Ascensus newsletter: April 2025

30 April 2025

Welcome to the April edition of the Ascensus newsletter.

This edition focuses on how to navigate the tricky employment areas around neurodiversity and neonatal leave and care (with new regulations being recently published about how the entitlements work in practice), how to deal with environmental protection when renewing leases and bolder decisions from the CMA around consumer protection online.

If artificial intelligence (AI) governance is a consideration within your organisation then hopefully you have been able to join our series of 'Ascensus AI Legal Bytes' webinars over the last few months which have covered everything from the practicalities of running a governance programme to data, IT security, IP and contract issues (if not, please do let me know). AI governance training forms part of our wider AI governance services that you’ll also find more information on in this issue.

Spotlight

AI regulation and governance

We provide AI regulation and governance advice to businesses and public sector organisations covering compliance, ethical considerations, data protection and risk management. To find out more about how we can support your organisation with navigating AI, follow the link below.

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Employment

Making your organisation neuroinclusive

Acas has released fresh guidance for employers on neurodiversity, aiming to foster inclusive workplaces and enhance awareness to make discussions about neurodiversity normalised. The advice provides definitions of relevant terminology and to give practical advice to employers on steps that can be taken to make the workplace neuroinclusive.

Court of Appeal confirms wide scope of protection under blacklisting regulations

The Court of Appeal has made clear in its recent judgment in the case of Morais and others v Ryanair DAC [2025] EWCA Civ 19 that protection from ‘blacklisting’ applies to employees participating in action organised by a trade union, with there being no need for the action to fall under the narrow definition of ‘lawful industrial action’.

New rights to Neonatal Care Leave and Pay Act: What do employers need to know

The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 ('the Act') provides new rights for parents of a child receiving neonatal care to take time off and subject to certain conditions, pay.

Although the Act was passed in May 2023, the Regulations containing the details of how the entitlements will work in practice have only just been published.

Navigating the road ahead: Fate of the UK’s automotive EV market in 2025 and beyond

The automotive industry in the UK is at a pivotal crossroads as we leave 2024 behind and look ahead to 2025, with significant events and legislative changes on the horizon, industry stakeholders are bracing for challenges that could reshape the landscape of automotive manufacturing and sales.

In this article, we delve into the key events of 2024, the public’s perception of electric vehicles (EV) and the anticipated challenges and legislative impacts for 2025.

Real estate energy efficiency: Guide to lease and regulatory changes

Whilst the Government dithers about whether to put economic growth ahead of anti-growth policies, such as its net zero targets, landlords are still continuing to improve the energy efficiency of their portfolios.

We have seen some retailers walk away from deals because of the demands of landlord energy efficiency requirements and this is an area often overlooked at heads of terms stage when it should be a key consideration.

Retail Law Roundup: March 2025

This month we’re launching our series of articles on hot topics in consumer law, with a look at harmful online choice architecture and dark patterns.

Our other articles this month look at the rules for online retailers selling knives, a warning from the ICO that advertising cookies must be compliant with data protection rules, and the latest Employment Tribunal case regarding pay disparities between retail employees and distribution centre employees.

CMA investigation spurs Google to crack down on fake reviews

In a world where 89% of consumers rely on online reviews to make purchasing decisions, the integrity of these reviews has never been more crucial.

Put under the spotlight by a Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation, the end of January delivered a step forward in delivering greater protection for consumers with Google – one of the most used review platforms in the world – agreeing to implement significant measures to tackle fake reviews and increase consumer trust and fairness.