Recent Articles

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  17/03/2025

  Oman

  The New Oman Banking Law – Key Provisions

  Oman has introduced comprehensive changes to banking regulation in the country through the recent enactment of the Banking Law (Royal Decree 2/2025) (the Banking Law), which repeals and replaces the previous Banking Law (Royal Decree 114/2000) (the Old Banking Law). Although the Banking Law retains many of the principles and provisions from the Old Banking Law, it introduces the supervision of digital and investment banks, clearly defines financial activities, significantly strengthens the financial oversight of the regulator and the regulation of licensed banks, enhances Islamic banking practices,...

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  17/03/2025

  South Africa

  Dealmaking in an everchanging world

  Since the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the geopolitical landscape on the African continent and the rest of the world has been characterised by various disruptions. Whether it is violent conflict, unconstitutional political transitions, electoral disputes, economic sanctions or national lockdowns, many M&A deals have been stopped in their tracks because of these constant changes. As various global superpowers search for new opportunities and trade relationships, it has become ever more important for advisors to be mindful of these challenges and the impact they may have on transactions.Changes...

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  17/03/2025

  Ukraine

  Ukraine amends Civil Code to protect bona fide acquisition of state property

  Ukraine’s parliament recently passed amendments to the Civil Code of Ukraine, which are expected to significantly impact the rights and protections of investors and private companies dealing with immovable property acquired from the central government or municipalities. The amendments now await the President's signature.These amendments, draft law 12089 dated 3 October 2024, are designed to address the rights of good-faith (i.e. bona fide) acquirers of immovable property and introduce new restricted procedures for the reclamation of such property. The changes are expected to provide greater...

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  17/03/2025

  Belgium

  Belgian Competition Authority authorizes Multipharma's acquisition of Goed pharmacies under certain conditions

  Multipharma, which operates a network of 279 pharmacies in Belgium and a wholesale distribution centre, notified to the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) its project to acquire Popelin, a chain of 92 pharmacies in Flanders, with wholesale distribution of pharmaceutical products and support activities for the pharmaceutical sector.The BCA assessed the impact of the acquisition on the concerned markets, considering the specific aspects of these markets, especially the legal and regulatory frameworks governing wholesale distributors and pharmacies. Indeed, this sector is heavily regulated, but it...

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  17/03/2025

  China

  MIIT and SAMR Further Strengthening the Ad­min­is­tra­tion of Automobile Product Admission, Recall, and OTA Software Upgrade for Intelligent and Connected Vehicles

  On 25 February 2025, the PRC Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (“MIIT”) and the State Administration for Market Regulation (“SAMR”) jointly issued the Notice on Further Strengthening the Administration of Automobile Product Admission, Recall, and Over-The-Air Software Upgrade for Intelligent and Connected Vehicles (Gong Xing Bu Lian Tong Zhuang [2025] No. 45, “Notice”). The purpose of this Notice is to enhance the administration of product admission and recall for Intelligent and Connected Vehicle (“ICV”) products equipped with Combined...

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  14/03/2025

  United Kingdom

  Long Duration Energy Storage - the cap and floor regime starts to take shape

  Following October 2024's long-anticipated response (the “Response” – on which our commentary is available here) to its consultation on long duration energy storage in Great Britain (“LDES”), the Government continues development of the framework for providing LDES projects with a cap and floor support mechanism. On Wednesday 11 March 2025, DESNZ and Ofgem jointly published their Technical Decision Document (the “TDD”), which provides developers, investors and funders with much-needed additional detail on the cap and floor scheme (the “Cap and Floor...

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