Autumn 2026 Timetable
September Course
Tuesday 8 – Thursday 10 September 2026 · Cheltenham · Up to 12 delegates · Check back for our October timetable soon.
About this course
International Corporate & Commercial Law for Executives
A one-day executive programme on international corporate and commercial law, with a UK–US focus on M&A, anti-bribery, due diligence and competition law.
Designed for board members, CEOs, CFOs, General Counsel and senior executives operating across borders. Combines executive briefing, interactive discussions, case studies, board simulations and practical checklists, calibrated to your organisation through a one-hour pre-course Zoom with James.
Maximum 12 delegates per cohort. Delivered in person or remotely.
Investment: £18,000 + VAT for up to 12 delegates to attend the course. Includes course materials, lunches and post-course follow-up.
Course confirmed upon receipt of payment. You’ll be asked for your company, dietary needs, and PO reference on the secure payment page. Corporate invoicing is available on request.
12
delegates max
Intimate cohort, full attention
1 hr
Pre-course Zoom
Tailored to your organisation
14 days
Post-course access
Direct line to James for clarifications
Who it's for
This programme is designed for senior decision-makers responsible for international corporate and commercial decisions:
- Board Members and Non-Executive Directors
- Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officers
- General Counsel and Senior Legal Counsel
- Executives and Business Development Leaders
- Private Equity and Investment Professionals
Format and delivery
Delivered in person or remotely — whichever works for your organisation. The day blends executive briefing, interactive discussions, case studies, board simulations and practical checklists, with content calibrated to your team’s specific concerns.
Before the course: once your booking is confirmed, James will invite you to a one-hour Zoom call to discuss the exact requirements of the course for your organisation, so the day focuses where it matters most for you.
After the course: for fourteen days after the programme, all delegates have direct access to James personally to discuss any aspects of the course they would welcome clarification on.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the programme participants will be able to:
- Understand the key legal risks affecting international business operations
- Compare UK and US approaches to corporate governance and commercial law
- Identify legal risks in cross-border M&A transactions
- Recognise corruption and bribery risks under the UK Bribery Act and US FCPA
- Understand the importance of legal and compliance due diligence
- Appreciate competition and antitrust risks and executive responsibilities
- Make better strategic decisions when managing legal and regulatory risk
Programme
The day runs from 09:00 to 17:00, blending briefings, case studies, an executive board simulation and structured discussion. Each session below shows the topics covered — the exact emphasis is calibrated to your organisation during the pre-course Zoom.
The Global Executive Legal Landscape
Overview
- Why legal risk is now a board issue
- Cross-border business and regulatory enforcement
- UK and US legal systems
- Extraterritorial jurisdiction
- Directors’ duties and governance expectations
Discussion: ‘What keeps boards awake at night?’
Session 1 — International Corporate & Commercial Law
Corporate structures
- Parent and subsidiary structures
- Joint ventures
- International expansion
- Shareholder rights
- Directors’ responsibilities
Commercial contracts
Key provisions executives should understand:
- Limitation of liability
- Indemnities
- Warranties
- Termination rights
- Governing law
- Jurisdiction and arbitration
- Force majeure
Executive checklist: Top 10 contract clauses every executive should review before signing.
Session 2 — Cross-Border M&A and Due Diligence
The acquisition process
- Confidentiality agreements
- Heads of terms
- Due diligence
- Share purchase agreements
- Completion and post-acquisition integration
Legal due diligence
Reviewing:
- Corporate records
- Commercial contracts
- Litigation
- Intellectual property
- Employment issues
- Regulatory compliance
- Data protection
Compliance due diligence
- Third-party intermediaries
- Agents and distributors
- Beneficial ownership
- Sanctions screening
- ESG considerations
Case study: Acquisition of a UK technology company by a US multinational. Participants identify legal risks, red flags, deal breakers and board recommendations.
Session 3 — Anti-Bribery and Corruption
UK Bribery Act 2010
- Corporate offence of failure to prevent bribery
- Adequate procedures
- Hospitality and gifts
- Third-party liability
- Senior management responsibilities
US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
- Anti-bribery provisions
- Books and records requirements
- Internal controls
- Extraterritorial application
European Union
Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) 2024.
Session 4 — Competition & Antitrust Law
Competition law fundamentals
UK and US approaches:
- Price fixing
- Cartels
- Bid rigging
- Abuse of dominance
- Information sharing
- Exclusive arrangements
Merger control
- Competition review
- Regulatory approvals
- Gun-jumping risks
Practical implications for executives — interactive problem exercise tailored to delegates’ own organisations.
Executive Board Simulation — The Cross-Border Acquisition
Your company proposes to acquire an overseas business. Due diligence reveals:
- Suspicious payments through local agents
- Competition concerns
- Weak compliance controls
- Ongoing whistleblower allegations
- Potential sanctions exposure
- Missing IP ownership documentation
Working as the executive committee, participants must:
- Identify the legal risks
- Prioritise issues
- Recommend mitigation strategies
- Decide whether to proceed, renegotiate or terminate the transaction
Each team presents a five-minute board recommendation.
Executive toolkit
Each participant receives a comprehensive set of working materials to take back to their organisation:
- International Corporate & Commercial Law Guide
- UK–US M&A Due Diligence Checklist
- UK Bribery Act & FCPA Comparison Guide
- Competition Law Red Flags for Executives
- Commercial Contract Review Checklist
- Board Questions Before Any Acquisition
- Third-Party Due Diligence Questionnaire
Ready to confirm your place on the September cohort?
£18,000 + VAT for up to 12 delegates to attend the course.
Includes course materials, lunches and 14 days of direct post-course access to James.
Course confirmed upon receipt of payment. Request a corporate invoice
About your trainer
James Cronin BSc PGDL LLM
James holds advanced postgraduate qualifications in International Corporate and Commercial Law and an LLM in Human Rights Law, with specialist focus on the legal issues facing senior executives in cross-border business.
His practice and teaching focus on M&A, anti-bribery and corruption, due diligence and competition law — the legal terrain boards and executive committees navigate when operating across the UK and US.
James designs each cohort of this programme to the specific concerns of the delegates’ organisations, calibrated through a one-hour Zoom call before the day itself. After the course, every delegate has direct access to him for fourteen days to follow up on questions arising in their own work.