Financial Services UK

New UK And US Regimes May Deter Foreign Investment

Newly proposed U.K. rules and the amended regime for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States will radically change how the two governments review sensitive transactions, which will affect the likelihood of deal clearance, deal timing and the drafting of appropriate contractual provisions, say Robert Bell and Jennifer Mammen of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP.

BVI Companies May See More 'Just And Equitable' Petitions

Courts in the British Virgin Islands have mostly resisted the temptation to appoint liquidators in soft wind-downs. However, a recent decision in Delco Participation v. Green Elite has opened the door to more "just and equitable" liquidation petitions, say Andrew Willins and Eliot Simpson of Appleby.

UK Employees May Soon Gain The 'Right To Disconnect'

Several European countries have recently incorporated the "right to disconnect" from work into their domestic legislation. Currently, there is no equivalent law in the U.K., but as stress levels continue to rise, it is likely that U.K. legislators will follow suit, says Sarah King of Excello Law.

Cayman Derivative Cases Brought Overseas Still Face Hurdles

Two court decisions within the past year have simplified the process for bringing derivative claims outside the Cayman Islands on behalf of Cayman companies, as shareholders no longer need permission from a Cayman court. However, such claims still face two difficulties, say Peter McMaster and Anna Snead of Appleby.

Q&A

A Chat With Faegre Client Development Chief Melanie Green

In this monthly series, Amanda Brady of Major Lindsey & Africa interviews management from top law firms about the increasingly competitive business environment. Here we feature Melanie Green, chief client development officer at Faegre Baker Daniels LLP.

Structuring Investigations In Light Of UK Privilege Case

The English Court of Appeal's much-anticipated decision in Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation means that companies will continue to face difficulties in obtaining the information they need to investigate suspected wrongdoing, without losing the benefit of legal advice privilege under English law, say Mark Beeley and Rebecca Dipple of Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.

UK's Proposed Investment Scrutiny Powers Are Far-Reaching

The recently issued National Security and Investment White Paper proposes a significant expansion in the U.K. government's powers to scrutinize foreign investments. If the proposals are brought into force, the U.K. regime will be one of the most stringent in the world, say Douglas Lahnborg and Matthew Rose of Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.

Relief For Cos. Conducting UK Internal Investigations

After almost a year and a half of uncertainty, the U.K. Court of Appeal has restored the eminently sensible position that documents created in an internal investigation are capable of being covered by litigation privilege when a criminal investigation or prosecution is in prospect, say Simon Airey and Joshua Domb of Paul Hastings LLP.

SEC Action Brings Lessons For Quantitative Fund Managers

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission last week announced settlements with Aegon and several of its affiliates for alleged misconduct involving faulty quantitative investment models. The case illustrates the pitfalls of implementing an ambitious investment program poorly, say Brian Daly and Anna Maleva-Otto of Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP.

Breaking Down The UK's Revised Corporate Governance Code

Recent changes to the U.K. Corporate Governance Code should reassure investors that companies with a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange are committed to being standard-bearers. Issuers may also benefit from the workforce engagement, corporate culture and diversity changes that will be brought into businesses, say Joseph Ferraro and Jennifer Tait of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP.