Expert Analysis

• How The New UK Digital Markets Bill Will Affect CMA's Powers

  

  The highly anticipated U.K. Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill sets out far-reaching changes in terms of merger control and conduct requirements, but some are skeptical of the Competition and Markets Authority’s enhanced powers and potential for divergence in treatment between firms, say Ben Chivers, Stephen Whitfield ​​​​​​​and Nigel Seay at Travers Smith.

• Key Takeaways From EU Proposal For Greenwashing Rules

  

  If the proposal for a Green Claims Directive, with its enhanced rules on claims about a product or trader's environmental impact, is adopted, it will affect all businesses selling their products in the EU and bring major changes to the way those products are packaged and advertised, say attorneys at Shearman.

• UK Plan For AI Rules Raises Compliance Questions For Cos.

  

  The U.K. government's proposal for a new, clear and pro-innovation regulatory framework on artificial intelligence diverges from the European Union's approach, which may create incoherence and compliance burdens for businesses operating in both jurisdictions, says attorneys at Akin Gump.

• The FCA's Timely Plan To Reform Asset Management Regime

  

  The discussion paper recently issued by the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority finally addresses how, in the future, asset management regulation will work in totality from an investor, manager and distributor perspective, and its review of the purpose and balance of the regime is welcomed, says Tim Dolan at Greenberg Traurig.

• Questions Raised By UK Plan For ESG Ratings Providers

  

  HM Treasury is taking steps toward regulating environmental, social and corporate governance ratings providers, aiming to ensure adequate protection for U.K. users and level the playing field, but the potential new regime risks imposing undue regulatory burden and overlapping requirements on U.K. and overseas firms, say Ferdisha Snagg and Andreas Wildner at Cleary.

• Review Of Senior Managers Regime Provides Useful Insight

  

  Although the recently launched review of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime suggests a remodel rather than wholesale change, the topics raised illustrate the mindset of the three key stakeholders in the U.K. financial services sector, say Richard Burger and Katy O’Connor at WilmerHale.

• Highlights Of The UK's New Economic Crime Plan

  

  With the direction of the U.K. government’s newly launched second economic crime plan undeniably altered by the recent focus on kleptocrats and their money, the emphasis is now on how the U.K. can deliver a more effective approach to reducing the threat of economic crime, says Kathryn Westmore at the Royal United Services Institute.

• How The LDI Crisis May Lead To Pensions' Negligence Claims

  

  Following the liability-driven investment crisis and its impact on pension schemes, employers and trustees may now be considering if anyone is to blame for any losses arising, say Rachael Healey and Andrew Oberholzer at RPC.

• 5 Crypto Considerations For UK Policymakers

  

  A recent consultation paper from the U.K.'s HM Treasury about digital asset regulation has been touted as a cause for celebration, and while the wheels have been put into motion, there is still a lot of work to do when it comes to correctly regulating the U.K.'s cryptocurrency industry, says Oliver Linch at Bittrex Global.

• Crypto-Asset Consultation Sets Out Direction Of Travel For UK

  

  HM Treasury's phased approach in its recently published consultation on extending the U.K.'s future financial services regulatory regime for crypto-assets, although in many ways differing from parallel developments in the EU, is likely to be conducive to thoughtful policymaking, say attorneys at Cleary.

• EU Act Offers Financial Sector A Cybersecurity Framework

  

  Although unlikely to be a complete solution to all risk management issues, the Digital Operation Resilience Act, effective from 2025, will increase regulatory pressure substantially in the EU financial sector and demand compliance with several new requirements, say attorneys at DLA Piper.

• Warranty & Indemnity Insurance Considerations For M&A

  

  With increased competition and greater capacity leading to lower premiums and deal costs, warranty and indemnity insurance is now available to the wider M&A market, and may help to limit risk and help parties focus on other key elements of the transaction, says Alice Wooler at Birketts.

• 4 Exercises To Quickly Build Trust On Legal Teams

  

  High-performance legal teams can intentionally build trust through a rigorous approach, including open-ended conversations and personality assessments, to help attorneys bond fast, even if they are new to the firm or group, says Ben Sachs at the University of Virginia School of Law.

• Lessons To Be Learned From Twitter's Latest Hacking Scandal

  

  Following the report of a recent data breach at Twitter, it is clearly vital for companies to adhere to best practices in data protection and IT security arrangements, including technical measures, and proper processes and procedures that mitigate risk and provide adequate training for staff, says Simon Ridding at Keller Postman.

• Preparing For EU's Pay Gap Reporting Directive

  

  An agreement has been reached on the European Union Pay Transparency Directive, paving the way for gender pay gap reporting to become compulsory for many employers across Europe, introducing a more proactive approach than the similar U.K. regime and leading the way on new global standards for equal pay, say attorneys at Lewis Silkin.