Knowledge Notes

UK Knowledge Collection | What is in store for business in 2024?

Published on 12th Jan 2024

Welcome to this week's Knowledge Collection

People in a business meeting, shaking hands

2024 brings potential political change in many jurisdictions, with the populations of more than 40 countries (estimated to number almost half of the world's adult population) heading to the polls. Regardless of the outcomes, several current themes are likely to continue to preoccupy regulators and lawmakers (of whichever stripe) in the UK and Europe this year. These include greenwashing, the regulation of artificial intelligence, and supply chain transparency and resilience. Our Regulatory Outlook explores what is coming down the track in 18 distinct business compliance areas.

In the UK, new advertising guidance on making green claims has been produced, to include the use of claims about recyclability, biodegradability and compostability. The regulator will start to actively investigate green disposal claims from April, as part of its focus on combating misleading claims. Our Insight looks at the management of greenwashing risk in the European built environment sector and as part of our Future of Financial Services week, we are hosting webinars on the risks of making sustainability claims and the ESG challenges in financial reporting.

Our AI radar provides an overview of the various UK and EU regulatory initiatives in respect of artificial intelligence, and our webinar looks at the impact of these proposed approaches on the financial services sector.

Finally, important new regulations affecting businesses in the UK and overseas that undertake lobbying or similar activities at the direction of a foreign power should come into effect this year. The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), introduced in the National Security Act 2023, is likely to become operational once detailed guidance has been produced.


Recent Insights

Regulatory Outlook

An extensive overview of forthcoming developments, with an interactive timeline illustrating a selection of key dates, across 18 regulatory and compliance areas covered by our experts.
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What legal developments can businesses in the UK expect in 2024?

Our Knowledge Team looks at what changes can be anticipated this year, in a variety of legal areas.
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What's on the horizon for English real estate in 2024?

2024 looks set to be another busy year for the commercial real estate industry, with the introduction of biodiversity net gain, a continued focus on building safety, government commitment to transparency of property ownership, intensified demand for sustainable practices, and reforms to the residential property sector.
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UK Employment Law Coffee Break

Our new year edition sets out important dates for employers to be aware of, and looks at a case on the validity of settlement agreements waiving future unknown claims.
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Artificial intelligence: what's on the radar?

What do developers and providers need to be aware of as EU and UK legislators develop the regulation of AI?
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New UK advertising guidance as ASA proposes to actively investigate green disposal claims

Companies should review their green claims in light of the latest guidance to ensure compliance with UK advertising codes, as the regulator increases its scrutiny of misleading environmental claims.
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UK National Security Act 2023 brings in scheme to register 'political influence' arrangements

Businesses should consider identifying any arrangements that might require registration and implement training and compliance programmes ahead of the new FIRS scheme becoming operational. Breaches can lead to criminal liability for both corporates and individuals.
Read more >


Upcoming Events

Construction Disputes Review of the Year
24 January | 09:00-10:00

The annual round-up of significant cases from 2023 includes the latest developments arising from the Building Safety Act 2022, the enforcement of adjudication decisions, and the limitation and scope of designers' duties.
Find out more >

Reforms to the Electronic Communications Code
25 January | 09:30-10:30

An overview, aimed at operators and landowners, of the changes brought in by the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, including the changes that have been implemented, the regime governing unresponsive owners, future developments, and more.
Find out more >

NHS procurement: introduction to how the NHS buys from the private sector
30 January | 11:00-11:30

The NHS must comply with public procurement legislation when it buys medical devices, medicines and services or commissions healthcare services. The legislation is being overhauled with the introduction of the Procurement Act in 2024 and the long-awaited NHS Provider Selection Regime.
Find out more >

Future of Financial Services Week | 5-9 February

Artificial Intelligence and Data | 5 February | 09:30-16:30

Towards 'open data' | 9:30-10:30

Data subject access requests, de-banking and disputes | 12:30-13:30

The future of AI in financial services | 15:00-16:30

Regulatory Day | 6 February | 09:30-17:10 | One London Wall

Non-financial misconduct, firm culture and D&I in financial services | 09:40-10:30

The Consumer Duty and closed products: five months to D-Day | 10:30-11:20

The end of BNPL? Regulation of buy now, pay later products| 11:35-12:30

Looking West to the US: launching a regulated business in the US | 13:30-14:20

Looking East to the EU: the practical impacts of MiCAR | 14:20-15:10

PSD3 and open finance: developments in open banking and finance in the UK and Europe | 15:30-16:20

Running an international and cross-border financial services business: the challenges of regulation | 16:20-17:10

Marketing and ESG | 7 February | 09:30-16:30

Greenwashing: what's the risk? | 09:30-10:30

Navigating the FCA's Sustainability Disclosure Requirements | 12:30-13:30

Navigating ESG challenges in financial reporting | 15:30-16:30

Fundraising Day 8 February | 11:30-17:30 | One London Wall

Venture debt 101 | 11:30-12:30.

Financing fintech loan book growth | 12:30-13:30

Equity fundraising | 14:30-15:20

Fintech exits: private equity, IPOs and M&As | 15:30-16:20

Fundraising in today's environment: market trends in fintech transactions | 16:30-17:30

Marketing and ESG | 9 February | 09:30-13:30

Financial promotions: using social media | 09:30-10:30

Green Finance in the UK: What's holding it back? | 12:30-13:30

Find out more >

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* This article is current as of the date of its publication and does not necessarily reflect the present state of the law or relevant regulation.

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