Will the UK join the Lugano Convention 2007? By Oliver Browne and Tom Watret Introduction Conflicting reports have emerged in recent days as to whether the EU will approve the UK’s application to join the Lugano Convention 2007, the UK’s preferred regime for governing jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments with EU Member States after … Continue Reading
By Rob Moulton, Nicola Higgs, Anne Mainwaring, Becky Critchley, and Anna Lewis-Martinez The latest edition of our Private Bank Briefing provides a roundup of legal and compliance issues impacting private banks and their clients from Q1 2021. In this edition, we cover some of the key regulatory announcements relating to MiFID II and the impact … Continue Reading
In the 2021 edition of IFLR’s M&A Report, Latham & Watkins considers key developments likely to impact M&A in 2021, and how dealmaking is likely to progress in light of these developments. By Nick Cline, Robbie McLaren, Douglas Abernethy, Richard Butterwick, and Catherine Campbell If 2020 was the year that COVID-19 precipitated extraordinary government intervention … Continue Reading
Landmark decision holds that the SFO does not have the power to procure documents from foreign companies outside the jurisdiction. By Stuart Alford QC and Callum Rodgers On 5 February 2021, the UK Supreme Court handed down a highly significant judgment in R (on the application of KBR, Inc) v Director of the Serious Fraud … Continue Reading
The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement has now been agreed. So what rules will apply to jurisdiction and foreign judgments in the UK from 1 January 2021? By Oliver Browne and Tom Watret Introduction It has been a long time in the making, but the UK and EU have finally reached an agreement (the EU-UK … Continue Reading
The CMA’s efforts to make dynamic, forward-looking assessments of parties’ overlaps will only increase post-Brexit. By John Colahan, Tom Evans, David Little, Jonathan Parker, David Walker, Greg Bonné, Anuj Ghai, and Catherine Campbell Dealmakers must be alert to the increasingly interventionist approach of the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), including on transactions with a limited nexus … Continue Reading
Owners of registered IP rights and pending IP applications in the EU should carefully consider the complexities of the incoming regime. By Deborah J. Kirk and Terese Saplys On 28 September 2020, the UK government made the Intellectual Property (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (IP Regulations 2020), which amend the intellectual property (IP) regime … Continue Reading
English law, courts and arbitral tribunals may become more relevant and popular after Brexit, not less. By Oliver Browne, Sophie J. Lamb QC, Sanjev D. Warna-kula-suriya, and Tom Watret Introduction English law, courts, and arbitral tribunals may become more relevant and popular after Brexit, not less, and parties should continue to feel confident about including … Continue Reading
Four recent developments highlight the benefit of arbitration clauses amidst uncertainty about choice of court clauses. By Oliver Browne and Tom Watret Introduction With the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020 fast approaching, four new important and interrelated developments have highlighted uncertainty about which courts will have jurisdiction in cross-border disputes … Continue Reading
The regulation is part of the EU Digital Single Market strategy to harmonise digital rights. By Deborah J. Kirk, Elva Cullen, and Grace E. Erskine From 12 July 2020, the EU’s Platform-to-Business Regulation 2019/1150 (P2B Regulation) promoting fairness and transparency for business users of online intermediation services applies. The P2B Regulation, which entered into force … Continue Reading
The UK has taken steps to accede to the Lugano Convention 2007, as maintaining the status quo under the Brussels Recast Regulation 1215/2012 will no longer be an option once the transition period expires. By Oliver Browne, Sebastian Seelmann-Eggebert, and Tom Watret The UK has recently requested to join the Lugano Convention 2007, which is … Continue Reading
Ofgem’s recently announced goals and developments and changes to the post-Brexit state aid regime will have important implications for market players. By John D Colahan, Stephanie Adams, and Anuj Ghai 2020 is set to be a an important year for competition law-related enforcement in the UK energy sector not least as it waits for the … Continue Reading
A Call for Input reveals that the FCA is planning for a post-EU future and examining ethics with regard to MAR. By Rob Moulton On 9 March 2020, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a Call for Input on the way that wholesale market participants access and use data in the UK. A Call for … Continue Reading
Companies may face a challenging regulatory environment following the EU-wide implementation of the Copyright Directive by 7 June 2021. By Deborah J. Kirk and Rachael Astin On 21 January 2020, the UK government confirmed that the UK will not be required to implement the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market 2019/790 (Copyright Directive) … Continue Reading
Drawing on Latham’s Sixth Private M&A Market Study, we explore trends and developments in consideration mechanics and deal conditionality. Richard Butterwick, Martin Saywell, Simon J. Tysoe, Catherine Campbell, and Richard George Uncertainty has been a significant market factor in 2019. The UK’s decision to leave the European Union, protectionist responses to China as a global investor, … Continue Reading
European Commission confirms SCA measures should apply to EU consumers purchasing from UK websites in the event of a no-deal Brexit. By Christian F. McDermott, Jagveen S. Tyndall, and Amy Smyth Complex payment processing chains comprise multiple entities operating behind the scenes to support everyday transactions. The strong customer authentication (SCA) requirements introduced by the … Continue Reading
The notice details the requirements applicable to both UK investment firms operating in Italy and Italian investment firms operating in the UK. By Antonio Coletti and Isabella Porchia On 1 August 2019, the Italian Securities and Exchange Commission (CONSOB) issued an update of Notice No. 7 of 26 March 2019 (the Notice) detailing the requirements … Continue Reading
By David Berman, Carl Fernandes Nicola Higgs, Rob Moulton and Charlotte Collins In our January publication, we highlighted what we were seeing as the top regulatory focus areas for our clients during the year ahead, focusing on wholesale market structures and conduct risk. In a series of 10 blog posts, we will take a closer look at … Continue Reading
The guidance provides helpful clarity on key regulatory changes impacting life sciences companies in the event of a no-deal Brexit. By Frances Stocks Allen, Oliver Mobasser, Héctor Armengod, Gail E. Crawford, Christoph W.G. Engeler, Robbie McLaren, and Henrietta J. Ditzen The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has published a significant volume of … Continue Reading
CONSOB notice 8/2019 details the requirements under the Italian investor compensation scheme applicable to UK banks and investment firms operating in Italy. By Antonio Coletti and Isabella Porchia On 29 March 2019, the Italian Securities Commission (CONSOB) issued a notice detailing the terms and requirements applicable to UK banks and investment firms operating in Italy … Continue Reading
The instructions clarify the requirements applicable to banking and financial intermediaries under the Brexit Law Decree. By Antonio Coletti and Isabella Porchia On 28 March 2019, the Italian central bank (Bank of Italy) published two notices detailing the requirements for Italian banks and financial intermediaries operating in the UK, and for UK banks and financial … Continue Reading
The notice details the requirements applicable to UK investment firms operating in Italy, and Italian investment firms operating in the UK. By Antonio Coletti and Isabella Porchia On 26 March 2019, the Italian Securities Commission (CONSOB) issued a notice detailing the requirements applicable to UK investment firms operating in Italy and Italian investment firms operating … Continue Reading
The law decree lays down a temporary regime for regulated firms in a no-deal Brexit scenario. By Antonio Coletti and Isabella Porchia On 20 March 2019, the Italian Council of Ministers approved a law decree laying down urgent measures to ensure financial stability and market integrity in the event of a no-deal Brexit. In particular, … Continue Reading
The Italian Securities Commission asks banks and investment firms in Italy and the UK to inform customers of Brexit consequences promptly. By Isabella Porchia On 12 March 2019, the Italian Securities Commission (CONSOB) issued a warning notice to UK and Italian banks and investment firms providing investment services and activities in Italy and the UK, … Continue Reading