A new Commercial Hub Practice Direction (the Practice Direction) has been released, promoting a ‘new era’ for the management of commercial actions before the NI courts.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution BelfastThe Court of Appeal has clarified the status of conflicting declarations issued under Section 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (the PDA).
Environmental & PlanningOn 17 November 2021, Ireland's Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) announced some important changes to the procedure for notifying mergers and acquisitions to the CCPC under Part 3 of the Competition Act 2002.
EU, Competition & ProcurementThe Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) has issued its latest Anti-Money Laundering Bulletin (the Bulletin).
Asset Management & Investment FundsThe 26th annual summit of the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) has come to a close in Glasgow, with the penultimate day dedicated to Cities, Regions and the Built Environment.
Climate ActionIn the 20 year period since the first data sharing code was introduced by the Information Commissioners Office (“ICO”) in 2001, the data landscape has undergone monumental change. This prompted the ICO to introduce an updated code under section 121 of the Data Protection Act 2018 (“DPA 2018”).
BelfastIrish regulated AIFs and UCITS are required by 1 January 2022 under the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (SFDR) as amended by the EU Taxonomy Regulation to make disclosures in relation to the EU Taxonomy's environmental objectives of climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation.
Asset Management & Investment Funds
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published details of its expectations for firms implementing remote or hybrid working models.
COVID-19 BelfastWednesday 3 November 2021 was finance day at COP26. Mobilising funding for rapid, large-scale climate action is one of the COP26 goals and the crucial role of private investment in efforts to achieve net zero was in focus.
Climate ActionThe shift towards mandating green public procurement (GPP) in Ireland has advanced with the publication of the Climate Action Plan 2021 on 5 November 2021.
Climate ActionDomestically, the CBI clarified its expectations for the filing of KIIDs for UCITS which are implementing ESMA's performance fee guidelines with effect from 31 December 2021; At European level, the ESAs issued a final report on the EU taxonomy-related environmental product disclosures.
Asset Management & Investment FundsDomestically, the General Scheme of Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 was published; At European level, EIOPA commented on Solvency II proposals from the European Commission and separately, EIOPA set out its strategic priorities for the coming year.
Financial Regulation
