Matheson Ormsby Prentice (MOP) has confirmed its position as the leading Irish law firm for international bond issuances, ranking in the Top 5 of the Thomson Reuters Global Capital Markets Review - Legal Advisors tables for the first half of 2012.

Matheson Ormsby Prentice acted for Endesa/Enel in the sale by Italian utility Enel of Endesa Ireland to Scottish and Southern Energy plc (SSE).

The Minister for Finance has approved in principle the development of legislative proposals for a new corporate structure for the funds industry ("SICAV").

The level of legal fees charged by barristers and solicitors has attracted much attention in Ireland in recent years. There is a definite perception in Irish society that lawyers charge too much for their professional services. In particular, much attention has been given to the level of fees charged by barristers working in the numerous tribunals currently in existence in Ireland. Investigative tribunals have become synonymous with high legal fees in recent years.

The European Commission has published a pre-final Work Programme for 2012.

The Eurozone has not received much positive economic publicity in the international press recently.

On 22 July 2011, the European Securities and Markets Authority ("ESMA") issued a discussion paper setting out policy orientations on guidelines for UCITS exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") and structured UCITS.

Foreign investors and multinationals predict they will invest an estimated USD$7.5BN in their Irish operations over the next three years, creating 20,000 new jobs.

The exemption contained in the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 allowing the use of US GAAP by certain Irish companies has been extended.

In a much anticipated decision delivered in October, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has provided its first judgment concerning the Community Design Regulation of 2002.

In recent years Ireland has become the jurisdiction of choice for the establishment of special purpose vehicles (SPVs) for ABS, CAT bond, CDO, CLO, CMBS, commercial paper, distressed debt, LPN, MTN, repackaging, RMBS, securitisation, US life settlements, and other structured finance transactions.

On 22 July 2011, ESMA issued a discussion paper setting out policy orientations on possible guidelines for structured UCITS.

The Central Bank of Ireland (the "Central Bank") has published its Enforcement Priorities for 2012 which identifies ten priority areas for enforcement activity in the year ahead.

With hotels and restaurants relying on their staff to care for the wellbeing of their licence, proper staff training is a vital component of the licensed trade and can protect against costly legal proceedings and even closure.

On 31 January 2012, we circulated a brief update referring to the publication by the European Securities and Markets Authority ("ESMA") of a consultation paper setting out draft guidelines on exchange traded funds ("ETFs") and other UCITS issues.

Over 1,000 international companies have operations in Ireland.

Ireland’s recent domestic economic problems have been well documented. Over the past four years the Irish real estate market has softened, the country’s main banks have been recapitalised, in some cases nationalised, and a €67.5 billion bail-out from the EU / IMF was required in November 2010 in order to shore-up exchequer finances.

Overview of June 2005 Case Law Reviews.

A round-up of recent Construction industry updates.