Publications

Our EU public affairs practice operates as part of our Brussels office and provides strategic advice on a broad range of European law issues concerning communications and media, competition, ecommerce, intellectual property, environment, financial services, energy, taxation and company law issues. (February 2010)

Government gives its view on GMP equalisation Age discrimination – exemption for offering financial services 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 PPF levy – further documents available and reminder of deadline Automatic enrolment and NEST – regulations laid before Parliament Consultation on changes to the disclosure regime– includes a proposal to reduce the time limit for providing basic information to new members PPF compensation cap set for 2010 Hampton implementation review of the Pensions Regulator Pension schemes with price-regulated employers – the Pensions Regulator issues a statement and Q&As on pension scheme deficits HMRC publishes Q&As on change to normal minimum pension age Anti-forestalling provisions – regulations will change rate of annual allowance charge and HMRC updates its manual Appealing from a “cost free” jurisdiction - Court of Appeal holds that the winner cannot recover costs Closing DB pension schemes to future accrual – PO holds that accrued benefits should be calculated according to salary on date of closure

Policy makers and power investors are increasingly focusing on the possibilities of renewable energy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, drawn by an abundance of solar energy, growing demand for electricity, declining fossil fuel reserves in many states and the desire of other states to diversify their energy mix on a sustainable basis. A number of high-profile projects have been launched. However, beneath the publicity, the reality is more nuanced. For renewable energy really to take off in the region, a number of technological and commercial challenges must be overcome and significant policy changes made. This guide briefly reviews the demand for renewable energy and the resources available, before examining some of the challenges that have to be faced to meet that demand. It then suggests what governments in the region could do to encourage greater private sector investment in renewable energy projects. The attached country briefings provide an analysis of relevant legal developments and recent projects in key parts of the region. (February 2010)

Legal updates on investment, infrastructure and finance

The US Bankruptcy Court has issued a declaratory judgment that the relevant clause flipping priority from the swap counterparty to the noteholders constituted an ipso facto provision and was therefore unenforceable – a judgment that produces a different result under US law to that established by the Court of Appeal in the Perpetual Trustee case from November 2009. The court also held that any attempt to enforce noteholder priority would constitute a violation of the automatic stay under the US Bankruptcy Code. (January 2010)