Houthoff - Houthoff targets major expansion of its Tax Team Houthoff's tax advisory practice is currently undergoing a major expansion. Houthoff welcomed Paulus Merks to the firm on 1 January, as a new partner in the Tax Team. This follows the recent addition of Peter Josten to the practice group. Overall, the Tax Team is expected to have 30 advisers by the end of the year, doubling its current size. Additional Protection of Trade Secrets to become effective in the EU...

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DS-Concept -  DS-Concept has completed the funding of a $1.5 million trade finance facility for a U.S. subsidiary of an Iceland-based seafood processor and exporter. The client, an importer and wholesaler of fresh and frozen Atlantic Cod from Iceland, has received a tailored, comprehensive trade finance package including non-recourse factoring and supply chain financing. The client intends to use the facility to support its financial independence from its parent company and fuel its growth with both new and existing customers...

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NautaDutilh - The X Principles of Corporate Governance ("X Principles") of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LSE) were revised in December 2017 in order to introduce a new ninth principle on corporate social responsibility (CSR).   The revised X Principles are effective as from 1 January 2018 and applicable to financial years starting as from that date. Consequently, companies are expected to implement the new CSR rules in the course of their first financial year starting on or after 1 January 2018 and...

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European Investment Bank - Gender equality is one of the founding values of the European Union, and a key objective of the Sustainable Development Goals. It is also smart economics: empowering women is key to enhance business productivity and to catalyse economic growth, social cohesion and social justice. As the EU bank, it is our duty to ensure that the projects that we finance protect all corners of our communities. Women, men, girls and boys must have the opportunity to benefit from their...

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Ogletree Deakins -  Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to welcome Stephen (Steve) Macri and Joseph (Joe) Cartafalsa as shareholders in the firm’s New York City office. Macri and Cartafalsa join Ogletree Deakins from Putney, Twombly, Hall & Hirson, where Macri served as chair of the firm’s labor and employment group and on the firm’s executive committee and Cartafalsa was a partner. “Steve and Joe are well-known attorneys with strong practices who...

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Mason Hayes & Curran -   Mason Hayes & Curran is pleased to announce the appointment of William Carmody as its new Head of Financial Services.    Mason Hayes & Curran's recognised team of banking specialists is one of the largest in Ireland, providing unparalleled financial services sector experience. Clients include major domestic and international banks, non-bank lenders, corporate borrowers and investment funds. William is also renowned for his expertise in the financing of renewable energy projects.   Click here to find out how William and his team can help you.  Compliments of Mason...

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Stibbe - On 19 January 2018, the German Federal Court of Justice (FCJ) published its judgment concerning an appeal brought by shoe manufacturer ASICS against a fining decision. The FCJ ruled that ASICS had infringed competition law by prohibiting its retailers from participating in price comparison websites. The judgment confirms the strict approach of German courts relating to vertical online sales restrictions. In August 2015, the German competition authority fined ASICS for restricting internet sales by authorised distributors in its selective...

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Ernst & Young -  The approval of Basel III regulations resolves many key banking issues and provides some degree of certainty for the future of capital and liquidity requirements. However, increased fragmentation is expected as banks implement their own versions of reforms. Banks face continued pressure to keep pace with new technologies and respond to challenges and opportunities posed by disruptors to traditional banking models, such as new entrants, open banking and a central bank digital currency (CBDC). Tighter investor and supervisory...

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Ernst & Young -  The pace and scale of disruption will continue to present a number of challenges to companies; however, opportunities to harness new technology and trends will undoubtedly emerge to reshape business models, improve companies’ performance and value creation, and focus on and address emerging risks. In this continually changing environment, board members need more than ever to focus on key and strategic priorities. That disruption takes many forms, including political instability fueled by economic uncertainty across the world,...

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