Angela Johnston

Angela Johnston

Professional Support Lawyer

New regime for financial services regulation – what will it mean for UK businesses?

UK financial regulation has been in the spotlight since 2007/8, when the financial crisis exposed serious shortcomings in the existing system.  As part of its response, the Government has committed to a wide-scale restructuring of financial services regulation and the new regime is now set to launch on 1 April 2013.  As regulators pledge to put customers at the heart of financial services firms, we look at what the restructuring will mean for UK businesses.

26 February 2013

Corporate

Directors' powers and shareholders' rights: getting the balance right

When setting up a company (whether a joint venture or a wholly owned subsidiary) it will be important to tie down the matters to be decided by the board and the matters to be reserved for shareholder approval.  We look at points for shareholders to consider, including the implications of a recent High Court case, which arose from a dispute about the extent of shareholders' rights and directors' powers when a director was removed from office.

15 November 2012

Corporate

Overseas companies expanding into England - English subsidiary or UK establishment?

One of the first items on the agenda for any company entering a new territory will be to select the business structure which provides the most benefits, whilst limiting the potential risks associated with the new venture. We consider some key advantages and disadvantages of two of the most common business structures used for expansion into England: a UK establishment and a private subsidiary company limited by shares, incorporated in England and Wales (an English subsidiary).

17 February 2012

Corporate

New law in the pipeline for 2012

As the end of 2011 approaches, we take a look ahead at some key corporate legal developments expected in 2012.

22 November 2011

Corporate

Did You Know...? Some practical points for companies - November 2011

Some practical points for companies, including new Agency Workers Regulations, changes to the filing requirements for overseas companies with a registered UK establishment, and an amendment to the Corporate Governance Code in relation to the FRC's consultation on Gender Diversity on Boards.

22 November 2011

Corporate

Did You Know...? Some practical points for companies - August 2011

Some practical points for companies, including changes to the Annual Return form for return dates after 1 October 2011, the new 'second filing' service from Companies House, and widening of exemptions for the requirement to produce a prospectus.

11 August 2011

Corporate

Drafting enforceable restrictive covenants: a reminder of the issues

A recent High Court decision has highlighted the importance of careful drafting when dealing with restrictive covenants, serving as a reminder of the limits on the court's power to use the "blue pencil test" to save restrictions which would otherwise be unenforceable.

26 May 2011

Corporate

Balance in the boardroom: increasing the number of women directors

February 2011 saw the publication of Lord Davies' report on Women on Boards, commissioned by the Government in response to the slow progress made so far in increasing female participation on UK boards. The report considers the business case for improving female representation at board level and sets out a number of recommendations.

26 May 2011

Corporate

Did you know...? Some practical points for companies - May 2011

Some practical points for companies, including the introduction of the Bribery Act 2010, a recent Supreme Court ruling relating to the definition of 'group', 'subsidiary' and 'holding company', new government regulations in relation to prospectuses, and the abolition of the default retirement age.

26 May 2011