Date Title Group Language 30/7/2010 EU Council introduces new economic sanctions against Iran Antitrust, competition and trade English On 26 July 2010, the Council of the EU issued a decision imposing further economic sanctions on Iran. For the first time, these sanctions include measures specifically targeted at restricting trade and investment in Iran’s natural energy resources industry. The sanctions will impose new burdens on European businesses in the sector, because their scope includes not only Iran-based energy companies, but also any that are owned by Iranian interests. This briefing summarises the measures and highlights areas of uncertainty. Affected companies should tread carefully but need to act now to ensure that they comply with the new rules. We explain how. (July 2010)
28/7/2010 New usury rates and business opportunities for banks Financial institutions; Finance English In August 2009, the Bank of Italy issued new instructions on the determination of the global average rate (TEG) under the usury law (Law No. 108 dated 7 March 1996). These new instructions have modified the categories of financing arrangements and have also eliminated certain distinctions relating to the type of lender granting the relevant financing. (July 2010)
26/7/2010 Overview of Chinese competition law Antitrust, competition and trade English Although merger control has been actively enforced since China’s Antimonopoly Law (AML) came into force, including quite controversially in a number of cases involving non-Chinese companies, enforcement of the so-called
behavioural rules governing anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominant market positions has been slower to start. That is expected to
change soon and will lead to new risks for companies operating in China. This guide summarises the most important features of the AML, including the scope of the law and early enforcement priorities of China’s multiple
competition law agencies. (July 2010)
23/7/2010 Advance pricing agreements: a UK perspective Tax - External publication English This article was first published in BNA's Transfer Pricing International Journal . (July 2010)
22/7/2010 Tax English UK guidance on transfer pricing has been amended significantly over the past year. In addition, legislative and case law developments have raised questions over the rules’ compliance with EU law. This briefing summarises the developments and their possible implications for business. More changes are anticipated, so firms should monitor this area closely. (July 2010)
22/7/2010 The UK's revised offshore fund tax regime for US investors Tax - External publication English This article was first published in the Journal of Taxation of Financial Products . (July 2010)
21/7/2010 Freedom of information update Dispute Resolution English This briefing considers some recent trends regarding freedom of information and information privacy issues generally, and outlines some of the key commitments made by the new coalition government in the UK to promote transparency. Some of these commitments, which have yet to be fleshed out, may affect the operation of the freedom of information regime. In particular, the coalition looks set to extend the regime to cover new entities. (July 2010)
21/7/2010 Whistleblowers granted bounties and protection from SEC and CFTC in US financial reform law Dispute Resolution; Financial institutions English This briefing highlights the increased risk of investigations and enforcement under the US securities and commodities trading laws by the SEC and CFTC against financial institutions and other companies doing business in the United States. This results from the significant expansion of financial incentives for whistleblowers under the newly enacted US financial reform act. (July 2010)
20/7/2010 Comments on the UK's emergency budget Tax - External publication English This article was first published in Tax Journal . (12 July 2010)
16/7/2010 The Capital Requirements Directive and bankers’ bonuses: some questions and answers Employment, pensions and benefits; Financial institutions English On 7 July 2010, the European Parliament approved various amendments to the Capital Requirements Directive in relation to bankers’ remuneration. The Council of the European Union is expected to rubber-stamp these amendments in the coming days. The European Parliament has described the amendments as ‘some of the strictest rules in the world on bankers’ bonuses’. This briefing examines the new remuneration provisions, their scope and their impact on UK national law. (July 2010)
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