UK Knowledge Collection | 2026 Regulatory Outlook and the Future of Financial Services
Published on 16th January 2026
Welcome to this week's Knowledge Collection
The new year edition of the Regulatory Outlook is out, with our timeline of key dates to bear in mind. These include the implementation of data privacy reforms under the Data (Use and Access) Act, phased employment law reforms under the Employment Rights Act coming into force, and changes to building and fire safety regulation.
Building safety and the impact of the Planning and Infrastructure Act are two of the topics under discussion at our Construction Review of the Year event, at our London office at the end of the month.
Changes to rules around non‑financial misconduct for FCA-regulated firms will take effect on 1 September. Our Insight looks at the Financial Conduct Authority's final policy statement and new guidance in respect of these reforms. Our Future of Financial Services Week returns next month, with a mix of webinars and a full-day in-person event at our London office. The first webinar looks at what is on the regulatory horizon and how firms can get ahead of the regulatory challenges that they face.
Our in-person media and entertainment law event, at our London office next week, will consider the trends seen in 2025 and what's in store for 2026, including media consolidation and restructuring, ad monetisation of streaming, regulatory priorities, and recent cases on intellectual property rights and training generative AI tools. Our IP team's look-ahead piece explores what developments to expect this year in relation to intellectual property law and artificial intelligence in Europe.
Recent Insights
Regulatory Outlook
Our January edition features regulatory developments expected in 2026, with a timeline of important dates, across 19 business compliance areas.
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What does 2026 augur for AI and IP in Europe?
This year is likely to be significant for the interface of AI and copyright, and a Supreme Court decision on the patentability of AI inventions is expected early this year.
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FCA finalises UK non-financial misconduct rules with clearer scope and expectations for 2026
By 1 September, firms will need to complete policy updates, staff training, governance calibrations and implementation planning to cover serious work-related misconduct between colleagues.
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UK Employee Incentives Update | January 2026
A look at what the new year may bring, including remuneration strategies in light of the expansion of the Enterprise Management Incentive regime at the Budget 2025.
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EU revised device rules rebalance compliance towards simplification and proportionality
The European Commission has published its long-awaited proposal to amend the Medical Devices Regulation and the In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation.
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Events
Behind the screens: Osborne Clarke's media law update
20 January | One London Wall | 09:30-14:00
The principal legal and commercial developments over the past year and what lies ahead in 2026 for the media and entertainment industry.
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Understanding rights to light: what property professionals need to know
22 January | 09:30-10:30
A webinar exploring the fundamentals of rights to light, managing the commercial risks, and legal routes to light protection.
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Digital regulation download: a spotlight on the Digital Omnibus Directive
28 January | 14:00-16:00
Our international panel of experts consider the proposed Digital Omnibus with a particular focus on AI, GDPR, e-Privacy and data.
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Construction review of the year
29 January | One London Wall | 08:30-11:30
Practical, case-based updates on key dispute themes and an interactive workshop on applying lessons to live projects, with networking breakfast.
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Future of Financial Services Week
2-6 February | Webinars and One London Wall
Regulation in 2026: what lies ahead | 2 February | 09:30-10:30
DORA: one year on | 3 February | 09:30-10:30
In-person event, including embedded finance, open banking, financial crime and agentic AI | 4 February | One London Wall | 08:45-17:00
Capital to close: deals in fintech | 5 February | 09:30-10:30
Full programme and register now >
