Welcome to the Spring 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:

• The UK-EU SPS Agreement: Food and drink sector impact.
• EU AI Act application for high-risk AI medical devices delayed.
• EMA and FDA guiding principles for AI in drug development.
• Supply chain liability: Overseas forced labour and exploitation claims.
• How Deity Shoes found protection without breaking new ground.
• Plus our upcoming event on cross-border litigation and enforcement for LIDW 2026.

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

Insights

The UK-EU SPS Agreement: Food and drink sector impact

UK businesses will need to meet EU rules within the scope of the agreement, whether trading with the EU or serving only the UK market. The scope goes beyond trade and movement of plants and animals to encompass food and feed safety. 

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EU AI Act application for high-risk AI medical devices delayed

The EU has pushed back full compliance for high-risk AI medical devices to 2028 - but this is no time to sit back. Partner Gerard Hanratty comments.

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EMA and FDA guiding principles for AI in drug development

The two medicines regulators have jointly published 10 principles that are already reshaping contracts, liability, and compliance for life sciences companies on both sides of the Atlantic. 

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Supply chain liability: Overseas forced labour and exploitation claims

The Dyson forced labour litigation reveals how your supply chain could expose you to criminal liability. Read why global supply chain risk is now a boardroom and criminal compliance issue.

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How Deity Shoes found protection without breaking new ground

A landmark EU judgment confirms that creative originality is not the benchmark for design protection. Find out what the Deity Shoes ruling means for footwear brands and anyone who builds products from supplier components.

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Recent developments and strategies on injunctive relief in cross-border litigation and enforcement

4 June, 9am-10:30am, Browne Jacobson London office

From freezing orders to anti-suit injunctions and the landmark UniCredit v RusChemAlliance decision, join our team at LIDW 2026 for a practical, multi-jurisdictional discussion.

Register now

Firm news

We've joined forces with Davidson McDonnell to enter Northern Ireland

The integration of one of Northern Ireland's most highly regarded commercial law firms marks a significant milestone in our growth strategy, following on from the successful launch in Dublin in 2022. 

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Clearwater UK acquired by US institutional bank KeyCorp

We acted for Clearwater UK on its acquisition by KeyCorp, a leading regional US bank, marking KeyCorp's entry into the Western European market.

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French PE-backed Eureka Education acquires UK apprenticeship provider

One of the largest private professional education providers in France and Switzerland has made its second international acquisition in three months in a deal supported by Browne Jacobson.

Sale of Clearway Drainage Systems to pan-European infrastructure group

We acted for the shareholders of Clearway Drainage Systems on their sale to Kanalservice Gruppe. Read more about the deal and what it reflects about the current market for essential services businesses.

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We advise Rcapital on the sale of portfolio company to Swedish-listed NOTE AB

NOTE UK Holding Limited is a leading Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) partner. The deal marks the successful conclusion of a complex carve-out and operational turnaround.

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We support Phenna Group on seventh acquisition of 2026 

Phenna Group's latest acquisition brings Irish MEP consultancy ENX into the fold, extending its reach in the residential built environment market.

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