Following four and a half years of often acrimonious negotiations and numerous build ups to a no-deal situation, the EU-UK TCA represents a positive step. While the deal is relatively thin and offers only discrete regulatory reciprocity, overall the TCA is a welcome development in the face of apparent near- political failure to agree on a way forward between the two sides. The life sciences sector has been preparing for no-deal amidst the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, throughout 2020, and having a deal, however slim, is positive for the sector in providing more fertile political ground for future harmonisation and cooperation
The COVID-19 crisis has brought into focus the obligations of service providers towards customers with disabilities. In particular, there were reports of some retailers failing to recognise legitimate exceptions to rules regarding wearing face coverings and/or handling enquiries about exemptions with a lack of sensitivity. The issue of “hidden disabilities” became particularly significant in that context. Heavy reliance on online service channels highlighted the importance of ensuring that those services were fully accessible to customers with a range of disabilities, particularly as those channels were tested by a sudden uptick in demand. Older customers and customers with disabilities who relied on online shopping and in-store assistance found that they could not access the same level of support. Reconfiguration of store access to facilitate social distancing required retailers to re-assess whether those arrangements created difficulties for those with mobility and other impairments. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued some helpful guidance to retailers in response to some of the issues that had arisen.
On 5 January 2021 the European Commission (“Commission“) published the roadmap for the upcoming consultation on the EU’s “strategy…
The Pension Schemes Bill (“Bill”) has completed all its parliamentary stages and its provisions are now final. A date for royal assent (the point at which it will become law) is still awaited.
The Bill will make important changes to the UK pensions landscape in a number of areas and will be relevant to sponsoring employers and trustees of both defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) schemes. Certain aspects of the Bill will have wider implications outside the day-to-day operation of pension schemes, such as the increased powers that will be given to the UK Pensions Regulator (“Regulator”), which include the introduction of new criminal penalties.
The Malaysian Finance Act 2020 introduced, among others, several legislative changes to the Malaysian Income Tax Act 1967 (ITA) in respect of transfer pricing. Notably, a penalty provision was introduced. Effective 1 January 2021, taxpayers (where applicable) who fail to furnish transfer pricing documentation (TPD) upon the Malaysian Inland Revenue Board’s (MIRB’s) request will be subject to a fine ranging from RM 20,000 to RM 100,000 and / or imprisonment.
Consistent with this, the MIRB has also revised the Transfer Pricing Guidelines 2012 to reduce the time given to taxpayers to furnish their TPD from 30 days to 14 days.
On 7 January 2021 HM Treasury (HMT) published a consultation and call for evidence on the regulatory approach to cryptoassets and stablecoins. The consultation represents the first stage in HMT’s consultative process on the broader regulatory approach to cryptoassets and stablecoins. The consultation closes on 21 March 2021.
In this briefing we explore the policy background underlying the consultation, set out the key points of HMT’s proposals, and provide a comparison to corresponding provisions in the European Commission’s recent proposal on a regulatory framework for cryptoassets.
In a sexual harassment claim against Harvey Weinstein and other respondents, the Court of Appeal has held that an employment judge was entitled to order all parties (including one living in California who had not at any material time been in Great Britain) to provide disclosure of relevant documents and that the relevant tribunal rule of procedure had no geographical limitation.
The news that a COVID-19 vaccine is on its way has given rise to hope that life will soon return to normal. Vaccinations in the workplace however are relatively uncommon and give rise to a number of tricky issues in the UK. This quick one-page overview provides insights into the key legal considerations and logistical challenges for employers.
On 31 December 2020, the UK’s Brexit transition period with the EU ended, and the UK became a…
Join Baker McKenzie regulatory and enforcement practitioners as we navigate this uncertain time and work together through the challenges ahead. We offer practical advice and real-time analysis of the changing landscape across the United States, Europe and Asia. Webinar Series: The New Framework for Investment Adviser Marketing In this 4-part…