by Margrethe Vestager

Today is a big win for European citizens and for tax justice. The Court of Justice confirms the decision from 2016 by the European Commission: Ireland granted Apple unlawful aid which Ireland now has to recover.  And this judgement is final. The Court also confirms the Commission’s decision in the Google Shopping antitrust case. And also this is a final judgment. Let me first talk about Apple case and the judgment in itself. It is a win for the Commission. It is also a win for the level playing field in the Single Market, and for tax justice. Continue reading…

The seven members of the Eurojust-supported joint investigation team (JIT) on alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine have agreed to amend the JIT Agreement to enhance investigations on crimes of torture, ill-treatment and filtration. The JIT meeting took place in Kyiv on 10 September, just before the start of the recently held United for Justice Conference. Over the last two and a half years, the JIT’s operations have significantly strengthened the capacity of member states to investigate Russian war crimes, laying a solid legal foundation for gathering, preserving, and exchanging evidence.

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The three European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA and ESMA – ESAs) have on 10 September issued their Autumn 2024 Joint Committee Report on risks and vulnerabilities in the EU financial system. The Report underlines ongoing high economic and geopolitical uncertainties. The ESAs warn national supervisors of the financial stability risks stemming from these uncertainties and call for continued vigilance from all financial market participants. For the first time, the Report also includes a cross-sectoral deep dive into credit risks in the financial sector. Continue reading…

On 11 September, the Commission has published the State of the Energy Union Report 2024 which describes how the EU has managed unprecedented challenges in the energy policy landscape during this Commission’s mandate, equipping the EU with a regulatory framework for pursuing the clean energy transition and laying the foundations for renewed economic growth and competitiveness. Continue reading…

Marcus evans is proud to announce the IP Law Europe Summit 2024, an exclusive invitation-only summit designed for leading in-house IP law executives, innovative law firms, IP attorneys, and legal service providers. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Hôtel Martinez in Cannes, this summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for the IP law community. Continue reading…

Armis, the asset intelligence cybersecurity company, has recently announced the appointment of Christina Kemper to VP of International. In her role, Kemper will accelerate international sales growth and expand Armis’ global presence forging strategic partnerships with organisations across EMEA and Asia Pacific to help businesses manage their cyber risk exposure in real time. Continue reading…

In a new report, the FCA encourages account providers to do more to support those who want a bank account but don’t have one. The FCA has recognised that banks, building societies and payment firms are trying to support customers to access accounts and is encouraging them to build on examples of existing good practice, such as working with homeless charities to tailor their support to the needs of customers in vulnerable circumstances. Continue reading…

The European Commission has recently published a Staff Working Document (‘SWD’) summarising the findings of the evaluation of the  EU Regulations which lay out the procedures for the application of EU competition rules (Regulation 1/2003 and Regulation 773/2004, together the ‘Regulations’). The Regulations set out the procedural framework for the implementation of EU competition rules laid down in Articles 101 and Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (‘TFEU’). They have played a crucial role in the enforcement of EU antitrust rules since their entry into force 20 years ago.

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A three-year investigation has led to the charging of three Belarusian nationals for deceitfully seizing a Polish aircraft in Belarus to arrest a dissident. The forced landing in Minsk of a commercial flight caused a direct threat to the life and health of the 132 passengers and unlawfully deprived the crew and passengers of their liberty. Eurojust supported this high-profile case from the start of the investigations by Polish and Lithuanian authorities in 2021.

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The FCA has published its Annual Report, which shows significant improvements in its authorisations service. Recognising the vital role that the regulator plays in enabling new financial services firms’ ability to meet regulatory standards to get off the ground, the FCA has improved its authorisation process. Now 98% of cases, including applications by wholesale market firms, are assessed within statutory deadlines, up from 89% in Q1 of 2022/23. Continue reading…