Pledge meaning

What this checklist covers This checklist sets out the principal matters a solicitor guiding a first time issuer must verify and, where appropriate, propose changes to, when reviewing English law terms and conditions governing an issue of debt securities...

This checklist outlines the points to consider when a company plans to grant a pledge. It assumes a company incorporated in England or Wales is granting a pledge to a lender located in England or Wales. In this checklist: the company giving the pledge is the ‘pledgor’ the party in whose favour the pledge is given is the ‘pledgee’ the document setting out the pledge is the ‘security document’ Preliminary questions before taking security by way of a pledge Is a pledge the appropriate method of taking security? Is the asset of a type that can be pledged? Assets capable of being pledged include: goods (that is, tangible, moveable items such as precious metals or other commodities) documents of title to goods or intangible assets where title can pass by delivery of a document (for example, bills of lading and sea waybills, or bearer securities—the latter now rare in practice), so...

What is form MR01 (Particulars of a charge) and when do you use one? A charge granted by a company registered in the UK must be filed at Companies House unless an exception in section 859A(6) of the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006) applies (see: Which company charges are registrable at Companies House?). Missing the filing window can have serious consequences, so it is essential to complete registration within the required period. Form MR01 (Particulars of a charge) is the Companies House document used to record a company charge where the charge is: created, or evidenced, by an instrument dated on or after 6 April 2013 made by a UK-registered company If a company charge is not created or evidenced by an instrument, you should instead use form MR08 (Particulars of a charge where there is no instrument) to register it at Companies House. For details of other Companies House forms for registering company charges, see: ...

In this issue: Cross border criminal investigations Criminal procedure and evidence Proceeds of crime Bribery, corruption, sanctions and export controls Cybercrime and data protection offences Environmental offences Financial services and pensions offences Fraud, forgery, tax and theft offences Insolvency Local authority prosecutions Money laundering Corporate Crime in Scotland Other corporate crime and crime related news Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Useful information Cross border criminal investigations Companies should act as corporate enforcement develops. In late June 2025, SFO Director Nick Ephgrave met with Matthew Galeotti, head of the criminal division at the US Department of Justice (DOJ), and both reiterated a pledge to work together on prominent transnational investigations. Hayley Lund, partner, and Frankie Cowl, counsel, at Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP, consider the UK’s shifting corporate enforcement landscape. See News Analysis: Companies must take action as...

Modernatx, Inc v Pfizer Ltd and other companies; Pfizer Inc and another company v Modernatx, Inc [2024] EWHC 1695 (Pat) Note that the issues concerning Moderna’s undertaking not to enforce its patents were separated into their own proceedings at a case management conference. That question was determined in a distinct High Court judgment by Judge Jonathan Richards, also delivered on 2 July 2024, which found that Pfizer and BioNTech cannot rely on Moderna’s pandemic-era non-enforcement pledge to avoid the consequences of any infringement. For additional detail on both matters and the background, see Practice Note: Life sciences cases tracker—UK. See also Law360 News Analysis: Pfizer, BioNTech infringed Moderna’s mRNA vaccine patent. The connected case citation is Pfizer Inc v Modernatx, Inc; Modernatx, Inc v Pfizer Ltd [2024] EWHC 1648 (Pat). What are the practical implications of this case? This ruling is notable as it represents the first patent dispute relating to coronavirus vaccines to reach the courts. The litigation was complex, both in terms of case management...

TPT has become the inaugural pension provider to pledge the rollout of a UK multi-employer CDC scheme, widely championed by industry and policy makers alike as the next stage of private sector pension saving in the UK. This follows Pensions Minister, Torsten Bell, stating on 29 April 2025 that he intends to bring forward new legislation towards the end of the calendar year to widen the rules for CDC schemes. 'The pensions industry is at a point where innovation is critical', said David Lane, Chief Executive of TPT Retirement Solutions...

What is the policy and legislative background to the support for community energy projects? Legal and policy backing for community energy schemes is comparatively new; although early pledges prompted some movement, progress then remained modest for several years. A concise overview follows. The Community Energy Strategy arose from a 2010 Liberal Democrat manifesto promise to ‘encourage community-owned renewable energy schemes where local people benefit from the power produced’. That pledge appeared, unchanged, in The Coalition: programme for government. In 2014 the then coalition administration, through the former Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), issued the UK’s first Community Energy Strategy. DECC then released an update in March 2015. Like the original, the update emphasised enabling localities to make their own advances towards a more decentralised energy system with active community involvement. Further information on the Strategy update is set out in the section: What government policy interventions have been made to support community energy projects? below. DECC later merged with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, creating...

