Today we’re diving into a question that’s becoming increasingly relevant for corporates globally: What happens if …you’re faced with a sanctions issue and need to investigate? Join Partner Leon Chung, Senior Associate Cynthianna Yau and Solicitor Kayla Laird as they explore this frontline issue for legal and compliance teams to understand the sanctions framework as they manage international transactions, supply chains, or service agreements.

This podcast explores the impact of minimum energy efficiency standard (MEES) on commercial leases in the logistics sector, including rent review, lease renewals and dilapidation claims.

Speakers: Julia Petrenko, Barrister, Falcon Chambers, Seb Taylor, Partner, HSF Kramer and Matthew Weal, Senior Associate, HSF Kramer

In this edition of our banking litigation podcast, we consider some recent cases that will be most relevant to in-house lawyers at banks and financial institutions. This episode is hosted by John Corrie, a partner in our banking litigation team, who is joined by Ceri Morgan and special guest Nic Patmore.

You can find links to our blog posts on the case covered in this podcast below:

• Supreme Court decision in Hopcraft motor finance commission appeal – key implications for financial services firms
• Banking Litigation Podcast Episode 54: Hopcraft Special Edition
• English High Court decides in favour of banks in EuroChem bond claim, confirming payment under on-demand bonds prohibited due to Russian sanctions
• High Court grants bank stakeholder relief under CPR Part 86 in USD 11 million deposit dispute involving competing claims
• High Court permits documents obtained via Norwich Pharmacal Order to be used against disclosing bank in related APP fraud claim
• Financial List finds claim for declaratory relief brought by ultimate beneficial owners of loan notes against issuer is arguable
• Privy Council abrogates so-called "Shareholder Rule" under English law: companies can assert privilege against their shareholders
• Hague 2019 Judgments Convention comes into force in UK
• Civil Justice Council's final report on litigation funding recommends "light touch" statutory regulation

Don't forget to subscribe to the banking litigation blog.

In this last episode of the series, the Corporate Crime and Investigations team considers the application of the Failure to Prevent Fraud offence to complex group structures including in relation to parent companies and their subsidiaries (whether incorporated in the UK or overseas).

Susannah Cogman, Eamon McCarthy-Keen, and Clara Browne examine several important issues in this episode such as: (i) how the offence applies to corporate group structures; (ii) the potential liability of a parent company for the activities of its subsidiaries and their employees, including where the employee is a 'senior manager'; (iii) the application of the offence to global companies; and (iv) conduct across borders. They also provide insight into the steps that businesses should take to prepare for the imminent implementation of the Failure to Prevent Fraud offence at a group and individual subsidiary level.

You can find links to further background reading relevant to the episode below:

1. Summary table regarding parent-subsidiary liability
2. HSF Kramer FTPF Briefing
3. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023
4. Home Office Guidance
5. UK Finance Guidance

This episode brings together our CCI and contentious regulatory teams to consider the impact of the Failure to Prevent Fraud offence on financial institutions. Jon Ford, Elizabeth Head and Ally Fitzgerald explore the risk areas that financial institutions may be exposed to as well as why financial institutions may be at an increased risk of enforcement in comparison to other organisations. They also provide insight into the steps that the HSF Kramer team have seen financial institutions take to prepare themselves for the September implementation date.

Please also see our blogpost for further discussion of this topic, and this briefing for an overview of the new offence of Failure to Prevent Fraud.

In this episode, we talk about Practice Statement 35, which the UK Takeover Panel published recently, on profit forecasts, synergy statements (referred to in the Takeover Code as quantified financial benefits statements or QFBSs) and connected investment research.

Areas we discuss include:

• the regime in the Takeover Code for profit forecasts;
• how the rules apply where a target has unequivocally rejected an approach;
• the Panel Executive's approach to reports on synergy statements where a deal leaks;
• its approach where a target provides a profit forecast to a bidder as part of the due diligence exercise;
• when a forward-looking statement will be an aspirational target;
• how the regime applies to profit forecasts for financial periods which end more than 15 months in the future; and
• when the Executive may grant a dispensation from the rules that apply when a connected firm publishes investment research.

Join industrial relations partners Nick Ogilvie and Rohan Doyle on our latest episode of Inside IR where they unpack the latest developments in the Fair Work Commission’s assessment of gender undervaluation of wages, and explore the impact this is having on minimum award rates of pay.

Over the last few years, the Commission has embarked on a comprehensive process to ensure that minimum rates of pay in modern awards reflect employees’ work value and ensure equal remuneration for equivalent work performed by men and women. These cases are already delivering substantial increases in modern award rates of pay and arise in the context of the Commission’s new obligation to consider gender-based undervaluation when varying award rates following the introduction of the Secure Jobs, Better Pay reforms.

On this episode, Nick and Rohan explore the current cases before the Fair Work Commission and some of the key early decisions, and discuss which industries and occupations are likely to be considered next.

Update: Since filming, the Fair Work Commission has also issued a Statement confirming that the Commission will now determine whether minimum award rates of pay should be increased for professional degree-qualified employees covered by a provisional list of 22 modern awards. The list of awards is contained at Attachment A of the Statement. Interested parties have the opportunity to comment on the provisional list by 22 August 2025. Please get in touch with a member of our team if you would like to understand this process in further detail or are considering making a submission.

In part 2 of our investigations series, Tony Wood and Lucy Boyd sit down with Lisa Bradley, Principal of Papillon Consulting Group, to explore the realities of workplace investigations. Lisa shares her insights on emerging trends, including the rise of anonymous complaints, and breaks down the nuances between cultural reviews and investigations into specific allegations.Lisa offers a candid look at the challenges investigators face, including how they assess credibility, manage confidentiality, manage timelines and efficiency, and avoid common pitfalls. Whether you're navigating an investigation or simply curious about what goes on behind closed doors, this episode is packed with practical advice on the investigative process.