Key Events This Week UK to contest EU elections on May 23rd This week Cabinet Office minister and de facto deputy prime minister David Lidington formally announced what we already knew – that the UK would go to the polls on May 23rd to elect Members of the European Parliament. Britain’s new MEPs will keep their seats until such time as Westminster ratifies a Withdrawal Agreement. The Labour Party, SNP and Liberal Democrats on Thursday launched their respective campaigns for the forthcoming...

As Europe prepares to go to the polls from 23rd May, the European Council, representing the Heads of State and Government of each of the Members of the Europe Union, meets in Romania for one of its last meetings of the current mandate. Top of the agenda for discussion will be the key findings of its ‘Future of Europe Initiative’. As Europe faces a crossroads on many fronts, leaders look to develop a future framework to remain strong and relevant...

Operating between the United Kingdom and France, and wondering how Brexit changes your VAT obligations? Here are answers to some of the most frequently-asked questions. When the United Kingdom leaves the European Union (EU) it will become a third country, that is, a jurisdiction outside the EU and also the European Economic Area (EEA). We’ve discussed the tax implications of a no-deal Brexit and examined how it would change the VAT refund procedure. Now, we answer some frequently-asked-questions that we’re receiving about trading...

By J. Bradley Boericke & Joan C. Arnold | Pepper Hamilton  Until recently, the structuring of debt facilities for U.S. borrowers with foreign subsidiaries has been largely driven by IRS interpretations of section 956 of the Internal Revenue Code, which gave rise to significant tax inefficiencies if foreign subsidiaries were to guarantee or provide other collateral support for the debt of a U.S. borrower. As a result of these rules, it has been generally accepted between borrowers and creditors in...

By Stephanie De Smedt | Loyens & Loeff On 25 April 2019, the Data Protection Authority (DPA) published its Annual Activity Report for 2018, highlighting the main developments and accomplishments of the past year. 2018 in numbers: The Annual Report notes that the number of cases the DPA received in 2018 increased significantly. In total, 7,182 cases were processed by the Belgian DPA (an increase of 46% compared to 2017), among which 6,224 requests for information, 295 requests for mediation (of which 65% were...

By Justin Velten | Go Culture International  Adjusting to a new culture presents romantic opportunities for single people. Is dating a good or bad idea? What are the potential pitfalls? Are there cultural barriers or expectations to consider? To date or not to date? The answer to this question is complex and begins by asking yourself a number of value questions. What does my family/culture say about dating? What are my dating values? Whom to date (or maybe better to outline whom not to...

A new provincial government was elected in Alberta on April 16, 2019. The United Conservative Party (UCP) won a strong majority led by Jason Kenney, Alberta’s new Premier. The UCP has declared Alberta as open for business. Members of Bennett Jones’ Energy and Finance Industry practice groups have prepared the following summary of what this new government’s most important policy initiatives mean for your business or investments in Canada. Click HERE to read more. Compliments of Bennett Jones LLP, a member...

By Carlos Vejar & Juan Pablo Moyano | Holland & Knight LLP HIGHLIGHTS: Each of the three participating countries in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is about to submit the new free trade agreement for its respective Congress' approval. Some stakeholders have interpreted Chapter 8 of the agreement as having no obligations for Mexico in the hydrocarbons sector. However, even without a specific chapter regulating the energy market, an energy investment from a U.S. investor will be covered through the more...