Recent Articles

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  14/10/2024

  United Kingdom

  The UK Court of Appeal determines that the Kingdom of Bahrain does not have immunity in a spyware case

  Summary The Court of Appeal has upheld the High Court’s earlier judgment that the Kingdom of Bahrain (“Bahrain”) is not entitled to state immunity from a personal injury claim arising from allegations that it has committed espionage in the UK. Our article reflecting on the High Court’s earlier judgment is discussed here.The facts of the case are unusual, although not unprecedented.  The claimants, described as pre-democracy activists and members of the Bahraini opposition movement, allege that spyware was installed on their computers, located in England, by agents...

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  14/10/2024

  United Kingdom

  Procurement Act go-live delayed to February 2025; but no hold-up in preparations for the new regime

  The six-month implementation period for entry into force of the new UK Procurement Act 2023 has been delayed a further four-months, with the new go-live date now being pushed back to 24 February 2025. This delay has not held up the Cabinet Office’s engagement with public sector and suppliers on the new features of the new Act, introducing the new Procurement Pathway for contracting authorities and engaging with suppliers on registering with the new Supplier Registration Service.Cabinet statement – reasons for delayThe new National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) issued in May before...

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  14/10/2024

  United Kingdom

  This is the end, beautiful friend: the ASA clamps down on misleading practices when changing and ending offers to consumers

  In two series of rulings issued on 9 October 20224, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled against misleading practices in relation to (i) end dates for discount promotions, and (ii) price changes in the course of subscription contracts.End dates for price promotionsThe CAP Code has lengthy but ambiguous rules on disclosing the end date of promotions. End dates are listed as a “significant condition” for promotions which should be disclosed (rule 8.17.4), but the same rule goes on to say that “[c]losing dates are not always necessary” (rule 8.17.4.a). If omitting...

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  14/10/2024

  Middle East

  Enhancing UBO transparency in Oman: A regulatory approach to ensuring compliance and accountability

  The identification of ultimate beneficial owners (“UBOs”) has become a key priority for governments and institutions worldwide. It is well established that organized crime often conceals itself through intricate ownership structures, obscuring the identities of UBOs, who may be criminals or sanctioned individuals. Allowing UBOs to remain anonymous facilitates illegal activities such as tax evasion, corruption and money laundering, often placing these activities beyond the reach of law enforcement agencies.In line with international efforts, the Sultanate of Oman has introduced significant...

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  14/10/2024

  Netherlands

  Dutch economy minister gives lawmakers feedback on EU Digital Services Act

  On 23 September 2024, Netherland’s Minister of Economic Affairs sent a letter to parliament detailing his first impressions on the functioning of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). The letter addresses three main areas: execution and oversight at the European level, execution and oversight in the Netherlands, and application of the DSA by the civil courts.Minister of Economic Affairs’ letterThe minister's letter to the House of Representatives contains his first impressions on the DSA. Below is a summary of the letter’s main findings:European level execution and oversightThe...

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  14/10/2024

  China

  Temporary Import of Clinically Urgent Use Medical Devices

  On 19 July 2024, the National Medical Products Administration and the National Health Commission jointly issued the Announcement on the Temporary Import and Use of Clinically Urgent Medical Devices for Medical Institutions, with immediate effect. On 14 September 2024, Beijing Drug Administrative Authority, together with three other local departments, issued the Beijing Municipal Implementation Plan for Facilitating the Temporary Import of Clinically Urgent Use Medical Devices (Trial).  Please see our newsletter here with a brief introduction on the temporary import of clinically urgent medical...

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