Inside Employment, IR & Safety – 2025 in Review

As 2025 draws to a close, join presenters Steve Bell, Rohan Doyle and Natalie Gaspar for a special combined episode of Inside Employment, IR and Safety, reflecting on the year that was. In this final episode for 2025, we unpack the key developments in Employment, IR and Safety that shaped workplaces this year, and share lessons learned and tips for employers.

In this FESTIVE SPECIAL edition of our banking litigation podcast, we consider some recent cases that will be most relevant to in-house lawyers at banks and financial institutions. This episode is hosted by John Corrie, a partner in our banking litigation team, who is joined by Ceri Morgan and special guests Sarah Penfold, Charlotte Benton, Alexander Gridasov, Tom Wyer, Nic Patmore, Scott Warin and Tim Kyriakou. You can find links to our blog posts on the case covered in this podcast below: • High Court finds default interest clause in loan agreement is not an unenforceable penalty https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/bankinglitigation/2025-11/high-court-finds-default-interest-clause-in-loan-agreement-is-not-an-unenforceable-penalty • County Court rejects discrimination claim on procedural grounds but finds refusal of financial services because a company is Russian owned would amount to direct discrimination https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/bankinglitigation/2025-11/county-court-rejects-discrimination-claim-on-procedural-grounds • Privy Council holds that there is no legal requirement in the tort of deceit to show that a claimant was consciously aware of the representation made https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/bankinglitigation/2025-11/privy-council-holds-that-there-is-no-legal-requirement-in-the-tort-of-deceit-to-show-that-a-claimant-was-consciously-aware-of-the-representation-made • High Court dismisses judicial review challenge of FCA's Naming Announcement https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/bankinglitigation/2025-11/high-court-dismisses-judical-review-challenge-of-fcas-naming-announcement • High Court confirms that non-authorised fee earners cannot conduct litigation https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/litigation/2025-10/what-can-a-non-admitted-fee-earner-do-when-working-on-litigated-matters • Commercial Court pilot will mean many more court documents publicly available by default from 1 January 2026 https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/bankinglitigation/2025-09/commercial-court-pilot-will-mean-many-more-court-documents-publicly-available-by-default-from-1-january-2026 • 2025 Global Bank Review - Innovating amid turbulence https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/bankinglitigation/2025-11/2025-global-bank-review-innovating-amid-turbulence Don't forget to subscribe to the banking litigation blog https://hsfnotes.com/bankinglitigation/subscribe/

In this episode, Steve Bell, Aaron Anderson and Olga Klimczak explore the evolving responsibilities of directors in managing workplace safety. The discussion covers critical hazards and controls, the impact of Queensland legislation, and the three pillars of managing critical risks effectively – diligence, governance, and reporting and transparency. Our hosts unpack how directors can maintain visibility over governance structures while meeting growing expectations for accountability. We also examine the role of regulators in workplace investigations and the challenges posed by the sheer volume and pace of regulatory change. Tune in to gain practical insights on strengthening governance frameworks and staying ahead in a rapidly shifting compliance landscape.

In the third episode of our 'Future of wealth management' podcast series, Barney Hinnigan, Marina Reason and Chris Hurn consider the FCA's findings from its multi-firm review of consolidation in the financial advice and wealth management sector. We also discuss the review findings in a related blogpost – see Wealth consolidation - FCA review findings https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/fsrandcorpcrime/2025-posts/wealth-consolidation-fca-review-findings Speakers: Barney Hinnigan, Partner, Corporate, Marina Reason, Partner, Financial Services Regulatory, Chris Hurn, Of Counsel, Financial Services Regulatory

In the second episode of our 'Future of wealth management' podcast series, Marina Reason and Aurell Taussig consider the impact of the Budget on the wealth management sector. Speakers: Marina Reason, Partner, Financial Services Regulation and Aurell Taussig, Partner, Tax

