Directors’ Loan Accounts (DLAs) are a familiar feature of UK close companies. A UK close company is a private company controlled by five or fewer shareholders (or participators), or by any number of participators who are also directors. A participator is anyone with a financial interest in the company, such as a shareholder, loan
Worldwide freezing orders are a powerful tool in litigation. They prevent a respondent from disposing of or dealing with assets up to a specified value, regardless of their location or ownership. When granted promptly and on proper grounds, a worldwide freezing order can secure assets and protect the value of a potential judgment. If
The treatment of director’s loan accounts in administration or liquidation: Can DLAs be reclassified as remuneration? Case law has highlighted the dangers of the treatment of a Director’s Loan Account (“DLA”), and the risks to directors of trying to re-categorise their DLAs as salary payments. This can mean that the information previously provided to
Partnership disputes: How can I avoid a litigation case arising from a bad partnership agreement? A well-drafted agreement forms the basis of a strong partnership. By clearly setting out the rights and responsibilities of each partner, partnership disputes can often be avoided. When a new partnership is set up, sometimes the partnership agreement is
Remedies for breach of contract: Can you claim compensation? When a commercial contract is breached, it can cause profound difficulties for a business. Knowing what remedies are available means you can protect your legal position and seek to enforce your rights or obtain compensation when this is not possible. When a contract is breached
How do we charge for AI-assisted work? By Dipesh Dosani26 August 2025 via Law Gazette. Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept in legal practice - it is actively reshaping how legal services are delivered and, crucially, how they are priced. Tasks that once consumed hours - document review, legal research, contract drafting
Defamation, libel and slander: What can I do if someone attacks me or my business? What is defamation of character? Defamation is a statement about someone that lowers people’s view or opinion of that person. The person will have been identified and the statement published or distributed to a third party. A defence to
Cross-Border Litigation: Challenges in Issuing and Serving Claims from England England remains a popular jurisdiction for resolving commercial disputes, thanks to its well-established legal system, impartial judiciary, and enforceable judgments. However, for international disputes, initiating proceedings in England and serving documents abroad can present a number of procedural and practical hurdles. This article outlines
The Arbitration Act 2025: Key reforms and their impact on international arbitration in the UK The Arbitration Act 2025 significantly refines the UK’s international arbitration framework. Building upon the Arbitration Act 1996, the new legislation modernises arbitration law, enhances efficiency, and clarifies key legal principles. In this article, we examine the most important changes,
El-Husseiny v Invest Bank PSC: Supreme Court ruling on creditor rights On 19 February 2025, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal in El-Husseiny and another v Invest Bank PSC, a significant case concerning asset recovery and creditor protection. The case involved Invest Bank PSC, a UAE-based public shareholding company, which sued Ahmad Mohammad El-Husseini
Failure to Prevent Fraud Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 The offence of “failure to prevent fraud” has been incorporated into The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (the Act). This legislation aims to hold companies accountable if fraud is committed by employees or associated persons for the organisation’s benefit.
Servis-Terminal v Drelle: A Landmark Decision on the Recognition of Foreign Judgments The Court of Appeal has recently clarified an important aspect of cross-border enforcement in insolvency proceedings. In Servis-Terminal LLC v Drelle [2025] EWCA Civ 62, the Court of Appeal ruled that a foreign judgment cannot be used as the basis for a
Investment Fraud Exposed: The Power of Private Prosecution We acted for a client based in the UAE as a private prosecutor in a fraud case, highlighting the devastating impact of investment fraud and the value of private prosecutions in achieving justice. The matter had been reported to the police, but as steps had not
Security for costs relating to Claimant’s based outside of England and Wales There is a general principle in litigation that the losing party will pay the successful party’s legal costs. Where a defendant has concerns that the other side may not pay their costs, they can ask the court to make a security for
Facing corporate insolvency: What do I need to know about personal guarantees? Owners and directors of small and medium-sized businesses and start-ups are often required to sign personal guarantees in order to secure funding. Should you face corporate insolvency a personal guarantee can put all of your personal assets at risk, including your family
