false statement contained in a draft disclosure letter produced during the course of transaction negotiations may have amounted to a misrepresentation. The decision follows an application for summary judgment and strike-out and so does not create binding precedent on the point. The case will proceed to a full trial. However, the judge’s comments are interesting and the ensuing decision, if a full trial takes place, will be one to watch. Dominic Sedghi, head of knowledge, Lois Horne, partner, and Tom Rose, partner, all at Macfarlanes LLP discuss the implication of the decision.