In the last few years, there has been an increasing focus on the need for adequate ethics guidance for the use of artificial intelligence and robots – something we have regularly written and spoken about. For example, in 2017, MEPs from the E...

Welcome to your Diversified Industrials Sector Outlook 2019 In this outlook for the Diversified Industrials sector, we take a look at the key trends, legislation and issues we’re set to face in 2019 and the likely impact on businesses operatin...

As participants in the EU ETS will be aware, back in 2017, as part of its planning for Brexit, the UK Government amended the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2012 to require UK operators to surrender allowances in respect of their...

The market for wearable tech is huge and growing, driven by new wellness applications and improved connectivity. Add to that the increasing number of new IoT devices and applications in the home, workplace and industry, and the opportunities both fo...

In recent years there has been a marked change in attitude towards foreign investment screening. A range of jurisdictions globally have taken steps to strengthen their ability to review and actively intervene in transactions. Most recently, the EU p...

Sanderson Limited v Simtom Food Products Limited [2019] EWHC 442 (TCC) Summary Whatever the sector, IT transformation can deliver superior services, development of dynamic business models, increased customer satisfaction, returns and cost savings. ...

Last week, the EV Infrastructure Taskforce (EVIT), which brings together experts from Transport for London and Greater London Authority, announced a new plan to deliver electric vehicle infrastructure for London. This follows engagement with various...

Eversheds Sutherland has advised Doncasters Group on the sale of its UK Fabrications and Blaenavon Forgings businesses to Arlington Capital Partners as two separate transactions. The deals were led by Corporate partner Richard Kyle with support from...

One of the major challenges posed by the rapid growth in the use of AI is whether or not existing IP systems are adequate to deal with the ownership and exploitation of AI-assisted and AI-generated products, processes, works and designs, which is so...

New regulations on foreign investment in France were published on January 1, 2020. These texts make numerous changes to the legal framework for investment control in France. Financial relations between France and foreign countries are, in principle,...

The end of December 2019 saw the next step in the EU’s commitment to the adoption of a circular economy as the EU Commission published a road map on a new action plan which aims to speed up the transition to a circular economy. The new plan is...

On 10 January 2020, following the recent military escalation between Iran and the US, the White House issued Executive Order, "Imposing Sanctions With Respect to Additional Sectors of Iran" (“EO 13902”), which expands the already broad U...

The below summarises some of the key chemical’s regulation related changes expected in 2020 or which industry should be preparing for during 2020. SCIP Database ECHA is expected to launch a prototype version of the Substances of Concern In art...

HSE’s Business plan With major structural changes to the UK economy expected post Brexit, now is a time for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to reflect on its business plan and the associated implications.  The HSE will be keen to de...

This briefing is intended to provide an update on two recent developments under the US sanctions regime. • The first one is the introduction of US sanctions in relation to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, which threaten to widen a rift betwe...

There has been a growing global trend in recent years to strengthen foreign investment control mechanisms, most notably led by CFIUS in the US, and AWV in Germany. In our latest articles, we address the new developments in Germany and France, set to...

Overview On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in response to the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus, the sixth time that the WHO has made this declaration since adop...

  On 15 March 2020 the European Commission published Regulation 2020/402 (“Regulation”), which prohibits unlicensed export from the EU of certain personal and protective equipment. This measure is aimed at securing domestic supply o...

A guide for global industrials reassessing their outsourcing requirements during coronavirus COVID-19 continues to cause widespread and indiscriminate disruption to global industrials. Manufacturing companies face more of a challenge in instituting...

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken global industrials around the world largely by surprise with wide-ranging consequences for their M&A pipelines. Coming on the back of a period of high valuations, political uncertainty and slowing deal activity, C...

Pandemic: ‘(of a disease) prevalent over a whole country or the world’ Fear: ‘an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm’ Management: ‘the process of dealing with or controlling things or people...

Introduction In this briefing we look at the regulatory framework applicable to remotely piloted aircrafts in Italy, as recently updated by the Italian Civil Aviation Authority. In particular, this Authority, in line with the Government’s deci...

On 12 March 2020, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc (“ISDA”) published a template amendment agreement which allows the parties to an English law governed ISDA Master Agreement to convert that agreement to an equiva...

