Our knowledge resources reflect the breadth and depth of our expertise, our insight into the issues which matter to your business, and our understanding of the markets in which you operate.
At the start of the 2023/24 financial year, we focus on 5 focal points of interest to the real estate sector: regulatory change, updates to real estate taxation, some proposed changes to the planning regime, ongoing reform to construction law and some caselaw reports from real estate disputes.
Since April 2022, the UK has had a new tax efficient vehicle – the Qualifying Asset Holding Company (QAHC). This is a key change in the UK’s tax strategy for asset management, part of a wide-ranging review into the UK funds landscape being carried out by the government, designed to enhance the UK’s attractiveness to the sector. The QAHC allows the UK to compete with vehicles on offer in rival European fund centres, in particular Luxembourg and Ireland.
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill has finally been put before the UK Parliament and is likely to become law in 2024.
The highly anticipated Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Bill was introduced to Parliament on 25 April 2023. Described by Sarah Cardell, CEO of the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) as a "flagship bill" with the "potential to be a watershed moment", the Bill sets out far-reaching changes to the competition and consumer law regimes here in the UK, as well as a new ex ante regime for scrutiny of Big Tech.
Following a protracted consultation process, each of the EU and the UK has now finalised its revised requirements for trade reporting under the European Markets Infrastructure Regulation ("EMIR") following the revision of EMIR in 2019 ("EMIR Refit").
Following repeated postponements, the UK Government has finally published its plans to introduce full border controls on imports of goods from the EU. We explain what this means in practice and what businesses need to do to prepare.
A regular briefing for the alternative asset management industry.
The European Commission (Commission) has issued further guidance on the interpretation of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR). This is in the form of responses to questions put to it in September 2022 by the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs). The responses include guidance on the definition of sustainable investment, disclosures around the reduction of carbon emissions and principal adverse impact disclosures.
Read and listen to "What’s Happening in Pensions", our regular news briefing covering topical pensions law developments.
UK data protection reform, take 2.
The last few years have seen the development of several new initiatives designed to increase transparency in the real estate sector.
Find the latest news, views and our analysis of all the key announcements.
In today's Budget, the government has confirmed that it will make welcome amendments to the UK's rules for qualifying asset holding companies (QAHCs). Several of the key reforms were announced on "L Day" last July, including proposals to improve access to the regime for corporate funds and where parallel and aggregator funds are used.
The recent announcement of the UK Government's Payment and Cash Flow Review has once again put the spotlight on late payment clauses and other payment practices. Larger businesses in particular may be criticised for failure to comply with legal requirements or "best practices" in relation to their purchasing activity.
Key employment and business immigration developments for employers.
A regular briefing for the alternative asset management industry.
The EU and the UK are each determined to regulate online content and protect users from online harms. The EU got there first. Its Digital Services Act, which will impact all online intermediaries operating in the EU at varying levels, is already in force.
Read and listen to "What’s Happening in Pensions", our regular news briefing covering topical pensions law developments.