Archive for February 2026

Are privacy notices keeping up with data usage and analytics

Why marketers need to rethink how they communicate personal data use  In 2026, modern marketing principles will continue to run on insight and trends from consumers usage (of products and services) and interaction (on social media and e commerce platform).   From understanding customer journeys to personalising experiences, to utilising customer feedback (often in real time), data analytics fuel the connection between brands and consumers.  As these trends become less like “big […]

Darryl Cooke at LegalEx: 9 Golden Rules for Real Change 

gunnercooke Founder, Darryl Cooke, recently took to the stage at the LegalEx conference in Manchester, to deliver a powerful keynote on innovation in the legal sector.  Darryl opened by challenging a familiar paradox: almost everyone agrees innovation matters, yet few believe law firms are genuinely good at it. One reason is that innovation is too often misunderstood as a technology project, rather than a mindset rooted in […]

The Architectural Evolution of Institutional Market Structure and Decentralised Finance 

Authors: Operating Partner Pavan Kaur, Corporate and Fintech Partner Kathryn Dodds, and Operating Partner Bartłomiej Kącicki  Executive summary  Institutional market structure is selectively integrating decentralised infrastructure components. For family offices, private banks, and institutional asset managers, the primary consideration is whether emerging market architecture satisfies standards of capital preservation, governance integrity, and regulatory alignment. Recent developments in sovereign tokenisation pilots, permissioned blockchain frameworks, and post-quantum […]

Embryos and separation: what happens when a relationship ends

What happens to stored embryos if a relationship ends?  For couples who are going through, or have had previously, fertility treatment, the breakdown of a relationship can create complex legal issues. Decisions about embryos are deeply personal and emotional at the best of times, but separation can make matters significantly more complicated.  This article outlines the legal framework […]

gunnercooke Advises Formidium on Planned Acquisitions of Fund Management Companies in Liechtenstein and Luxembourg

U.S. based global fund administrator Formidium is taking its first steps into the European market, planning to acquire two fund management companies in Liechtenstein and Luxembourg. Global law firm gunnercooke is advising Formidium on these planned acquisitions. Formidium serves a wide range of funds, including venture capital (VC), private equity (PE), hedge funds, digital assets, […]

The essentials of Adoption Law

When might an individual want to consider adoption? Adoption can be a useful legal process to make an individual the legal parent of a child who is part of their family, in circumstances where that individual is not recognised as the legal parent, for example: The legal process to obtain an adoption order is detailed […]

Point deductions: are they unfair on football fans?

On Sunday, Sheffield Wednesday F.C.’s (Wednesday) relegation was sadly confirmed, the earliest relegation in English Football League history, a record no supporter would ever want their club to hold. Wednesday, currently in administration, have suffered points deductions totaling 18 points: Many supporters understandably argue that points deductions punish fans for decisions they did not make. The emotional impact […]

gunnercooke secures victory for the Defendant in Ahmed v Miah as High Court dismisses appeal in full 

gunnercooke Dispute Resolution Partner, Khaled Moyeed, has secured a significant victory for the Defendant in Ahmed v Miah [2026], successfully defending an appeal brought by the Claimant against the re-trial decision handed down in February 2025 by His Honour Judge Holmes.   The High Court dismissed the appeal on all three grounds and ordered the Claimant to pay the Defendant’s […]

Building a specialist agricultural practice in Scotland: Ryan Bowie a year in at gunnercooke

Real Estate Partner Ryan Bowie joined gunnercooke a year ago as part of the firm’s Scotland team. Ryan specialises in agricultural law and has developed a distinctive niche advising on high-profile and often historic castle purchases across the country. Here Ryan reflects on his first year. From complex land disputes to prestigious property acquisitions, he […]

gunnercooke’s Collaboration with Zodia Custody on Interchange

Top 70 law-firm gunnercooke has unveiled its support for Zodia Custody’s Interchange, an off-venue settlement network which connects institutions to trading, lending, borrowing and structured product opportunities, all while keeping digital assets protected, visible, and secure. Zodia Custody is an institution-first digital assets platform with shareholders and investors including Standard Chartered, Northern Trust, SBI Holdings, […]

What is Misconduct in Public Office, and why does it matter?

