Data breaches, business interruption policies and the new consumer protection landscape

The latest business insights from Ashfords

In this edition of Ashfords' business bulletin, our experts provide businesses with essential updates on the latest legal developments. We:

Outline the reporting obligations of UK businesses which have suffered a data breach.
Explore the key issues in the Bath Racecourse case and provide a brief analysis of the Court of Appeal's decision.
Examine the opportunities that exist for businesses to decarbonise and increase profitability.
Outline who needs to verify their identity within an organisation and how to do this.
Detail what consumer-facing businesses need to understand about the important changes to the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
Summarise some of the headline proposals in the Immigration White Paper and the potential implications for UK employers.

Read our insights

Data breaches – takeaways for businesses from updated ICO guidance

Data breaches may be caused deliberately, for example by cyberattacks, or may be the result of human error or system failures. This article considers the reporting obligations of UK businesses which have suffered a data breach, based on the updated guidance from the ICO.

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Business interruption insurance post-COVID: what do policyholders need to know?

Earlier this year, the Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in the latest significant test case concerning business interruption arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. The judgment provides important guidance on the interpretation of composite insurance policies and the treatment of government support schemes regarding business interruption claims. In this article, we summarise the case, explore the key issues on appeal and provide a brief analysis of the Court of Appeal's decision.

How can businesses finance energy efficiency?

Over recent years energy has become a key focus for businesses: energy costs are a significant and, especially over recent years, volatile item of operating expenditure. Businesses are also obliged to reduce carbon emissions towards net zero in 2050. This article examines the opportunities that exist to simultaneously decarbonise, de-risk operating expenditure, and ultimately increase profitability.

Identity verification and the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023: how can organisations remain compliant?

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 intends to enhance UK corporate governance. It aims to increase transparency and accuracy and prevent anonymous filings on the public registers by verifying the identity of certain key officers/owners who set up, run, own, or control a company in the UK. This article outlines who needs to verify their identity within an organisation and how to do this, what happens if identity verification requirements aren't met and advises next steps for organisations.

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The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024: what consumer-facing businesses need to know

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, effective from 6 April 2025, significantly reforms the UK's consumer protection landscape. It enhances obligations on businesses and introduces powerful new enforcement tools for regulators. In this article we focus on what consumer-facing businesses need to understand about these important changes.

Immigration White Paper – what does this mean for employers?

On 12 May 2025, the prime minister announced a number of proposed changes to the UK’s immigration system, designed to cut levels of immigration into the UK. These measures were announced in a White Paper, which is subject to further consultation and discussion. In our article, we summarise some of the headline proposals, along with the potential implications for UK employers.

Key contact

Andrew Perkins

Partner and Head of Commercial Disputes

+44 (0)1392 334112 a.perkins@ashfords.co.uk View more

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