Corporate fOCus
Published on 23rd June 2025
Welcome to our round-up of corporate law and regulation insights for large listed and unlisted corporate groups in the UK and the rest of Europe.
Legal and regulatory highlights
How to navigate the UK regulatory landscape in financial services M&A
The success of an M&A transaction in the financial services sector can be heavily impacted by the evolving regulatory and compliance environment. These changes can affect valuations (both upwards and downwards), increase risk and costs, and cause uncertainty and potential delays to a transaction. All of which could call into question the attractiveness and feasibility of a deal.
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AIMing high: Europe's leading growth market responds to market challenges
AIM, the London Stock Exchange's (LSE) market for small and medium-size growth companies, is Europe's most active growth market, responsible for 53% of all capital raised on European growth markets in the past five years. A new discussion paper is looking to ascertain how best to sustain its future as a central feature of UK capital markets.
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Securities litigation in the UK: where are we now?
The development of a strong litigation funding market, availability of after-the-event insurance and the increasing popularity of group litigation has created the perfect environment for the growth of securities litigation, and as a result, more and more claims are coming to the litigation market.
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New foreign influence registration scheme for businesses in the UK
Businesses will need to register arrangements in which foreign powers direct them to undertake certain activities in the UK under new rules which come into force on 1 July 2025. The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme – known as FIRS – is intended to improve the transparency around legitimate "political influence" activities undertaken at the direction of foreign powers. It also seeks to strengthen the resilience of the UK's political system and economy against certain specified foreign powers or specified foreign power-controlled entities, which may pose a risk to UK safety and interests.
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European Commission published new single market strategy
The strategy aims to simplify the process of setting up and operating companies across the EU, and particularly reduce the administrative burden on SMEs and a new category of business known as "small mid-caps" (SMCs): those with fewer than 750 employees and a turnover of up to €150 million or total assets of up to €129 million. Of most interest to international businesses is the proposed introduction of what the Commission is calling a "28th regime" – common rules to facilitate the digital set up of businesses and their operations across the single market.
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Legal and tax framework of share-for-share transactions in Germany
Share-for-share transactions stand out for their ability to align the interests of the parties involved and preserve cash reserves. This insight delves into the mechanics of share-for-share transactions, offering practical advice and highlighting key German legal and tax considerations.
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Unlocking Germany: the incorporation process for foreign start-ups
An increasing number of non-EU companies have opted to establish their European headquarters in Germany, particularly in cities like Berlin and Munich, which boast vibrant start-up ecosystems. However, navigating Germany's robust legal system and high level of bureaucracy requires careful consideration of the appropriate legal form and adherence to specific incorporation procedures to ensure a seamless expansion process.
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A selection of recently announced deals
| Osborne Clarke advises majority shareholders of estate agents Chancellors Group on sale to Leaders Romans Group View full details > | Osborne Clarke advises shareholders on sale of Rockhold Asset Management and Lync Wealth Management View full details > |
| Osborne Clarke advises Lucid Software on the acquisition of airfocus View full details > | Osborne Clarke advises komoot on acquisition by Bending Spoons View full details > |
| Osborne Clarke advises parking technology company Unity5 on acquisition of Chipside including its product MiPermit View full details > | Osborne Clarke advises innovative consumer intelligence and social insights platform Audiense on sale to Buxton View full details > |
| Osborne Clarke advises Snipes on the acquisition of Courir stores in France and Portugal View full details > | Osborne Clarke advises IBB Law on its sale to Knights plc View full details > |
Focus on... Emerging legal trends in digitalisation
Our team at Osborne Clarke has extensive expertise in navigating the complexities of digital transformation. We understand the legal challenges and intricacies of emerging technologies. With deep knowledge of AI, digital regulation, and platform businesses, we provide strategic guidance in all areas of law to help businesses anticipate and manage risks, optimise operations, and achieve their goals amidst digital disruption.
Our new report, WAVE, brings together insights from senior legal and business leaders to explore the practical implications of this transformation. It examines the governance demands posed by emerging technologies such as agentic AI and hyper-personalised systems, where decisions are made at speed and scale. It also unpacks how structural exposure accumulates through supply chains, contract frameworks and regulatory divergence – and how business and legal strategies must adapt.
From evolving platform liability and cross-border class actions to the future shape of legal teams and shifting M&A priorities in the technology, media and communications sectors, WAVE guides you through the new terrain which businesses must navigate
