In a case concerning the validity and effect of certain deeds relating to pension increases, the High Court has handed down its judgement. The case also considers the application of scheme forfeiture clauses to arrears of underpayments. The case, concerning the Axminster pension scheme (‘Scheme’), was brought by the Scheme’s independent trustee. Many of the original issues were compromised by the parties, meaning that the court was asked to approve the compromise ...
On June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress adopted the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law (the “Anti-Sanctions Law”) ...
The draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Climate Change Governance and Reporting) Regulations 2021 (‘Regulations’) have been laid before parliament and are due to come into effect on 1 October this year. The Pensions Minister announced on June 8 the final version of the Regulations which are designed to regulate how trustees of certain trust-based occupational schemes must engage with, and report on, climate change risk as part of their duties ...
The starting point on divorce is that the assets acquired during the marriage fall into the ‘matrimonial pot’ and will be divided equally between the parties. This is called the sharing principle. However, in certain circumstances an inheritance will be a relevant contribution and a good reason to depart from an equal division ...
On 2 June 2021, four months after the UK’s formal application, it was announced the UK can start the process of joining the 11-country Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (“CPTPP”) ...
Dear valued clients, colleagues and friends,Our TMT Partners, Christina Kow and Timothy Siaw, have co-authored the Malaysian chapter of The International Comparative Legal Guides – Fintech 2021. The chapter covers a broad overview of common issues in fintech laws and regulations in Malaysia.The Fintech LandscapeFunding For FintechFintech RegulationOther Regulatory Regimes / Non-Financial RegulationAccessing Talent TechnologyTo read more, please click here ...
Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Board on 11 June 2021 approved new rules prohibiting the trading on national exchange platforms of utility tokens and certain types of ‘novelty’ cryptocurrencies such as DogeCoin, SafeMoon or MonaCoin. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Notification No. Kor Thor. 18/2564 Re: Rules, Conditions and Procedures for Undertaking Digital Asset Businesses (No ...
The Alan Turing Institute has published a new report: "AI in Financial Services", looking to the use of artificial intelligence in the FS sector. We will watch with interest how the report’s findings evolve into more specific regulatory rules or guidance ...
Given the new trends and styles that emanate regularly from its players, the fashion industry is one that is constantly evolving. This industry, which is largely characterised by the production, display and sale of clothing, shoes, and perfume products has contributed immensely to the global gross domestic product ...
In it the CSSF clarified its interpretation of the concept of lending to the “public”, an information relevant for the non-bank lending industry and, in particular, for private debt funds with a loan origination activity. Background In general terms, the granting of loans to the public on a professional basis is a regulated activity which is subject to authorisation by the CSSF under Article 28-4 of the law of 5 April 1993 on the financial sector ...
The court has to have regard to the “income, earning capacity, property and other financial resources that each party to the marriage has or is likely to have in the foreseeable future” (Section 25(2)(a) Matrimonial Causes Act 1973). Property and other financial resources can include expectations under a will and beneficial interests under a trust. Expectations under a will It is rare for a future entitlement under a will to be treated as a financial resource ...
Six months from now, companies, and equally so other employers, are expected to offer a cogent system for the receipt and settlement of reports regarding illegal or unethical practices. ‹‹“Minimal” may be sufficient and “maximal” may prove not to serve the purpose›› says Adriana I ...
Financial ServicesBNM issues Corporate Strategic Plan policy document for DFIsOn 27 May 2021, Bank Negara Malaysia (“BNM”) issued the Corporate Strategic Plan (“CSP”) policy document, applicable to all development financial institutions (“DFIs”) prescribed under the Development Financial Institutions Act 2002 ...
On 8 June 2021, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) unveiled “Fintech 2025”, a new strategy aiming to drive fintech development in Hong Kong. In essence, “Fintech 2025” seeks to encourage the financial sector to adopt technology in their businesses and transactions comprehensively by 2025 by focusing on the following five key areas: 1 ...
On June 10, 2021, the National Congress approved the bill that establishes new tax measures to support micro, small and medium-sized companies in the context of the crisis generated by Covid-19. The bill, which is awaiting the final formalities of enactment and publication, includes the following tax measures: Temporary reduction of the penal interest rate for SMEs from 1 ...
On 22 May 2021, SPV77 Co. Ltd., a special purpose entity set up to issue and offer Siri Hub Investment Digital Tokens (“SIRIHUB”) to investors secured approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the country’s first Initial Coin Offering (“ICO”). The first ICO approval by the SEC follows three years of legal changes starting with the passage of the Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Business Operation B.E. 2561 (2018) ...
On June 17, 2021, the Law No. 21,353 was published, which contemplates the following new tax measures to support micro, small and medium-sized companies in the context of the crisis generated by Covid-19: Temporary reduction of the penal interest rate for SMEs from 1.5% to 0%, for each month or fraction of a month, in case of default in the payment of all or part of any kind of taxes and contributions due ...
In El Salvador, the Bitcoin Law was approved by the Legislative Assembly and published in the Official Gazette last June 9th of this year, establishing avacatio legisof ninety days from its publication; in that sense, its entry into force is scheduled for next September 7th ...
As we emerge from the pandemic, UK cities have a positive future – from the growth of digital broadcasting in Manchester to the positive future for inward investment; from what is needed to preserve our high streets to excitement around the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The UK Cities Investor Guide is a bi-annual publication produced in partnership with EG, and tackles some of the key challenges and opportunities facing the real estate investment market ...
The liability of online platforms for the activities of third-party vendors has always been a controversial area. With the explosion of online shopping as a result of the pandemic, the issue has come under increased scrutiny. Although cases in the UK and EU have discussed the factors that the Court will consider in deciding whether the operator of an online platform is jointly liable, the position in Hong Kong remained uncertain, until now ...
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) had set a revised deadline (June 30 2021) for filing of data protection audit by data controllers. With the deadline fast approaching, we share somefrequently asked questions (FAQ) on Data Protection in our publication, accessiblehere,which may aid in undersanding what companies need to do in order to comply with NITDA’s directives ...
On 20 May 2021, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (Exchange) published conclusions to its consultation on review of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Exchange (Listing Rules) relating to disciplinary powers and sanctions The Exchange decided to implement all the proposals in the consultation paper (see our previous client alert “Hong Kong Stock Exchange proposes to enhance disciplinary regime to deter misconduct” published in August 2020),
