Member News

Sauli Niinistö, President of Finland is visiting the US

"We all have to accelerate our efforts. Reduce our emissions, increase our carbon sinks. We cannot afford to wait for others to move first. The climate crisis calls for leaders, not just followers." - President Niinistö on Twitter On Monday, 23rd September, President Sauli  Niinistö spoke at the Climate Action Summit, hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. On Tuesday, 24th September, President Niinistö delivered Finland’s National Statement at the Opening of the General Debate of the UN General Assembly.On Wednesday, 2nd October 2019, President Niinistö will meet...

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Member News

An Office in New York. A Bridge to Europe.

Why should a Benelux law firm have an office in New York? For NYC-based partners Elizabeth van Schilfgaarde and Jad Nader this question is a no-brainer: “Twenty percent of the firm's turnover originates in the United States. New York City is an ideal location for promoting the firm, and having an office here allows us to connect in person with our US clients.” NautaDutilh's New York office at 1 Rockefeller Plaza is relatively small compared to those in the Benelux:...

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Chapter News

IMF Executive Board Selects Kristalina Georgieva as Managing Director

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today selected Kristalina Georgieva to serve as IMF Managing Director and Chair of the Executive Board for a five-year term starting on October 1, 2019. Ms. Georgieva, who succeeds Christine Lagarde, is the first person from an emerging market economy to lead the IMF since its inception in 1944. The selection of Ms. Georgieva by the 24-member Executive Board representing the IMF’s 189 member countries brings to a conclusion the selection...

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Chapter News

Committed to Accelerated Climate Action

Climate change is a defining challenge of our generation and the European Union (EU)  has been at the forefront of negotiating a multilateral framework to respond to this global challenge. In 2015, the EU diplomacy played a leading role in brokering the historic and global Paris Climate Agreement. 195 countries agreed on a simple goal: to hand over to future generations a healthier planet and more prosperous, modern and fair societies. The EU has acted domestically with speed and decisiveness to...

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Brexit News, Chapter News

The Halligan Lecture of the Irish Institute for International and European Affairs in Brussels, by John Bruton

By John Bruton, former Taoiseach, former EU Ambassador and former vice President of the EPP, delivering the Halligan lecture of the Irish Institute for International and European Affairs in Brussels  at 18.30pm on 30 September ;   BRENDAN HALLIGAN I would like to start by saying a few words about the man in whose honour tonight’s lecture is being held, Brendan Halligan .  Brendan is the founder of the Institute.  He could see, back in 1980, when he and a few friends came together...

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Member News

DOL Issues Final Regulations for Salary Cutoff Amount for Overtime Exemption

By Steve T. Ball | Holland & Knight The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on Sept. 24, 2019, issued its final overtime rule as it relates to the salary amount that employees must be paid in order to meet the salary basis requirements for exemption from overtime pay. (See Holland & Knight's previous alert, "Be Prepared for New Federal Overtime Rule Regarding Salary," Sept. 12, 2019.) Through the end of 2019, most white-collar exempt employees must be paid at least $455 per...

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Brexit News, Chapter News

Brexit And The Belfast Agreement

Compliments of John Bruton, former Taoiseach, former EU Ambassador and former vice President of the EPP Brexit is about divergence between the two parts of Ireland, between Ireland and Britain, and between Britain and Europe.  The debate about Brexit has also contributed to increased policy divergence between the representatives of the two traditional communities in Northern Ireland. It has deepened the divide. Thankfully, the Alliance Party and its Leader, Naomi Long MEP, are providing a voice for those who want a...

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Member News

Vulcan Insight | Analysis of the latest EU Developments 20-27 September 2019

Key Events This Week Supreme Court rules on Boris Johnson’s suspension of Parliament The Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that Boris Johnson’s prorogation of parliament was unlawful. The court ruled that the decision itself to prorogue parliament was unlawful as it had “the effect of frustrating or preventing the ability of parliament to carry out its constitutional functions without reasonable justification.” Notably, the court also asserted that the decision by the Privy Council to ask the Queen to suspend parliament was...

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Chapter News, News

EU-UN Spotlight Initiative: at the forefront of ending violence against women and girls

Today in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the European Union and the United Nations are hosting a high level event on the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative – inviting all countries, leaders, civil society representatives and local ambassadors to join the movement and take action to end violence against women and girls. Ahead of the event, High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini said: "Violence against women is violence against the entire society – so the entire society must...

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Chapter News, News

Human Traffickers’ ring busted in France and Bulgaria

An international criminal network involved in the trafficking of 167 people for labour exploitation was taken down by the national authorities of France and Bulgaria in several joint action days. One French and three Bulgarian suspects were arrested and heard in France, and numerous searches were carried out in Bulgaria. Eurojust, the EU’s Judicial Cooperation Unit, supported the simultaneous operations through real-time coordination of the national judicial and law enforcement authorities, and by setting up a joint investigation team...

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