The Legal 500

Legal Developments worldwide

• MALTA - ICOs THE NEW LEGISLATION

  A. INTRODUCTION
  - Kinanis LLC

• MALTA - VIRTUAL FINANCIAL ASSET SERVICES THE NEW LEGISLATION

  A. INTRODUCTION
  - Kinanis LLC

• Employers face claims by MBIE for holiday pay non-compliance

  The widespread problems relating to compliance with the Holidays Act 2003 have recently hit the headlines again.  
  - Bell Gully

• Insider trading laws - clarity for the market

  ​New regulations will finally clarify that in most cases insider trading rules do not apply to a new issue of financial products.
  - Bell Gully

• OIO residential land amendments delayed

  The date for the Select Committee to report to Parliament on the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill (the Bill ) has been extended to 21 June 2018. The Select Committee's report was previously anticipated on 31 May 2018. This delay is unsurprising given the substantial number of submissions to the Select Committee, and it is encouraging to see the Select Committee taking more time to work through the potential unintended consequences for businesses from the Bill. 
  - Bell Gully

• Australian class action reform: implications for New Zealand

  On 31 May 2018, the Australian Law Reform Commission ( ALRC ) released a  discussion paper ​​ as part of its inquiry into class action proceedings and third-party litigation funders.
  - Bell Gully

• Zero Carbon Bill update: discussion document seeks public feedback

  Public consultation that could have far-reaching implications for business is underway on the Government's proposed Zero Carbon Bill, following the release of a  Discussion Document  by the Ministry for the Environment. There is currently no draft bill; the Discussion Document seeks feedback on key questions of policy and systems architecture that will underpin the legislative regime. This is an early opportunity for those affected to have their say on the Government's approach to some fundamental questions as it seeks to transition New Zealand to a net zero emissions economy. Consultation closes at 5pm on 19 July 2018.
  - Bell Gully

• New leniency for foreign buyers in Overseas Investment Act overhaul but redraft raises fresh issues

  A select committee report on changes to overseas investment rules has proposed relaxing some of the planned restrictions on foreign buyers which could have hindered development, but the amendments raise a number of new issues that require close examination.
  - Bell Gully

• Cautious Optimism on 100 per cent Foreign Ownership

  Recent media reports have suggested that 100 per cent foreign ownership of companies in the UAE will now be permitted. The reports are based on a government press release regarding a UAE Federal Cabinet (Cabinet) meeting held on 20 May 2018.
  - Afridi & Angell

• Double tax agreement interpretation in the spotlight again – Court of Appeal reverses foreign tax

  ​​​The correct interpretation of New Zealand's double tax agreements ( DTAs ) is once again in the spotlight after a recent Court of Appeal decision treats them in the same way as private contracts. Previously, local and international rulings suggested the international context and purposes of ​such treaties should be taken into account.​
  - Bell Gully