Recent geopolitical events have prompted further changes in the European Union (EU) and UK sanctions regimes against Russia, Belarus and Syria....more
On 24 February 2025, the UK Arbitration Act 2025 received royal assent. While it does not bring with it large-scale reform of the Arbitration Act 1996 (which was considered to be largely fit for purpose), some of the...more
On 30 January 2025, the European Commission published the first annual report on the implementation of the revised EU Dual-Use Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 2021/821) since it entered into force. EU member states are in...more
In the past year, the UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) actively has focused on sanctions enforcement efforts, particularly with respect to Russia-related measures (Russia sanctions), including by...more
On 7 January 2025, the UK Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) published new guidance on how businesses should be preventing Russian sanctions evasion. This note provides a summary of this guidance to help you...more
EU Regulation 2023/956 on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) was introduced to make sure importers of certain goods into the European Union bear similar carbon costs as if they were produced inside the EU and...more
As we approach 2025, both the UK and the European Union are intensifying their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through their respective emissions trading schemes. Understanding the similarities and differences...more
After the previous government called a general election in late May, the Arbitration Bill was left out of the set of bills that would be approved on an expedited basis. In mid-July, the King’s Speech reintroduced an updated...more
The latest updates to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct in June 2023 thrust supply chain diligence into the spotlight....more
On 10 April 2024, the UK government updated its guidance on export controls regarding breaches of relevant legislation. In addition to encouraging voluntary disclosures by businesses in respect of export control violations,...more
In February 2024, the International Bar Association (IBA) published the 2024 edition of its Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest in International Arbitration....more
On 6 March 2024, the US Department of Commerce, Department of the Treasury and Department of Justice issued a Tri-Seal Compliance Note (compliance note) advising foreign-based companies and individuals to assess their...more
On 12 March 2024, the UK Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) announced that UK export control regulations would be amended to introduce new controls on the export of emerging technologies and provide a number of technical...more
In its recent judgment in UniCredit Bank GmbH v. RusChemAlliance LLC, the Court of Appeal granted a mandatory final anti-suit injunction in support of a French-seated arbitration regarding proceedings brought by the...more
On 18 December 2023, the European Council adopted its 12th package of sanctions against Russia. The comprehensive new package includes additional trade restrictions, stricter asset freeze obligations, energy restrictions and...more
Investors typically consider structuring their foreign investments through jurisdictions that maximize their tax benefits. But US investors also should consider corporate structures that take advantage of investment treaties...more
The UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) recently published important guidance on the meaning of ‘ownership and control’ in the context of UK...more
US companies operating abroad face regulation and interference from foreign governments. The dark side of regulation can be arbitrary and protectionist measures, refusal to honor commitments made to attract investment, or...more
The UK government introduced the Arbitration Bill into UK Parliament on 21 November 2023, and it has already had its first reading. The bill incorporates all of the Law Commission’s recommendations for reform of the English...more
In Eternity Sky Investments Ltd v. Zhang,[1] the Commercial Court refused an application to set aside an enforcement order in respect of an award made in a Hong Kong-seated arbitration on the grounds that enforcement would be...more
The UK Supreme Court’s recent judgment in Republic of Mozambique v. Privinvest Shipbuilding SAL and others,[1] provides an extremely valuable analysis of the proper basis for staying legal proceedings in favour of arbitration...more
On 31 August 2023, the UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) used its new disclosure enforcement power for the first time, issuing a report against Wise Payments Limited for breach of financial sanctions. The...more
The Law Commission has published its final report on its review of the Arbitration Act 1996. The review – which has been admirably thorough – began in March 2021 and has involved two consultations (which we reported on in...more
On 31 August 2023, the UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) used its new disclosure enforcement power for the first time, issuing a report against Wise Payments Limited for breach of financial sanctions. The...more
In Payward, Inc. and Others v. Chechetkin, the High Court of England and Wales refused the claimants’ claim for the enforcement of a US arbitration award against a UK-based consumer. The court ruled that enforcement of the...more