This is the 34th episode of our series of commercial litigation update podcasts. In this episode we discuss the upcoming pilot on public access to court documents, the new disclosure survey, and some important decisions on service of proceedings, termination of contracts, contractual interpretation and conditions precedent. This episode is hosted by Maura McIntosh, a knowledge counsel in our commercial litigation team, who is joined by James Farrell, a disputes partner, and Chris Cox, a senior associate in our disputes team. Below you can find links to our blog posts on the developments and cases covered in this podcast. • UK Commercial Court pilot will mean many more court documents publicly available by default from 1 January 2026 https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/litigation/2025-10/commercial-court-pilot-will-mean-many-more-court-documents-publicly-available-by-default-from-1-january-2026 • Disclosure Review Working Group seeks views on disclosure under PD 57AD https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/litigation/2025-11/disclosure-review-working-group-seeks-views-on-disclosure-under-pd-57ad • Court of Appeal confirms defendant not required to take any steps in proceedings unless claim form validly served in time https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/litigation/2025-10/court-of-appeal-confirms-defendant-not-required-to-take-any-steps-in-proceedings-unless-claim-form-validly-served-in-time • Court of Appeal confirms party cannot waive contractual right to terminate unless it is actually aware of the right https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/litigation/2025-11/court-of-appeal-confirms-party-cannot-waive-contractual-right-to-terminate-unless-it-is-actually-aware-of-the-right • Court of Appeal finds loss of bargain damages were available on termination for non-repudiatory breach of contract under express contractual provision https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/litigation/2025-11/court-of-appeal-finds-loss-of-bargain-damages-were-available-on-termination-for-non-repudiatory-breach-of-contract-under-express-contractual-provision • Court of Appeal overturns High Court’s interpretation of deferred consideration clause https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/litigation/2025-11/court-of-appeal-overturns-high-courts-interpretation-of-deferred-consideration-clause • Supreme Court finds there is no principle in English law that a condition precedent to payment of a debt will be deemed fulfilled if fulfilment was prevented by a party's own breach https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/litigation/2025-11/supreme-court-finds-there-is-no-principle-in-english-law-that-a-condition-precedent-to-payment-of-a-debt-will-be-deemed-fulfilled-if-fulfilment-was-prevented-by-a-partys-own-breach See podcast episode transcript here: https://marketing.hsfkramer.com/20/33497/landing-pages/commercial-litigation-podcast-ep34-transcript(2).pdf

In this episode, we cross examine Dr Bruce Tonkin, Chief Executive Officer at auDA. Dr Tonkin is one of Australia’s true internet pioneers and has been at the forefront of the cyber security discourse in Australia for a number of decades.   He is now the CEO at .au Domain Administration, the organisation endorsed by the Australian Government to manage the .au domain.   We had a great conversation, talking about Bruce’s career journey (and the evolution of the internet here in Australia), the role of auDA and the importance of protection of the .au domain. You may be surprised how much we depend on auDA as part of our interconnected business community. We also talk to the effective role of a lawyer in a cyber incident.   Bruce also shared some really interesting insights into the global domain space, including the unexpected economic benefits of having a country code like “tv” or “ai”. Fascinating!   It was a privilege to speak with Bruce. Thanks again for listening. This is Cross Examining Dr Bruce Tonkin. Here we go…

This podcast explores how ESG and energy challenges are being addressed in data centre design and development, with a focus on innovation during the AI boom. Speakers: Tim Healey - Partner, HSF Kramer, JP Attlee – Senior Associate, HSF Kramer, Ben Worth, Senior Legal Counsel, Global Switch, Steven Parker – Solutions Engineering Director, Global Switch

The real estate landscape is shifting fast, bringing challenges that developers, investors and occupiers cannot afford to ignore. This podcast features a discussion between the real estate dispute resolution team at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, who have pooled their decades of experience into a forward-looking guide – Forearmed 2026 - focusing on 10 key areas where real estate disputes are most likely in 2026 and beyond. In this podcast, the team discuss their key predictions from the guide, which can be read in full here: https://marketing.hsfkramer.com/20/33497/landing-pages/forearmed-2026.pdf Speakers: Matthew Weal, Frances Edwards, Graeme Robertson, Shanna Davison, Hugh Le Gear and Leon Culot - Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer

In this episode of the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Tax Bites podcast, Isaac Morgan, Mark Peters and Toby Eggleston discuss the recent Australian High Court decision in G Global against the Commissioner of State Revenue. The conversation delves into the background, statutory setup, and arguments presented in the case, exploring the implications for foreign investors and potential future legal challenges. The episode also examines retrospective tax amendments and their broader impacts on taxation law. 00:10 Introduction 01:06 Background Facts and Statutory Setup 04:19 High Court's Consideration of the Arguments 08:56 Implications of the Decision 19:48 Options for Foreign Investors 22:07 Closing Thoughts and Conclusion Link to HSF Kramer tax note: https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/taxaustralia/2025-posts/decision-alert-high-court-confirms-validity-of-foreign-surcharges