Back To The Future In Ireland And Luxembourg

The European Commission's Market Integration and Supervision Package represents the most substantial EU capital markets reform since MiFID II, proposing to transfer supervisory powers to ESMA and harmonise fragmented regulatory frameworks across trading, post-trading and asset management.

On 18 September 2026, the European Banking Authority (the EBA) published its final report on the new “Guidelines on the sound management of third-party risk regarding non-ICT services (EBA/GL/2026/09)” (the 2026 Guidelines).

The Central Bank of Ireland has published a consultation paper proposing new guidance on managing third-party risks that extends beyond traditional outsourcing to encompass partnerships, joint ventures, and fintech collaborations. The proposed framework aligns with recent European Banking Authority guidelines and DORA, introducing a lifecycle-based approach with enhanced contractual provisions and broader scope than the 2021 guidance it will replace. Financial entities now face the challenge of identifying

The EU Retail Investment Strategy is a legislative package which introduces significant changes to the UCITS Directive and AIFMD, as well as MiFID II, the Insurance Distribution Directive and the Solvency II Directive via an omnibus directive (Omnibus Directive).

The European Banking Authority has published final Guidelines on the sound management of third-party risk regarding non-ICT services, replacing the 2019 Outsourcing Guidelines and introducing a broader regulatory framework. Financial entities will need to navigate expanded scope requirements, enhanced governance standards, and alignment with DORA while managing compliance timelines and contractual obligations.

Ireland is home to a wide variety of financial services providers. To support both providers and their customers, there is an array of financial services legislation...

The Listing Act Directive introduces significant reforms to the MiFID II research regime, allowing investment firms greater flexibility in paying for research and execution services. This briefing examines how the removal of market capitalisation thresholds restores bundling as a commercial option and establishes a new EU framework for issuer-sponsored research.

Ireland offers a sophisticated regulatory framework for Alternative Investment Funds, with structures ranging from ICAVs and Investment Limited Partnerships to Unit Trusts and Common Contractual Funds. The jurisdiction provides flexible options for both retail and institutional investors, with distinct regulatory pathways for RIAIFs, QIAIFs, and ELTIFs, each designed to accommodate different investment strategies and liquidity profiles while maintaining robust investor protections.

The European Commission's proposed overhaul of the SFDR regime is entering crucial trialogue negotiations, with the Irish Presidency aiming to reach agreement by year-end. While the Council and Parliament have aligned on key issues like professional investor opt-outs, significant divergences remain on exclusion criteria for Transition funds, PAI reporting requirements, and engagement strategy disclosures that will shape the future of sustainable finance regulation.

On 26 February 2026, the Central Bank of Ireland (the "CBI") unveiled its Regulatory and Supervisory Outlook Report for 2026 (the "Report"), focusing on ensuring the resilience...

On 24 July 2026, China's Ministry of Finance and State Taxation Administration jointly issued the Announcement on Individual Income Tax Matters Relating to Offshore Trusts (《财政部 税务总局关于离岸信托个人所 得税有关事项的公告》) (Announcement No. 21 of 2026) (the "Notice"), together with a companion Announcement of the State Taxation Administration on Collection and Administration Matters Relating to Individual Income Tax on Offshore Trusts...

CIMA’s new AML / CFT / CPF Compliance Rule and Sanctions Rule, effective 18 September 2026, introduce binding compliance, governance, risk management and sanctions screening requirements for all regulated financial service providers in the Cayman Islands.

An overview of the Cayman Islands fund finance market, highlighting H1 2026 trends, data and outlook, including transaction activity, subscription line and NAV facility developments, financing terms, pricing trends and market expectations for the second half of 2026.

The Cyber Resilience Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/2847)1 (“CRA”) establishes horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements (“PDEs”) placed on the European Union (“EU”) market. Reporting obligations took effect on 11 September 2026, with full application of the CRA from 11 December 2027.

Most often, businesses gravitate towards the LTD model due to its familiarity and simplicity. However, DACs and Irish Collective Asset Management Vehicles...

Two years on from the entry into force of Directive (EU) 2024/927, commonly referred to as AIFMD II, the 16 April 2026 transposition deadline has passed, and the state of play across the EU is best described as uneven, with compliance posture increasingly dependent on where an AIFM is authorised. However, Luxembourg, which hosts the largest shares of EU AIFs within the Union, transposed the Directive without material gold-plating.

The Republic of Marshall Islands (often referred to as the "Marshall Islands") is a self-governed independent state with its own constitution, located just north of the Equator in the Pacific Ocean.

An overview of the European fund finance market, highlighting H1 2026 trends, data and outlook, including transaction volumes, jurisdictional preferences and emerging financing trends. This forms part of the August 2026 Edition of FUNDed

The BVI’s April 2026 update to its CRS Guidance Notes advances the implementation of CRS 2.0, expanding the scope of reportable accounts and introducing new compliance and reporting obligations ahead of the first reporting deadline on 31 May 2027.

On 24 December 2024, Luxembourg's financial regulator, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier ("CSSF"), issued an FAQ relating to CSSF Circular 24/856 on the protection of investors...