Welcome to Find Me A Solicitor: The Legal Brief! Find Me A Solicitor’s monthly round-up of key legal developments from across the UK. Each edition brings together the most important changes in law, policy and regulation from the past month, offering clear insight into how they may affect individuals, businesses and legal professionals alike. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, Find Me A Solicitor remains committed to helping people navigate complex legal issues by connecting them with trusted solicitors across England and Wales, ensuring the right advice is always within reach.
- Landlords and Property Investors Need to Act Now
May 2026 has been a major month for landlords, property investors and anyone holding property through a company or layered ownership structure.
From 1 May 2026, Phase 1 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 came into force. The biggest change is the abolition of section 21 no-fault evictions. Landlords can no longer remove tenants without a legally recognised reason. Possession claims must now be brought under section 8 of the Housing Act 1988, using specific grounds such as rent arrears, breach of tenancy terms, sale of the property, or the landlord or a close family member needing to move in.
All assured shorthold tenancies have also automatically converted into periodic tenancies. Fixed-term tenancies no longer exist in the private rented sector. This means tenancies now roll monthly, with tenants required to give at least two months’ notice if they want to leave.
It is worth noting that Phase 1 is just the beginning; later phases will introduce private rented sector databases, which may require all landlords to register before letting, and a new independent PRS Ombudsman to handle disputes outside of court, making the process more cost- and time-efficient.
For landlords and portfolio owners, this changes how possession is managed, how tenancy documents should be drafted, how rent arrears are handled, and how quickly a landlord can regain control of a property. Any landlord still relying on old tenancy agreements, old notice templates or informal possession strategies may now be exposed, therefore may want to mitigate any potential risks to their interests
If there is an unlicensed HMO or another housing offence anywhere in the structure, financial exposure may now reach further up the ownership chain. Even where liability does not automatically move up the ownership chain, poor licensing or management arrangements can still create serious financial and regulatory risk. Therefore, if you own a property through a company, agent, rent or a management company, the presumption that you are protected is challenged; the key issue is control. If the property is being let or managed in breach of licensing rules, tenants could bring claims. Therefore, investors must review who is responsible legally for the property, whether the correct licenses are in place and if their management arrangements protect them.
Landlords and investors should now be reviewing their tenancy documents, licensing position, management arrangements and ownership structures. Understanding the Section 8 grounds, updating tenancy documentation and reviewing property management processes is now urgent. For tenants, the Act delivers stronger security of tenure and meaningful protection against retaliatory eviction from day one. Whether you are a landlord needing advice on the new possession regime or a tenant whose rights have not been respected, Find Me A Solicitor can connect you with a specialist property solicitor who can assess your risk and advise on the next steps.
- King’s Speech: What Businesses and HNW Individuals Should Watch
On 13 May 2026, the King’s Speech set out the government’s new legislative programme. These Bills are not law yet, but several could have a direct impact on businesses, investors and high net worth individuals, it may be something to keep an eye on to get ahead of any legislative change.
The Immigration and Asylum Bill is particularly important. It proposes replacing the current First-tier Tribunal system for immigration and asylum appeals with a new independent appeals body. It will also restrict how Article 8 ECHR, the right to family and private life, can be used in immigration cases. For business owners sponsoring overseas workers, individuals on complex visa routes, families with dependent visa issues, or anyone with an ongoing appeal or settlement application, this could mean a stricter and faster system with fewer legal arguments available. Early legal advice may help protect your position before the law changes.
The European Partnership Bill could also affect businesses trading with, supplying into, or operating across Europe. It aims to create closer UK-EU cooperation in areas including trade, energy, regulation, food standards, financial services and clean energy. For some businesses, this may reduce post-Brexit friction. For others, it may create new compliance obligations, especially where current operations are built around UK-specific rules. Businesses should be checking now whether their contracts, supply chains and regulatory processes could be affected in the future and begin taking steps to mitigate potential risks to ensure compliance is easier if the bill is given royal assent.
The Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill is aimed at tackling the late payment of invoices. It is expected to introduce stronger obligations on larger businesses and better remedies for small businesses and sole traders. For business owners, this cuts both ways. If you are regularly chasing unpaid invoices, the Bill may strengthen your position. If your business is responsible for paying suppliers, it may create stricter legal consequences for delays.
