Listen Up - a Legal Podcast from Gowling WLG

From NYCW to COP30, what's shaping the climate conversation now? New York Climate Week (NYCW) gave a clear signal that the climate conversation is shifting - from high-level ambition to practical action. In this podcast episode, Sustainability Partner Ben Stansfield and Graham Reeder reflect on key themes from NYCW and look ahead to COP30 in Belém, Brazil. They explore topics likely to shape the a...

The build to rent (BTR) sector is transforming the living sector, offering professionally managed, high-quality homes designed for modern lifestyles.  In this podcast episode, Nick Mumby, Partner and  BTR lead at Gowling WLG, sits down with James Saunders, Chief Executive of Quintain, to explore the evolution of this 'young' asset class. Together, they discuss how Quintain's bold masterplan and £3...

The UK Government's recent publication of the Solar Roadmap marks a significant step towards addressing the energy trilemma of security, affordability, and sustainability. With ambitious targets set for solar energy deployment, understanding the implications for the real estate and energy sectors is crucial. In this podcast, Partner and Co-Leader of our Energy Sector team Helen Emmerson joins Sust...

Why should operators in the Living sector be concerned about consumer law issues? In the final episode of our Operational Living Insights podcast series, Legal Director Dan Smith and Principal Associate Zoe Pearman, explore the key legal developments that operators need to understand when it comes to advertising and marketing in the Living sector. Dan highlights the implications of the Digital Mar...

How can operators in the Living sector unlock the potential of PropTech and AI, while staying on the right side of the law?  In the second episode of our Operational Living Insights podcast series, Jocelyn Paulley, Partner in our Commercial, IT and Outsourcing team and member of the firm's Tech sector team, joins Danielle Klepping, Principal Associate in our commercial contracts team, to explore h...

What are management agreements, what do they look like and when are they used? In the first of three episodes in our new Operational Living Insights series, Partner and Co-Head of our Living sector group Dominic Morris and Principal Associate Danielle Klepping discuss the growing use of management agreements in the operation of living sector assets and some of the key issues to be alert to when us...

Biometric data - like facial recognition and fingerprints - is being used more frequently, for example for access controls to buildings and identity verification. But with the UK GDPR and increasing regulatory scrutiny, businesses need to be careful about how they use it. In this podcast, Co-Leaders of the UK Data Protection and Cyber Security practice, Loretta Pugh and Jocelyn Paulley, break down...

Ongoing shifts in tariff policies are leaving many UK businesses uncertain about their next steps. With President Trump's recent announcements causing even more confusion around higher-rate global tariffs, understanding the legal implications is more important than ever.   In this episode, Partner David Lowe, Partner Bernardine Adkins, and Senior Associate James Stunt break down the latest develop...

With tariffs on the rise, the climate surrounding international trade is shifting rapidly. Understanding how tariffs resulting from President Trump's administration will impact your business operations is critical. In this evolving time for trade, the only certainty is uncertainty. In this podcast, David Lowe and Bernardine Adkins discuss the recent developments surrounding tariffs and how busines...

Ready to close the deal? Let's discuss the final steps in M&A transactions. In this final episode of our series on corporate acquisitions, we take a look at the critical steps that take place once the documentation is agreed and guide you through the final stages the deal. Our host Alex Farrow, Senior Associate in the Corporate team sits down with Chelsie Taylor, Principal Associate, Ruairi O'Grad...

Understanding an acquisition agreement, particularly a share purchase agreement (SPA) is essential for ensuring a smooth transaction. After exploring W&I Insurance in our previous episode, this episode breaks down the key elements of a share purchase agreement, discussing how it is constructed and how sellers can seek to limit their liability. Our host Alex Farrow, Senior Associate in our Corporat...

In this episode of our Gowling WLG in the Gulf podcast series, Partners  Imran Mufti  and  Peter Anagnostou explore international arbitration, addressing key topics that are shaping the future of the field. Drawing on their experience, they discuss: Climate Change-Related Arbitration Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Arbitration Third-Party Funding in Arbitration Enforcement of arbitral award...

