The Agenda

This Autumn brings further change at Companies House and in our latest company law reform briefing, we discuss the headline measure: implementation of compulsory identity verification for directors and PSCs from 18 November.

In broader law reform, our recently launched UK investment: Regulatory insights hub has been updated with briefings on both the CMA's proposed revised approach to merger control and what this means for M&A and the Government's consultation on modernising and clarifying the National Security and Investment Act regime.

On the innovation front, we take a look at financing trends in life sciences and offer a step-by-step guide to raising finance in the beauty sector. We also look at the FCA's final rules for PISCES, the framework for a new type of stock market that will give investors more opportunities to buy stakes in private companies.

In the private wealth sphere, we consider how founders, business owners and investors can futureproof their investments through a personal holding company.  

Finally, we discuss the implications of the Privy Council's landmark ruling that the shareholder rule in privilege should no longer be recognised as forming part of English law.