Recent Articles

•  

  31/05/2024

  Scotland

  Blockchain technology in the Scottish food and drink sector: against the grain?

  IntroductionScotland’s food and drink sector is reported to be a c. £15 billion industry. However, while the importance of the sector to the Scottish (and wider UK) economy is unlikely to change, the technology available to producers in terms of how they run their businesses is constantly evolving. In this Law-Now, we outline various ways in which businesses operating in the food and drink industry may be able to make use of fintech to maximise the potential of this vibrant sector. Use casesGiven the current success of the Scottish food and drink sector, producers may question...

  Read more
•  

  31/05/2024

  Europe

  Violation of EU competition law: Commission fines Mondelez EUR 337.5m for cross-border trade restrictions

  On 23 May 2024, the European Commission imposed an alarmingly high fine of EUR 337.5 million on the US company Mondelez, one of the world's largest producers of chocolate and biscuit products. The accusations: cross-border trade restrictions between member states of the EU by engaging in anticompetitive agreements or concerted practices and by abusing its dominant position regarding chocolate biscuit products.The European Commission issued a statement with this decision that it will protect the free movement of goods in the EU single market. With this decision, the Commission sent a clear signal...

  Read more
•  

  31/05/2024

  United Kingdom

  Land-based Gambling: DCMS Consultation Response

  Following its consultation on “measures relating to the land-based gambling sector”, DCMS published its response on 16 May 2024, broadly proceeding as planned with its proposed reforms.Since then, the Government has announced that a general election will be held on 4 July, raising the question of whether or not this could hinder the implementation progress of these reforms, as well as those other areas still being consulted on by DCMS and/or requiring legislative change to implement.Consultation responseBroadly speaking, the aim of the Consultation - which you can find our note on here...

  Read more
•  

  31/05/2024

  Netherlands

  Netherlands replaces SDE++ subsidies with CfDs for onshore wind, solar

  In the Netherlands, the highly successful SDE++ subsidy scheme for onshore wind and solar energy projects will be abolished and replaced with a two-way Contract for Difference (CfD). Pursuant to the Climate Agreement (Klimaatakkoord) beginning 2025 no new SDE++ subsidies will be provided. However, according to outgoing Minister for Climate and Energy Rob Jetten, it is irresponsible to halt all subsidies after 2025 since this would lead to a stagnation in the deployment of onshore wind and solar projects. Some form of subsidy will therefore remain necessary. Given that the EU Electricity Market...

  Read more
•  

  31/05/2024

  Poland

  Poland’s competition office publishes updated guidelines on foreign investment (FDI)

  PL

  In May 2024, Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) published updated procedural guidelines on foreign direct investment control (FDI), which clarify a number of issues arising in practice in relation to the notification of foreign investment. According to the President of UOKiK, the modifications streamline the procedures and clarify the obligations of business entities, and were issued in response to the numerous needs reported to the UOKiK both by business entities and the lawyers representing them. The scope of the guidelines has been expanded to include additional...

  Read more
•  

  31/05/2024

  Turkiye

  Türkiye Amends Turkish Commercial Code on Corporate Governance

  Law Numbered 7511 on Amendments to the Turkish Commercial Code and Certain Laws entered into force in Türkiye after publication in the Official Gazette on 29 May 2024, which includes key amendments to the Turkish Commercial Code (TCC) numbered 6102. The most important amendments to the TCC include the following:Term of office of the chairman and vice-chairman of the board of directorsWith the amendment of Article 366 of the TCC, the rule for the annual re-election of the chairman and the vice-chairman of the board of directors has been changed in order to align their term of office with the...

  Read more