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Get ready for legislative changes this Spring. ⚖️

Here is your bi-annual risk report prepared by Docue’s lawyers for March 2026. 

 🔎 Executive summary – key actions this Spring:

This update highlights significant legislative milestones that have recently come into effect or are approaching this Spring. These changes may require updates to your existing documents or internal processes. As always, if you have any questions, simply reply to this email and our team will be happy to help.

Employment and HR

⚖️ Legal update: Employment Rights Act 2025 – Phase 1 implementation begins

Applies to: Employers

Since our last report, the Employment Rights Act has now received Royal Assent and is being implemented in stages throughout 2026 and 2027.

Key changes taking effect from 6 April 2026:

  • Day-one leave rights: Paternity leave and unpaid parental leave become "day-one" rights for all employees (removing previous service requirements).
  • Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) reform: The three-day waiting period is abolished, and SSP is now payable from the first day of illness. Additionally, the Lower Earnings Limit has been removed, extending eligibility to more workers.
  • Bereavement leave: A new statutory right to bereavement leave is introduced, now explicitly including pregnancy loss.

🔴 Action required:

  • Update documentation: Update your Employment Contracts and Staff Handbooks to reflect the new day-one leave rights and SSP changes - our templates have been updated to reflect these changes. 
  • Payroll audit: Review your payroll systems to ensure SSP is calculated from day one.

🟠 Looking ahead: Further phases of the Act are expected in 2026–2027, including reforms to dismissal and worker protections. Find out more about employment law changes coming in 2026 here.

Data and Privacy 

⚖️ Legal change: Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 reforms UK GDPR framework

Applies to: All organisations processing personal data in the UK

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA) has now amended aspects of the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. The reforms are intended to reduce administrative burdens for businesses while maintaining core data protection standards.

Key points to note:

  • Processing flexibility: More flexibility around lawful bases, including "recognised legitimate interests" for specific scenarios.

  • Streamlined record-keeping: Reduced requirements for lower-risk data processing.

  • Automated decision-making: Updated rules to provide more clarity on AI and automated processes.

  • ICO Powers: Revised complaint handling procedures and enhanced enforcement powers for the ICO.

🔴 Action required:

  • Privacy notice refresh:  Update your Privacy Notices to reflect "recognised legitimate interests" where applicable. Our privacy notice templates have been updated. 
  • Complaints procedure: Review and formalise internal data complaint-handling procedures to ensure compliance with revised response time expectations and ICO processes. You can find our Data Subjects Requests Policy here. 

Customer relations and partnerships

⚖️ Update: Subscription "Trap" Rules Delayed (Autumn 2026)

Applies to: Businesses selling to consumers (B2C), especially subscription models.

While the CMA continues its direct enforcement of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) (targeting fake reviews and drip pricing), the government has confirmed a delay for the specific "Subscription Trap" rules in consumer-facing contracts. These are now slated for Autumn 2026, subject to secondary legislation and CMA implementation guidance.

🔴 Action required:

  • Use this window to audit your subscription funnels. Ensure you are moving toward "one-click" cancellation and automated renewal reminders.

Read more about the DMCCA here.

Real Estate 

⚖️ Legal update: Renters’ Rights Act reforms residential tenancy law (1 May 2026)

Applies to: Landlords in England letting residential property.

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA) received Royal Assent in October. The government has confirmed a "big bang" implementation date of 1 May 2026, where almost all tenancies, both new and existing, will move to the new system simultaneously. The implementation of the RRA will be phased, but the key changes starting from 1 May include:

  • End to Section 21 evictions: Landlords must now rely on specific "fair possession" grounds.

  • Periodic tenancies: All private rented sector tenancies will move to Assured Periodic Tenancies with a two-month notice period for tenants.

  • Rent control: Increases are limited to once per year with a mandatory two-month notice period.

  • Bidding ban: A total ban on rental bidding and a limit on "rent in advance" to one month.

  • Discrimination ban: It is now illegal to discriminate against tenants with children or those receiving benefits.

  • Pet rights: Landlords must consider pet requests and provide written reasons for any refusal within 28 days.

🔴 Action required:

  • Update agreements: Ensure your tenancy agreement reflects these changes - our template has been fully updated.

  • Audit existing tenancies: Assess which tenancies will be affected upon commencement and prepare transition plans where required.

  • Provide required information: Provide the official 'RRA Information Sheet' (or a full Written Statement of Terms for oral tenancies) by 31 May 2026.
  • Section 21 deadlines: Landlords considering reliance on Section 21 should seek advice urgently before commencement, as the right will be abolished once the new regime is in force.

Company and administrative

✅  No significant changes this period. We continue to monitor developments in Companies House reform and corporate transparency obligations.