UK Knowledge Collection
Published on 3rd Nov 2023
Regulatory Outlook, ESG and decarbonisation, and the in-house lawyer talks
Regulatory Outlook, ESG and decarbonisation, and the in-house lawyer talks
Tuesday will see the King's speech announce what is likely to be the government's last legislative programme before the next general election; our Regulatory Outlook looks ahead to what is already coming down the line in respect of compliance issues for business. Our All-Day Breakfast in-person event in London will focus on some of most pressing areas, with particular emphasis on supply chain due diligence.
Our new ESG Knowledge Update gives an international overview of recent developments, and in respect of the "E" (environmental), the Law Society has issued guidance for solicitors (in-house and private practice) on the regulatory risk attached to advising on climate-related issues. Our decarbonisation week of events will cover greenwashing and green claims as well as looking at climate finance and investing in climate tech.
While the chancellor's autumn statement is awaited later in the month, our tax team have written about what the Labour Party's policy proposals are currently looking like.
The last week in November sees the return of our popular in-house lawyer programme of webinars, where we will be covering digital competition in the UK and EU, post-Brexit divergence, corporate internal investigations, guarantees and indemnities, protecting contractual rights, generative AI, important changes in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 and an update on employment law.
Recent Insights
Levelling Up and Regeneration Act could bring significant change for real estate in England
The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act is a wide-ranging and ambitious piece of legislation, with the potential to drive fundamental reforms affecting planning and real estate in England.
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Regulatory Outlook
October's edition covers the Procurement Bill, Online Safety Bill and Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill receiving royal assent, the CMA's new Green Agreements Guidance on sustainability collaborations and the European Parliament committee's approval of the Product Liability Directive to better protect consumers against defective products, and much more.
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ESG Knowledge Update
Our new round-up of legal, regulatory and market news on all matters ESG looks at recent developments in the EU, the UK and internationally.
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Law Society of England and Wales provides guidance on climate risk governance and greenwashing risks
The Law Society has published guidance for in-house and private practice solicitors on advising clients on mitigating the risk of greenwashing and on climate risk governance. It highlights the importance of being aware of climate-related risks and ESG when advising boards and executive teams.
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What tax measures could be expected under a Labour government?
The shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, used her party conference speech to stress Labour's commitment to closing perceived tax loopholes and ensuring the wealthiest pay their fair share of tax.
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Events
Eating Compliance for Breakfast | The All-Day Breakfast
14 November | 08:30-12:45 | London
A deeper look at topical compliance issues for business, including an interactive workshop on supply chain due diligence and the value chain, and four roundtables on AI governance, whistleblowing, managing the first 24 hours of a regulatory investigation, and sanctions.
Find out more >
Insuring the consequences of regulatory non-compliance
16 November | 09:00-09:30
What insurance is available when there has been regulatory noncompliance, and what are the common issues that can arise when making claims?
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Decarbonisation Week
Investing in sustainable innovation
20 November | 09:30-10:30
Climate technology plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change. We will explore the technology; obstacles to and incentives for investment; and the role of venture capital. An international panel will focus on EU regulation for investment in climate tech and the legal challenges and opportunities of its commercialisation.
Climate finance: Navigating the regulatory landscape and legal considerations for sustainable funding
21 November | 09:30-10:30
Investment into green and low-carbon technologies is critical for achieving net zero. The use of different types of finance to make these investments will be central to achieving decarbonisation goals. An international panel will discuss the use of green bonds and finance, how structuring and fund formation is evolving, ESG compliance issues, and more.
Greenwashing and green claims: Identifying and mitigating risk
22 November | 09:30-10:30
Identifying and mitigating the risks arising from the making of green claims is an essential activity for businesses. We will provide an overview of where companies are most vulnerable to allegations of greenwashing and the applicable legal frameworks. Our international experts will provide guidance on legal developments across Europe.
In-house Lawyer Talks
Digital Competition – latest developments in the UK and EU
27 November | 10:00-11:00
Competition law in digital markets is developing rapidly, with new laws in the UK and EU and investigations and private actions against large tech players.
Navigating post-Brexit legal and regulatory divergence in the UK
27 November | 14:00-15:00
How much and where is the UK diverging from the EU? Is the divergence active or passive? And what would Labour do about the UK's trading relationship with the EU?
Corporate internal investigations: the good, the bad and the ugly
28 November | 10:00-11:00
This session will cover when investigations might be required, the options, and the role of the in-house lawyer – including privilege, ESG factors, and more.
Demystifying guarantees and indemnities
28 November | 14:00-15:00
We will look at the differences between a guarantee and indemnity and the clauses that make them work, clarify the common terminology and talk through the issues when entering a contract containing any form of guarantee or indemnity.
How to protect your contractual rights
29 November | 10:00-11:00
When a potential contractual dispute is in the air, it is critical to ensure rights are protected. The session looks at how to reserve rights, including terminating for delay, waiver and estoppel, and variation. We will consider whether "no waiver" clauses work, giving away rights, and increasing the chance of being paid by insurers.
Generative AI: Harnessing its power and managing the risks
29 November | 14:00-15:00
Generative AI poses a two-fold challenge for in-house lawyers: legal and compliance risks need to be understood and managed, as does the technology itself and how it can be used within the legal team.
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023: changes you need to know
30 November | 10:00-11:00
The most fundamental change to the purpose and role of the UK's corporate registry since its creation in 1844 also introduces a new corporate criminal offence of failure to prevent fraud and limits on the use of corporate directorships. This webinar offers all you need to know about these forthcoming changes.
Employment law update
30 November | 14:00-15:00
The employment team will consider age-related issues in the workplace and positive action initiatives, HR data issues for employers, and an update on employment laws in the pipeline.
