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Hot topics

This subtopic contains Practice Notes and other content on current topical issues that are of interest to Corporate lawyers.

Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 delivers a wide range of reforms and enhancements relating to corporate transparency and the integrity of information held at Companies House, including:

•
new statutory objectives for the Registrar of Companies (Companies House) which some commentators are describing as reframing the role of Companies House from one of ‘record-keeper’ to ‘gatekeeper’
•
a substantial package of new requirements relating to identity verification which directors, people with significant control (PSCs) and anyone filing a document at Companies House will be subject to (unless specifically exempt). Identity verification would work in one of two ways:
1. ◦
  the individual’s identity would be verified directly using a process provided by Companies House, or
2. ◦
  the individual’s identity would be verified by an ‘authorised corporate service provider’ (ACSP)—namely a person who is required to carry out anti-money laundering checks under the UK’s money-laundering regulations and who has registered at Companies House
•
a range of

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Latest Corporate News

Corporate weekly highlights—18 December 2025

This week's edition of Corporate Weekly highlights includes the FRC’s decision to launch a consultation on its Draft Annual Plan and Budget 2026–27, approval by the EU Parliament of a provisional agreement on updated sustainability reporting and due diligence rules as part of the ‘Omnibus I’ simplification package, publication of a report by UKSIF calling for an overhaul of the UK’s sustainability disclosure regime, the ISSB issuing targeted amendments to greenhouse gas emissions disclosure requirements in IFRS S2 climate-related disclosures, publication of new guidance by the GC100 on virtual meetings of shareholders, and the latest amendments to the Takeover Code. It also covers recent cases on a partnership dispute, an unfair prejudice petition and the sanctioning of a restructuring plan under Part 26A.

European Parliament gives final sign off to sustainability omnibus changes

The European Parliament has approved a provisional agreement on updated sustainability reporting and due diligence rules as part of the 'Omnibus I' simplification package. Under the new rules, only companies with more than 1,000 employees and a net annual turnover over €450m will be required to carry out sustainability reporting, with significantly streamlined obligations and voluntary sector-specific disclosures. Due diligence obligations will only apply to large corporations (those with over 5,000 employees and over €1.5bn turnover). The due diligence directive will only apply from 26 July 2029 for all businesses within scope. Transition plans for ensuring a company’s business model is compatible with the shift to a sustainable economy will no longer be required. Businesses will be liable at the national level for failing to correctly apply the rules and could be fined up to 3% of their net worldwide turnover.

GC100 publishes new guidance for virtual company meetings of shareholders

The GC100 has published guidance for virtual meetings of shareholders. This guidance sets out eight provisions including: the importance of promoting engagement, dialogue and transparency and having a dedicated area of the company website which is kept up to date, so that shareholders can access the latest information about the virtual meeting. The GC100 encourages companies to take advantage of advances in technologies to maximise shareholder participation and engagement, and to ensure that shareholder meetings remain accessible, efficient, and fit for the future.

FRC launches consultation on Draft Annual Plan and Budget 2026–27

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has opened a consultation on its Draft Annual Plan and Budget for 2026–27. The draft plan sets out the FRC's priorities and resources for the next year. The delivery for 2026–27 includes five major projects: (1) End-to-End Enforcement; (2) The Future Audit Supervision Strategy; (3) Enterprise Resource Planning; (4) The programme to support Small-Medium Enterprises; and (5) The FRC Innovation and Improvement Hub. The FRC aims to deliver these activities as efficiently as possible adhering to the principles of managing public money, assessing economic impact, and providing value for the public and the UK economy. The Consultation will be opened until 6 February 2026.