<p>Filter Knowledge</p>

Last week we reminded you that the deadline for filing your online share plan returns for 2016/17 was 6 July. On Friday, HMRC published a bulletin acknowledging that the annual returns online service had experienced technical issues which prevented some returns from being submitted.

The deadline for filing your online share plan returns for 2016/17 is fast approaching.

The Government plans to create a register of beneficial ownership information for overseas entities that own or buy UK property or participate in UK central government procurement. The register is intended to help prevent UK property being used in money-laundering schemes and other criminal activities.

The new Code is appended to the Digital Economy Act 2017, which received Royal Assent on 27 April this year. Although the new Code is largely based on the old version, landowners and operators of digital services alike need to be aware of some key differences.

Travers Smith LLP’s Operational Risk and Environment team is delighted to be hosting this year’s International Environmental Lawyers Network Conference on 9 June.

In its recent report on UK Corporate Governance, the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee made recommendations for reforms that could, if adopted, mark a change in the structure of executive remuneration packages.

Concern has been expressed from several quarters about a perceived lack of transparency, at the point of sale, about the fees and other financial arrangements contained in leases of housing in two segments of our current new-build residential market; specialist retirement accommodation and leasehold houses.

Article 50 has been triggered and in March 2019 the UK will formally exit the European Union (EU). The status of EU nationals has been identified as an early priority for negotiations on the UK's exit. It is widely anticipated that controls will be introduced to limit the rights of EU nationals to live and work in the UK post Brexit.

Parties have settled the EMI guarantor assignment case. The controversial High Court decision still stands - a tenant cannot assign its lease to its guarantor.

The 2016/17 tax year ended on 5 April and any company operating employee share incentive arrangements (whether tax-advantaged or not) will need to file online returns by 6 July 2017. Failure to file on time leads to automatic penalties (initially £100 even if a return is just one day late) so we encourage you to submit your returns as early as possible.

1 year to go until the "game-changing" new EU data protection law comes into force

The new EU General Data Protection Regulation will come into force in the UK on 25 May 2018 and, for various reasons, the Regulation (or something like it) is likely to remain a part of English law regardless of Brexit. The new UK Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham, was quoted in January saying "make no mistake, this one's a game changer for everyone".

Day one compliance is required.