Expert Analysis

• Court Backlog Could Alter Work Safety Enforcement Priorities

  

  While criminal prosecution remains the default course of action following the most serious workplace accidents, a record backlog of cases in the crown courts in England and Wales and safety regulators’ recognition of the need for change may allow for a more discerning approach, say lawyers at BCL Solicitors.

• New CMA Powers Will Change Consumer Protection Regime

  

  The Competition and Markets Authority’s imminent broadened powers to impose penalties on organizations for unethical or misleading practices are likely to transform the U.K.’s consumer protection regime, and may lead to a rise in private litigation and increased regulatory scrutiny, say lawyers at Morgan Lewis.

• Opinion

  Prospects For New Fraud Prevention Prosecution Look Slim

  

  With the Labour Party's inherited patchwork of Conservative Party corporate crime legislation for preventing fraud and corruption, the forthcoming Economic Crime Act’s failure to prevent fraud offense is unlikely to be successful in assisting prosecutors bring companies to justice, says Matthew Cowie at Rahman Ravelli.

• What's Next After FCA Drops Troubled 'Name And Shame' Plan

  

  A closer look at the Financial Conduct Authority's recent decision to toss its widely unpopular proposal changing the test for announcing enforcement investigations may reveal how we got here, why the regulator changed course, and where it’s headed next, say lawyers at Hogan Lovells.

• What To Note In EU Tech Transfer Agreements Consultation

  

  Robert Klotz at Steptoe explains the European Commission’s main contemplated amendments to a regulation that exempts certain technology transfer agreements from European Union restrictions, the current political context around the ongoing reform, and as its potential consequences for businesses.

• UK Refusal Of US Extradition Request May Set New Standard

  

  The recent U.K. Supreme Court ruling in El-Khouri v. U.S., denying a U.S. extradition request, overturns a long-held precedent and narrows how U.K. courts must decide such requests, potentially signaling a broader reevaluation of U.K. extradition law, say lawyers at Dechert and Kingsley Napley.

• Insights On ESMA's Alternative Investment Fund Consultation

  

  Aaron Mulcahy at Maples Group discusses key points from the European Securities and Markets Authority’s recent consultation on open-ended loan-originating alternative investment funds, highlighting the growth in semi-liquid evergreen funds and explaining ESMA’s proposed standards.

• How UK Supreme Court May Assess Russia Sanctions Cases

  

  In two recent U.K. Supreme Court cases challenging the U.K. Russia sanctions regime, the forthcoming judgments are likely to focus on proportionality and European Convention on Human Rights compatibility, and will undoubtedly influence how future challenges are shaped, says Leigh Crestohl at Zaiwalla.

• Practice Leader Insights

  

  This year, 42 leaders of employment, intellectual property, insurance and transactions practice groups shared thoughts on keeping the pulse on legal trends, tackling difficult cases and what it takes to make a mark in their area.

• How EU Digital Act Could Shape UK Technology Disputes

  

  Noncompliance with the recently effective European Union Digital Operational Resilience Act will add layers of complexity to disputes and litigation for U.K.-based firms servicing EU entities, but international standards may serve as a bridge between jurisdictional and contractual misalignments, says Siobhan Forster at Alvarez & Marsal.

• Key Findings From EU Report On Antitrust Remedies

  

  Although the European Commission’s recent report assessing the effectiveness of its antitrust policy on behavioral remedies is not binding, it may influence future cases and promote coherence, providing useful insights for national competition authorities and courts when considering remedies in their own jurisdictions, say lawyers at Paul Weiss.

• How Foreign Cos. Should Prep For New UK Fraud Law

  

  As the U.K. prepares to hold companies criminally liable for failing to prevent fraudulent acts of their associates, U.S. and global companies should review their compliance measures against the broad language of this new offense, which could permit prosecution of acts committed entirely abroad, say attorneys at Latham & Watkins.

• Opinion

  EU's AI Code Of Practice Creates Risk Of Regulatory Clashes

  

  The second draft of the European Commission's Artificial Intelligence Code of Practice significantly expands beyond the European Union's existing legal framework for AI — especially around copyright protection, public transparency and reporting obligations — and risks interfering with other EU laws by introducing requirements contrary to existing regulations, say lawyers at MoFo.

• Ruling In SFO Case Shows How Contract Rules Apply To DPAs

  

  The Court of Appeal’s recent decision upholding the Serious Fraud Office's first-ever attempt to enforce an expired deferred prosecution agreement illustrates that the courts' approach to DPAs is governed by the rules of contract, and that the intention of the parties at the time of agreement is critical to contract interpretation, say lawyers at Simmons & Simmons.

• What To Know About Compliance As EU AI Act Takes Effect

  

  Raj Shah at Mishcon de Reya explains how recently effective provisions of the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act, which concern prohibited AI practices and AI literacy, will affect both providers and users of AI systems, and suggests steps that companies can take now to plug any compliance gaps.