Member News

Shearman | Important Arbitration Decision for Lenders

Project Finance Lender Can Claim Directly Against State Under Investment Treaty A recent decision of an arbitral tribunal constituted under the auspices of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) has opened the door for potential direct claims by project finance lenders against states in circumstances in which the projects they finance are adversely affected by state measures. In a decision rendered on August 20, 2020, the tribunal in Portigon AG v. Kingdom of Spain (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/15) held...

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Chapter News

ECB’s Governing Council says that exceptional circumstances justify leverage ratio relief

ECB’s Governing Council confirms exceptional circumstances Opinion instrumental in ECB Banking Supervision’s decision to allow banks to exclude central bank exposures from leverage ratio See also ECB Banking Supervision announcement on leverage ratio The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) has decided that it concurs with ECB Banking supervision that there are ‘exceptional circumstances’ allowing the temporary exclusion of certain central bank exposures from the leverage ratio. The Governing Council said in an opinion: “The situation brought about...

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Chapter News

NextGenerationEU: EU Commission presents next steps for €672.5 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility in 2021 Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy

The European Commission has set out strategic guidance for the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility in its 2021 Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy (ASGS). The Facility is the key recovery instrument at the heart of NextGenerationEU which will help the EU emerge stronger and more resilient from the current crisis. The Facility will provide an unprecedented €672.5 billion of loans and grants in frontloaded financial support for the crucial first years of the recovery. The publication of the ASGS...

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Chapter News

State of the Union: EU Commission raises climate ambition and proposes 55% cut in emissions by 2030

The European Commission presented today its plan to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. This level of ambition for the next decade will put the EU on a balanced pathway to reaching climate neutrality by 2050. The new target is based on a comprehensive Impact Assessment of the social, economic and environmental impacts. The Assessment demonstrates that this course of action is realistic and feasible. This raised ambition also underlines the EU's continued global...

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Chapter News

Green Deal: measures to step up the fight against global deforestation

Binding targets to protect forests, in particular primary forests Robust implementation and enforcement of existing instruments Future trade and investment agreements should contain binding provisions against deforestation MEPs outline how the EU can contribute to tackling worldwide deforestation and call for domestic policies to be revised to protect European forests. In the non-binding resolution adopted on Tuesday with 543 votes to 47 and 109 abstentions, in response to a Commission communication, MEPs call for more support to protect, restore and...

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Chapter News

State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary

Brussels, September 16, 2020 | Building the world we want to live in: A Union of vitality in a world of fragility Dear President, Honourable Members, One of the most courageous minds of our times, Andrei Sakharov – a man so admired by this House - always spoke of his unshakeable belief in the hidden strength of the human spirit. In these last six months, Europeans have shown how strong that human spirit really is. We saw it in the care workers who moved into nursing homes...

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COVID-19 News, Member News

Troutman Pepper | Navigating Adapted Operations Advisory Series: Part One – Phased Approach Considerations, Creating and Implementing a COVID-19 Response Plan, and Benefits Concerns for a Returning Workforce

Who Needs to Know Employers who are reopening (or have already reopened) by bringing employees back to their workplaces. Why It Matters Bringing a workforce back to the workplace, whether from teleworking, furlough or layoff status, is an exercise with many moving parts. Employers need to follow a reasoned strategy to address COVID-19-related risks and other considerations associated with recalling some or all of a workforce to develop a sensible back-to-work protocol. Troutman Pepper is issuing a series of client advisories, Navigating Adapted Operations, to...

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Member News

Vulcan Insight | Ursula von der Leyen Delivers Maiden SOTEU Address

One year after assuming her role, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today delivered her maiden State of the European Union address to the European Parliament’s Brussels plenary. Speaking for over an hour, President von der Leyen presented her vision for revitalising the EU’s economy in a sustainable, green and more innovative way. Building on her former experience as German Defence Minister, President von der Leyen also spoke passionately about her vision for a more geo-politically impactful European Union that stands up...

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Member News

FTI Consulting | 5 Steps to Ensure Your Business is Compliant with the Next Set of Data Privacy Laws

Previously published in FTI Journal | The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is paving the way for an era of similar laws in states across the country. Rather than trying to adapt incrementally, companies should position themselves now for general compliance. Data equals dollars in today’s digital age with personal information as the hot commodity. However, headline topping cybersecurity breaches have made consumers skittish about how companies handle the data they share online. Rising demand for greater protection of personal information...

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Member News

WSGR | EDPB Issues Guidelines on Social Media Targeting Under GDPR

On Monday September 7, 2020, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) issued draft Guidelines 8/2020 on the targeting of social media users (the "Draft Guidelines"). The Draft Guidelines have far-reaching implications for social media platforms, advertisers, and adtech companies, as they will result in a clarification of the roles and responsibilities of the key stakeholders, and establish rules for consent. The Draft Guidelines are open for public consultation until October 19, 2020. Interested companies can submit their comments to the EDPB. Summary The Draft Guidelines...

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