The Belgian takeover market is currently undergoing a full transformation. Three experts from the independent law firm, ALTIUS, share their insights about the new dynamics in the field of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). “We see clear links with restructurings, bankruptcies, and the evolution of the real estate market.” The new dynamics currently driving the takeover market in our country are the result of various factors ...
Integrating AI tools at work is not without danger. Three experts from the independent Belgian law firm, ALTIUS, explain how companies should best guard against ethical risks, data protection, intellectual property rights, and trade secrets. “It is essential that organisations teach their people to work with AI safely and responsibly ...
The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill (the “Bill”) was published on 4 September 2024 and will provide the Secretary of State with wide regulation making powers to replace, amend or update product safety legislation in the UK. Why is the Bill needed? The Department for Business and Trade’s impact assessment of the Bill stated that the “UK lacks powers to end recognition or to recognise new and updated EU regulations in GB” ...
The gaming industry, which has transformed from a niche market to a global powerhouse, has seen a significant surge in venture capital (VC) investment over the past few years. This trend is driven by the rapid growth of the gaming market, advancements in technology, and the increasing societal acceptance of gaming as a mainstream form of entertainment. Here’s a closer look at the emerging trends and key players in VC investment within the gaming sector ...
The new Network and Information Systems Directive (NIS2) came into effect on 18 October 2024 and with it comes an overhaul of the way in which cybersecurity risk management is regulated in Europe. The major changes brought about by NIS2 include stricter security measures, new incident reporting obligations and will substantially expand enforcement powers for regulators ...
How far can employers search for personal data to answer an access request? Can they check personal mobiles or laptops - or personal emails on a work device? Here we look at invading staff privacy to respect someone else's data protection rights. In this series we have already looked at taking control of data subject access requests (DSARs) through data protection by design, and understanding when you can refuse to comply with a DSAR ...
Our readers may recall our column in this magazine last Fall involving a SALT malpractice suit filed against a North Carolina CPA firm by its former client, Vista Horticulture, Inc. d/b/a Eden Brothers. If you or your spouse are gardeners, you may know the company as an online seller of flower bulbs and seeds, etc. to customers all over the country ...
The FCA has published the results of its culture and non financial misconduct survey. Here are some points to note. Key facts: The FCA surveyed regulated wholesale financial services firms asking questions about incidences of non-financial misconduct and the firm’s policies and procedures relating to firms’ culture ...
Here's a refresher: Discriminating against a subclass of a sex — e.g., older women or black women — may still be discrimination. In a Sept. 19 opinion in McCreight v. AuburnBank, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit clarified a few things for the summary judgment standard and provided a good refresher on "sex-plus" discrimination, or discrimination based on a subclass of sex ...
Hark! A recent Alabama Supreme Court indemnity decision, Mobile Infirmary Association v. Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories, may require you to retrieve your drafting pen. Although not a case involving a construction dispute, Mobile Infirmary does address a key component of risk shifting in construction contracts — the indemnity clause ...
This article is part of our EU AI Act series which explores the effect of the AI Act across various industries and sectors. Investment legislation can be split into two broad categories: investment funds and investment services. The former principally relates to UCITS, AIFMD and local laws which regulate asset management and their service providers. The latter relates to regulating financial instruments and the investment markets thereof ...
If you find yourself at risk of personal liability as a director in respect of a company's affairs then it is vital that you seek urgent legal advice to mitigate your loss. As a general rule, any claims for wrongdoings committed by the company should be brought against the company as it is recognised as a distinct legal entity and is therefore separate from its shareholders and directors. However, this protection is not absolute ...
Background In January 2022, the Hordaland District Court issued a decision that authorised the Competition Authority to conduct a dawn raid and seize evidence at Kommunal Landspensjonskasse Mutual Insurance Company (“KLP”). The dawn raid was carried out in February 2022. The seizure included, among other things, electronic material produced by KLP’s in-house lawyers ...
Deadline for transposing NIS2 into national law in the EU and adoption of new implementing regulation On October 17 2024 – the same day as the deadline for transposing the NIS2 Directive into the national law of the EU Member States – the European Commission has adopted an Implementing Regulation to the NIS2 Directive regarding cybersecurity risk management and notification obligations for digital infrastructure and digital service providers ...
The new Network and Information Systems Directive (NIS2) came into effect on 18 October 2024 and with it comes an overhaul of the way in which cybersecurity risk management is regulated in Europe ...
This article is part of our EU AI Act series which explores the effect of the AI Act across various industries and sectors. Introduction The first article (see link below) in this EU AI Act series provided, inter alia, a breakdown of the scope, applicability, timeline and risk levels of the AI Act, Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 [1] (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”) ...
Guidance published this month by the UK Government is designed to support firms in the UK financial sector to share customer information more easily in the pursuit of the prevention and detection of economic crime. Key facts: The UK Government has issued guidance for anti-money laundering regulated firms on the voluntary information sharing measures contained in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (the “Act”) ...
Stress and burnout at work is becoming an increasingly spoken about topic, particularly in high pressure roles and sectors such as cyber security professionals within the tech sector. How can employers help to prevent their employees from experiencing it? What is stress and burnout? There is no doubt that employee stress levels have risen as the demands of the workplace have increased ...
Data subject access requests can be a compliance headache for businesses. The first of our series on DSARs looked at how data protection “by design” can make the job easier. But what about deciding whether or not to resist a DSAR when it actually lands? Dealing with data subject rights requests, or DSARs, is one of the biggest compliance headaches for many businesses ...
On the 7 October 2024, the Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) published a ‘Dear CEO letter’ to Payment Service Providers (‘PSPs’) impacted by the mandatory reimbursement requirements for victims of authorised push payment fraud (‘APP’) ...
Tine Renate Granlund has core expertise in real estate, construction law, and dispute resolution/litigation. She assists contractors at all stages of property development projects – from problem-solving in the early phase, drafting contracts, and handling challenges along the way to disputes that may arise subsequently ...
This article is part of our EU AI Act series which explores the effect of the AI Act across various industries and sectors. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized various industries, garnering considerable hype and widespread discussion. As AI technologies continue to evolve, their integration into various industries has profound implications, particularly for the labour market ...
October 7, 2024 By: Alexandra Shulman and Leah Lively AI in hiring: About 80% of U.S. and almost all Fortune 500 companies use AI-powered hiring software. AI may be used to target online advertising for job opportunities and to match candidates to jobs on employment platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Indeed). AI may also be used to reject or rank applicants using automated resume screening and chatbots based on knockout questions, keyword requirements, or specific qualifications or characteristics ...
In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) released Compliance Assistance Release No. 2024-01 and its updated cybersecurity guidance for employers that sponsor employee benefit plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) ...
Under 35 U.S.C. § 101, patent claims may be challenged if they are found to be directed to patent ineligible subject matter, such as laws of nature, natural phenomena, products of nature or abstract ideas. On September 9, 2024, in Contour IP Holding LLC v. GoPro, Inc., the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit provided additional clarity with respect to the application of § 101 ...