UK Knowledge Collection | Corporate criminal liability, share transfer tax reform, and ESG

The scope of UK corporate criminal liability has been significantly expanded under the Crime and Policing Act 2026. Section 250 of the Act came into force on 29 June, meaning that now, where a senior manager of a body corporate or partnership commits an offence (of any nature) while acting within the actual or apparent scope of their authority, the organisation also commits the offence. Our Insight considers the risks for businesses and how they can be mitigated.

A proposed new Securities Transfer Tax, replacing Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax on shares and securities, could have a notable impact on corporate transactions involving the transfer of shares. Our Insight looks at the main features of the new tax, at the transactions now brought into its scope, and at its potential for speeding up the registration of share transfers.

Our ESG Knowledge Update this month includes developments on making green claims about products and services, the circular economy, sustainability reporting, sustainable finance and supply chain transparency, including UK efforts to strengthen the modern slavery reporting framework as part of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, introduced to Parliament in June.

In September, our immigration experts are presenting a webinar on forthcoming changes to the right to work framework and their effect on staffing supply chains.

Recent Insights

UK Crime and Policing Act 2026 widens corporate criminal liability to all offences

Section 250 removes a longstanding barrier to corporate prosecution and applies to companies of all sizes, with no compliance defence available.
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ESG Knowledge Update | July 2026

This month's edition includes updates on deforestation in supply chains, the first Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation compliance deadlines approaching in August, and  new delegated regulations simplifying reporting standards under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.
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UK government consults on the VAT treatment of land intended for social housing

A new consultation proposes that supplies of bare land to registered providers of social housing will be capable of being zero-rated. It closes on 18 August.
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UK publishes draft legislation for new Securities Transfer Tax

A new single tax will replace the current Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax regimes in 2027. It will apply to the transfer for consideration of equity or equity-like debt interests in UK-incorporated companies. The draft legislation is open for consultation until 7 September.
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UK pension reforms ease surplus release for defined benefit schemes

The Pension Schemes Act 2026 will give the trustees of DB schemes the power to amend scheme rules to allow them to share scheme surplus with employers while the scheme is still ongoing. The government is consulting on draft regulations providing detail on the conditions that schemes will have to meet.
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Events

Immigration: Right to Work changes in 2026

9 September | Webinar | 10:00-10:45
Our immigration experts will offer a practical guide for employers using contractors, agencies and platform workers on the changes to the right to work framework coming into force on 1 October.
Register now >