Introduction Given the evolving picture on COVID-19 and its impact on the UK economy there are a number of points which property fund managers should be considering in light of the FCA’s recent statements specifically on the virus and their p...

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Communications need to be clear and timely Constantly review and maintain your customer communications content and strategy.  There is a regulatory expectation that firms will ensure consumers are adequately protected during severe disruption.&...

Introduction In the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak, and the restrictions imposed to curb its spread, there has been significant market disruption.  As has been seen in some real estate funds, there may therefore be difficulties for fund manag...

In response to Government guidance on maintaining educational provision for the children of key workers, the FCA and PRA have published guidance regarding individuals in th...

Please note that this is a developing situation and we will update this note on a regular basis when further information is available. Across the budget on 11 March 2020 and the subsequent COVID-19 briefing meetings the Chancellor of the Exchequer h...

The restrictive measures on the movement of people to slow the spread of COVID-19 pose specific legal issues for UK Investment Trusts, which are just entering into the reporting and Annual General Meeting (AGM) season.  AGMs have traditionally ...

  The Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is causing disruption to businesses and markets across sectors and jurisdictions. In this briefing we offer some practical tips for borrowers, treasury departments and customers in relation to loans and oth...

The European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA”) has issued a public statement, “Actions to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the EU financial markets” urging national competent authorities not to prioritise supervisor...

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  In the wake of COVID-19, force majeure can be invoked to obtain relief under certain contracts. In this briefing, we discuss if it is a good idea and certain considerations borrowers and financial services customers should make. The impact of...

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Legal liability for financial institutions and financial services firms when using artificial intelligence and machine learning Recent advances in the development of artificial intelligence (AI), coupled with the availability of sufficient computing...

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In its response to COVID-19, the UK Government has also been listening to business and seeking to provide further support mechanisms to help those businesses that have been forced to close in the short term. This has included the prohibition on land...

On Thursday 2 April 2020, the FCA issued draft guidance and Handbook changes to address the impact of Covid-19 on consumer credit customers who have credit cards, store cards and catalogue credit, personal loans and overdrafts. There is a short win...

The FCA and the PRA have issued a joint statement aimed at dual-regulated firms in an attempt to introduce some flexibility in connection with the senior managers and certification regime (SMCR) during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Responding to co...

Background The ongoing coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic has quickly developed into a deep economic crisis of the like never experienced before. Many businesses, including those in the financial services sector, are facing a prolonged period of disrupti...

On 30 March, the Luxembourg Government published a new draft law (the Draft Law) which looks set to increase the Luxembourg tax burden for transactions realised with enterprises based in jurisdictions on the EU’s list of “non-cooperative...

On 3 April 2020, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (“BCBS”) and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (“IOSCO”) issued a statement recommending an extension to Phases 5 and 6 of the initial margin ...

As COVID-19 continues to cause far reaching disruption, the Cayman Islands’ Ministry of Financial Services issued two Press Releases on 25 and 26 March, putting forward a package of measures designed to mitigate the neg...

Background and scope of the review On 4th March, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published the findings of its desktop review of outsourcing in the life insurance sector. The review forms part of the FCA’s broader consultation and propos...

Across the banking sector, the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority predict that firms’ utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions will triple in the next three years (BoE and FCA Joint Report on Machine Learning in U...

On Thursday 9 April, the FCA confirmed measures to support consumer credit customers facing financial difficulty as a result of COVID 19 on personal loans, credit cards and overdrafts. Measures introduced by the new rules became applicable on Tuesda...

  On Friday 17 April 2020, the FCA issued a draft guidance for consultation on temporary forbearance measures to assist motor finance customers facing financial difficulty because of COVID-19. The consultation will close at 5 pm on Monday 20 Ap...

Our client briefing, “The final AIFMD cross-border fund distribution package: mapping the changes” published on 22 July 2019, provided a summary of the main changes introduced by Regulation (EU) 2019/1156 on facilitating cross-border d...

On Friday 17 April the FCA issued draft guidance on Buy-now pay-later (BNPL), rent-to-own (RTO) and pawnbroking. It proposes temporary financial relief for customers impacted by coronavirus and is intended to complement measures finalised on 9 April...