Ascensus newsletter: July 2025

Welcome to the summer edition of the Ascensus newsletter.

We’re delighted to invite you to join our next Ascensus in person event in October where we’ll discuss with in-house lawyers their use of AI, changes to the law that will affect us across sectors and an informal catch-up over drinks.

You’ll also find enclosed a survey to complete about your own use of AI. Alongside two other partners (Winmark and Marsden recruitment) we’re investigating the use of AI by in-house legal teams and how we can best help with adapting to the new technology.

We’re planning to share our own experiences and to invite others to do the same – including some organisations who have heavily invested in AI and gone through some major changes as a result. There is an optional prize draw to enter for everyone who takes the time to fill it in.

Additionally, you'll find below updates on issues such as inward investment, ESG, changes to the Employment Rights Bill and changes to Planning Law.

There’s plenty to read during your next commute. Please do get in touch to share your thoughts, and I'll look forward to seeing you soon!

Next Ascensus event

Ascensus: for in-house lawyers

15 October, Eighteen, 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham

We are excited for you to join us at the next Ascensus event in Birmingham, with topics to include the use of AI amongst in-house lawyers and cross-sector legal changes affecting the industry.

Register now

Cross-sector updates

AI adoption amongst in-house legal teams

This survey gathers insights on the adoption and impact of AI within in-house legal functions. Your input will help shape best practices and future discussions in the legal sector. 

Start now

Inward Investment in the UK and Ireland in 2025

We spoke to more than 380 C-suite executives from companies with turnovers of £100 million or more across key sectors including technology, energy and infrastructure, food and drink, real estate and construction, and retail and supply chain, to explore how current market trends are shaping appetite for M&A and inward investment in the UK and Ireland.

This is the first report in our Investing in the UK and Ireland series and sets the stage for a series of insights into cross-border investment opportunities. Despite ongoing challenges, our two-part report highlights where the strongest opportunities are emerging. 

It examines how shifts in trade policy such as the UK and US agreement and developments in ESG are influencing investment decisions and driving a shift in business sentiment. In-depth sector analysis and expert insights to help shape your M&A strategy for 2025. 

View the report

Using AI for recruitment: The data issues

Like toddlers’ fingers and electric sockets, the advice when it comes to personal data and AI, is usually to keep the two as far apart as possible — keep the personal data away from the AI. But what about HR and recruitment, where there can be no easy separation of personal data, because all of the data being managed concerns people?

Read more

ESG and sustainability report: National research insights

Sustainability and ESG remain high on the agenda for businesses and organisations. However, navigating the complex demands of regulation, stakeholder expectations, and internal priorities continues to challenge. This report offers practical insight into how ESG communication is evolving across industries, highlighting common challenges as well as emerging approaches that are helping organisations meet rising expectations.

Read more

Employment

Significant amendments to the Employment Rights Bill

After we provided an update on the status of the Employment Rights Bill, the government has since published a list of significant amendments to the Bill, including provisions on our watchlist. Find out how the changes to bereavement leave, zero hour contacts, NDAs and more might affect workplaces.

Read more

Employer redundancy guide: Alternative employment

A reminder of the lengths an employer must go to in order to carry out a fair redundancy dismissal was provided by the Employment Appeal Tribunal recently in the case of Hendy Group Ltd v Mr D Kennedy. A guide for employers on how to demonstrate reasonable efforts to identify alternative employment for redundancies.

Read more

Pride Month: A time to review DEI in the workplace

June was Pride Month, a time many businesses and organisations choose to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and reflect on the progress made towards equality, as well as the ongoing challenges. See how employers can demonstrate their commitment to equality and inclusion, making the workplace a better environment for all employees including the LGBTQ+ community. 

Read more

Manufacturing

Food for Thought: Food and drink regulatory Summer 2025

A quarterly regulatory update from our specialist food and drink team. As the food and drink industry continues to face legislative and regulatory change, our experts share their insights to help you stay ahead. This latest edition includes proposed changes to the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) and guidance on the 'Brexit reset' deal.

Read more

Real estate and construction

Is new AI tool the secret ingredient for ending planning delays?

As part of a series of AI-announcements last month, the Prime Minister proclaimed that the “AI breakthrough” to “slash planning delays” will help build 1.5 million homes. The new AI tool, which the government plans to roll out across local authorities, is called 'Extract' and is developed using Google DeepMind's Gemini model. 

Read more

Government urge housebuilders to ‘Get on and Build’

The Government issued a planned set of measures aimed at house builders to build houses more quickly and unlock ‘stalled consented sites’ which housebuilders are believed to sit on to control the market. Real estate lawyer Anna Clifford discusses the impact of new government housebuilding proposals on developers and the market.

Read more

All change: Implications of planning reform on regeneration

There is a considerable amount of legislative and policy change taking place in town and country planning currently. Here are some of the key changes to the UK government's planning reform which are likely to impact regeneration projects, from the grey belt to CPOs. 

Read more

A new planning bill for Wales: What will this mean?

Planning law is often not easy to navigate, even with up to date guidance. This is made more difficult with legislation which is often decades old, and is being amended differently in both Wales and England. Local Authorities will need to prepare for these changes and update much of their material and documentation to reflect this.

Read more