Horizon Scanning by Slaughter and May

Increased focus on cyber governance

In this podcast from our Cyber Hub, Natalie Donovan speaks to Partners Richard Jeens and Christian Boney about the increased focus we are currently seeing around cyber governance. Discussions include how the recent high profile ransom attacks at retailers like M&S highlight the importance of good cyber governance, what cyber related changes to the UK’s Corporate Governance Code mean in practice for organisations, how investor expectations are changing and how good governance can reduce enforcement and litigation risk.   

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 - what you need to know

The Data (Use and Access) Act (DUA Act) finally became law in June after a lengthy Parliamentary journey and various iterations. The DUA Act updates the UK’s legislative landscape to facilitate effective data usage, including by amending the UK’s data protection laws. It also provides the legislative foundations for the introduction of “smart data” data sharing schemes in sectors across the economy,  which have the potential to boost UK GDP by over £30 billion year, according to Government estimates.  

In this podcast, Cindy Knott and Bryony Bacon discuss:

• the scope of the DUA Act and what its changes to the data protection regime mean for businesses in the UK;
• the changes made to the UK data regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office, including its uplifted fining powers in connection with marketing, cookie and other tracking technology infringements; and
• the practical steps organisations should be taking now.

UK vs EU: Diverging Roads in Digital Regulation

With the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) having recently published its provisional designation decision and roadmap for possible interventions in respect of Google Search and Search Advertising, now is a good moment to take stock of how the UK and EU are diverging in their approaches to regulating Big Tech.

In this podcast, Jonathan Slade and Annalisa Tosdevin discuss:

• The significance of the CMA’s provisional designation decision and roadmap
• The key features of the digital markets regimes under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCC) and Digital Markets Act (DMA); and
• Compare the two regimes and what they mean for digital players 

Copyright and Generative AI: An update from the experts

As the interplay between copyright and generative AI continues to dominate the headlines, the pressure on governments to find workable solutions, and to provide clarity, for both the creative and AI sectors is palpable.

In our latest podcast, Laura Houston and Richard Barker discuss:

• the current position in the EU, including the scope of the existing exceptions for text and data mining, the copyright-focussed obligations in the EU AI Act, and the latest draft of the General Purpose AI Code of Practice;
• the UK’s latest consultation on copyright and AI; and
• the key cases relating to copyright and generative AI in the UK and the EU.

Insurance in focus: From Decline to Demand – The Evolving UK Annuities Market

In the fourth episode of 'Insurance in focus' Jonathan Marks, Nick Pacheco and Sarah Osprey discuss: 

• Recent increases in sales of individual annuities
• The broader market including the bulk annuity market 
• Related regulatory themes, including issues with customers obtaining advice

Tax News: The One Big Beautiful Bill

Zoe Andrews and Tanja Velling are joined by Arvind Ravichandran, Tax Partner at Cravath, to discuss the impact the proposed section 899 could have on US capital markets if enacted but how it is unlikely to be a big issue in practice.

They cover:

• The purpose and potential withdrawal from the Bill of Section 899, a proposed tax on foreign investors, in response to global tax developments
• How changes to the GILTI regime aim to more closely align U.S. tax policy with OECD standards
• The mix of permanent tax cuts and temporary “America First” measures included in the Bill
• Key negotiation points for Congress including the SALT cap, Medicaid reforms, and clean energy tax credits

Insurance in focus: From crisis to coverage

In the third episode of our ‘Insurance in focus’ podcast series, Nick Bonsall is joined by Efstathios Michael and Tahlia Brysha-Pullen where they discuss: 

• Lessons learned for business interruption policy wording following the pandemic 

• The case law which has developed since 2020

• Future proofing policies for emerging risks

Insurance in focus: Private capital’s growing role

Join Insurance partner, Tom Peacock, and Co-head of Private Equity, Harry Bacon, for the second episode of 'Insurance in focus'.

In this episode, they delve into:

• The drivers of the ongoing interest of private equity, and private capital more generally, in the insurance sector
• Related topics including key areas of regulatory scrutiny
• Impacts upon M&A deals