Ashurst Legal Outlook Podcast

Data centres – here today, here tomorrow: Water consumption

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Our continuing series takes an unflinching look at a vexed issue: how much water is required to keep the world’s data centres running. To illust...

Inside Structured Leverage: The Artist Formerly known as Back Leverage

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Europe’s back leverage market has swelled recently. In this episode we consider the limitations of the label “back leverage”, explai...

Taxed Out: YTL, Newmont and the future of TARP

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Taxed Out, Tax Controversy Partners Vanja Podinic and Colin Little examine YTL and Newmont, the first major Federal Court tests of ...

Ahead of the Deal: The M&A Deal Report 2026

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Ahead of the Deal. Each month, we explore the latest news and developments in M&A to help you stay Ahead of the Deal. We cover trends i...

Governance & Compliance 10: Agentic AI rockets to the top of board agendas. Now what?

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

AI is nothing new but everything changed when ChatGPT landed. Now that agentic AI is moving at speed through every economy, it’s incumbent on bo...

Governance & Compliance 9: When shareholders go on the offensive

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For many boards, the era of the passive shareholder register is over. So what should boards do when activists come knocking? Our latest episode sugges...

Corporate Crime & Investigations: HMRC Tax Enquiry

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is better equipped and more determined than ever to address tax avoidance and evasion. In this episode, we explore wha...

Governance & Compliance 8: Boards navigate choppy waters of geopolitics

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It may sound obvious – but it’s also incredibly complex. Geopolitical risk is commanding attention in boardroom strategy again this year. ...

Taxed Out: How and why data centres are becoming a global tax flashpoint

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Taxed Out, Vanja Podinic and Colin Little explore why data centre arrangements are attracting intensive and coordinated scrutiny ac...

2. Caught in the Crosswinds – Anticipating (and alleviating) construction pinch points

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The construction phase of wind projects can be fraught with time, cost and quality issues. In this episode, we speak with two industry insiders about ...

Governance & Compliance: The changing nature of cyberattacks and cyber regulation

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Cyber readiness is rocketing up the agenda for boards in 2026. We explore cyber readiness including new regulatory developments, trends in cyber threa...

Taxed Out: The big themes in Australian tax law from 2025 - and the disputes set to define 2026

01 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this opening episode of Ashurst’s Taxed Out series, partners Vanja Podinic and Colin Little unpack the dominant Australian tax controversy th...

Takeover Talks: Tomorrow Never Knows

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

2025 followed a year of unprecedented geo-political change. While the markets demonstrated resilience, global tensions, and ongoing conflicts in Europ...

Mergers 2026 – One year on from the CMA's pivot to the Government's growth agenda

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Following the Government's recent call for the CMA to help drive economic growth, what developments can we expect to see in UK merger control? In this...

Governance & Compliance 1: AGMs are changing in the UK. Here’s what you need to know

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Having dissected the latest round of company AGMs at the Ashurst Governance & Compliance (AGC) Conference, our experts regroup to pinpoint the tre...

Data centres – here today, here tomorrow: German landscape ripe for growth

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

With more than 500 operational data centres, Germany could be described as the European capital of data centres. But it’s the fit-out and flexib...

Bridge or Breach: unpacking TradFi/ DeFi collaboration risk

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the second instalment in in a two-part series. In episode 1, we discuss current examples of collaborations between traditional finance (TradFi...

Caught in the Crosswinds: Early development strategies that keep wind projects moving

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this first episode of Ashurst’s Caught in the Crosswinds podcast series, disputes partner Michael Weatherley is joined by Siemens Gamesa&rsqu...

Data centres – here today, here tomorrow: Water’s Evolving Role in Australia’s Data Centre Strategy

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Ashurst’s Legal Outlook series on data centres,, real estate partner Alexandra Peace speaks with Planning, Access and Environ...

