Recent Articles

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  10/05/2024

  Sweden

  Avoidance rights in Sweden

  Through the proposed EU Directive on the harmonisation of certain aspects of insolvency law (COM/2022/702), the Commission aims to harmonise member states’ abilities to take avoidance actions for certain types of transactions preceding a bankruptcy. The purpose is to address the deficiencies and differences existing in the insolvency procedures of EU member states. The proposed directive aims at enhancing investor and creditor security regarding cross-border investment activities. The proposal contains minimum standards, thus allowing member states to adopt stricter avoidance rules if such...

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  10/05/2024

  South Africa

  An overview of the proposed JSE Market Segmentation Project

  IntroductionThe Johannesburg Stock Exchange (the "JSE") has seen an uptick in delisting transactions across various sectors in recent years. Various reasons have been cited as driving this trend, including the cost of compliance associated with being listed on the JSE. On 18 April 2024, the JSE published a notice announcing various proposed amendments to the JSE Listings Requirements ("Listings Requirements") as part of their market segmentation project. It appears that these proposed amendments are aimed at reducing the legal and administrative requirements imposed in connection with certain corporate...

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  10/05/2024

  England and Wales

  Postcode Lottery Ad featuring Emma Willis Wins ASA's Approval

  Introduction:On 1 October 2022, the Advertising Standards Authority (the “ASA”) introduced a new gambling advertising rule (a summary of which can be read here) which strengthened the obligations on gambling operators to ensure the content of their advertisements (“ads”) does not appeal to under 18s. At the time, questions were raised as to what would constitute a “strong appeal”, but a number of rulings since the rule was introduced have provided useful insight into what is likely to fall within scope according to the ASA.The ASA has previously upheld rulings...

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  09/05/2024

  United Kingdom

  Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill

  In May 2017, the Manchester Arena was subject to a terrorist attack which killed 22 people and injured 1,017 others. Martyn Hett, who was 29 at the time, was amongst those killed. Since 2017, there have been a further 14 terror attacks in the UK. In response to this complex, evolving and enduring threat picture, the Government has developed the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as ‘Martyn’s law’.The Premise of Martyn’s LawMartyn’s Law is expected to become legislation as part of the 2023-2024 parliamentary session, which runs until October 2024. If...

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  09/05/2024

  Scotland

  Facilitating Marine Restoration – How Best to Ensure Success

  Marine restoration activities have been highlighted in the press recently particularly the successful oyster restoration project in the Firth of Forth. So far many restoration projects in Scottish waters are principally small projects led by communities that seek to (re)create a habitat or introduce a previously decimated species. It has been highlighted to the Scottish Government by those looking to initiate larger scale restoration projects that there are two key challenges to a project’s namely: (i) a complicated consenting process which does not specifically cover restoration; and (ii)...

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  08/05/2024

  England and Wales

  The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill – the latest developments in the House of Lords

  SummaryFollowing publication of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (the “Bill”) on 27 November 2023, the Bill has been progressing through the legislative process and the latest iteration was published on 1 May 2024, showing the amendments made to date by the House of Lords following its Committee Stage which we consider further below.The Bill will still need to be subject to a third reading in the House of Lords before being passed back to the Commons to consider the amendments made, with both Houses needing to agree the final form before it achieves Royal Assent. Nevertheless,...

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