The Linklaters Podcast

Episode 1: Understanding surplus: legal parameters and trustee duties Speakers: Phil Goss and Alasdair Smith  -  Linklaters Daniel Barlow and Sally Minchella - Law Debenture In this podcast, Linklaters' Partners Phil Goss and Alasdair Smith are joined by Law Debenture's Trustee Directors Daniel Barlow and Sally Minchella to discuss the legal parameters around pension scheme surplus and how these shape trustee duties. 

Episode 2: Surplus in practice: negotiations, benefits and case studies Speakers: Phil Goss and Alasdair Smith  -  Linklaters Daniel Barlow and Sally Minchella - Law Debenture In this podcast, Linklaters' Partners Phil Goss and Alasdair Smith are joined by Law Debenture's Trustee Directors Daniel Barlow and Sally Minchella to discuss how surplus plays out in practice through trustee–sponsor negotiations, benefit improvement discussions and case studies. 

Antitrust & Foreign Investment Legal Outlook 2026 As we enter 2026, regulators are juggling competing demands: boosting economic growth while protecting national security and innovation. The result? A tale of two speeds for dealmakers—fast-track approvals for straightforward transactions, but intensified scrutiny for anything touching AI, defence, or critical technologies. Meanwhile, antitrust enforcement is ramping up globally, with record fines and AI-powered investigations changing how authorities catch violations. But enforcement is proving to be strategic, as authorities zero in on sectors which send the strongest political message.  Our Legal Outlook 2026 report distils key themes and changes you can expect, with key tips from our global experts for the year ahead.

Episode 3: Introducing the Employment Rights Act 2025 Speakers: Nick Marshall, Avani Agarwal, Hayley Tennant A major shift in the enforcement of employment rights is on its way with the creation of the new Fair Work Agency.  In our podcast, we unpick the key aspects of the new body, including: Employment rights and protections within its remit. Not only will the Fair Work Agency assume powers from HMRC, the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, but it will also take on additional responsibilities. Its investigatory and enforcement powers. These are broad and include the right to enter business premises and obtain documents, and significantly, to bring employment tribunal proceedings on behalf of workers who have chosen not to. Preparatory steps employers can take ahead of its launch in April 2026.

Episode 2: Introducing the Employment Rights Act 2025 Speakers: Kloe Halls, Anjali Raval, Alice Dunn Workplace harassment laws are set for the biggest overhaul in over a decade under the new Employment Rights Act 2025 (“ERA 2025”).  In our podcast, we discuss how employers can prepare for the four headline changes:  Strengthening the duty to prevent sexual harassment. The duty to take 'reasonable steps' to prevent sexual harassment of staff will be ramped up to ‘all reasonable steps’ from October 2026.   Employer liability for third-party harassment. Employers will be liable if they fail to take all reasonable steps to prevent third parties from harassing staff from October 2026.   Whistleblowing protection for disclosures about sexual harassment. The ERA 2025 adds sexual harassment as a new category of wrongdoing about which workers can blow the whistle, effective from April 2026.  Banning confidentiality clauses for harassment and discrimination. This will be subject to a concept of an ‘excepted agreement’ where the ban won’t apply.