23 April 2026Publication
Interest free loans to employees as earnings?
The Court of Appeal has held that a loan to an employee will not normally amount to earnings (ignoring the application of the disguised remuneration rules).
Our Employment, Incentives and Pensions group includes our leading employment law team, and in the UK, a comprehensive pensions practice and an incentives practice.
As sector specialists, we have regulatory expertise few can match. Combined with our strength in all aspects of employment law – including litigation and advisory work – it’s plain to see why we act for more financial institutions than our competitors. We also act for pharmaceutical and healthcare companies and global telcos.
Along with employment law, we also advise on pension scheme risk management and remuneration strategies.
Across the practice internationally, many of us have completed secondments, meaning we understand the commercial realities of our clients from the inside.
we provide legal advice that is clear, succinct and actionable.
We provide cohesive advice on the most complex, cross-border cases, because we think and operate as one team – from Hong Kong to Shanghai, London and continental Europe. We also work closely with the firm’s wider network, for example, in London we collaborate regularly with the city’s largest financial regulation team to bring our clients the expertise they need to handle some of their most sensitive matters.
Our experience
Leading financial services company
Advising on multi-jurisdictional projects such as senior management contracts, bonus arrangements, social media, investigations, employee severance, compliance and conduct policies.
International investment banks
Advising on cross border alignment of remuneration structures to conform with changing regulatory requirements in the UK, Europe and Asia Pacific including the introduction of "clawback" arrangements. We also advised a top 10 investment bank on, and settling, a whistleblowing claim where the claimant was claiming £40m by way of compensation.
Hedge funds and asset managers
Advising one of the largest hedge funds on major contracts and partnership disputes involving multi-million £ claims. We also successfully defended a leading hedge fund in a 10-day High Court trial in respect of a wrongful removal claim and successfully defending an appeal to the Court of Appeal.
Key contacts
If you have any questions, contact a member of the Employment, Incentives and Pensions team for assistance:
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HK court rejects non-compete restraint
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