Law360, London: BHP can be held liable in a £36bn (US$47m) claim for the collapse of a dam in Brazil that triggered the country's worst environmental crisis, a High Court judge ruled on 14 November 2025, handing a major win to lawyers representing more than 640,000 individuals.

Law360, London: On 17 December 2025, lawyers for more than 640,000 individuals argued at court that BHP should pay out £189m (US$254m) of their legal costs after the mining giant was found liable for a dam collapse that triggered Brazil's worst environmental disaster.

Law360, London: BHP told a London court on 3 July 2025 that more than a quarter of claimants suing it in a £36bn case over Brazil's worst environmental disaster have moved to waive their claims by taking part in a compensation scheme.

Law360, London: A highly anticipated trial that will pit some 640,000 Brazilian claimants against mining giant BHP over the collapse of a dam opens in London on 21 October 2024 and could set in motion a raft of claims against global companies over their environmental records.

Law360, London: BHP will have to pay £43m of costs on account after it was found liable for the collapse of a Brazilian dam, a London court ruled on 19 January 2026 as it rejected BHP's request to appeal against the decision.

Law360, London: Mining giant BHP announced on 25 October 2024 that the Brazilian government has signed off a final US$31.7bn settlement package to compensate communities devastated by the collapse of a dam nine years ago.

Restructuring & Insolvency analysis: In a judgment which brings to a conclusion the trial of the former BHS directors, the Court has held the directors joint and severally liable for the increase in net deficiency of the company arising out of breaches of duty which caused the company to continue trading. Written by Phillip Patterson, barrister, Gatehouse Chambers.

Law360: A London judge ordered two former directors of failed retail chain BHS on 11 June 2024 to each pay liquidators £13.5m after finding that they knew that the company was beyond rescue when it was purchased in 2015.

The BioIndustry Association (BIA) has published a report calling for a new pathway to improve UK patient access to rare disease medicines. The report identifies four reform priorities: enhanced regulator-industry engagement between MHRA, NICE and companies; modernised NICE appraisal methods; stronger NHS adoption mechanisms; and establishment of a UK Government Rare Disease Champion. The recommendations come as NICE reviews its health benefit assessment methodology and MHRA develops new rare disease therapy regulatory pathways following the UK-US pharmaceuticals deal.

The BioIndustry Association (BIA) has published its Q2 2025 finance report, stating that UK biotech companies raised £1.23bn in venture capital (VC) investment in H1 2025. This includes £881m in Q1 and £344m in Q2. A notable transaction was Draig Therapeutics’ £107m raise, which included the first biotech investment from Schroders Capital’s UK Innovation Long-Term Asset Fund (LTAF). According to the BIA, this represents progress in unlocking institutional capital from the City of London, a development the organisation has long supported. The UK accounted for 28% of all European biotech VC raised in Q2.

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has urged the government to reduce insurance premium tax (IPT), invest in flood defences and reform the apprenticeship levy with the aim of easing the impact on the cost-of-living crisis and protecting consumers and businesses. BIBA believes the straightforward interventions can reduce some cost burden, primarily caused due to inflationary presses that consumers and businesses are facing with their insurance.

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has launched its 2024 manifesto, ‘Managing risk for growth and economic security’, setting out its agenda for the year ahead which aims to support the economy, businesses and consumers. The importance of suitable cyber insurance, fire safety issues in relation to multi-occupancy buildings and the need to adapt how the UK builds homes and invests in flood defences form a number of BIBA’s calls to action.