From Banks to Blocks: exploring TradFi/ DeFi collaboration

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ashurst’s Simon Williams is joined by Thomas Hyun, Director of Cryptocurrency Compliance at Forensic Risk, to examine how collaborations be...

Women in Tech: AI on the In-House Agenda

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

AI on the In-House Agenda Rhiannon Webster is joined by Rebecca Seaman and Abby Kay, who are Legal Counsel in the Product and Technology Legal team at...

Season 3, Episode 1: Women in Tech

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

AI on the In-House Agenda Rhiannon Webster is joined by Rebecca Seaman and Abby Kay, who are Legal Counsel in the Product and Technology Legal team at...

Industrious Conversations - What employers need to know about flexible work requests

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the final episode for 2025 in our Industrious Conversations series, Employment partners Talia Firth and Jane Harvey break down the wave of recent F...

World@Work: AI in the Workplace: some practical challenges

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We are pleased to share our latest World@Work global employment podcast on some practical challenges relating to the rapid rise of AI in the workplace...

Data centres – here today, here tomorrow: France’s billion dollar bet on AI

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

France has ambitions to become Europe’s AI superpower, leveraging its highly decarbonised electricity grid and government backing to attract bil...

Takeover Talks: Should I Stay or Should I Go

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a run of firm offers in early Summer, the UK public M&A market softened in Q3. Alongside this there was a noticeable increase in lapsed or w...

Ashurst Data Bytes 6: The ICO's new investigatory remit under the UK Data (Use and Access) Act

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wrapping up this season of Data Bytes, we examine the expanded powers given to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and what this means f...

Industrious Conversations: Managing employee social media influencers

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we lift the lid on a fascinating and fast-changing employment issue: the rise of online creators and social media influencers within ...

Ashurst Data Bytes 5: How the UK's Data (Use and Access) Act Digital ID provisions could revolutionise our lives

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the penultimate episode of this season of Data Bytes, we look at how digital identity provisions will reshape the world as we know it. Physical ID ...

Industrious Conversations: Managing redundancy processes in Australia in 2025

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Quantum leaps in technology, as well as rising cost pressures, are prompting many leaders to take a fresh look at how their organisations are structur...

Data centres – here today, here tomorrow: India outlook

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our globetrotting podcast mini-series pays a visit to India, to take in the data centre landscape there. In less than 25 minutes, we highlight the mar...

Ashurst Data Bytes 4: How the UK's Data (Use and Access) Act will change marketing practices, cookie use and the PECR fining regime

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we explain how the Data (Use and Access) Act changes marketing practices and the use of cookies in the UK. Host Rhiannon Webster is j...

Ashurst Data Bytes 3: AI Implications in the UK's Data (Use and Access) Act

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we delve further into the UK’s Data (Use and Access) Act – this time exploring how the Act will impact organisations devel...

Industrious Conversations: Supporting neurodivergent employees in workplace investigations

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode in our Industrious Conversations series, Partner Tamara Lutvey is joined by Mackenzie Small, Relationship Manager at the Australi...

Ashurst Data Bytes 2: How UK's Data (Use and Access) Act and the EU Data Act are approaching smart data schemes

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we take a closer look at how the UK’s new Data (Use and Access) Act will regulate non-personal data, in particular through the f...

Takeover Talks: Another One Bites the Dust

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this second episode of the series, Ashurst colleagues James Fletcher, Harry Thimont and Jade Jack review the year to date and the ongoing impact th...

Governance & Compliance episode 5: The launch of PISCES

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The UK government has launched three consultations to shape its new sustainability reporting framework, while a new private share trading platform 'PI...

Ashurst Data Bytes 1: The UK's new Data (Use and Access) Act – The data privacy changes

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The UK’s Data (Use and Access) Act is now law, and it brings targeted but important shifts in data protection, enforcement and digital regulatio...

Data centres – here today, here tomorrow: Middle East outlook

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to Dubai and Jeddah, the Middle East has emerged as a global hotspot for data centre development. In this episode, we assess...

