Welcome to the Autumn edition of Beyond borders, our quarterly overview of insights from around the legal world and news from our teams across the UK and Ireland.

In this edition, we look at: 

• Cyber Resilience Act: New vulnerability reporting requirements now in force.
• The EU Data Act on manufacturing, industrial and automotive sectors.
• New UK modern slavery proposals as part of the Immigration and Asylum Bill.
• The government's Life Sciences Sector Plan ‘one year on’.
• Our thoughts on commercial thinking in the NHS.
• FCA's landmark crypto rules and what firms must do now.
• The major UK-GCC free trade agreement.

As well as a roundup of the latest news from Browne Jacobson.

InsightsCyber Resilience Act: New vulnerability reporting requirements now in force

Manufacturers are required to report actively exploited vulnerabilities and severe incidents as part of the EU Cyber Resilience Act, impacting the security of products with digital elements.

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EU Data Act: Manufacturing sector impact

The EU Data Act grants users of connected products extensive rights to access and share their operational data, imposing significant obligations on manufacturers, importers and service providers operating in the EU market. Read about the key compliance deadlines continuing to roll out through to the end of 2026.

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New UK modern slavery proposals

The Immigration and Asylum Bill is bringing the most significant overhaul of modern slavery reporting rules since the original legislation was passed over a decade ago. If passed, it will mean new obligations, tougher scrutiny, and financial penalties.

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Life Sciences Sector Plan ‘one year on’

This summer, the UK Government published an update following the first year of its Life Sciences Sector Plan. Find out more about the impact and new opportunities for the sector.

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Commercial thinking in the NHS

NHS bodies across England are increasingly turning to innovative commercial strategies to generate sustainable revenue streams that supplement traditional funding and safeguard the long-term delivery of high-quality patient care.

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FCA's landmark crypto rules and what firms must do now

This summer, the FCA published five landmark policy statements delivering a comprehensive regulatory regime for cryptoassets. Find out what the new rules require.

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Major UK-GCC free trade agreement 

The UK concluded a landmark free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). See how the deal carries real and immediate significance for businesses across the UK.

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Firm news

Mergermarket: Top three firm for deal count

Browne Jacobson has ranked third in the Mergermarket 2026 league tables for M&A deal count, marking a significant jump in the firm’s rankings. The firm completed 53 deals across the UK in the first half of 2026, up from 36 in the same period last year. 

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Sandra Wong named RainMaker of the Year at AIJA Young Lawyers Congress

Sandra was recognised at the Congress in Vienna for her contribution in generating international referrals across the AIJA network over the past year. 

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Firm appoints leading Galway MedTech lawyer

Kevin Moore – one of the most connected lawyers in Ireland's life sciences and MedTech ecosystem – joins the firm as Commercial Partner, a major step in building an ambitious All-Island legal platform for life sciences.  

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New head of immigration strengthens employment practice

Yawar Abbas has joined our London office to lead the immigration practice. His role enables the employment team support businesses in navigating the rapidly evolving immigration landscape.

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Specialist insurance arbitration partner appointed

Antony Woodhouse joins the firm as a partner, reinforcing the firm's international strategy and reinsurance/insurance capability with the addition of one of the market's most experienced Bermuda Form arbitration specialists.

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UK-South Africa financial services sector deal

Our team has advised BGF and the shareholders of Mortgage Support Services Ltd (MSS) on its sale to BetterHome Group, South Africa's largest mortgage distributor, in a cross-border deal in the UK financial services sector. 

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Apiary Capital investment in Carbon Underwriting

The firm's corporate team has advised Apiary Capital, the founders and the management team on US-based FTV Capital’s significant investment in Carbon Underwriting.

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