Sky Blog
In this article, we reflect on key trends in ESG over the second half of 2024 and look ahead at trends that may emerge in 2025.
We …
International Organization of Securities Commissions Publishes Report on Impact of Transition Plans Disclosures
The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) published a report on November 13 covering the key impacts of, and challenges associated with, transition planning. The …
The digital economy has put antitrust regulation in the spotlight, with increasingly dominant technology companies – such as Amazon, Google, Facebook (Meta), Apple, and Microsoft – reviving concerns about private monopolies reminiscent of Standard Oil and AT&T. Yet the enforcement …
Striking a balance between pursuing economic growth and addressing social and environmental challenges is not easy, yet it’s crucial for emerging markets. There’s no doubt that growth has lifted millions of people from poverty over the last half-century, but it …
Asia appears to be rapidly embracing Anglo-American corporate governance models – but looks can be deceiving. Our recent research reveals a striking paradox: While Asian jurisdictions widely adopt Anglo-American governance mechanisms in form, they often use these tools for remarkably …
The global debate surrounding CEO compensation remains important and contentious. While many countries have implemented advisory frameworks for say-on-pay votes, Israel has taken a pioneering approach with its binding dual-majority voting system. Introduced in 2012 through Amendment 20 to the …
In late October 2024, the U.S. Treasury Department (Treasury) issued its final rules (the Outbound Rules) implementing President Biden’s Executive Order (EO) 14105 on “outbound” U.S. investment. See our prior mailers here and here. The Outbound Rules will take …
In the United States, there is talk of a backlash against ESG, while in Europe, the number of laws requiring companies to comply with ESG standards is growing steadily. This difference in attitude and approach toward ESG may, in part, …
Special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) have swiftly emerged as an alternative vehicle for global corporations that seek a public listing. As their name suggests, SPACs gather funds from investors through an initial public offering (IPO), with the intention of acquiring …
Global efforts to enhance anti-money laundering (AML) measures to combat financial crime are increasing. In this extract from a recent Clifford Chance webinar, we look at the latest AML trends in the EU, US, UK and Singapore and what …
In BM Brazil & Ors v Sibanye BM Brazil & Anor [2024] EWHC 2566 (Comm), the English Commercial Court decided a buyer was not entitled to rely on a material adverse effect (“MAE”) condition to terminate an M&A transaction, extensively …
I remember that day in 2006 at my OECD office in Paris when a colleague told me he had received a call from the Saudi government. The gentleman on the other end of the line had been inquiring about circuit-breaker …
The venue for stock trading is important. Exchanges provide high immediacy and transparency, while dark markets are slower and more opaque.[1] Traders generally prefer exchanges when they want to capitalize on information before it becomes known but value dark markets …
On 30 September, the UK Digital Securities Sandbox was officially declared open. The announcement was made by the Bank of England (BoE) and the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), following the consultation earlier this year on …
Private firms are the backbone of our economies, influencing everything from investment levels to job creation to market competition. Given their collective significance, various regulatory agencies outside the U.S. impose financial disclosure (and sometimes audit) requirements on these firms. In …
The European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) has upheld an appeal against the European Commission’s ability to accept referrals under Article 22 of the EU Merger Regulation (“EUMR”) from national competition authorities who are not competent to …
In the realm of corporate law, board directors are bound by fiduciary duties of loyalty and care to both the company and its stockholders.[1] The interpretation of these duties, however, is national, even in the European Union, despite its …
Why did two federal courts refuse to throw out Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) charges against two different commodities traders? What revisions did Congress make to the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (FEPA)? How has China increased its anti-corruption scrutiny of …
On August 7, 2024, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published an update regarding its ongoing assessment of crypto firms’ adherence to the cryptoasset financial promotions rules introduced in October 2023. See our October 23, 2023 client alert “UK …
Last month the new Labour government in the UK announced in the King’s Speech that it will introduce new artificial intelligence (AI) rules alongside cybersecurity and digital information bills. A brief overview of these developments is set out below.