Industrious Conversations: What employers need to know about new privacy law

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Ashurst Legal Outlook, Employment partner Jennie Mansfield, is joined by Digital Economy partner Geoff McGrath, to unpack the intro...

Governance & Compliance episode 4: Risks escalate for corporate criminal liability

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The past 18 months have seen major changes to the corporate criminal landscape in the UK and, with enforcement ramping up, companies need to act. In t...

Tapas and Tax Breaks, part 1: Spain’s carried interest regime

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With its new carried interest regime offering a 50% tax rebate, Spain is making a bold play for private equity talent. Clearer rules, competitive rate...

Governance & Compliance, episode 3: UK Cyber Governance Code of Practice

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Many companies are adapting their governance and reporting processes in response to the UK’s new Cyber Governance Code of Practice. In this epis...

Industrious Conversations: A Second Labor Term and Industrial Relations in Australia

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Industrious Conversations, Ashurst Employment partners, Kathy Srdanovic and Jon Lovell, discuss the implications of the recent fede...

World@Work: Workplace sexual harassment and whistleblower investigations

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest episode of our World@Work series, we discuss several nations’ contrasting approaches to workplace investigations relating to whist...

Data centres – here today, here tomorrow: Financing data centres in Spain’s booming market

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With investor interest rising by the day, our latest podcast explores the data centre market in Spain. This wide-ranging discussion covers everything ...

Governance & Compliance, episode 2: Internal controls and Provision 29 of the UK Corporate Governance Code

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the wake of corporate scandals, Provision 29 of the UK Corporate Governance Code has been revamped with implications for risk management and intern...

Takeover Talks: What A Difference A Day Makes

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this first episode of the series, Ashurst colleagues Tom Mercer, Harry Thimont and Jade Jack endeavour to unpick the year ...

Data centres - here today, here tomorrow: Investing & financing, part 2

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ashurst recently brought together key stakeholders from across the data centre ecosystem to explore the many opportunities and challenges in the indus...

Data centres - here today, here tomorrow: Bringing the entire data centre ecosystem together part 1

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Players from across the data centre ecosystem gathered recently to debate everything from planning and power to investment and financing. In this epis...

What Australian employers can learn from the recent withdrawal of a psychosocial risk prosecution in NSW

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode marks the first in a new Ashurst series on Employment and Safety law developments in Australia. After collaborating on a landmark ps...

Italy and Australia offer glimpse of what to expect from new UK consumer laws

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we report on the changes to the UK’s consumer law regime (made by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (the ...

CMA investigations underway in UK digital markets shake-up

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has begun SMS investigations under its new digital markets regime – with tech giants like...

Governance & Compliance 1: EU Omnibus impacts UK sustainability reporting

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

An expert panel explains how the corporate sustainability landscape is shifting and what directives in the first EU Omnibus package mean for non-EU bu...

Season 2 episode 6: Leading Enforcement: A deep dive with regulatory insider Miles Bake

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, our special guest is Miles Bake, the former Head of Enforcement at the Bank of England and the Director of Governance at the FCA. In ...

Season 2 episode 5: How should you respond to an FCA intervention?

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a bid to root out harm before it occurs, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is stepping up its use of intervention tools as an alternative to fo...

Season 2 episode 4: Doing the right thing: Consumer Duty enforcement risk

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How effective have new Consumer Duty protections been since being introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in 2023? How have financial serv...

Revealed: The issues that could make or break UK construction businesses in 2025

03 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we pinpoint the business trends and legal issues that will shape the UK’s construction landscape in 2025. From challenges and r...

Financial Services Regulatory Enforcement mini-series, season 2, episode 3: The FCA Strikes Back

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Last year, financial services firms were left reeling by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)'s transparency proposals (aka "naming and shaming" firm...

The legal shifts reshaping the UK’s real estate disputes landscape

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Explore the pivotal legal challenges and anticipate risk areas that are set to define the UK real estate disputes in 2025, from sustainability mandate...

