Ascensus newsletter: November 2024

22 February 2024

Welcome to the Ascensus newsletter.

Two months into 2024 and the UK has entered a recession – with some tough economic data there’ll be likely more pressure to do “more with less”.

One way that some legal teams are seeking to do that is by deploying AI – whether to automate FAQs, triage requests from colleagues, automate recordings of meetings or speed up mundane tasks (or at least some of them). This month I’ve been invited to a panel looking at what other in house legal teams have been doing – at a roundtable event in London. We’ll be looking at use cases, tools involved and looking at what’s genuinely useful and what’s not.

This is very much a practical event with a workshop element and no software vendors present. I’ll be sharing insights after the event but if you would like to attend there are a few remaining places.

Employment law updates

New employment rights set to come into force

We summarise the key changes employers should have on their radars for 2024.

Holiday reforms: What employers need to know

The Government has now published its guidance to its new legislation on holiday entitlement and holiday pay, the Employment Rights (Amendment, Revocation and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2023 (the Regulations) which came into force on 1 January 2024.

Settlement agreements: Court of Session finds future claims may be settled

In November 2022, we reported on the Employment Appeal Tribunal (the EAT) decision in Bathgate v Technip UK Ltd which looked at the claims which could be effectively settled under a settlement agreement.

Construction horizon scanning

This summary looks at some of the construction industry themes that are likely to dominate 2024, both in terms of the underlying causes and the legal issues that arise out of them.

Leading conversations on diversity and inclusion

Our food and drink sector team has partnered with the Food & Drink Federation to host conversations on diversity and inclusion within the industry.

Watch our conversations with individuals who are leading the way on diversity and inclusion in the sector, and who have some great stories to share.

Veganism and manufacturing: Key issues facing the industry in 2024

Consolidation in the plant-based food industry is expected to continue to increase as consumer habits are being driven by the cost-of-living crisis, according to new findings from our report, conducted by Opinium. Companies now more than ever need to have a strategy to expand market share, innovate and diversify product portfolios.

Dealmaker outlines expectations for the food and drink industry

A senior associate at Browne Jacobson has spoken with Insider about the impact of economic headwinds on M&A activity in the UK's food and drink industry. The dealmaker also outlined his hopes and expectations for the new year.

Deal volumes in the food and drink sector have reduced during 2023 following the impact of "rising inflation and interest rates, alongside economic and political uncertainty".

One in five UK adults have confused plant-based products with real animal products, according to new report

New findings from a report conducted by Opinium, on behalf of UK & Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson add support to the position that plant-based products should be described using terminology unconnected with other animal products, with one in five UK adults having confused plant-based products with animal products due to branding or labelling.