Recent Articles

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  09/02/2025

  Germany

  2024 in Data Protection

  This article looks back at the developments in data protection law in 2024 and ventures a look ahead to what is coming in 2025.From the perspective of data protection, 2024 was defined by important decisions by the CJEU and the German Federal Court of Justice, as well as other relevant topics such as artificial intelligence (AI). With 2025 now upon us, the entry of important regulations into effect such as the Data Act and the AI Act is just around the corner: Some standards from the AI Act apply from February and August 2025 and many parts of the Data Act will then apply from 21 September 2025.AI...

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  07/02/2025

  Bulgaria

  EU DORA Regulation Amendments submitted to Bulgarian Parliament

  The EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) began applying across Member States on 17 January 2025. The EU Regulation aims to strengthen the resilience of financial entities such as banks, payment service providers, insurance companies and investment firms across the EU in the event of severe operational disruptions. On 31 December 2024, the Bulgarian government submitted a bill introducing the necessary amendments to synchronise local legislation with the new EU legal regime.The amendments will be implemented through the transitional and final provisions of the proposed Markets in...

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  07/02/2025

  Saudi Arabia

  Avoiding the renewal lease rent trap in KSA

  A lesson for companies taking leases in Saudi ArabiaIn England, and some other jurisdictions around the world, commercial tenants are accustomed to systems of security of tenure that mean they cannot necessarily be required to vacate premises when their lease term expires.  The degree of security varies between stronger regimes where tenants have near absolute rights to remain in occupation, to weaker systems which merely create a more level playing field in negotiations for a renewal. Commercial tenants in Saudi Arabia have no system of security of tenure – the contract “is...

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  07/02/2025

  CEE, UK

  EU Commission issues guidelines on the definition of AI systems

  The European Commission has issued long awaited comprehensive guidelines on the definition of AI systems, as established by Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (AI Act). With these practical guidelines the Commission aims to assist providers, deployers, importers, distributors of AI systems in determining whether a system constitutes an AI system within the meaning of the AI Act, thereby facilitating the effective application and enforcement of that Act. The definition of AI systems entered into force on 2 February 2025.Key elements of the AI system definitionDue to the diverse nature of AI systems, the...

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  07/02/2025

  CEE, UK

  EU Commission issues Guidelines on Prohibited AI Practices – Part I.

  The European Commission has issued long awaited comprehensive guidelines on prohibited artificial intelligence (AI) practices, as established by Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (AI Act). These practical guidelines, which include examples and “use cases”, are crucial for businesses and organisations involved in the development, deployment, and use of AI systems in the EU. They have been issued to ensure compliance with the AI Act, which seeks to balance innovation with the protection of fundamental rights and Union values.This is first of two Law-Now articles summarising these guidelines.Background...

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  07/02/2025

  Ukraine

  Commercial Code to be abolished in Ukraine

  On 9 January 2025, the Parliament of Ukraine adopted draft Law No. 6013 “On Particularities of Regulation of Activities of Legal Entities of Certain Organisational and Legal Forms in the Transitional Period and of Associations of Legal Entities” (the Law). The main change introduced by the Law is the abolition of the Commercial Code of Ukraine and the mandatory corporatisation of certain enterprises.The Law is part of a large-scale reform aimed at (i) increasing the transparency of the state property management, (ii) facilitating the attraction of investment, in particular by local...

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