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.
IBA’s Consultation on US Dollar LIBOR Settings
Please join David Duffee and Jennifer Kratochvil for a discussion of ICE Benchmark Administration’s (IBA) consultation on the cessation of US dollar LIBOR settings, and the related guidance from the US bank regulators.
Déjà Vu All Over Again: US FERC Announces New Proceeding to Examine Electric Reliability in the Face of Climate Change
On February 22, 2021, the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced its intention to open a new proceeding to examine the threat that climate change and extreme weather events pose to electric reliability.
Arbitration of EU & UK disputes under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: A Whistle-Stop Tour
The dispute settlement process was a sensitive part of the TCA negotiation and given that the Court of Justice of the EU (“CJEU”) has ended up with no role in this process (a point the UK was insistent on), it represents a significant concession on the part of the EU. Adopting a Q&A style, this update will take you on a whistle-stop tour of the important dispute settlement provisions at part six of the TCA.
SEC Acting Chair Directs Staff to Enhance Focus on Climate-Related Disclosure
On February 24, 2021, Acting Chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Allison Herren Lee, announced that the agency will be focusing on public companies’ climate change disclosures as part of an effort to both assess current compliance with federal securities laws and develop new disclosure requirements for climate change.
Climate change risk – consultation on new trustee duties
The Pension Schemes Act 2021 sets out a framework for new climate risk-related governance and reporting requirements for trustees of larger schemes. The detailed requirements will be set out in regulations and statutory guidance, and the government is currently consulting on draft versions of the regulations and guidance.
Data protection and pension schemes – Beyond Brexit
Data processing agreements and the mechanisms used for transfers to third parties should be reviewed by trustees to ensure compliance with applicable data protection legislation.
Hong Kong’s COVID Vaccination Programme: Considerations for Employers
Every employer in Hong Kong should consider how the vaccination programme could impact its business and which questions it may face from employees and customers.
IBOR Transition
The transition from IBOR to alternative benchmark rates presents a complex, global and dynamic problem for financial market participants. Through Mayer Brown’s global presence, deep subject matter knowledge and extensive experience, the firm provides numerous resources to help clients navigate these complex issues.This short video highlights our key IBOR transition activities.
Geopolitical Risk Considerations: The New US Administration, US-China Relations and Issues for Japan
Satoru Murase spoke on “Geopolitical Risk Considerations: The New Biden Administration, U.S.-China Relations, and Issues for Japan” at a Marsh McClennen Japan Virtual Event announcing the “Report on Global Risks 2021″ issued on January 19 by the World Economic Forum.
Revised EU Trade Enforcement Regulation Published
On Friday, February 12, 2021, revisions to the European Union (EU) Trade Enforcement Regulation, Regulation (EU) No 654/2014, were published in the EU’s Official Journal. The revised Trade Enforcement Regulation enables the EU to adopt countermeasures when it obtains a favorable ruling from a dispute settlement panel of the World Trade Organization or in bilateral and regional agreements and when the other party fails to cooperate on the adjudication of the dispute.
US NAIC Prioritizes Climate Risk and Resilience with a Focus on Related Disclosure
On February 9, 2021, the US National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) announced its strategic priorities for 2021, and these included Climate Risk and Resiliency.
UK Public Procurement from 1 January 2021
What are the key legal and practical changes faced by UK/EU suppliers competing for regulated contracts after the end of the Brexit transition period? The UK Government has already published extensive plans to overhaul the UK regime, but those changes are unlikely to be effective for many months to come – so what has changed for suppliers from 1 January 2021?
Mayer Brown’s Brexit Snapshot – Episode Two
Mayer Brown’s Brexit Snapshot podcast series provides insight on the latest legal issues related to the United Kingdom’s new post-Brexit relationship with the European Union, and keeps you up to date on changes to the legislative framework.
COVID-19 Vaccination Around the World: What Employers Can and Can’t Require
Companies face a new set of challenges as countries implement their COVID-19 vaccination plans. Covering several major jurisdictions, this Legal Update summarizes key vaccine information for employers, such as the availability of vaccines, the rights of employers to require vaccination or proof thereof and measures that could be taken against employees refusing to be vaccinated.
The Revised Securitisation Regulation Regime in the UK
As a result of the end of the Brexit Transition Period and the onshoring process with respect to the EU Securitisation Regulation and the relevant technical standards, there is now a parallel regime for securitisation in the UK, which is very similar but not identical to the EU Securitisation Regulation regime.
FTC and DOJ Suspend Grant of Early Termination for Merger Control Filings: Sign of the Times or Sign of Trouble?
On February 4, 2021, after weeks of not granting early termination (ET) of the waiting period under the US Hart-Scott-Rodino Act (save for one exception involving a company that markets COVID-19 tests), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with the support of the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ), officially announced that it is implementing a “temporary suspension” of the ET process.
Non-GAAP Measures in the Wake of COVID-19
The use of non-GAAP financial measures by public companies continues to draw regulatory scrutiny and media attention.
Japan Extends State of Emergency Through March 7
The Japanese government has announced that the state of emergency has been extended to March 7, 2021.
The First 100 Days: Changes Afoot for Health and Welfare Plans
The first 100 days of President Biden’s presidency are likely to bring a number of changes for employer-sponsored health and welfare plans.
Compulsory COVID-19 Testing and Sudden Lockdowns – Are Hong Kong Employers Ready?
The Hong Kong government announced on 1 February 2021 that it will lower the threshold for compulsory COVID-19 testing. A sudden directive for compulsory testing and suspension of operation of a workplace will be disruptive. What should employers do to prepare for the (unfortunate) situation where it occurs?
What are the consequences of lying in a congressional investigation?
Quick Insights on Congressional Investigations is a video interview series unpacking the nuanced complexities underlying congressional investigations and provide guidance on how companies can manage and minimize the impacts. Each episode is short and tackles one question relating to congressional investigations.
H-4 Dependent Spouses Breathing a Little Easier
As anticipated and indicated in our “heat map” of immigration actions during the first 100 days in office, the Biden administration has withdrawn a rule proposed by the Trump administration that would have eliminated work authorization for the H-4 spouses of certain H-1B visa holders.
No Jab, No Job?
Eager to return to a “safe” normality after almost a whole year of pandemic restrictions, some employers have gone so far as to commit to a mandatory “no jab, no job” policy. This has raised many questions as to the legality of enforcing a mandatory vaccine policy among staff.
Travel Bans by Canada and the United Kingdom Broadened, In Ongoing Virus Containment Efforts
Today the Canadian Government announced rules further restricting international travel.
Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets: Taskforce Releases Core Carbon Principles and Roadmap
Over 1,000 firms have made either indicative or concrete pledges to align their greenhouse gas emissions with the Paris Agreement—which means reducing emissions to zero by 2050. For many firms, achieving this aim will require the use of carbon offsets at some point.
China Issues Legislation to Block Unjustified
On 1 December 2020, the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation (Shanghai AMR) published the local ...
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