Expert Analysis

• EU Directive Significantly Strengthens Enviro Protection

  

  The recently revised European Union directive on environmental protection significantly strengthens its prior legislation and broadens the scope of environmental crime through the introduction of offenses for conduct resulting in severe damage, say Katharina Humphrey and Julian Reichert at Gibson Dunn.

• How Revision Of The EU Works Directive May Affect Cos.

  

  The European Union’s proposed revision of the Works Councils Directive, motivated by perceived shortcomings of existing legislation and the transformation of the world of work, includes significant changes that would increase workers' rights, including through strengthened enforcement and confidentiality provisions, says Thomas Player at Eversheds Sutherland.

• What The New Digital Markets Bill Will Mean For Companies

  

  The recently passed Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill will bring significant reform to U.K. merger control and antitrust rules for all businesses, but the introduction of a strategic market status regime and its reporting obligations means large tech organizations in particular need to think carefully about the forthcoming changes, say lawyers at Linklaters.

• EU's AI Act: Pitfalls And Opportunities For Data Collectors

  

  The European Union’s new Artificial Intelligence Act entails explicit requirements and limitations throughout the AI value chain that might affect firms directly or indirectly dealing with AI development, such as data-as-a-service companies and web scraping providers, says Denas Grybauskas at Oxylabs.

• FCA Doubles Down On New Priorities With Target ID Plan

  

  Respondents to the Financial Conduct Authority’s recent consultation on its plan to publicly name subjects under investigation are concerned that the regulator’s cost-benefit analysis has not adequately considered the risks, but the FCA is holding firm, and it seems likely the changes will be implemented, says James Tyler at Peters & Peters.

• Insurance Ruling Stresses High Hurdle To Fix Policy Wording

  

  In Project Angel v. Axis, the Court of Appeal recently refused to rewrite the exclusion clause of an insurance policy, reminding parties in the warranty and indemnity market to carefully word clauses, as there is a high threshold before courts will intervene to amend policies, say Joseph Moore and Laura McCann at Travers Smith.

• CMA Reports Signal Tighter Scrutiny Of AI Model Markets

  

  The Competition and Markets Authority’s recent reports on artificial intelligence foundation models suggest that competition in AI is not working as it should, so large digital firms can expect the regulator to use its full toolbox as it continues to monitor and investigate the sector, say lawyers at Cooley.

• Taking Stock Of Changes UK Economic Crime Act Will Bring

  

  With more than six months since the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act's enactment, it is time to look at the steps organizations can take to prepare for imminent changes, including the new failure to prevent fraud offense and extensions to Companies House authority, say lawyers at Mayer Brown.

• Examining Senior Managers' Accountability For AI Use

  

  With the Financial Conduct Authority's artificial intelligence update and the Prudential Regulation Authority’s letter to the government offering key guidance on the Senior Managers and Certification Regime, Senior Managers in these organizations need to show they have taken steps to prevent breaching requirements in order not to be held personally accountable, says Jennifer Holyoake at DLA Piper.

• FCA Brokerage Changes Offer Asset Managers Wider Options

  

  The Financial Conduct Authority’s fast-tracked plan to lift its controversial ban on joint payments to broker-dealers for third-party services will be welcomed by many asset managers wishing to return to a soft commission structure, say Richard Frase and Simon Wright at Dechert.

• What Cos. Should Know About The EU Greenwashing Rules

  

  The EU's recently proposed Green Claims Directive introduces new rules to improve the transparency and honesty of environmental claims in advertising, which will help ensure that consumers receive accurate and reliable information to make informed purchasing decisions, says Daja Apetz-Dreier at Morgan Lewis.

• Sanctions Ruling Opens Door For Enforcer To Clear Up Rules

  

  In Vneshprombank v. Bedzhamov, the High Court recently argued against a broader interpretation of the test on reasonable suspicion for asset freezes, offering the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation an opportunity to clarify when freezes should be applied and respond to judicial criticism of its guidance on financial sanctions, says Tasha Benkhadra at Corker Binning.

• How Gov't Response Addresses Investment Act Concerns

  

  The government’s recently published response to a call for evidence on the National Security and Investment Act is largely appropriate to stakeholder concerns raised and demonstrates in its five areas of focus that it is willing to respond to live issues, say lawyers at Watson Farley.

• New Legislation May Jeopardize The Future Of Data Protection

  

  While U.K. officials argue that the recently enacted Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act seeks to enhance national security and the pending Data Protection and Digital Information Bill aims to modernize data protection regulations, both give rise to concerns about achieving a balance between security needs and individual liberties, says Maria Moloney at PrivacyEngine.

• 'Debanking' Complaints Highlight Need For Flexibility In AML

  

  The House of Commons' Treasury Committee's concerns about bank account closures have highlighted certain counterproductive features of anti-money laundering laws, and the review offers the opportunity for a more flexible approach, says John Binns at BCL Solicitors.