In this issue:

- EU DEVELOPMENTS

- European Commission Launches Public Consultation on Proposals to

- Improve EU Merger Control

- ESMA Publishes Final Guidelines on Enforcement of Financial Information

- ESMA Consults on Draft Technical Standards and Advice on the Market Abuse Regulation

- European Commission Publishes Q&A on Statutory Audit Measures

- European Commission Publishes Consultation on Existing Framework for Cross-border Mergers

- Council Adopts Directive for Disclosure of Non-financial and Diversity Information

- GERMAN DEVELOPMENTS

- German Federal Court of Justice on Takeover of Postbank by Deutsche Bank

- Legal Quotas for Women on Listed Companies' Supervisory Boards

- Requirement of Approving Resolution of General Meeting for Taking on a Fine by the Company (Section 93 para. 4 German Stock Corporation Act (AktG))

- UK DEVELOPMENTS

- FRC issues a new edition of the UK Corporate Governance Code

- ABI publishes guidance on members’ views on certain aspects of equity capital transactions

- IMA publishes guidance on share capital management issues

- FCA publishes consultation paper on competition in wholesale securities and investment markets

- FCA publishes eighth bulletin for primary market participants

- FCA publishes quarterly consultation on Listing Rules, Prospectus Rules and Disclosure and Transparency Rules

- FCA publishes consultation paper on IMSs

- LSE publishes notice regarding implementation of T+2 standard settlement period and subsequent New Dividend Procedure Timetable

Consultation on miscellaneous amendments to the Takeover Code

- Takeover Panel publishes consultation paper on post-offer commitments and intentions

- BIS consultation on UK implementation of Accounting Directive

- FRC consultation on UK implementation of Accounting Directive

- CMA implements Order on audit reforms

- Guidelines Monitoring Group publishes feedback and final advice following consultation on amendments to the Walker Guidelines

- EHRC publishes guidance on equality law framework

- ICC publishes guidance for companies on adopting policies on corporate gifts and hospitality

- US DEVELOPMENTS

- SEC Developments

- Noteworthy US Securities Law Litigation

- Recent SEC/DOJ Enforcement Matters

- ASIAN DEVELOPMENTS

- HKEx releases Concept Paper on Weighted Voting Rights

- Excerpt from European Commission Launches Public Consultation on Proposals to Improve EU Merger Control:

On 9 July 2014, the European Commission launched a public consultation on proposals to improve merger control at the EU level with the publication of a White Paper ("Towards more effective EU merger control"). A key element of these proposals relates to the acquisition of non-controlling minority shareholdings.