Expert Analysis

• Ruling In SFO Case Shows How Contract Rules Apply To DPAs

  

  The Court of Appeal’s recent decision upholding the Serious Fraud Office's first-ever attempt to enforce an expired deferred prosecution agreement illustrates that the courts' approach to DPAs is governed by the rules of contract, and that the intention of the parties at the time of agreement is critical to contract interpretation, say lawyers at Simmons & Simmons.

• What To Know About Compliance As EU AI Act Takes Effect

  

  Raj Shah at Mishcon de Reya explains how recently effective provisions of the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act, which concern prohibited AI practices and AI literacy, will affect both providers and users of AI systems, and suggests steps that companies can take now to plug any compliance gaps.

• Banker Remuneration Proposals Could Affect More Than Pay

  

  The Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority’s pending proposals to reduce banker remuneration restrictions bring obvious personal financial advantages for bankers, but may have repercussions that result in increased scrutiny of bonus payments and wider changes to workplace culture and overall accountability, say lawyers at Fox Williams.

• Rethinking 'No Comment' For Clients Facing Public Crises

  

  “No comment” is no longer a cost-free or even a viable public communications strategy for companies in crisis, and counsel must tailor their guidance based on a variety of competing factors to help clients emerge successfully, says Robert Bowers at Moore & Van Allen.

• EU Report May Influence Regulation Of Decentralized Finance

  

  The European supervisory authorities’ recent report on decentralized finance highlights the major regulatory challenges and increased cybersecurity risks of this ecosystem, and will likely provide useful guidance on how the market could be regulated to limit potential risks for investors, say Hubert de Vauplane and Hugo Bordet at Morgan Lewis.

• EU Paper Urges Data Protection And Competition Law Unity

  

  A recent European Data Protection Board position paper calls for closer cooperation among data protection and competition authorities, and provides valuable insight for businesses seeking to ensure compliance across an increasingly complex regulatory landscape, say lawyers at Paul Weiss.

• Market Infrastructure Regs Aim To Reinvigorate EU Trading

  

  The recently amended European Market Infrastructure Regulation, imposing a requirement on certain financial and nonfinancial institutions to maintain an active EU counterparty account, hopes to incentivize the central clearing of trades, although there are concerns that higher compliance costs will lead to a decrease in competitiveness, say lawyers at McDermott.

• The Pros And Cons Of A 2nd Trump Term For UK Tech Sector

  

  While U.S. President Donald Trump’s protectionist stance on trade could disrupt global supply chains on which many U.K. tech firms are reliant, anticipated deregulation could provide fertile ground for investment and growth, and the U.K. tech sector is bracing for a mix of opportunities, say lawyers at Shoosmiths.

• Why EU Omnibus Package Is Receiving Mixed Reactions

  

  Although the forthcoming European Union omnibus simplification package consolidating corporate sustainability reporting requirements aims to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses, reaction to the proposals has been mixed, and reassurance is needed that these measures will not result in a watering down of the legislation, say lawyers at Peters & Peters.

• Review Of Computer Evidence Use Raises Complex Issues

  

  The Ministry of Justice’s recent call for a review of computer-generated evidence used in criminal proceedings, solicits questions of how such evidence will be defined while also ensuring that changes can withstand technological advances and uphold the effective functioning of the criminal justice system, say lawyers at BCL Solicitors.

• How Proposed Private Share Trading System May Benefit Cos.

  

  The government's proposal for a private securities and capital exchange system intends to enhance market practices and risk tolerances, offering a significant way for firms to free up liquidity by allowing investors to trade existing private company shares, say lawyers at Mishcon de Reya.

• New Bill Introduces Important Whistleblower Protections

  

  If enacted, a bill that proposes the establishment of an independent whistleblower office in the U.K. offering protected disclosures will encourage individual whistleblowers, and alleviate the pressure for companies to investigate complaints, say lawyers at Tenet Law.

• Important Changes To Note In Accountant Ethics Code Update

  

  The Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales' forthcoming code of ethics will bring a number of significant updates to raise standards within the profession, but also risks of professional indemnity claims that could lead to challenges for firms, say lawyers at RPC.

• What EU Sustainable Category Proposals Will Mean For Funds

  

  The European Union Platform on Sustainable Finance’s recent proposals to apply stricter product categorization standards for funds subject to the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation will assist retail investors in selecting sustainable products, and allow advisers to easily match their clients’ preferences, say lawyers at Debevoise.

• What To Expect As CAT Considers Mastercard Settlement

  

  It is expected that the Competition Appeal Tribunal will closely scrutinize the proposed collective settlement in Merricks v. Mastercard, including the role of the case’s litigation funder, as the CAT's past approach to such cases shows it does not treat the process as a rubber stamp exercise, say lawyers at BCLP.