Companies caught in the crossfire between US sanctions against Iran and the EU’s Blocking Regulation have found themselves in a precarious compliance zone. The combined effect of the reinstatement of US sanctions against Iran and the EU’s response in reactivating the Blocking Regulation have led to headaches for EU companies who have business exposure to both US and Iranian markets.
White Collar CrimeThe European Banking Authority is seeking responses to its Discussion Paper EBA/DP/2020/03. The Discussion Paper focuses on the management and supervision of ESG risks for credit institutions and investment firms. Interested parties have until 3 February 2021 to submit their comments.
DisputesPeter Sweetman successfully challenged the Board's decision to grant planning permission for abstraction, on WFD grounds. The failure to have assigned a Water Framework Directive (WFD) status to the relevant water body meant the Board could not carry out a valid assessment and made it impossible for the Board to evaluate whether the proposed works were compliant with Article 4(1) of the WFD.
Environmental & Planning
The High Court has confirmed that the Courts will facilitate the listing of personal injuries cases for remote hearing during lockdown if all parties agree.
COVID-19The Brexit transition period expired on 31 December 2020. From 1 January 2021 new rules apply when dealing with UK entities regarding which courts have jurisdiction to deal with disputes; how any UK court judgment can be enforced in Ireland and how to serve UK entities with Irish legal proceedings.
BrexitAs of 1 January 2021, the United Kingdom is no longer part of the EU's internal energy market and the framework for energy trading between the UK and the EU is governed by Title VIII of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
BrexitThe Irish Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohue, recently published an update to Ireland's Corporation Tax Roadmap (Roadmap).
TaxIn our latest publication we examine some of the recommendations contained in the Hamilton Review Group report and ask whether they would have the desired impact on Ireland's ability to tackle economic crime cases.
DisputesThe EU Sustainability-Related Disclosures Regulation (SFDR) forms part of a broader package of legislation being introduced by the European Commission as part of its Action Plan on Sustainable Finance.
Asset Management & Investment FundsThere are beneficial ownership requirements relevant for Irish authorised fund management companies and for collective investment schemes structured as companies, ICAVs, unit trusts, CCFs and ILPs.
Asset Management & Investment FundsEffective from 23 December 2020, the new Code of Practice for Employers and Employees on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work provides employers with fresh legal direction on what constitutes workplace bullying and what employers are expected to do when presented with allegations of bullying.
Employment
Updated guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been published following increased restrictions across Great Britain and Northern Ireland aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Belfast
