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The Department for Business and Trade’s planned overhaul of the Competition Market Authority’s regime will introduce a series of targeted procedural changes aimed at improving efficiency and engagement, raising questions around procedural safeguards and jurisdictional thresholds, say lawyers at Baker Botts.
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The European Commission’s long-awaited EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation guidelines provide helpful clarifications for companies, but with many areas remaining broadly framed, uncertainty may continue to deter investments and increase the compliance burden on organizations, say lawyers at Hogan Lovells.
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The Financial Conduct Authority’s recent proposals to reform the professional client categorization regime and simplify conflicts of interest rules are likely to be welcomed, although firms will need to navigate the increased responsibility that comes with greater flexibility, say lawyers at Skadden.
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Lloyds Banking's recent purchase of gilt with tokenized deposits is an example of banks' preference for the instrument over stablecoins, which present uncertainty by demanding compliance with multiple conduct regimes, says Dan Jones at MoFo.
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The Irish government’s recent proposals to amend and clarify competition and consumer law would allow new investigative powers and greater financial sanctions, leading to concerns from businesses whether the benefits outweigh the privacy risks, says Kate McKenna at Matheson.
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The European Union Listing Act’s forthcoming changes to EU prospectus requirements aim to reduce the regulatory burden for issuers of securities, facilitating more efficient transaction execution and reducing market risk, of particular relevance to small and midsize enterprises, say lawyers at Covington.
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The increasing use of portability mechanics in loan documentation can make sales processes more attractive to buyers and brings cost savings to sellers, but there are concerns over the portability's impact on competition and differences in sponsors’ goals, say lawyers at King & Spalding.
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As the artificial intelligence industry continues to witness substantial M&A transactions in Europe, parties should be mindful of the unique challenges posed by the acquisition of intangible AI technologies, monitor the evolving regulatory landscape, and establish optimal mechanisms for risk allocation, say lawyers at Morgan Lewis.
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The new U.K. prospectus regime for trading on regulated markets, effective Jan. 19, aims to streamline processes and reduce costs, but a significant shift in structuring and disclosure obligations will increase pressure on practitioners to manage risk under tighter timelines, say lawyers at Baker Botts.
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Entrepreneurs are increasingly using artificial intelligence in their operations to model valuations or test market timing, and the same sophistication is expected from those advising them, so lawyers should use AI tools responsibly to reinforce their judgment and good advice, says Amen Alonge at Farrer.
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The Competition and Markets Authority’s recently launched consumer protection drive targeting banned online sales practices focuses on supporting compliance rather than on enforcement, although firms should expect this to change once businesses have had time to adapt to the regulator's new regime, say lawyers at Baker Botts.
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The Financial Conduct Authority’s clear intention in 2025 to conduct fewer, faster investigations and reinforce transparency is likely to continue in 2026, with a dual-pronged approach of targeted enforcement and assertive supervision to fight crime, support growth and help consumers as its priorities, say lawyers at WilmerHale.
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The judiciary’s recently updated guidance on the use of artificial intelligence warns judges and tribunal members about misinformation and white text manipulation, providing a reminder that AI tools cannot replace direct engagement with evidence and reflecting a broader concern about their application when handling confidential material, say lawyers at Hogan Lovells.
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The proliferation of U.K. and European Union sanctions targeting Russia has led to a vast increase in legislative provisions, and lawyers advising affected businesses should expect a complex and evolving legal landscape for the foreseeable future, says Rob Dalling at Jenner & Block.
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Dealmakers should laud the 2025 reforms in the U.K. merger control and investment screening landscape, as the Competition and Markets Authority’s renewed focus on economic growth — and on implementing more flexible, streamlined and hands-off procedures — makes planning transactions a more predictable process, say lawyers at Akin Gump.