The Legal 500

Legal Developments worldwide

• In the Matter of the Representation of A Limited and in the Matter of the F Foundation...

  Introduction
  - Ogier

• Protection for Trustees Facing Foreign Tax Liabilities - Representation of WW and XX (Trust) [2013]

  A recent judgment of the Royal Court is noteworthy and should provide some comfort to Jersey trustees facing potential tax liabilities for two reasons:
  - Ogier

• Hungary: Electronic information protection taken seriously - maybe a bit too much?

  Hungary's new law on information security will plug a hole in existing legislation, but may prove to be excessive in addressing security issues. 
  - Schönherr

• EU: Energy prices and lack of competitiveness high on the agenda of the European Council

  On 22 May 2013, the European Council met in Brussels to discuss two matters that are crucial for the recovery of the EU economies: energy, and tax fraud and eva-sion. This briefing looks at the Council’s conclusions on energy.
  - Schönherr

• M&A Trends in Russia

  Choosing Russian law as governing law for M&A transaction as a trend in M&A activity has recently been discussed widely in the context of the state’s proclaimed policy to this effect.  This trend could be set in motion in the context of the government’s de-offshorization policy in conjunction with plans to privatize state-owned assets.  The prospective privatization plan includes quite a long list of major companies which will be sold entirely or where the state intends to reduce its stake.The privatization methods will be set individually for each of the companies.
  - Pepeliaev Group

• CHANGES IN REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSTRUCTING PUBLIC SWITCHED TELEPHONE NETWORKS (PSTN)

  On 5 February 2013 Order No. 284 of the Russian Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications dated 6 December 2012 (the “Order”) entered into force. This has significantly changed the requirements for constructing PSTN.
  - Pepeliaev Group

• Czech Republic: Re-codification and Entrepreneurship

  Three new laws re-codifying Czech private law are set to change the country's current legal order entirely. The current order (i.e. Act No. 40/1964 Coll., Civil Code; Act No. 513/1991 Coll., Commercial Code; Act No. 97/1963 Coll., on International Private Law) will be abolished entirely and replaced with new laws of symbolic numbers: Act No. 89/21012 Coll., New Civil Code; Act No. 90/2012 Coll.; on Corporations; and Act No. 91/2012 Coll., on International Private Law. As one of the largest legal overhauls of the Czech Republic's laws in recent decades, this development is indeed an admirable achievement. Of course, nothing new comes into this world without difficulties.
  - Schönherr

• A chilling end for R22 - But will you catch a cold?

  1 January 2015 will be a key date in many forthcoming disputes between landlords and tenants as to who is to bear the cost of replacing air conditioning systems. On that date EU Regulations come into effect prohibiting the use of R22 (and other gases) when maintaining air conditioning systems.
  - Bedell Cristin

• Hastings-Bass: Life after death in the offshore world?

  In this briefing we look at the potential impact on the offshore world of the Supreme Court's judgment in Pitt –v- Holt and Futter –v- Futter concerning the so called 'rule in Re Hastings-Bass' and mistake, and in particular consider the likely reaction by the courts and/or legislatures of Jersey, Cayman and Guernsey.
  - Mourant Ozannes

• Labeling Luxury Products Imported into China: - Why Do You Need A Seasoned Lawyer?

  Recently Guangdong Provincial Administration of Industry and Commerce ("Guangdong AIC"), a local administrative authority supervising business operations in its territory in China, revealed a list of jewelry manufacturers and distributors selling defective jewelry products in 2012. Some of internationally reputable jewel brands appeared on the list for non-compliance with Chinese labeling laws, regulations or standards, or for incorrect or improper engraving and/or labeling practices. As a result, Guangdong AIC slapped a large amount of fines on those companies and ordered them to recall all the defective products from the market. This exhibits how improper labeling has affected sale of products in China.
  - Haoliwen Partners