Expert Analysis

• EU Vote Delay Puts Course Of Sustainability Directive In Doubt

  

  With time to adopt the proposed EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive during this Parliamentary term running out, and with upcoming elections threatening political uncertainty, the degree of compromise that may be needed to secure a "yes" vote now could undermine the shift the legislation seeks to achieve, say lawyers at Simpson Thacher.

• Full EU Import Border Controls Pose Hurdles For UK Cos.

  

  The U.K.’s long-anticipated introduction of full border controls on imports of goods from the EU, due to complete by the end of 2024, brings the system broadly into line with goods imported from the rest of the world, but may result in delays, increased costs and disruption as businesses adapt, say Ben Chivers and Jonathan Rush at Travers Smith.

• Cos. Should Review Cookie Compliance After ICO Warnings

  

  The Information Commissioner's Office recently restated its intention to take enforcement action on the unlawful use of nonessential cookies, and with the additional threat of public exposure and reputational damage, organizations should review their policies and banners to ensure they comply with data protection legislation, says Murron Marr at Shepherd & Wedderburn.

• New Fraud Prevention Offense May Not Make Much Difference

  

  By targeting only large organizations, the Economic Crime Act's new failure to prevent fraud offense is striking in that, despite its breadth, it will affect so few companies, and is therefore unlikely to help ordinary victims, says Andrew Smith at Corker Binning.

• Mitigating And Managing Risks Of AI Use In Private Equity

  

  While generative artificial intelligence has the ability to transform private equity firms and their portfolio companies, its deployment brings inherent risks, including those presented by the forthcoming EU AI Act, requiring appropriate risk management strategies, processes and policies to be adopted, says Barry Fishley at Weil.

• Vodafone Decision Highlights Wide Scope Of UK's FDI Rules

  

  The U.K. government’s recently imposed conditions required for its approval of Vodafone and Etisalat’s strategic relationship agreement under its National Security and Investment Act jurisdiction, illustrating the significance of the act as an important factor for transactions with a U.K. link, says Matthew Hall at McGuireWoods.

• Decoding UK Case Law On Anti-Suit Injunctions

  

  The English High Court's forthcoming decision on an anti-suit injunction filed in Augusta Energy v. Top Oil last month will provide useful guidance on application grounds for practitioners, but, pending that ruling, other recent decisions offer key considerations when making or resisting claims when there is an exclusive jurisdiction clause in the contract, says Abigail Healey at Quillon Law.

• Consultation Docs Can Help EU Firms Prep For Crypto Regs

  

  Firms providing crypto services should note two recent papers from the European Securities and Markets Authority defining proposals on reverse solicitation and financial instrument classification that will be critical to clarifying the scope of the regulatory framework under the impending Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, say lawyers at Hogan Lovells.

• A Closer Look At Novel Jury Instruction In Forex Rigging Case

  

  After the recent commodities fraud conviction of a U.K.-based hedge fund executive in U.S. v. Phillips, post-trial briefing has focused on whether the New York federal court’s jury instruction incorrectly defined the requisite level of intent, which should inform defense counsel in future open market manipulation cases, say attorneys at Lankler Siffert.

• Investors' Call For Voting Changes Faces Practical Challenges

  

  A recent investor coalition call on fund managers to offer pass-through voting on pooled funds highlights a renewed concern for clients’ interests, but legal, regulatory and technological issues need to be overcome to ensure that risks related to the product are effectively mitigated, says Angeli Arora at Allectus.

• Litigation Funding Implications Amid Post-PACCAR Disputes

  

  An English tribunal's recent decision in Neill v. Sony, allowing an appeal on the enforceability of a litigation funding agreement, highlights how the legislative developments on funding limits following the U.K. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Paccar v. Competition Appeal Tribunal may affect practitioners, say Andrew Leitch and Anoma Rekhi at BCLP.

• EU Product Liability Reforms Represent A Major Shakeup

  

  The recent EU Parliament and Council provisional agreement on a new product liability regime in Europe revises the existing strict liability rules for the first time in 40 years by easing the burden of proof to demonstrate that a product is defective, a hurdle that many had previously failed to overcome, say Anushi Amin and Edward Turtle at Cooley.

• Amazon's €32M Data Protection Fine Acts As Employer Caveat

  

  The recent decision by French data privacy regulator CNIL to fine Amazon for excessive surveillance of its workers opens up a raft of potential employment law, data protection and breach of contract issues, and offers a clear warning that companies need coherent justification for monitoring employees, say Robert Smedley and William Richmond-Coggan at Freeths.

• What Extension Of French FDI Control Means For Investors

  

  The recently published French order on foreign investment control expands the regime's application to more sectors and at a lower threshold of share ownership, illustrating France's determination to maintain sovereignty over its supply chains in sensitive sectors, and adding new considerations for potential investors in these areas, say lawyers at Linklaters.

• What To Expect For Private Capital Investment Funds In 2024

  

  As 2024 gets underway, market sentiment in the private fundraising sphere seems more optimistic, with a greater focus on deal sourcing and operational optimizations, and an increased emphasis on impact and sustainability strategies, say lawyers at Ropes & Gray.