Ashurst Legal Outlook Podcast

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The commercial world is always changing and the legal landscape never stands still. Keeping pace with all those changes, and knowing how they affect your organisation, is a big responsibility and a challenging task. Ashurst Legal Outlook will keep you at the forefront of the most pressing legal issues, offering insights from legal experts across our international network.

  1. 1D AGO

    2. Caught in the Crosswinds – Anticipating (and alleviating) construction pinch points

    The construction phase of wind projects can be fraught with time, cost and quality issues. In this episode, we speak with two industry insiders about some of the common pinch points in the construction of a wind project and explore steps that help minimise the likelihood of contractor/developer disputes occurring. Ashurst’s Michael Weatherley is joined by two special guests to discuss construction risks in wind projects, including how they can best be  anticipated and mitigated to avoid or manage disputes between developers and contractors. George Fisher is a senior contentious construction solicitor at SSE Renewables and Kia Hua Tan is a senior legal counsel at Seatrium Limited. The trio considers the unique nuances and curve balls that can hamper wind projects, including  tight margins and split procurements driving complex interface risks. As the discussion makes clear, careful and precise planning is required to allow for things like extreme weather, vessel availability and rising offshore logistics costs. On cost volatility, both our guests stress the importance of clarity in fixed-price contracts and price escalation mechanisms to avoid surprises later on. They also flag quality issues across package boundaries, suggesting that these require detailed interface matrices and harmonised dispute provisions to avoid protracted blame games between contractors. To listen to this and subscribe to future episodes in the Caught In The Crosswinds mini-series, search for “Ashurst Legal Outlook” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast player. You can also find out more about the full range of Ashurst podcasts at ashurst.com/podcasts. To learn more about the issues raised in this episode, read this article on the Ashurst website. The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    33 min

  2. FEB 10

    Governance & Compliance: The changing nature of cyberattacks and cyber regulation

    Cyber readiness is rocketing up the agenda for boards in 2026. We explore cyber readiness including new regulatory developments, trends in cyber threats, and practical defences against attacks. In this episode of our UK Governance & Compliance mini-series, we explore cyber readiness as one of the top risk-related priorities for boards in 2026. We look at the sobering costs of large disruptions —noting the cause is often small-scale security lapses. We explore the changing cyber landscape including the UK’s expanding Cyber Resilience Bill and the shift to operational disruption as the primary threat. Plus, we provide practical guidance for boards. Podcast host Will Chalk is joined by John Macpherson, an Ashurst risk advisory partner in Sydney. Also joining the conversation are London colleagues Rhiannon Webster, a partner in Ashurst’s digital economy transactions practice, who heads up the UK cyber response and data protection team, and Matt Worsfold, a partner in Ashurst’s risk advisory team. To listen to this and subscribe to future episodes in our governance mini-series, search for “Ashurst Legal Outlook” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast player. You can also find out more about the full range of Ashurst podcasts at ashurst.com/podcasts. To receive updates and alerts on the issues raised in this podcast mini-series, subscribe to Ashurst’s regular Governance and Compliance Updates. Read more about the recent AGC Conference here. And read our latest update here about Narrative and Financial Reporting, and Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency. The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    20 min

  3. FEB 1

    Taxed Out: The big themes in Australian tax law from 2025 - and the disputes set to define 2026

    In this opening episode of Ashurst’s Taxed Out series, partners Vanja Podinic and Colin Little unpack the dominant Australian tax controversy themes from 2025 and what they signal for the year ahead. They explore the ATO’s whole-of-code approach, the escalation of scrutiny on financing and marketing hubs, related-party arrangements and private capital, and the continued interplay between transfer pricing, PE risk, intangibles and anti-avoidance. Colin and Vanja break down the ATO’s FY25 settlement and certainty data, including the decline in APAs, the rise of bilateral agreements, and growing use of the Mutual Agreement Procedure. They also reflect on the landmark decisions that shaped 2025 from embedded royalties and anti-avoidance in PepsiCo and Hicks, to Division 855 disputes in YTL and Newmont, and the Bendel decision now before the High Court. Finally they close with the 2026 cases to watch, including Bendel, Tabcorp, Coca-Cola and The Star, and share practical steps for taxpayers preparing for another active year of reviews, audits and litigation. To follow the series, visit ashurst.com or search for Ashurst Legal Outlook on your preferred podcast platform. The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    11 min

  4. JAN 28

    Takeover Talks: Tomorrow Never Knows

    2025 followed a year of unprecedented geo-political change. While the markets demonstrated resilience, global tensions, and ongoing conflicts in Europe and in the Middle East continued to have an impact. In the latest podcast the trio describes the trends they are seeing in the market and what to expect in 2026. The episode is intended to sit alongside, and complement, our annual publication which is available on our website. The publication looks at key highlights and market developments in 2025 and give some predictions for 2026. The publication also covers the key legal and regulatory developments over the last quarter, and the tables summarising the key features of firm offer announcements throughout 2025 can be found at the end of the publication. To listen to this and to subscribe to future episodes in our mini-series, search for “Ashurst Legal Outlook” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast player. You can also find out more about the full range of Ashurst podcasts at ashurst.com/podcasts. The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    19 min