The Courts Modernisation Bill will continue the digitisation of the court system. For businesses involved in disputes, debt recovery, commercial claims or litigation, this may affect how claims are filed, managed and heard. If any of these proposed changes affect your business, assets or immigration position, Find Me A Solicitor can help you find the right solicitor before the issue becomes urgent.
- Commercial Law: Litigation Funding and Patent Disputes
May 2026 also produced two important commercial law developments for businesses, investors and claimants involved in high-value disputes.
The King’s Speech did not include a litigation funding Bill, despite the government previously indicating that it would address the Supreme Court’s decision in PACCAR. That decision created uncertainty around litigation funding agreements where funders receive a percentage of any damages recovered. This matters because litigation funding is often what allows claimants to bring expensive claims against large, well-resourced opponents. Without a clear legal fix, some funding agreements may remain uncertain or unenforceable.
For businesses and high net worth individuals considering claims in areas such as professional negligence, breach of contract, financial mis-selling, competition law or group litigation, this uncertainty could affect whether a claim is commercially viable. For defendants, it may reduce the risk of funded collective actions, at least for now.
The second development was the Court of Appeal’s decision in Nokia, which confirmed that disputes over standard-essential patent licensing can be resolved through arbitration rather than open court litigation. This is significant for technology businesses, telecoms companies, manufacturers and investors in companies using technologies such as 5G, WiFi and Bluetooth. Patent licensing disputes can be commercially sensitive, highly technical and extremely valuable. Arbitration may allow these disputes to be resolved more privately and efficiently.
If your business is involved in a commercial dispute, funding arrangement or intellectual property issue, Find Me A Solicitor can connect you with a solicitor who understands the commercial and legal risks involved.
- Employment Law: Businesses Should Prepare Early
May 2026 brought several employment law developments that businesses cannot ignore.
First, the government confirmed plans for a new statutory right allowing trade unions to access workplaces, both physically and digitally, to recruit and organise members. A draft Code of Practice has been published. For employers, this could change how workplace access, staff communications and union engagement are handled. Businesses in sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, retail and professional services should be reviewing HR policies and management training now, rather than waiting until the law is finalised.
Second, the government launched a call for evidence on TUPE, with responses due by 1 July 2026. TUPE protects employees when a business or service transfers to a new employer. It is especially important in mergers, acquisitions, outsourcing, insourcing and service transfers. For businesses planning transactions or restructuring, this creates uncertainty. Buyers, sellers and service providers should consider how possible TUPE reform may affect employee liabilities, consultation duties and deal planning.
Third, on 21 May 2026, the Supreme Court heard Barton Turns Developments Ltd v Treadwell, a major whistleblowing case. The Court is considering whether a dismissed employee can bring a whistleblowing detriment claim alongside an unfair dismissal claim, and whether individual managers can be personally liable. The judgment has not yet been handed down, but the outcome could significantly affect how employers handle whistleblowing complaints, dismissals and internal investigations.
Employment law mistakes can quickly become expensive. If your business is dealing with union issues, TUPE transfers, whistleblowing complaints or dismissal risks, Find Me A Solicitor can connect you with an employment law specialist.
- Immigration Law: Families, Business Owners and HNW Individuals Should Take Advice Early
From 14 May 2026, the government expanded eGate eligibility for more children travelling through UK airports and ports. This is a practical improvement for families who travel frequently, including high-net-worth families and business owners moving regularly in and out of the UK. The expanded access is due to begin on the 8th of July 2026.
The bigger issue, however, is the Immigration and Asylum Bill announced in the King’s Speech. The Bill proposes changes that could make immigration appeals stricter and limit reliance on Article 8 ECHR, which protects family and private life.
This is especially important for individuals on complex immigration routes, dependent visas, family visas, settlement applications or appeals. If the Bill becomes law, some arguments that are currently available may become harder to rely on.
Anyone with an ongoing immigration issue should not wait for the law to change. Find Me A Solicitor can connect you with an immigration solicitor who can assess your position and advise on the safest next step.
Summary
May 2026 has brought serious legal developments across property, immigration, employment and commercial law. Some changes are already in force. Others are not law yet, but they could still affect business planning, property ownership, immigration strategy and dispute risk.
For landlords, business owners, investors and high net worth individuals, the key point is simple: legal changes often create risk before people realise they are exposed.
Find Me A Solicitor can help you connect with the right specialist solicitor, so you can understand your position early and take proper advice before the issue escalates.
Researched and written by Ammaar Pirmohamed
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