UK Knowledge Collection | Payments, private rented sector and employment law reforms
Published on 25 September 2026
Welcome to this week's Knowledge Collection
A significant overhaul of EU payments regulation will change how firms operating in the EU are authorised, how they manage fraud liability, deliver open banking and protect customers. Our financial services experts are hosting a short webinar series on the third Payment Services Directive and the Payment Services Regulation, beginning on 1 October.
In England, reforms to the private rented sector (PRS) enter their second phase, as the government rolls out the new PRS database region-by-region, starting in the West Midlands on 15 December. Our Insight looks at how landlords will be affected.
In the UK, implementation activity in respect of the Employment Rights Act continues. The government has published responses to the Make Work Pay consultation on leave for bereavement including pregnancy loss (due to come into force in April 2027) and to its consultation on improving access to flexible working (intended to take effect in autumn 2027).
It has also confirmed that the new duty to provide a statement to workers of their right to join a trade union is intended to come into force between December 2026 and January 2027. Our Insight looks at what employers should consider as these measures are implemented, and our webinar series on the impact of the Employment Rights Act continues in October with a closer look at the new harassment prevention duties.
In a webinar next month, our incentives team will explore the implications of the reforms for private equity firms and deals: as new unfair dismissal rights increase exposure in relation to senior executive dismissals and alter how remuneration packages are negotiated.
Finally, our Workforce Solutions team is hosting an in-person seminar at our London office next month, to discuss how the Act will affect the businesses that rely on flexible labour and the suppliers of that labour, such as staffing agencies, platforms and umbrella companies.
Recent Insights
Employment Law Coffee Break
A round-up of recent developments, including the government's responses to consultations on Employment Rights Act reforms, guidance from the Employment Appeal Tribunal on the use of AI by litigants, and a spotlight on the future of automatic pensions enrolment.
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English court willing to grant injunctive relief when an emergency arbitrator cannot act in time: emergency powers under the Arbitration Act 1996
A recent case illustrates the speed with which the courts can act when institutional emergency procedures may not meet the required urgency.
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Renters' Rights Act phase 2 introduces landlord database and rent dispute reforms in England
A phased rollout of the private rented sector database begins from 15 December 2026 with a £65 per-property annual registration fee. Rent increase challenges will be determined by HMRC's Valuation Office, though the date for this change has not yet been set.
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ESG Knowledge Update | September 2026
This month's update includes the EU's right-to-repair rules for manufacturers, biodiversity net gain guidance for major UK infrastructure projects, and HMRC guidance on the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM).
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European Commission publishes new guidelines on the Cyber Resilience Act
The European Commission’s guidelines on the application of the Act give economic operators a concrete interpretative framework for some of the issues that have caused the greatest uncertainty since its entry into force.
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Events
The PSD3/PSR masterclass | Navigating the new payments landscape
Webinar series | 11:30-12:30 CEST
The third Payment Services Directive and the Payment Services Regulation will affect every player in the payment industry.
- Scope, MiCAR and the New Fraud Regime | 1 October
- Customer Protection, Open Banking and Implementation | 15 October
Risk and reward: navigating the Employment Rights Act 2025 in a private equity context
Webinar | 7 October | 11:00-11:45 BST
Major reforms to unfair dismissal rights are coming into force from 1 January 2027, bringing uncapped liability across salary, bonus, commission and wider incentives. This webinar offers practical guidance on what this means for PE funds and their portfolios and what can be done to address the risks.
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Employment Rights Act 2025 | Zero-hours reforms and the Conduct Regulations
One London Wall | 8 October | 09:00-11:00 BST
This seminar will focus on reforms to guaranteed hours, shift notice/cancellation and changes to the Conduct Regulations, and their impact on users and suppliers of contingent workers.
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The Employment Rights Act 2025 in practice
Webinar series | 10:00-10:30 BST
A series of 30-minute webinars covering one employment reform in each session, explaining what the law says and what it means.
- Every step you take: the new harassment prevention duties | 12 October
- An offer you cannot refuse: new union rights every employer must understand | 2 November
- Playing with fire: the new rules on varying contractual terms and fire and re-hire | 23 November
- All together now: the new rules on collective redundancy consultation | 13 January
- Family matters: new protections around family friendly rights and flexible working requests | 24 February
- Zero to guaranteed: new rights for zero hours, low hours and agency workers | 17 March
AI Forum
15 October | One London Wall | 13:30-17:30 BST
Designed for in-house counsel, compliance professionals and business leaders at every stage of the AI journey, this half-day forum offers actionable insight into where the law stands today and how organisations can build a coherent strategy for legal risk and business adoption.
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