As 2025 draws to a close, this newsletter reviews key developments that have shaped the commercial disputes landscape over the past year and offers our views on significant English court decisions. We then look ahead to the trends likely to define 2026. We also reflect on another productive and successful year for Hausfeld’s Commercial Disputes team.
HOW DID 2025 CHANGE THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE?
Financial services
From 18 November 2025, the UK’s new Companies House identity verification (IDV) framework took effect, representing one of the most substantial reforms to corporate administration in recent years. The reforms, introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, aim to enhance corporate transparency and prevent misuse of UK entities.
key takeaways
On 6 November 2025, winding-up orders were made against Assent Building Control Compliance Limited (“Assent”) and its subsidiaries LB Building Control Limited (“LB”) and
Aquapoint LP v Fan [2025] UKPC 56
Introduction
The Insolvency Service has for many decades been the Government department responsible for the oversight of bankruptcies, compulsory insolvencies and, in more serious cases, the disqualification of individual directors.
In brief
This article discusses the defining features of Bermuda’s insolvency landscape and the primary insolvency and rescue procedures available under Bermuda law, including compulsory liquidations, provisional liquidations and schemes of arrangements. The case of Chishti v Afiniti Ltd is presented as a recent example of a company successfully availing itself of a restructuring plan through the use of ‘light touch’ provisional liquidation.
This is the latest in our series of discussions about how clients have used HSF Kramer's Decision Analysis models as part of their strategy for disputes management.
This week, financial disputes specialist Donny Surtani describes its use in a sell-or-hold decision relating to a distressed debt holding: