SPOTLIGHTUS Election
Post-Election Analysis: The Future of US Policy and Implications for Businesses and the Economy
The US federal election could have sweeping regulatory and legislative impacts across virtually every major sector of the economy. To help understand how government policy might change over the next four years and what that means for domestic and global businesses, we invite you to join the first of our post-election programs.
Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare releases updated guideline for travelers visiting South Korea
The Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare recently released an updated guideline for travelers visiting South Korea, expanding the category of visitors who may be exempt from mandatory quarantine requirements.
Stricter Japan Quarantine to End for Travelers from California and Two US States, Amidst Numerous Changes Every Week
Effective June 14, travelers from California, Oakland, Nebraska and a few countries are no longer subject to the previously discussed stricter quarantine measures.
30 June 2021: Deadline day for EEA / Swiss citizens and their employers
As the UK continues to adapt to life post-Brexit, the next important date from an immigration standpoint is 30 June 2021.
Just-In-Time: Trends & Future Developments in Supply Chains – Issue 3
“Just-In-Time” is a series of written interviews with experts from different backgrounds, all of whom have extensive experience with supply chains, including knowledge of current trends and future developments. Issue 3 features Juergen Mahn, former MD at Chief Sourcing Office Asia for s.Oliver
European Commission Unveils Proposal to Tackle Foreign Subsidies Distorting Internal Market
On May 5, 2021, the European Commission published its proposal for a regulation on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market.
Updated Regulations on Foreign Direct Investment in Germany – Focus on High-Tech Sectors
The revised rules of the Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung or AWV) further extend the competences of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, which is the governmental body responsible for FDI control.
The Hong Kong Vaccine Bubble for Catering Businesses – At a Glance
New COVID-19 social distancing rules commenced on 29 April 2021. For catering businesses (excluding bars and pubs which have their own rules), there are now four modes of operation under which they can operate dine-in services.
100 days and counting – Immigration and Brexit: What we have learned so far
As we pass 100 days since the end of the Brexit transition period, it is time to reflect on what we have learnt so far in relation to how the end of Free Movement rights has affected British citizens and UK companies operating within the European Economic Area (EEA) and EEA citizens and EEA companies operating in the UK.
Pensions Regulator issues draft policy on its approach to the new criminal offences under the Pension Schemes Act 2021
The Pension Schemes Act 2021 (the “Act”) introduces new criminal offences relating to UK defined benefit pension schemes which can be committed by any person whose intentional or reckless conduct puts members’ savings at risk.
Approaching Student Loan Relief Piecemeal: The Biden Administration Extends CARES Relief to Defaulted FFELP Student Loan Borrowers; Weighs Options for Further Measures
In a March 30, 2021 announcement, the Biden administration announced that it would be extending relief to approximately 1.14 million student loan borrowers who previously were not covered under the CARES Act relief enacted last year.
COVID-19: Employer Guidance on Vaccines
Many countries have started to roll out vaccines against COVID-19. While a vaccination program is viewed by many as the long-awaited route out of the pandemic, this presents challenges for employers—including whether they can require employees to be vaccinated. In this publication, we provide at-a-glance guidance to the key issues for employers to consider in Brazil, France, Germany, Hong Kong, the UK and the United States, followed by more detailed Q&As for each of these jurisdictions.
Qualified Opportunity Fund Update: Likely Biden Administration Changes & New Rules for Non-US Investors & Working Capital Safe-Harbor
On April 14, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service released proposed rules for allowing non-US persons with US-taxable capital gains to invest in qualified opportunity funds (QOFs) without first suffering US withholding on such gains. Mark Leeds and Stephanie Wood, tax lawyers with the New York office of Mayer Brown, analyze these developments in the attached Legal Update.
Biden Administration Pledges 50-52% GHG Reduction by 2030
President Biden committed the United States to a 50-52 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) “pollution” from 2005 levels by 2030.
Looking Ahead | How ESG may affect refinancings and restructurings of Covid-Era Debt
As businesses emerge from COVID with a significant amount of corporate debt, the landscape in the financial markets have also evolved: The focus on ESG issues has intensified. It is timely to take stock of where we are and consider how ESG issues could affect refinancings and restructurings of debt going forward. This article highlights seven key potential development areas through considering recent legal developments, market practices and trends.
The Nagoya Protocol & Access and Benefit Sharing
Organizing the Supply Chain Toward Protection of Biodiversity Globally.
Advertising “Sustainability” and “Green Claims” in Products and Services in the EU: Fancy Commercial Practice Can Be a Real Legal Challenge
The EU Green Deal announces the circular economy goal, which can only be achieved with the full mobilization of society and industry through the implementation of an integral EU policy for sustainability.
European Commission Adopts EU Taxonomy and Other Measures to Facilitate Sustainable Transition
On April 21, 2021, the European Commission adopted a comprehensive package of measures to help improve the flow of money toward sustainable activities across the European Union.
NextGen supports Earth Day
The NextGen Committee supports Earth Day with local litter picking and shares what Earth Day and its theme “Restore our Earth” means to them.
Mayer Brown Hong Kong supports Earth Day
Mayer Brown Hong Kong supports Earth Day with a virtual run and food wastage webinar.
ESG and Directors’ Duties
As the world marks Earth Day 2021, and global leaders, and society at large, call for urgent action to combat “the coming disasters of climate change and environmental destruction”, it is an apposite time to consider the role of company directors in promoting positive environmental practices.
BCBS Issues Two Climate-Related Reports
On April 14, 2021, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) issued two climate-related reports—one on climate-related risk drivers and their transmission channels and a companion report on measurement methodologies for financial risks.
ESAs’ Opinion to the European Commission on the Jurisdictional Scope of Application of the EU Securitisation Regulation
The European Supervisory Authorities (the “ESAs”) have published an opinion on 25 March 2021 entitled “ESAs’ Opinion to the European Commission on the Jurisdictional Scope of Application of the Securitisation Regulation”.
FinCEN Moves to Implement the Corporate Transparency Act
On April 5, the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“ANPR”) to implement the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), which was enacted into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (“NDAA”) on January 1, 2021.
Just-In-Time: Trends & Future Developments in Supply Chains – Issue 2
“Just-In-Time” is a series of written interviews with experts from different backgrounds, all of whom have extensive experience with supply chains, including knowledge of current trends and future developments. Issue 2 features Peter Szczensny, Head of Commercial Development & Health Politics, Grünenthal GmbH
New Yorkers Get Paid Leave for COVID-19 Vaccinations
Effective March 12, 2021, until December 31, 2022, employees in New York State are eligible for a paid leave of absence for a sufficient period of time, not to exceed four hours per injection, to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
