Top 10 Tips for Employers on the Employment Rights Act 2025 Reforms
Have you made the changes you need to comply with the reforms already in force? The Employment Rights Act 2025 is the most significant shake-up of employment law in decades, which is currently being implemented in phases. A first wave of changes is already in force (April 2026), with further major reforms expected from October 2026 and into...
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What Should Commercial Agents Do If Their Commission Isn’t Paid?
For commercial agents , commission is more than just compensation, it’s often the core financial incentive behind the agency relationship. Yet one of the most common and disruptive challenges agents face is non-payment or underpayment of commission by their principals. Whether the issue arises from unclear reporting, disputed sales, changes to...
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David de Gea Successfully Defends DDG Trademark at General Court of the EU
In May 2025, the General Court of the European Union ( GCEU ) delivered its judgment following an appeal made by Schmidt Spiele GmbH ( Schmidt Spiele ). The appeal challenged a decision of the Second Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office ( EUIPO ), which rejected Schmidt Spiele’s opposition to the trademark filed by...
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Sexual Harassment in Retail: What Does the New Legal Duty Mean for Your Business?
Sexual harassment has long cast a shadow over UK workplaces - and the retail sector, with its public-facing roles, shift work, and youthful workforce, is particularly vulnerable. But change is finally gathering pace. In October 2024, new laws came into effect, requiring all employers, including retailers, to take reasonable steps to prevent...
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Termination of Commercial Agency Agreements: What Agents and Principals Need to Know
The end of a commercial agency can have major legal and financial consequences, especially if the termination isn’t handled properly. Whether you're an agent or a principal, it’s essential to understand when termination is lawful, what notice is required, and what payments may be due under the Commercial Agents Regulations. This blog from...
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Compensation or Indemnity: What Is a Commercial Agent Entitled to When an Agreement Ends?
If you are a commercial agent whose agency has been terminated or a principal considering ending a commercial agency arrangement it is essential to understand the consequences of termination. T he Commercial Agents (Council Directive) Regulations 1993 ("the Regulations") offer protection to self-employed agents, including the right to...
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Understanding Commercial Agency Law in Cross-Border Principal and Agent Relationships
As international trade continues to expand, it’s increasingly common for commercial agents and principals to work across borders. But how do you ensure legal protection in these cross-jurisdictional relationships? Whether you’re a UK-based principal working with overseas agents or an agent operating for a foreign business, understanding how...
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Do You Need a Written Commercial Agency Agreement?
When entering into a commercial agency relationship, one common question is whether a written agreement is required. Although not legally mandatory, having a written agency agreement in place can significantly affect your rights and responsibilities. This blog from our Dispute Resolution Lawyers explores the pros and cons of written agreements...
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Can Commercial Agents Claim Compensation on Retirement or Death?
For many commercial agents, the end of an agency agreement may come not through resignation or dismissal, but through retirement, ill health or death. The Commercial Agents (Council Directive) Regulations 1993 (“the Regulations”) provide agents with statutory rights to compensation or an indemnity on termination, but how do these rights apply in...
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Commercial Agency Explained: Roles and Responsibilities
Whether you are a commercial agent or a principal, understanding your rights and responsibilities under the Commercial Agents (Council Directive) Regulations 1993 (the Regulations) is essential. These rules not only govern day-to-day conduct within the agency relationship but also have significant implications if that relationship ends, including...
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Understanding Commercial Agents and The Regulations
Understanding whether you qualify as a commercial agent is crucial, not only for defining your role, but also for determining your legal rights and responsibilities. If you are acting on behalf of a business to negotiate or conclude the sale or purchase of goods, you may be entitled to valuable protections under UK law. This guide from our...
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Enforcing a Cross-Company Guarantee Under s479C: Pentacle Disputes Limited v MoneyPlus Holdings Limited
Whether you are an SME or a multinational corporation, it is a bitter pill to swallow when you enter into a commercial agreement, comply with your obligations and then payment is not forthcoming from the counterparty. The issue is compounded when the debtor entity in question becomes insolvent before payment is made. Whilst an appointed...
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Understanding the Legal Difference Between Commercial Agents and Sub-Agents
Many businesses appoint commercial agents to help expand into new markets. But what happens when an agent appoints someone else to help them? Our Commercial Agency Lawyers explain the difference between commercial agents and sub-agents and explain: What commercial agents and sub-agents are What rights each has, especially upon termination When...
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