Recent Developments in UK Disputes: The Landscape in 2026 and Beyond

The last year has been a busy one for UK commercial disputes.

There have been substantive developments in the law on fiduciary obligations, privilege and disclosure, FSMA and common law deceit, contract law, and contentious restructuring. Recent decisions in these areas have resulted in significant changes to the status quo.

Looking forward, several notable trends are poised to gain momentum. Collective redress is set to continue to be an increasingly prominent feature of the litigation landscape in England and Wales, whilst litigation funding stands on the cusp of meaningful reform following the Government’s announcement of its intention to introduce legislation to address the consequences of PACCAR. The courts, meanwhile, are expected to continue refining the boundaries of the Part 26A restructuring plan process.

The legislative horizon beyond the courtroom is equally active. A series of Government consultations — encompassing AI regulation, copyright and AI, liability for AI-caused harm, and proposed reforms to the opt-out collective actions regime before the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) — are expected to yield substantial legislative developments throughout 2026 and beyond.

Read the full trend series.