SyCipLaw Partner Benedicto P. Panigbatan responds to questions in relation to property ownership and foreign investment in the Philippines ...
Jonathan Smart, head of the mobility sector at Shoosmiths, comments on upcoming trends and developments to expect in 2024 for the sector. The automotive industry is in the midst of a transformative era, marked by technological breakthroughs and shifting consumer preferences. Staying ahead of the curve is crucial for industry insiders. Let's delve into five pivotal trends that are reshaping the landscape of the automotive sector ...
Following an antitrust investigation, in 2017 the European Commission had fined Google LLC and Alphabet Inc. a record €2.4 billion for abuse of Google’s dominant position. In brief, it found that Google was self-preferencing, by presenting results from its own Google Shopping first upon a so called “Google search”. On appeal to the General Court, the fine was confirmed in 2021 ...
The current exposure in the EU investment fund sector to the risks in real estate markets has been the subject of a recent publication, dated 10th January 2024, which was issued by the European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA”) as part of its ongoing Trends, Risks and Vulnerabilities (“TRV”) risk analysis ...
Please note the following press release. This press release is available at our homepage. Heuking advises Primus Valor group on the acquisition of several properties A Heuking team led by Dr. Sönke Görgens, Partner at the Hamburg office, legally advised Primus Valor group on the acquisition of several properties in Wolfsburg ...
By Christina Morgan and Steve Nakasone This year alone, seven new states have passed comprehensive consumer privacy laws. Businesses operating nationwide will soon have to contend with twelve separate consumer privacy laws. A current list of the states with consumer privacy laws, and their effective dates, is below ...
Shoosmiths' Living sector co-heads, Judy Fawcett, Kathryn Jump and Lisa Tye examine what 2024 might bring for the UK’s residential landscape. The Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA) is set to reshape the planning system and wider residential landscape in 2024. The Act introduces significant changes to the planning system, hinting at a shift toward centralised decision-making in the planning process – impacting all areas of the UK’s living sector ...
Shoosmiths' Judy Fawcett reflects on a roundtable the firm hosted in November 2023 - examining the partnerships model and the role it plays as part of the UK's living sector. “That’s the way we look at doing business. It is creating that partnership, relationship, that trust. And, hopefully that works both ways,” said Gwynn Thomson, investment director at Sigma Capital Group, during a roundtable Shoosmiths hosted in November 2023 ...
January 2, 2024 By: Braeden Mansouri and Alicia Guerra The California Legislature’s laser focus on addressing the state housing crisis did not subside during the 2023 legislative session. While legislators proposed over 150 housing bills, only a fraction of those bills were approved by both chambers. Still, Governor Gavin Newsom signed 56 housing bills into law ...
The Norwegian real estate market in 2023 has been characterized by uncertainty regarding inflation and interest rates. The key interest rate is right now at 4.5%, which is the highest rate since the financial crisis in 2008. As a consequence of the aforementioned uncertainty, we have seen decreased investments in the real estate market in 2023 compared to recent years ...
On December 21st, 2023, the Chilean Congress approved the bill that modifies Law No. 21,420, which amended the Mining Code as of January 1st, 2024; the Mining Code; the Constitutional Organic Law on Mining Concessions; and the law that creates the National Geology and Mining Service (the “Bill”). Main amendments introduced by the Bill 1 ...
In a circular dated the 18th December 2023, the MFSA introduced a framework for an additional fund structure within the jurisdiction of Malta, namely, the Notified Professional Investor Fund (“NPIF”). The NPIF framework is designed to reap the benefits of an enhanced and expedited onboarding process, while concurrently complementing extant fund frameworks in Malta ...
Convening Scheme Meetings: Cayman Islands Court in China Aoyuan confirms the applicable principles Introduction The first stage in any restructuring by way of a scheme of arrangement in the Cayman Islands involves meetings of such classes of creditors or shareholders (as the case may be) to consider, and if thought fit, approve the terms of the scheme. An application to Court is required for orders to be granted for convening such meetings ...
Changes to Stamp Duty, LTT & EPTT in Jersey Increase to the first-time buyer threshold The Law provides a welcome amendment to first time buyer stamp duty rates (and equivalent land taxes such as land transactions tax (LTT) in respect of share transfer properties and enveloped property transactions tax (EPTT)), with the maximum purchase price threshold for first-time buyers increasing from £500,000 to £700,000 ...
Many charities occupy property, whether as offices, shops or for other charitable purposes from hospices to food banks ...
The timing of challenges to an expert witness’s evidence has been considered in the Supreme Court case of Tui Ltd v Griffiths [2023] UKSC 48, with judgment handed down on 29 November 2023. Although the case emanated from a holiday claim in the County Court, this Supreme Court decision is of significance to all cases where parties seek to rely on evidence from experts or witnesses of fact ...
Last week, Shoosmiths hosted an event by The Fashion Network titled ‘AI in Fashion Retail: Mastering the Future of the Style business’. During this event we heard from fashion industry leaders on how the retail sector is seeking to revolutionise their businesses using cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technologies ...
Shoosmiths hosts a roundtable covering the partnerships model in the UK's living sector, as part of the UKAA’s Annual Build to Rent Conference 2023. As the UK’s residential market navigates economic challenges, including the impact of elevated interest rates and borrowing costs, many real estate businesses are now exploring partnerships ...
The much-anticipated judgment in the Court of Appeal case of Churchill v Merthr Tydfil County Borough Council [2023] EWCA Civ 1416 has now been handed down. The case concerns a claimant that alleges the Council allowed Japanese knotweed to spread from its land onto the claimant’s private property ...
A judgment has been handed down in the Supreme Court case of Wolverhampton City Council and others v London Gypsies and Travellers and others [2023] UKSC 47. The case considered whether the court had the jurisdiction to make injunctions against not only ‘persons unknown’, but also against unidentified and unknown persons that have not yet performed, or even threatened to perform, the acts which the injunction prohibits. Such persons are known as “newcomers” ...
What is a JPUT? A Jersey Property Unit Trust (JPUT) is a legal structure whereby legal ownership of assets (primarily non-Jersey real estate) is vested in one or more trustees who hold the assets on trust for the benefit of unitholders upon the terms of a written trust instrument. What are the benefits of a JPUT? JPUTs have many plus points: Familiarity: JPUTs are generally recognised and accepted by investors, lenders, advisers, regulators and tax authorities in the UK and elsewhere ...
Channel Island Wills for non-Jersey domiciliaries Do I need a Channel Island Will? It is not essential for you to have a separate Will to cover your Channel Island assets especially if you already have a validly executed Will which covers your entire estate, including Jersey and Guernsey, and which is validly executed. However, there are certain benefits to having a separate Channel Island Will in place ...
Jersey fast-track procedure to obtain Jersey grant In order to obtain a Jersey Grant, we will require the following: The original or a Court sealed and certified copy of the British Grant and Will (if the deceased left a Will). If sending copy documents, please do ensure that both the Will and Grant are separately certified by the Court that issued the original and that each page bears the Court’s seal. A certified copy of the death certificate ...
