M&A in fashion & beauty — how the EU’s crackdown on burning stock is reshaping deals

We explore the ESPR’s implications for M&A and outline what businesses should be doing in response.
Talk to us: 0333 004 4488 | hello@brabners.com | Message our team
3 min read
Company News, Commercial & Contracts, Corporate, Family Law, Reputation Management & Defamation, Sport

We're thrilled to have been commended in three separate categories in The Times Best Law Firms 2026 — 'company and commercial', 'entertainment and sport' and 'family'. This marks the second consecutive year of recognition for our family team, with our entertainment and sport practice making a return to the rankings after being commended in 2024.
The Times highlights that our "corporate team is set to surpass the £800m worth of deals on which it advised in 2024" alongside the continued growth of our "sizeable" commercial team, which assists "notable clients" on "a wide range of complex and high-value contractual matters".
Ranked in the top tier of The Legal 500 for corporate and commercial matters, we've also earned recognition as one of the UK's most active deal makers by Experian and won the Corporate Law Firm of the Year award at the Insider North West Dealmakers Awards 2025.
This year, our corporate team has also been shortlisted for many other awards, including Legal Advisors of the Year (Private) at the Health Investor Awards, Team of the Year and Liverpool City Region Team at the North West Rainmaker Awards and Corporate Team of the Year at the Yorkshire Legal Awards.
In its write-up of our sport sector team, The Times referred to our "significant new mandates with the inaugural World Boxing Championships" as well as Wrexham AFC, "which is backed by the Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney".
We were also delighted to pick up the award for Best Business or Professional Services Organisation Serving Football at the Northwest Football Awards 2025, which "recognise those making exceptional contributions within the game". We're similarly ranked in the top tier of The Legal 500 for sports law, which states that we "maintain a strong reputation" and "offer a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary service".
Our sport team supports elite clubs, national governing bodies, sportspeople and technology businesses with their every legal need. We also have some of the country's best media and reputation management experts who specialise in crisis management, defamation and harassment to provide fast, clear legal advice when it's needed most.
Our family solicitors received praise for advising "across financial, children, international and fertility work... spanning financial enforcement, abduction, surrogacy and international children matters". A pioneer at the forefront of many fast-developing areas of law including modern families and non-court dispute resolution, our team is among the largest in the North and holds a top-tier ranking in highly regarded legal directories.
Our family team is part of Brabners Personal — our comprehensive solution for those clients who want the very best legal expertise in their corner for every life eventuality.
This welcome news comes hot on the heels of winning Regional Law Firm of the Year at the Legal Business Awards 2025 and it's always an honour to be widely recognised for making the difference in our clients' lives — both personal and professional.
As an independent law firm, we're able to be objective, principled and provide a service with heart and personality. Plus, as a certified B Corp, we take responsible business seriously — maintaining high standards of social and environmental performance as well as transparency and accountability.
If you need legal advice of any kind, our experts are only a phone call or email away.
You can also fill out the contact form below and a member of our team will be in touch.
Loading form...

We explore the ESPR’s implications for M&A and outline what businesses should be doing in response.

We explain what pre-sale due diligence is and break down why more shareholders are undertaking it before going to market.

A recent Upper Tribunal tax decision has changed the VAT treatment of clear dental aligners and will affect dentists, dental technicians and laboratories.

Competing in certain women’s tournaments must now include women in coaching roles on the bench. We explore the implications for clubs and NGBs.

We outline some of the key commercial and legal considerations for parties considering a franchise arrangement.

We explore how venue strategy has become a broader test of sustainable growth across women’s sport and outline what governing bodies and clubs can learn.

We explore what’s changing, who’s driving the changes and what it means for athletes, clubs and insurers.

We've announced our largest-ever round of Partner promotions, with six lawyers joining the partnership following another year of sustained growth.

We examine the issues at the heart of the claim and outline what the decision could mean for franchise businesses.

Our corporate team and specialist EO solicitors supported a market-leading recruitment agency on the acquisition of an employee-owned business.

We explore what the judgment means for LLPs and outline the practical steps that firms may now need to consider.

We explore the potential impact of the Government's consultation and outline the practical steps that you can take to prepare.

Live from Old Trafford, we explored the realities of geopolitical risk, security threats, commercial sustainability and the growing role of technology.

We explore the main themes from the Employee Ownership Association’s UK Growth Strategy.

We explore the tension between AI‑driven optimism and growing fears of an overinflated tech bubble.

We’re strengthening our real estate practice in London and Leeds with the appointment of Susan Samuel and Matt Ramsden.

We explore how commercial partnerships in motorsport are evolving and outline the practical considerations for sponsors and rights holders.

We explain what sports clubs and event organisers need to know about Martyn’s Law.

Illustrator Stanley Chow has launched legal action against Reform UK over the unauthorised use of his artwork during the Makerfield by-election campaign.

We explore how sustainability promises translate into real‑world delivery and outline the practical factors that determine whether it's actually achieved.

We explore how the Courts determined meaning in these decisions and what they signal for future reputation management claims.

We explore the decision, its legal context and its implications for selective distribution and online sales controls.

We explores how the FTT reached its decision and outline the key takeaways for businesses navigating employment status issues.

We provide a clear breakdown of the latest CGT and EOT tax changes to help business owners to make informed succession and exit decisions.

We’re delighted to appoint Corporate Partner Ruth Hargreaves as our new Head of Corporate following a standout 12 months for the team.