On 19th February 2026, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was arrested by Thames Valley Police at his home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. This is a seminal moment in history – the first time in nearly four hundred years that a senior British royal has been arrested. The offence is one that many may never have heard of, yet […]

House of Books & Friends finalist for Independent Bookshop of the Year 

Community Interest Company House of Books & Friends has been shortlisted for the Independent Bookshop of the Year Award, recognised as a regional finalist in the North of England category.  The list, collated by The Bookseller, celebrates outstanding independent bookshops across the UK and Ireland, highlighting spaces that champion books, community, and cultural connection.   Located on King Street in Manchester […]

Resilience is not just a question of technology, but also of the law 

In many organisations, resilience has become an integral part of strategic discussions. Particularly companies providing and maintaining critical infrastructure focus often on technical and organisational measures: robust infrastructures, clear processes and effective emergency plans.  This is sensible and necessary. At the same time, practice shows that resilience cannot be understood solely as a technical concept. Legal frameworks also have […]

Rogue behaviour: the Shariah Councils causing disruption in Muslim family life

Background I have written on many occasions about the continuing need for Shariah Councils in the UK. They perform a unique service, in that they are established with the intention of serving the needs of the Muslim community in resolving family disputes. They employ methods of arbitration and dispute resolution to try and achieve this, […]

gunnercooke acts for Paragon Group Ltd in landmark construction adjudication 

gunnercooke advised Paragon Group Limited in proceedings against FK Facades Limited, the contractor and defendant, led by Construction Litigation Partner David Curd.  The dispute came from a construction contract whose rights had been assigned to Paragon Group Ltd in September 2024. Following a payment dispute, gunnercooke referred the matter to adjudication under the Scheme for Construction Contracts, pursuant to the Housing […]

How volunteering builds stronger people and better businesses, with Emma Gervasio, RVS 

In the latest episode of The Inspiring Leadership Podcast, Emma Gervasio, Chief Operating Officer at the Royal Voluntary Service, joins gunnercooke Founder Darryl Cooke to explore the impact volunteering can have on individuals, organisations, and society.  At a moment when anxiety is rising, work and life feel increasingly intertwined, and leaders are searching for more meaningful ways to engage their people, Emma offers her case for […]

An end to troublesome residential ground rents

What homeowners and buyers need to know  For years, some homeowners have found themselves stuck with a lease that makes their property hard, or even impossible, to sell. The issue usually comes down to one thing: ground rent that rises too fast.  The government has now announced plans to tackle this problem. Here is what it […]

Donor conception: what is it and the legal issues you need to know

What is donor conception? Donor conception is a path to parenthood whereby a person, the donor, donates their sperm, egg or an embryo, to the recipient parent(s), who receives the donation and follows the steps to conception using treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Why might you consider donor conception? There are numerous reasons […]

Romal Capital (C02) Limited v Peel Ports Limited: reasonable endeavours obligation in conditional contract

In contracts conditional on the grant of planning permission, it is not unusual for such contracts to contain procedural requirements to be complied with on the part of the party submitting the planning application (such as obtaining prior approval to a planning application, obtain consent to initial designs and carry out due diligence on development […]

Planning beyond the pitch: a Q&A on estate planning in sports 

For professional athletes, the journey to sporting success requires dedication, sacrifice, and years of hard work. Yet whilst most sports professionals focus intensely on their performance and career progression, many overlook a crucial aspect of financial security: comprehensive estate planning.  Athletes face unique challenges that make estate planning particularly important. Careers are often short, sometimes lasting only […]

Landmark Win: Online-Casino Rollbit.com Defeats German Gambling Loss Claim

gunnercooke’s dispute resolution and crypto partner Felix Thiede has secured a final and binding victory for Rollbit.com, an international online casino and sports betting platform, against a high five-figure German player claim for gambling and betting losses before the Regional Court of Berlin II. Rollbit.com is based on Curaçao providing exclusively English language content. Consequently, […]