Force majeure clauses have long been a familiar feature of commercial contracts governed by English law. Recent geopolitical developments, particularly the 2026 Iran conflict and associated disruption to global energy and shipping markets, have brought these provisions into sharp focus. For commercial litigators and in-house counsel, the current environment underscores both the doctrinal limits of force majeure under English law and the practical importance of careful draftin

In December 2025 the UK Parliament passed the Employment Rights Act 2025 – perhaps the most comprehensive reform of workers’ rights in 30 years. It was brought about by the Labour Government’s “Make Work Pay” programme and significantly extends protections for employees while imposing new obligations on employers. This legislation significantly overhauls employment law and will be phased in through 2026 and 2027. The Act addresses sick pay, parental leave, trade union access

Simplifying the Insurance Rules — A Major Regulatory Shift for UK Insurers Late last year, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published Policy Statement PS25/21. This statement signalled a significant shift in the regulator’s decision to streamline insurance regulation following the introduction of the Consumer Duty.   This is a move away from prescriptive conduct requirements toward more proportionate regulatory framework that balances consumer protection with flexibility

Why do mediation clauses matter, and why should they be included in every contract? The answer lies in both their legal effectiveness and their commercial value. To achieve those benefits, however, mediation clauses must be deliberately and carefully drafted. Traditionally, English contract law treated litigation as the default dispute resolution mechanism, with arbitration as the principal contractual alternative. Until the 1990s, mediation had little formal recognition in E

Parties with Dubai-seated or UAE-governed arbitration agreements can now confidently apply to the UAE courts to preserve evidence without breaching their arbitration clause or risking dismissal of future arbitral proceedings. A 2025 Dubai Court of Cassation decision has confirmed that court applications for the preservation of evidence are procedural in nature and protective, not substantive claims. As a result, these types of application do not fall within the scope of arbit

Over the past three years the Middle East has continued its pronounced shift toward modernised, arbitration-friendly dispute-resolution frameworks. Governments and major regional institutions have adopted new institutional rules, encouraged procedural innovation and, in some jurisdictions, are pursuing legislative reform designed to bring domestic arbitration law into closer alignment with international practice. The result is a patchwork of rapid evolution, selective legisla