Labour’s inheritance tax reforms face legal test as farmers argue unlawful consultation March 16, 2026 The UK government is set to defend its inheritance tax raid on agricultural assets and family firms in the High Court this week. The proposed changes to agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) represent one of the biggest shifts in UK inheritance tax (IHT) policy in decades. After a year of protests [...]
Government overhauls FOS to curb ‘quasi-regulator’ role March 16, 2026 The government has announced the most significant overhaul of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) since its inception. Following a public consultation held last year that sought views on how to address concerns, it was found that in a small but significant minority of cases, the FOS has acted as a ‘quasi-regulator’. As part of the [...]
UK banking sector faces ‘AI-washing’ legal warning March 16, 2026 The UK’s banking sector is facing a new wave of regulatory AI warnings as bullish lenders race to rapidly beef up their tech capacity. Rosehana Amin, cyber and litigation partner at Clyde & Co LLP, warned banks may face a significant legal liability over misleading markets over their use of AI. Speaking at the City [...]
Starmer urged to tighten law on Slapps following Mandelson scandal March 16, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to tighten the law to prevent the powerful and wealthy from stopping stories about them, following the Lord Mandelson scandal. A dozen Labour MPs have written to the Prime Minister to ensure that strategic lawsuits against public participation, known as Slapps, is included in the King’s Speech in May. [...]
Lord Roborough refused to stay at Odey Asset Management over ‘lack of trust’ March 13, 2026 Lord Roborough, a former partner at Odey Asset Management (OAM), has rejected claims made by Crispin Odey that the City watchdog directly pressured the firm’s executives to find against him. In a legal battle against the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), disgraced financier Odey claims the OAM executive committee was subject to “undue pressure from the FCA” [...]
Estee Lauder sues Jo Malone March 12, 2026 Beauty giant Estee Lauder has launched legal action against perfumer Jo Willcox (nee Malone) over her new perfume brand with Zara. Estee Lauder bought Malone’s self-named perfume brand and naming rights in 1999 for ‘undisclosed millions’. She stayed on as creative director until 2006, when she left her eponymous perfume brand. After a five-year legal [...]
Closed shop? Not for long: How new laws are opening doors for trade unions March 12, 2026 The first wave of the Employment Rights Act hit the statute books last month, signalling a potential end to the decades-long decline of UK trade unions, but businesses are already feeling the turbulence, triggering a surge of work for City employment lawyers. The Employment Rights Act has caused turmoil in businesses, not just because of [...]
Odey described as a ‘sex pest’ by former hedge fund chief executive, court told March 10, 2026 Disgraced hedge fund manager Crispin Odey was called a “sex pest” and a “sociopath” by former Odey Asset Management chief executive, a court was told on Tuesday. Tim Pearey said in an interview with the Financial Conduct Authority: “I think he’s a sex pest I’m afraid… I think he’s got a real problem. “I think [...]
KKR-backed fintech takes £13m hit from motor finance scandal March 10, 2026 A UK fintech backed by investment giant KKR has posted a hefty loss after being forced to set aside cash for the brewing motor finance scandal. Oodle Finanical Services recorded a pre-tax loss of £38m for the financial year ending 30 June 2025, after the firm was forced to set aside a whopping £12.8m in [...]
Crispin Odey threatened to ‘shut down’ fund if board tried to oust him March 9, 2026 Crispin Odey threatened to “shut down” his eponymous hedge fund if he was dismissed by its board or it proceeded with investigations into his alleged misconduct against his wishes, a court will be told. Disgraced financier Odey faces the City watchdog at the High Court this week as he seeks to overturn a ruling that [...]