Public Law

Recent Articles

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  28/03/2025

  United Kingdom

  Freedom of Speech – first fine indicates strong stance

  University of Sussex Fined £585,000 for Failing to Uphold Freedom of SpeechThe University of Sussex has been fined £585,000 by the higher education regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), for failing to uphold freedom of speech. This significant penalty follows the high-profile case of Professor Kathleen Stock, who left the university in 2021 after facing accusations of transphobia due to her views on sex and gender issues.Background of the CaseDegree awarding powers and the ‘university’ title are subject to registration with the OfS who set out Conditions of Registration....

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  13/03/2025

  Belgium

  New rules apply to employee in­vest­ig­a­tions – employers must act now

  Belgium’s Private Investigations Act (PIA) has been in force since 16 December 2024, replacing the 1991 Private Detectives Act with stricter compliance rules and enhanced privacy protections. Employers must immediately comply with new licensing requirements, investigative procedures, and employee privacy safeguards.Scope and applicationPrivate investigation activities are defined as those:Performed by a natural personRequested by an employer from the private or public sectorInvolving the collection and processing of information about individualsAiming to protect the employer's interests in...

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  20/02/2025

  Switzerland

  Switzerland to ratify Europe's landmark AI Framework Convention – What does it mean?

  Currently, Switzerland does not have overarching AI-specific legislation. Instead, regulatory adjustments are made as needed in individual sectors where AI is likely to have a considerable impact and legislative changes could provide more clarity and safety. Given AI's rapid development and use, calls for the clarification of the legal situation of AI in more detail have been made. In November 2023, the Federal Council instructed the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) to analyse possible regulatory...

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  06/02/2025

  Belgium

  Belgian government agreement 2025-2029: key measures impacting the real estate sector

  NL FR

  The Belgian federal government has reached a new agreement for 2025-2029 that provides for the introduction of significant reforms in taxation, investment, and the energy transition. Upon their adoption, these measures will have a substantial impact on the real estate sector, including property owners, investors, and developers.Below is an overview of the key changes that were announced.1.  Investments and economic attractivenessCombating tax optimisation in the transfer of shares in real estate companiesThe Government intends to introduce specific measures aimed at curbing legal structures...

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  20/01/2025

  England and Wales

  The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill moves to Committee Stage – does it spell opportunity or “van­dal­ism” for state-funded education?

  The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (the Bill) spells significant changes across all sectors concerning children’s wellbeing including in respect of social care, such as safeguarding responsibilities and children’s homes, and all areas of education from state-funded to independent.  In the first of a series of articles looking at the impacts of the Bill, we consider the potential impact and opportunities for state-funded education.The Bill moved to Committee Stage on 8 January 2025 after a heated debate at its Second Reading. The Conservatives called for a national...

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  15/01/2025

  China

  2025 – Topics that may Concern You

  Companies doing business in China constantly have to deal with changes in regulations and new laws. This will also continue in 2025.Topics such as the new PRC Company Law, new PRC Tariff Law, PRC Regulations on Export Control of Dual-Use Items, network data security management, data transfer, opening up capital markets to foreign investment, and raise of statutory retirement age of employees etc. will continue to be a concern for many companies in China in 2025.Complying with regulatory requirements is one of the key challenges for foreign companies and investors in China, not only in terms of...

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