Overview A recent B.C. court decision provides welcome news for trustees of multi-employer, defined benefit, negotiated cost pension plans. Under s. 59(3) of the Pension Benefits Standards Act (“PBSA”), trustees of these plans can reduce accrued benefits to meet solvency requirements, and have used this power at various times in the last 12 years. But this power had never been judicially tested. In Neville v ...
Governor Wolf has selected 24 counties for movement from the red phase to the yellow phase of the reopening plan. Once a business is permitted to open in-person operations, they must comply with certain requirements that are set forth in a guidance document available here. The Guidance references certain orders and documents issued by the PA Department of Health, PA Department of State and Governor's Office ...
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will soon hear arguments in a case that may have far reaching implications for businesses facing consumer protection claims in the state. The Court has granted allocator in Halpern v. Ricoh U.S.A., Inc ...
In a long-awaited decision, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has held that “direct physical loss” language in commercial property policies is not ambiguous and that COVID-related business-interruption claims do not trigger the insuring clause of these policies. Based on this ruling, business interruption claims filed for losses caused by pandemic-related closures are not covered under standard commercial property policies ...
On Dec. 11, 2021, The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs will issue final regulations launching a new licensure and certification process for drug and recovery homes doing business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Each individual drug and recovery home operating in Pennsylvania must obtain a license and demonstrate compliance with the final regulations within 180 days of their issuance ...
At a news conference on April 20, Governor Wolf announced he is extending his stay-at-home order until May 8, 2020. But in a nod to a construction industry that has been particularly hard-hit by the Governor’s shutdown and stay-at-home orders, Governor Wolf said he also will permit construction (both residential and non-residential construction) to resume throughout the Commonwealth on May 8, 2020 ...
In another update to the Federal Trade Commission’s (the “FTC”) Non-Compete Ban (the “Rule”), a federal judge in Pennsylvania ruled against ATS Tree Services, LLC v. Federal Trade Commission, et al.[1] denying ATS’ motion for a preliminary injunction ...
On Monday, April 6, 2020, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Call to Action Portal, which allows businesses to help their bottom line while also helping Pennsylvania fight back against COVID-19 ...
Kudun and Partners is pleased to announce the promotion of Peerasanti Somritutai, a senior associate, to the firm’s partnership, with effect from February 1, 2022. His promotion will strengthen our highly regarded Corporate and M&A Practice and further expand our expertise in real estate. He is our youngest partner to date, at only 34 years old, and is recognized as a rising star for corporate and M&A by Asialaw, 2022 ...
Digital rights management (“DRM”) refers to the methods used by content owners to protect their digital content. A number of methods can be used to control and restrict access and usage of digital material. Popular DRM mechanisms include password protecting a digital file/content, as well as platform DRM, which is typically deployed by online streaming platforms and electronic databases to restrict access to content that users are required to pay for ...
“The audit committee directly oversees management’s reporting of the company’s financial position and results to investors. Auditors validate. Naturally, both agents should support each other’s work with an open dialogue about how to protect investors from misleading or inadequate management reports.” - James R. Doty, PCAOB Chairman, PCAOB Open Board Meeting, Aug. 15, 2012 The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) recently issued Auditing Standard No ...
On June 10, 2014, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) adopted Auditing Standard No. 18 (“Standard No. 18”), which amends and supplements existing auditing standards regarding related party transactions, significant unusual transactions and financial relationships and transactions with executive officers. Standard No. 18 also expands the required communications that an auditor must make to the audit committee related to these areas ...
After a public consultation phase initiated at the end of 2010, the Portuguese Competition Authority (“PCA”) made available, at the end of July 2011, the final version of its “Guidelines on the Adoption of Remedies in the Control of Concentrations” (“Guidelines”). As clarified by the PCA, the Guidelines are “a set of de indications pertaining to the selection, design, execution and monitoring of remedies, within the procedure of previous control of concentrations between undertakings” ...
In the case of Claremont Library Development Company (Pty) Ltd v The Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service, the Tax Court recently considered the question of whether crediting a loan account constitutes “payment” of full consideration for purposes of the Value-Added Tax Act, No 89 of 1991 (the “VAT Act”) ...
When the Second Payment Services Directive1 (‘PSD2’) replaced the First Payment Service Directive, the European Union (‘EU’) introduced the requirement of Strong Customer Authentication (‘SCA’). SCA enhances the security of electronic payments through additional layers of authentication with the aim to mitigate payment fraud ...
The internationalization of trade has led to an increase in payments made by Canadian companies to non-residents of Canada, which are most of the time subject to Canadian withholding taxes. Canadian payers must ensure that they withhold the correct percentage of Canadian tax on such payments, as they are liable to the tax authorities for any failures on their part in this regard ...
Whilst talk of Rail Refrom is excellent news for a Sector that has been crying out for it, how much will it really impact the supply chain and what processes and protections are already in place to help the flow of contractual payments? As the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill awaits its second reading in the House of Lords on 7th October it is clear that there is a real focus on Rail from the Government ...
In a turn of events, likely in response to the headlines relating to companies and others returning PPP loan proceeds, on April 23, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Department of the Treasury updated the Paycheck Protection Program Loans Frequently Asked Questions to include Question 31, which has been seen by many as a change in eligibility. The CARES Act specifically suspended the SBA 7(a) loan program requirement that borrowers be unable to obtain credit elsewhere ...
As borrowers use their loan proceeds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to continue or restore payroll and call back laid-off employees, they may encounter reluctance or refusal by employees to return to work, which could impede borrower’s ability to obtain full forgiveness on their PPP loan ...
The Small Business Administration emphasizes that businesses who participate in the Paycheck Protection Program must make a good faith certification that the loan request is “necessary” to support ongoing operations due to the current economic uncertainty ...
What is it? The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a loan program geared toward small businesses dealing with the jarring disruptions caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). It is a part of the larger $2 trillion CARES Act and run through the Small Business Administration. It provides $350 billion in loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during COVID-19 crisis. Who can apply? The PPP provides loans to business with fewer than 500 employees ...
Possession, as they say, is nine tenths of the law. Generally in commercial litigation where, for example, a claim for an outstanding amount is brought against a party, such party is not required to make payment to the claimant until a court has adjudicated on the matter. However, when it comes to matters of tax, the Tax Administration Act, No ...
This blog post, written by Milica Filipović, was published by Compliance Champion Spotlight, a forum for individuals and o
The Law Commission recently announced that it has commenced a three-year review of existing legal frameworks to identify the challenges and opportunities linked to the introduction of highly automated systems into the aviation sector. Such systems could include autonomous drones that can deliver goods to remote areas and pilot-less flying taxis that can transport people across urban environments ...
