Dr Felix Martin has been appointed chair of the FCA’s new, independent Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) Panel. Dr Martin will lead the Panel as it examines how the FCA and Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) assess the proportionality of proposed policy changes. It will provide advice to the regulators on preparing and improving CBAs. The FCA estimates around a third of its CBA will be subject to the Panel’s review. Following consultation with the panel, the FCA and PSR will publish further details on which CBAs will qualify for review in the summer. Continue reading…

The EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security, of which Eurojust is one of the main partners, has on 10 June published its first report on the use of encrypted communications in criminal investigations. The report stresses the balance that needs to be struck between securing private communications and fundamental rights, while enabling investigations and prosecutions to combat organised crime and terrorism. Continue reading…

Nasdaq and the Indonesia Stock Exchange announced an expansion of their technology partnership which will see IDX upgrade its core trading platform to Nasdaq’s most advanced matching engine. The deal also includes an extension of Nasdaq’s market surveillance partnership with IDX, and an agreement to enhance IDX’s Index business to help foster a deeper and sophisticated global capital markets ecosystem. The agreement builds on Nasdaq’s broad range of partnerships across the Indonesian financial system. In addition to Nasdaq’s long-standing relationship with IDX, Nasdaq provides market surveillance technology to OJK, Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority, the core technology platform that underpins KSEI, Indonesia’s central securities depository, and its Calypso treasury solution to Bank Indonesia, the country’s central bank. Continue reading…

marcusevans is excited to announce that the US General Counsel Summit returns in September 16-17 at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, CA USA! The 4th US General Counsel Summit is an invitation-only, premium Summit bringing leading General Counsel and innovative suppliers and solution providers together. The Summit’s content is aligned with key legal challenges and interests, relevant market developments, and practical and progressive ideas and strategies adopted by successful pioneers. Continue reading…

The European Commission has informed Alchem International Pvt. Ltd. and its subsidiary Alchem International (H.K.) Limited (together ‘Alchem’) of its preliminary view that they have breached EU antitrust rules by participating in a long-lasting cartel concerning an important pharmaceutical product. Alchem is a producer of the pharmaceutical ingredient N-Butylbromide Scopolamine/Hyoscine (‘SNBB’). The Commission has concerns that Alchem may have coordinated and agreed with other market participants to fix the minimum sales price of SNBB to customers (i.e., distributors and generic drug manufacturers) and to allocate quotas. In addition, Alchem may have exchanged commercially sensitive information with competitors. In October 2023, the Commission adopted a settlement decision in relation to the same cartel and concerning other companies. Continue reading…

by Craig Ramsey

The entire EU financial system is on countdown. By January 9th 2025, it will be a legal requirement for the region’s payment service providers to receive real-time credit transfers in Euros thanks to the new Instant Payments Regulation. Time is ticking and there are countless challenges to overcome. But the single biggest issue of all is consumer protection from fraud. To explain, a real-time payment is a credit transfer that makes funds available in a payee’s account within ten seconds of a payment order being made. Once received, it’s irreversible and the money can be withdrawn immediately. Continue reading…

The latest report from the International Bar Association Global Employment Institute (IBA GEI) states that political and environmental factors, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the climate crisis are together reshaping employment landscapes around the world. In the IBA GEI’s Twelfth Annual Global Report (AGR) – based on data from lawyers in 54 countries – issues such as the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the shift towards remote work and the challenge of skilled labour shortages, as well as the energy crisis exacerbated by the war between Russia and Ukraine, are identified as key areas for the human resources (HR) sector. Sustainability is also becoming increasingly relevant in terms of HR management. Continue reading…

by Michel Klompmaker

The Digital Operational Resilience Act, better known as DORA, was introduced in the EU last year. We talked about it with subject matter expert and Legal Director and Global Data Governance Officer at Commvault, Jakub Lewandowski. Continue reading…

by Ajay Katara

Gen AI adoption is steadily increasing in many banking and financial organisations. Its applications are expanding into risk and compliance areas, with each risk discipline identifying use cases where Gen AI can enhance efficiency by providing better insights, cost benefits, and faster turnaround times. Within the enterprise risk function, credit risk management is a primary financial risk function that significantly impacts many banking organisations. Over the past 15 years, credit risk management has matured through numerous regulatory mandates and transformation initiatives. However, there are still many areas within this function that can benefit from the adoption of generative AI. Continue reading…

The European Union deeply regrets that the Georgian Parliament decided to override the President’s veto on the law on transparency of foreign influence, and to disregard the Venice Commission’s detailed legal arguments leading to a clear recommendation to repeal this law. Continue reading…