On 11 January 2024, the EU Data Act (2023/2854) entered into force. This new regulation includes rules for accessing and using data generated by smart products, such as smart meters, industrial machinery, medical devices and connected cars. Such devices generate data on a large scale, but these data are typically held by the manufacturers of those products. The European Union finds this problematic, which is why it introduced the Data Act in an effort to give individuals and businesses more control over...

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A game-changing package of EU AML reforms has come into sharper focus following the announcement that provisional political agreement has been reached on key proposals. We reflect on ten important aspects of the incoming regime, providing a run-down of what firms should be looking out for as we await the final texts. Background The European Commission put forward its package of AML reforms back in 2021. At the time, a new directive and three new regulations were proposed to strengthen EU...

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Almost two years after the publication of proposed rules (the Proposed Rules) on March 30, 2022, the SEC has adopted final rules (the Final Rules) to enhance disclosure and expand liability in initial public offerings by special purpose acquisition companies and in business combination transactions (de-SPAC transactions) involving SPACs and private operating companies (targets). The Final Rules, published on January 24, 2024, and set forth in Release No. 33-11265, were adopted largely as proposed, and require additional, detailed disclosures in connection...

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Welcome to Lost in Translation: Blunders in International Estate Planning; in this blog series, I will delve into the rarified world of international estate planning, shedding light on possible pitfalls and slip-ups. Blunder No. 1:  Two Wills That Revoke Each Other A Will drafted in the U.S. may not be enforceable in another country, and some clients may own property in multiple nations. The gold standard for international estate planning involves offshore trusts and companies. However, these structures come with hefty...

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The European Commission announced a crucial milestone in its environmental agenda with the adoption of enhanced regulations governing fluorinated gases (F-gases) and ozone-depleting substances (ODS). These substances currently contribute to over 3% of the European Union’s total greenhouse gas emissions. This move represents a significant accomplishment within the EU Green Deal, aligning with the bloc’s commitment to achieving its 2030 climate goals and attaining climate neutrality by 2050. The new rules specifically target hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the most prevalent F-gases, aiming to eliminate their use entirely by 2050. Quota levels...

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