Warranty and Indemnity (W&I) insurance is seen as a vital tool in an increasing number of M&A transactions, offering protection against breaches of warranties and indemnities in a purchase agreement. After looking at due diligence in episode two, this next episode explores the benefits of W&I insurance, the intricacies of the process, and the latest changes in the market. Our host Alex Farrow, Sen...

Conducting efficient and accurate due diligence is a critical step in any M&A transaction. Following on from discussing heads of terms, the next episode of our series looks at due diligence in the context of M&A transactions.  Our experts discuss key strategies and best practices to identify potential risks and opportunities, ensuring a smooth and successful conclusion. Our host Alex Farrow, Senio...

Before heading into a transaction, there are crucial considerations that can set the foundation for success. In our new podcast series focusing on corporate acquisitions, our lawyers discuss key considerations before initiating a transaction, focusing on the importance of heads of terms or preliminary documents that set out basic principles. Our host Alex Farrow, Senior Associate in our Corporate...

Recognising that the built environment accounts for around 30% of total annual carbon emissions in the UK (as reported by RICS) and the need to mobilise action on climate change, the construction sector is striding forward to meet ambitious net zero carbon goals. The industry is in a period of significant change and new opportunities are emerging, as it works to innovate through developments in co...

In response to the climate challenge, carbon and the reduction of carbon emissions has long been an area of focus for improvement. For the construction and housebuilding sector, this is a material ESG issue and one that is equally important for new developments and the upgrading of existing buildings to meet modern net-zero standards. In this new podcast, we focus on the subject of retrofit in dis...

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has recently stepped in to recover two giant data centres on green belt sites in Buckingham and Hertfordshire, previously rejected local by councils. The plans will form part of the new government's wider plans for a "new growth-focused approach to the planning system". In our latest podcast episode, Sustainability Partner Ben Stansfield and Jocelyn Paulley, Hea...

When it comes to major sporting events and the sports sector generally, there are a variety of ways that intellectual property rights could be infringed. So what can in-house sporting legal teams do to mitigate the risk of infringement? In this podcast episode, our IP lawyers provide useful hints and tips on implementing brand protection strategies, understanding sponsorship relationships, marketi...

Our new podcast series dives into the world of sport. In this first episode, we take a look at sustainability and how it can be embeded into the sport sector. Sustainability partner Ben Stansfield sits down with Stephane Bazire, head of Business Sustainability and Partnerships at Silverstone, the legendary home of the British Grand Prix and MotoGP events. Stephane explores the sustainability journ...

In this episode of our Gowling WLG in the Gulf podcast series, partner Imran Mufti sits down with Aarij Wasti, a Toronto-based Gowling WLG partner and member of the Entertainment & Sports Law Group to discuss mega events in the Middle East. Drawing on their experience, they discuss: •    The rise in popularity of hosting mega events in the Middle East •    The progression of legislative infrastruc...

What are the key features and the principles of Software as a Service (SaaS) and what are key issues in SaaS contracts? In this episode in our podcast series focusing on digitalisation in the public sector, Matt Harris, principal associate in our Commercial, IT and Outsourcing team, provides an overview of SaaS, including the key features of a SaaS agreement and responsibilities of the SaaS provid...

As legal advisers to the public sector, we are seeing a general uptick in the number of procurements that we are being asked to support upon which relate to digitalisation programmes. Digitalisation can unlock a number of efficiencies and has the ability to modernise how Government works. In our new podcast series focusing on digitalisation within the public sector, our lawyers take you through ke...

In this episode of our Gowling WLG in the Gulf podcast series, partner Imran Mufti sits down with Dr Shuja Ali, managing director of ICON Investment Consultants, and Ed Brown, who leads our Middle East funds and financial services practice, to discuss recent fund activity in Saudi Arabia and what the future holds for fund and investment in the region. You can find this episode and the accompanying...

Over the last six years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has seen an accelerated pace of change that has impacted Saudi professionals, and Saudi female professionals in particular. As part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched a number of initiatives aimed increasing the percentage of women employed in leadership positions. In this podcast, Imran Mufti, our Saudi-based projects partner...