News archive

  A Practical Guide to the Companies Act 2006 - Out now!

The Companies Act 2006 is the most significant reform of company law for over 20 years. It applies to all companies carrying out business in the UK and assessing its implications is a daunting task. A Practical Guide to the Companies Act 2006 gives clear and practical guidance on the updated Act for everyday situations of relevance to directors, in-house counsel and company secretaries.

  Capital reductions: A new regime for private limited companies

From 1 October 2008, the new solvency statement procedure for private limited companies wishing to undertake a capital reduction becomes effective. The new regime is part of the wider scope of the Companies Act 2006 to reduce procedures and administrative burdens for private limited companies.

  Time is running out to join the immigration sponsorship register

The UK Government has changed the immigration rules concerning the employment of workers from overseas. Under the new regime, companies will need to sponsor non-EU workers as part of a points-based system modelled on the Australian work permit scheme.

Employers must have a strategy in place to deal with potentially illegal workers

Employers should ensure that they have in place a carefully thought out strategy for dealing with the possibility of illegal working in their organisation. This is particularly the case in the light of the criminal and civil penalties that are imposed under the new immigration regime.

  New consumer protection laws prohibit misleading and aggressive commercial practices

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008  came into force on 26 May 2008, implementing an EU Directive.

  Giving bite to the bark: New powers to fine businesses who breach data protection legislation

The UK Information Commissioner has been given new powers to impose financial penalties for serious breaches of the Data Protection Act 1998 (the DPA).

  Business activities may be impacted by Pensions Regulator’s new powers

The proposed increase in powers for the Pensions Regulator will mean more companies seeking clearance and increased demand for additional contributions from trustees. The new powers mean that normal business activities such as refinancing, dividend payments and restructuring will now be at serious risk of Regulator action.

  Revised Clearance Guidance issued by the Pensions Regulator

Updated Clearance Guidance changes the framework within which employers seek clearance for future business activities and puts more pressure on trustees to seek mitigation.

  New provisions governing pension debts due when employers leave a pension scheme

Pension debts fall due when employers leave a pension scheme. While employers are able to propose arrangements that result in lower debts, trustees have significant power to block such proposals.

  Companies urged to take action now ahead of UK immigration rules implementation

Companies are urged to begin putting into place internal processes to enable them to deal with new UK immigration rules, based on a points based system (PBS), that come into effect incrementally from 29 February 2008.

  Julia Onslow-Cole joins PwC Legal Immigration team

Julia Onslow-Cole has joined PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal LLP as a partner and UK head of global immigration. The appointment of Julia Onslow-Cole is part of the firm’s overall strategy to expand its UK immigration services globally.

  Companies Act 2006

The Companies Act 2006 received Royal Assent on 8 November 2006 and is the largest piece of legislation ever passed in the UK. The next stage of provisions is coming into force in April– are you ready?