Member News

Brexit Business Brief | What happens Now

The UK is set to leave the EU on 31 January 2020. With the Conservative Party now in a substantial majority in the House of Commons, it appears inevitable that the United Kingdom will leave the European Union at the end of January 2020 on the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement agreed on 19 October 2019. Here are the steps by which that departure is expected to happen. Step One: get the WAB into the UK statute book Mr Johnson has indicated...

Read more

Chapter News

Commission Reinforces Tools to Ensure Europe’s Interests in International Trade

Today, the European Commission unveiled a proposal that will allow the European Union to protect its trade interests despite the paralysis of the multilateral dispute settlement system in the World Trade Organization (WTO). To further increase the focus on compliance and enforcement of the EU's trade agreements, the Commission created today the position of Chief Trade Enforcement Officer. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “A stronger Europe in the world implies efficient EU leadership on global trade and...

Read more

Member News

Enforcement of U.S. WTO Rights in Large Civil Aircraft Dispute: Request for Comments

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Docket No. USTR-2019-0003 Review of Action: Enforcement of U.S. WTO Rights in Large Civil Aircraft Dispute AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Request for comments. SUMMARY: The U.S. Trade Representative is reviewing the action being taken in the Section 301 investigation involving the enforcement of U.S. WTO rights in the Large Civil Aircraft dispute. Annex I to this notice contains a list of products currently subject to additional duties. Annex II contains...

Read more

Member News

Regulation on Sustainability‐Related Disclosures in the Financial Services Sector Published

In response to growing concerns over climate change, and as part of broader efforts to connect finance with the specific needs of the European and global economy for the benefit of the planet and our society, the European Union has been examining how to integrate sustainability considerations into its financial policy framework in order to mobilise finance for sustainable growth. The action plan In March 2018, the European Commission published an action plan on sustainable finance (the “Action Plan”) specifically aiming...

Read more

Chapter News

ECB Adopts Opinion on Appointment of New Executive Board Member

The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) today adopted an opinion on a recommendation from the Council of the European Union on the appointment of a member of the ECB’s Executive Board. The Governing Council had no objection to the proposed candidate, Isabel Schnabel, who is a person of recognised standing and professional experience in monetary or banking matters, as required by Article 283(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Ms Schnabel currently serves...

Read more

Member News

Second Circuit Holds Judicial Approval Not Required When Settling FLSA Claim Pursuant to Rule 68(a) Offer of Judgment

On Dec. 6, 2019, the Second Circuit issued a decision in Yu v. Hasaki Restaurant, Inc. that will likely impact settlement of wage and hour actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In a split decision, the court reversed a district court ruling and held that judicial approval is not required when settling an FLSA claim pursuant to a Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 68(a) offer of judgment. In this case, the plaintiff filed a complaint alleging FLSA overtime violations. After...

Read more

Chapter News

The European Green Deal Sets out How to Make Europe the First Climate-Neutral Continent by 2050

The European Commission today presented The European Green Deal – a roadmap for making the EU's economy sustainable by turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities across all policy areas and making the transition just and inclusive for all. President Ursula von der Leyen said: ‘The European Green Deal is our new growth strategy – for a growth that gives back more than it takes away. It shows how to transform our way of living and working, of producing and consuming so that we live healthier and...

Read more

Member News

Europe: High Financial Penalties for Infringements of Formal Obligations Incompatible with Freedom of Services

On September 12, 2019, the European Court of Justice ruled that very high financial penalties for infringements of formal obligations in the context of a secondment are incompatible with the freedom to provide services. An Austrian contractor had contracted with a Croatian subcontractor to provide a service on Austrian territory. During an audit, the Austrian Tax Investigation Service established that for most of the employees, no payroll documents or work permits could be submitted. Both the manager of the Austrian...

Read more

Chapter News

European Green Deal to Be Presented in Plenary by Commission President

MEPs will debate the “European Green Deal” to make the EU the first climate-neutral continent, on Wednesday 14:00, in an extraordinary plenary sitting in Brussels. Following the Commission’s expected announcement of the “European Green Deal” on Wednesday 11 December, the European Parliament will have a first debate on it with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans who will close the debate. The European Green Deal will focus on the fight against...

Read more

Chapter News

An Unprecedented Trip of European Ambassadors Outside Washington, DC

For the first time ever, nearly all European Ambassadors to the United States went on a joint trip outside of the Beltway to showcase EU unity and celebrate the close political, economic, and cultural ties between the European Union and the State of Maryland Are you sure this is going to work? Can we manage so many events simultaneously? Will we be able to remain on schedule with multiple parallel programs across the State of Maryland? When the ambassador of the...

Read more