  5. JAN 15

    Mergers 2026 – One year on from the CMA's pivot to the Government's growth agenda

    Following the Government's recent call for the CMA to help drive economic growth, what developments can we expect to see in UK merger control? In this episode, hosted by Fiona Garside, Nigel Parr, Chris Eberhardt and Tom Punton reflect on the political context driving changes to the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) approach to merger control. The discussion then looks at what the CMA's 4Ps framework means for merger control in practice, including faster timelines and greater engagement between the CMA and the merging parties. The competition team also consider how the CMA’s approach to remedies is developing, including a greater willingness to consider behavioural commitments. To conclude, the team highlight key developments to watch out for in the year ahead, including key cases and the proposed reforms to the Phase 2 decision-making process. To listen to this and subscribe to future episodes, search for “Ashurst Legal Outlook” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast player. You can also find out more about the full range of Ashurst podcasts at ashurst.com/podcasts. The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    45 min

  6. JAN 8

    Governance & Compliance 6: AGMs and annual reports in 2026 – What you need to know

    Having dissected the latest round of company AGMs at the Ashurst Governance & Compliance (AGC) Conference, our experts regroup to pinpoint the trends that boards and execs should watch out for in 2026. In the first 2026 episode of our UK Governance & Compliance mini-series, we reflect on the hot topics and key takeaways from company AGMs held across the UK in 2025. We cover a lot of ground in less than 20 minutes – from executive remuneration to shareholder engagement to sustainability reporting and beyond – explaining how companies are responding to the UK’s constantly shifting regulatory landscape. Podcast host Will Chalk is joined by regular guest Becky Clissmann, sustainability counsel at Ashurst. Also on board are London colleagues John Papadakis, a senior counsel in Ashurst’s incentives practice and Maria McAlister, a senior associate in Ashurst’s corporate transactions practice who focuses on equity capital markets. In conjunction with our AGM podcast above, our experts summarise key developments to be aware of when preparing for 2026 annual general meetings and compiling the narrative aspects of annual reports. To read the briefing click here. To listen to this and subscribe to future episodes in our governance and compliance mini-series, search for “Ashurst Legal Outlook” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast player. You can also find out more about the full range of Ashurst podcasts at ashurst.com/podcasts. To receive updates and alerts on the issues raised in this podcast mini-series, subscribe to Ashurst’s regular Governance and Compliance Updates. Read more about the recent AGC Conference here, and read our latest AGC Update here. The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    20 min

  7. JAN 7

    Data centres – here today, here tomorrow: German landscape ripe for growth

    With more than 500 operational data centres, Germany could be described as the European capital of data centres. But it’s the fit-out and flexibility that will make or break Germany’s data centres aspirations. In this episode, we explore the market in detail and highlight the issues that investors need to know. Ashurst’s Ruth Harris and Rebecca Clarke are joined by expert colleagues from Frankfurt and Munich to discuss Germany’s burgeoning data centres market. Together, they discuss funding and investment structures, the regulatory landscape, who the major players are, and challenges that could slow progress. Derk Opitz kicks us off by outlining the current shape of the data centre market in Germany, and how realistic industry aspirations are in light of grid connection issues. Marina Arntzen says the M&A market is “highly active”, describes common investment models, and explains the kinds of data centre assets and platforms that are attracting attention from investors. Derk also discusses where the capital is coming from (including the licencing requirements required for lenders and investors), and he explains how investment models are evolving. And Stefan Bruder points out who the major investors are and reveals what is driving these investments. This comprehensive discussion then rounds off with regulation and government intervention. To listen to this and subscribe to future episodes about data centres, search for “Ashurst Legal  Outlook” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast player. To read Ashurst’s regular article series on data centres, visit this web page. To find out more about the full range of Ashurst podcasts, visit ashurst.com/podcasts. The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    34 min

  8. 12/11/2025

    Bridge or Breach: unpacking TradFi/ DeFi collaboration risk

    This is the second instalment in in a two-part series. In episode 1, we discuss current examples of collaborations between traditional finance (TradFi) and digital natives (DeFi), and explore what the future likely holds. In episode 2, we unpack the potential risks that come from these collaborations, and then discuss ways to mitigate and address those risks. Ashurst’s Simon Williams returns and is joined by Meredith Fitzpatrick. As a former FBI Special Agent, and now Forensic Risk's Director of Cryptocurrency Investigations, Meredith brings unique insight into digital assets risk. To listen to this episode and subscribe to future episodes, search for ‘Ashurst Legal Outlook’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. To find out more about the full range of Ashurst podcasts, visit www.ashurst.com/podcasts. For more Digital Assets thought leadership from Ashurst visit www.ashurst.com/digitalassets The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min
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About

The commercial world is always changing and the legal landscape never stands still. Keeping pace with all those changes, and knowing how they affect your organisation, is a big responsibility and a challenging task. Ashurst Legal Outlook will keep you at the forefront of the most pressing legal issues, offering insights from legal experts across our international network.

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