New EU Hedge Fund, Private Equity And Derivative Proposals

A New EU Framework for Hedge Funds, Private Equity and Derivatives?

On 18 December, 2008 the European Commission issued a formal consultation document on hedge funds. The consultation document¹ sets out a series of targeted questions to be considered by all EU citizens and organisations but contributions are particularly sought from investors, the hedge fund industry, other financial institutions, public authorities and listed companies. It follows the policy announcements made to the EMAC² on 1 December, 2008 by Charlie McCreevy, Commissioner for the Internal Market and Services, on wider segments of the alternative investment market including private equity and derivatives.

Pursuant to this policy, the European Commission is examining, in line with relevant authorities in many other global markets, whether a new architecture for financial markets is required following the current economic crisis. It follows the wider statements from leaders of the G20 on 15