Season 2 episode 2: How do you solve a problem like the Financial Ombudsman Service?

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, our expert panel weighs up potential changes to the way that the UK's Financial Ombudsman Service resolves customer complaints, with ...

These legal forces will shape the UK’s real estate landscape in 2025

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the wake of the government’s recent infrastructure announcements, we pinpoint the legal issues to watch out for in real estate. The coming ye...

Season 2, episode 1: What's on the horizon for FCA and PRA Enforcement in 2025?

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Season 2 of our regulatory enforcement mini-series kicks off by considering what the 2025 priorities are (and should be) for the UK's Financial Conduc...

Industrious Conversations: The rebalancing of Australia's industrial relations system under Closing the Loopholes

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the seventh and final episode for 2024 of our Industrious Conversations series, Ashurst’s Ian Humphreys and Peter McNulty explain how Closing the...

World @ Work: What UK employers can learn about trade union dynamics from Australia and Asia

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we hear from employment lawyers in Australia, Singapore, Indonesia and the UK. Together they describe and compare the industrial rela...

Industrious Conversations: Implications of the expansion of multi-employer bargaining

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ashurst Employment partners  Stephen Woodbury and Tamara Lutvey discuss the expanded single-interest employer authorisation bargaining stream, also k...

Industrious Conversations: How Closing the Loopholes affects contractors

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the fifth episode of our Industrious Conversations series, Ashurst’s Jane Harvey and Elissa Speight explain how Closing The Loophole changes are ...

UK class actions: What’s new, what’s changing and what’s coming next

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Following Ashurst’s recent conference, three experts regroup to pick out the most pressing trends and risks stemming from class actions in the UK. J...

Industrious Conversations: Closing the Loophole changes from a corporate transactions lens

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this, the fourth instalment of Industrious Conversations, Ashurst’s Jennie Mansfield and Jon Lovell detail the impact of Australia’s "Closing t...

Industrious Conversations: Navigating changes to casual employment

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the third episode of Industrious Conversations, Ashurst's Talia Firth and Scarlet Reid explain some notable changes to casual employment that stem ...

Exploring Hydrogen Markets, Episode 2 - Brazil & Morocco

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ashurst’s Yann Alix is joined by Moroccan lawyer Gahlia Mokhtari and Brazilian lawyer Ana Carolina Calil to discuss the evolving hydrogen strategies...

Industrious Conversations: Key changes and practical tips on protected action ballot orders

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the second episode of Industrious Conversations, Employment Partners Julia Sutherland and James Hall discuss strategies for managing protected acti...

Episode 3: Discover Italy: from travel brochures to tax advice

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Imagine living in a country that offers you stunning landscapes, rich culture, delicious cuisine, and a generous tax regime. Sounds too good to be tru...

Industrious Conversations: Closing the loopholes on same job, same pay

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

"We're all learning... new acronyms, new exceptions, how to apply these laws," remarks Employment Partner, Trent Sebbens in this debut episode of the ...

Episode 2: Corporate Crime update: shedding light on workplace investigations

23 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the frequency and complexity of workplace investigations rises, how can employers enhance their processes to mitigate investigation risk and safegu...

Episode 1: Corporate Crime update: responding to cyber threats and investigations

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With cyber threats and investigations more prevalent than ever, our expert panel considers how companies can bolster defences, meet regulations, and r...

Standing out in the Trainee Application and Interview Process with Khadija and Nick

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the final episode of our new podcast mini-series, where Ashurst's trainees and junior associates share the influences and factors that have...

Comparing EU and UK approaches to regulating big tech

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Digital companies operate globally which means they need to carefully navigate the new EU and UK digital markets regimes. In this episode, we highligh...

The power of commercial awareness with Saba

21 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the third episode of our podcast mini-series, where Ashurst's trainees and junior associates share the influences and factors that have gui...

