Recent Articles

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  16/05/2025

  United Kingdom

  UK FCA consults on simplifying Insurance Rulebook

  On 14th May 2025, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a consultation paper (CP25/12) on proposals to simplify its insurance rules for insurance firms and funeral plan firms. The proposals aim to streamline FCA rules and guidance and reduce unnecessary burdens on firms, while ensuring adequate consumer protection.Determining which rules apply to commercial insuranceThe FCA proposes to introduce a new definition, referred to as "contracts of commercial and other risks", to replace the current "contracts of large risks". Under this new bespoke definition, large commercial insurance...

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  16/05/2025

  South Africa

  Instalment sale agreements - their practical application in modern Conveyancing and Property Law

  An instalment sale agreement is a contract in which the buyer of a property agrees to pay the purchase price in multiple instalments over a period of time, rather than as a lump sum payment. This arrangement enables buyers to acquire property without the need for a full down payment or a traditional mortgage, while allowing sellers to defer receipt of the full purchase price.  It offers a flexible alternative for buyers, particularly when conventional financing is not feasible.The sale of property on an instalment basis has historically been burdened with risks for buyers, particularly...

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  16/05/2025

  Ukraine

  Ukraine national bank issues draft regulation on open banking

  On 1 May 2025, the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) released a long-awaited draft of the Regulation on Open Banking for public consultation. The Regulation is expected to take effect on 1 August 2025 and will mark a significant milestone in the development of Ukraine’s digital financial ecosystem. Stakeholders can submit proposals and ideas on open banking in Ukraine to the NBU as it completes the final version of the Regulation.BackgroundOpen banking was first introduced in Ukraine as a regulatory concept in 2023, aligned with the revised Law of Ukraine “On Payment Services”. The...

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  16/05/2025

  United Kingdom

  Claims notification provisions in construction contracts: Court of Appeal guidance on “if … then” clauses

  A recent Court of Appeal decision has considered the effect of a claims notification provision using “if … then” language. The Court found that notification itself was a condition precedent, but stopped short of finding that a late notification would bar entitlement. There is very little previous case law on the use of “if … then” notification provisions and the Court’s judgment provides significant guidance on the topic. The judgment also demonstrates the need for care in the drafting of such clauses, as the natural meaning of the words used may be sufficient...

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  15/05/2025

  Oman

  Investment and Trade Court

  In line with its Vision 2040, the Sultanate of Oman issued Royal Decree No. 35/2025 ("the Law"), Establishing the Investment and Trade Court ("the Court") on 23 March 2025, aiming to modernise the judicial system and foster an encouraging environment for investment.This article aims to highlight the newly introduced provisions, the significance of the Law, and its impact on the investment climate in the Omani market.The Law outlines the Court's jurisdiction, structure, and procedures for managing commercial and investment-related disputes. The Court`s objective is to streamline and improve the...

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  15/05/2025

  United Kingdom

  Digital identity in the UK: A new legislative framework under the DUA Bill

  IntroductionOn 23 October 2024, the UK government introduced the Data (Use and Access) Bill (the “DUA Bill”) to Parliament, outlining proposed reforms to the country’s data usage and access laws.  The DUA Bill is intended by the UK government to enhance the UK’s digital strategy and unlock the use of data, harnessing its capabilities to boost public services and contribute to the UK economy.In this Law-Now update, we examine the provisions of the DUA Bill that will create a legislative framework for digital verification services. Once it is formally adopted, the DUA Bill...

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