What are directors’ core legal duties under the Companies Act 2006?

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:

summarise directors’ core legal duties under the Companies Act 2006,
explore the decision of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency v Groom case,
outline key immigration implications of corporate transactions and offer practical tips,
explain the ID verification and register changes as part of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 reforms,
explore the Court of Appeal’s decision in the case of MS Amlin Marine NV v King Trader Ltd and
outline the proposals in the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) consultation.

Read our insights

Understanding director duties

For directors, good governance is not simply a matter of box-ticking, it’s central to protecting the business, its reputation, and the board itself. This article summarises directors’ core legal duties under the Companies Act 2006, the consequences of breaching them, and the practical steps directors can take to strengthen governance and protect both themselves and their businesses.

Corporate transactions and sponsor licences: managing immigration risks

Immigration compliance is often overlooked during mergers, acquisitions and restructures, but any organisational change can affect your sponsor licence and sponsored workers, creating risks that may lead to staff shortages or operational disruption. This article outlines the key immigration implications of corporate transactions and offers practical tips to avoid compliance issues.

Out Of Focus Shot Of Five People Meeting In An Office

Navigating the waters between volunteer and worker

A Court of Appeal judgment in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency v Groom case found that a supposed ‘volunteer’ station officer was in fact a worker entitled to worker rights. This article explores this landmark decision and its significant implications for organisations that rely on volunteer support.

HM Coastguard Helicopter Flying Over Water

Red hand clauses: the courts’ approach to onerous and unusual clauses in commercial contracts

In the recent case of MS Amlin Marine NV v King Trader Ltd, the Court of Appeal confirmed that even onerous or unusual clauses in commercial contracts will be enforced if the party affected was given sufficient notice, assessed on the facts of each case. This article summarises the Court of Appeal’s decision and its clarification of the red hand clause doctrine in a commercial context.

Welder Working With Grinder On Side Of A Boat Hull

Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023: ID verification and register changes explained

In November 2025, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Commencement No. 6 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2025 implemented key reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. This article outlines the reforms, who it will affect, and highlights guidance available for businesses.

Department for Business and Trade's consultation on late payments

The DBT consultation signals a decisive move towards a far more interventionist framework on late payment. In this article we outline the legal and operational implications that in-house teams should begin preparing for now.

Listen to episode 4 of our ESG podcast

This episode explores how governance failures can expose any organisation, not just financial institutions, to significant financial crime risks, reputational damage, and regulatory scrutiny.
Together, they explore the full spectrum of financial crime, including fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing, sanctions breaches, and bribery/corruption, explaining how these offences arise in practice and why all businesses must take them seriously.

Listen here

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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