Northern Ireland Open for Business

Article

Home Secretary Theresa May has this month announced sweeping reform to the United Kingdom's visa system, endeavouring to attract greater foreign investment through 'Corporate Immigration'.

Read more

Irish High Court refuses application to stay proceedings and refer dispute to arbitration

Article

In The Lisheen Mine (being a partnership between Vedanta Lisheen Mining Limited and Killoran Lisheen Mining Limited) v Mullock and Sons (Shipbrokers) Limited and Vertom Shipping and Trading BV [2015] IEHC 50, the Irish High Court considered its jurisdiction to assess whether an arbitration agreement existed, in particular whether it should apply a prima facie or "full judicial consideration" test.

Read more

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill: The Effects on Companies

Article

The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill (the Bill) is currently making its way through Parliament, bringing with it a number of important changes to company law. The intention of some of these changes is increased transparency, whilst other changes simplify company filing requirements. The Bill is expected to pass into law in early 2015, but it will come into force in stages.

Read more

Review of M&A activity in 2014 and considerations for 2015

Article

With the recent devolvement of corporation tax setting powers, the frequent announcements of new jobs coming into Northern Ireland not to mention the reported increase in the level of activity in the real estate sector, is it safe to assume that this is going to be a good year for businesses in Northern Ireland?

Read more

‘Zero Hours’ contracts are here to stay

Article

The public consultation on the use of zero-hours contracts in Northern Ireland closed at the end of September 2014. Following the consultation process, Minister Farry announced this week that an outright ban on 'zero-hours' contracts will not be introduced in Northern Ireland and stated that '[s]uch a ban could have unintended consequences in relation to individuals and employment opportunities'.

Read more

ICAV bill passes all stages in the Oireachtas

Article

The legislation which provides for the establishment of the Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicle (the ICAV) has now been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The ICAV is a new form of corporate vehicle specifically tailored for the funds industry. The ICAV will sit alongside the available fund structures in Ireland, namely the variable capital company (VCC), the unit trust, the common con

Read more