Trainee secondments with Divya and Aoife

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the next episode in our trainee mini-series, where Ashurst's trainees and junior associates share the influences and factors that have guid...

Digital markets, competition and consumer law – from legislation to enforcement

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act recently received Royal Assent. So what should businesses be doing to stay informed of the Act’s ...

The Trainee Experience with Tom Segev

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our brand-new podcast mini-series where Ashurst's trainees and junior associates share the influences and factors that have guided them on ...

Episode 2: Inside UK Labour’s tax manifesto

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ashurst tax experts explore Labour’s new tax landscape following their recent UK election victory. In the aftermath of Labour’s historic UK electi...

Regulatory enforcement mini-series part 6: What would you change about the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR)?

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The latest episode of our mini-series on regulatory enforcement weighs up the pros and cons of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime – and pi...

Episode 1: Untangling the complexity of Pillar Two for investment funds

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode answers many of the most pressing Pillar Two questions that investment fund managers are asking. As investment fund managers grapple with...

Regulatory enforcement mini-series: what difference will the FCA's anti-greenwashing rules make?

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The latest episode of our mini-series on regulatory enforcement considers the impact of  the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s new rules that seek t...

Regulatory enforcement mini-series: should firms be concerned about FOS complaints?

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In our continuing mini-series on regulatory enforcement of financial services firms, we pick out the issues and tackle the trends to watch - with this...

Regulatory enforcement mini-series part 3: FCA Enforcement strategy under the new "Bad Cop, Bad Cop" double act

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of our mini-series on regulatory enforcement, we reflect on how the Financial Conduct Authority is progressing under the stewardship o...

Developments in managing and responding to sexual harassment in the workplace

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A snapshot of how employers are managing and responding to cases of workplace sexual harassment in Singapore, Indonesia, France, Spain, Germany, the U...

Regulatory enforcement mini-series part 2: Pros and cons of the PRA's new Early Account Scheme

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the second part of our mini-series on regulatory enforcement, we explain how the PRA’s Early Account Scheme works, and the factors firms should c...

Regulatory enforcement mini-series part 1: Will the FCA change its mind on its proposal to 'name and shame' firms?

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the first of a new mini-series on regulatory enforcement, we tackle an issue that is prompting much debate in the UK financial services industry: t...

Insolvency in construction, part 3: Adjudication and resolving disputes

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Insolvency adds an extra layer of complexity to disputes between construction companies and contractors. In this episode, we discuss how these may (or...

Construction Insolvency - Episode 2: Downstream insolvency

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for the second episode of our series focusing on insolvency issues in the construction sector. Tom Duncan, partner in Ashurst's construction d...

Insolvency in construction, part 1: Challenges for UK contractors supplying services to companies that enter insolvency

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss the legal risks and commercial difficulties for construction contractors who supply services to a company that enters inso...

The greatest enforcement threats of 2023 and the emerging risks of 2024

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the last episode of this mini-series, the team discuss what the greatest enforcement threats have been across the globe over the past 12 months and...

Real estate disputes: what to watch out for in 2024

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ashurst colleagues Joe Perry-Courtade, Kim Clifford and Alison Hardy provide a snapshot of the trends that will shape the world of real estate dispute...

How to avoid a sanctions investigation (and prepare for the regulation of tomorrow)

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the second episode of this mini-series, we tackle sanctions risk – including the robust systems and controls that firms require, recent enforceme...

Corporate crime and investigations: How leaders can prepare for changes to criminal liability laws

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With the UK set to introduce the most significant changes to corporate criminal liability laws for a generation, how can companies prepare? Fraud is a...

Anti-trust and collective actions: 2023 in review

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ashurst colleagues Anna Morfey, Tim West and Max Strasberg look back on a significant year in the world of anti-trust and collective actions, includin...

Exploring Hydrogen Markets – Kenya & Uzbekistan

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode explores the developing legal frameworks in two emerging hydrogen markets, unveiling some of the issues and opportunities investors shoul...