This Practice Note outlines: the various forms of share security the principal enforcement options available to security holders practical factors for security holders when choosing appropriate enforcement mechanics further considerations for security holders depending on the context Forms of share security There are three primary categories of security that can be created over shares: (a) a charge, (b) a legal mortgage and (c) an equitable mortgage, each considered below. Historically, a pledge over shares was also possible. A pledge involves delivering possession of an asset as security for the repayment of a monetary debt. This was feasible where bearer shares existed. However, from 26 May 2015, under section 779 of the Companies Act 2006, companies have been prohibited from issuing bearer shares. Holders of bearer shares were granted until 26 February 2016 to surrender them and convert into registered shares (for further information, see News Analysis: Bearer shares—how to avoid a grizzly ending). Charge A charge arises from...

UK government sustainable development strategy For over twenty years, the UK has restated its pledge to sustainable development, shaping its own interpretation through a succession of national sustainable development strategies. Much like the evolving definition itself, the UK-wide approach remains an ongoing endeavour. The UK’s strategy sets out policies designed to advance delivery of all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Responsibility for implementing policy in devolved areas rests with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For further insight on sustainable development in the UK, see Practice Note: Sustainable development—definition and application at UK level. The Greening Government Commitments (GGCs) specify the measures that UK government departments and their agencies will adopt to cut their environmental impacts. This sits within a drive to boost transparency and alignment with national and international sustainability commitments; however, uneven progress, funding and training—covering carbon literacy and adaptation, carbon accounting and sustainable procurement—mean many public bodies commence this journey from different points. A central aim of the GGCs is to foster transparent reporting in government departments’...

Stage Questions Case study Create a sense of urgency How will staff recognise there’s a need to change? How will its significance be made clear? How will both near-term and longer-term gains be demonstrated? Set out: how much prospective new work is currently slipping away the effect that is having now and is expected to have going forward how greater volumes will make life better for secretaries and fee earners the potential outcomes if no changes are pursued Form a powerful guiding coalition Who will take charge? Who will make an open pledge to see it through? Who will guarantee the necessary resources? Who will sit in the core team steering the change? Who will ensure they collaborate effectively as one team? Will the coalition operate well across every area of the firm? JB, a partner, will head the project...

1 Introduction 1.1 This policy outlines the duties of staff and leaders regarding inquiries into fraud, bribery, the facilitation of tax evasion, and other commercial offences (collectively, ‘financial crime’) within [ insert organisation name ]. We have zero tolerance for any form of financial crime and pledge to safeguard our assets and uphold honesty and integrity at all times. 1.2 [ Insert organisation name ] is dedicated to running its operations transparently, honestly and fairly, at all times. Everyone employed by, or acting for, [ insert organisation name ] must consistently demonstrate the highest level of accountability and foster an ethical culture at all times. 1.3 When financial crime is suspected, [ insert organisation name ] will initiate an impartial inquiry into the allegations and take suitable remedial action. Actions may involve disciplinary processes, dismissal and/or providing information to the relevant criminal prosecution authorities. [ Insert organisation name ] will, where appropriate, pursue recovery of funds lost through financial crime perpetrated or enabled by employees...

1 Introduction 1.1 Bribery and corruption continue to pose a significant challenge in global commerce, notwithstanding extensive measures to curb them. Our legal duties stem chiefly from the Bribery Act 2010. As a UK company, that legislation applies to us wherever bribery arises within our business [ es ]... 1.2 Such practices harm the communities where they happen, siphoning funds and other assets from those most in need and obstructing economic and social progress. They also harm enterprise, notably by driving up the price of goods and services... 1.3 The Company conducts its business [ es ] with integrity, and in a transparent and principled way. We must all act collectively to keep our [ business remains OR businesses remain ] free from bribery or corruption. This policy forms a vital part of that endeavour. It sits as the personal responsibility of [ enter position, eg the CEO ], carries the full backing of the Company’s board, and reflects [ enter position, eg the CEO ]’s pledge...