Recent Articles

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  23/04/2025

  Germany

  German retention supply contracts integrate civilian security and defence industries as Germany bolsters its armed forces

  In a bid to strengthen its armed forces, the German government is using retention supply contracts to integrate the civilian security and defence industries. These contracts can efficiently integrate civilian companies into the defence plan, and carry both legal and commercial implications for the companies involved.The main features of these contracts are outlined in the following article:Retention supply contracts: background and applicationRetention supply contracts are nothing new for the security and defence industry, having been used in the past in areas such as infrastructure, health care...

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  23/04/2025

  International

  Navigating keyword advertising from a Singapore and European trade mark perspective

  In this increasingly digitalised world, how should organisations approach internet keyword advertising and avoid trade mark infringement whilst doing so? In this update, we not only discuss how the Singapore High Court recently dealt with this issue in East Coast Podiatry Centre Pte Ltd v Family Podiatry Centre Pte Ltd [2024] SGHC 102, but also provide a European perspective on the decision.  The Singapore DecisionEast Coast Podiatry Centre Pte Ltd v Family Podiatry Centre Pte Ltd [2024] SGHC 102 concerned a trade mark infringement claim by a claimant who was the registered proprietor of a...

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  23/04/2025

  United Kingdom

  Double booster for UK clinical trials

  IntroductionTwo recent announcements show the Government’s intent to improve the UK as a location for clinical research and boost our life sciences sector. This article summarises the announcements and provides context.Prime Minister “Turbocharges” Medical Research in the UKOn 7 April 2025, the Prime Minister announced a £600 million investment aimed at revolutionising medical research in the UK. This initiative, a collaboration between the Government and the Wellcome Trust, seeks to establish a new health data research service designed to enhance access to NHS data for...

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  23/04/2025

  United Kingdom

  Reforming the Construction Products Regime: Green Paper

  The BackgroundThe government recently published its official response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report, addressing all 58 recommendations and outlining the government’s proposed reforms. As part of its response, the government also published the Construction Products Reform Green Paper (the Paper), which proposes extensive measures for system-wide reform of the construction product regulatory regime, including proposals that address the Inquiry’s recommendations. The Paper also serves as the government’s response to the Independent Review of Product Testing and Certification...

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  23/04/2025

  European Union

  CSRD and CS3D “Stop the Clock” Directive Published in Official Journal

  On 16 April, the “Stop the Clock” Directive, agreed as part of the “Omnibus” package negotiations, was published in the Official Journal of the EU. The Directive entered into force on the 17 April and now must be transposed by member states by 31 December 2025.The Stop the Clock Directive:postpones the application of sustainability reporting requirements under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (“CSRD”) for two years for in-scope companies that have not already started reporting;delays the transposition deadline for the Corporate Sustainability...

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  23/04/2025

  Switzerland

  EFTA states modernise Free Trade Agreement with Ukraine, featuring distinct international investment protection rules

  IntroductionOn 8 April 2025, the member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland – signed a modernised Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Ukraine. The modernisation process began in June 2023, and the FTA has not yet come into effect. This new FTA is part of a broader EFTA initiative to strengthen its international trade and investment relationships (see our coverage of EFTA's recent signing of an FTA with Thailand here).This most recent EFTA-FTA offers comprehensive coverage, including trade in goods and services, e-commerce,...

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