July 12, 2018
Prudent investors may gain an advantage by leveraging their knowledge of differences in private M&A market practices between Canadian and U.K.-style purchase agreements. While Canadian M&A takes many cues from the United States and Europe, it is not a carbon copy of either. This article provides an overview of the key differences between the two jurisdictions.
Posted in: Europe, Mergers & Acquisitions
May 15, 2018
On May 25, 2018, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into force. Though not a Canadian law, the GDPR will apply to Canadian businesses that offer goods or services to, or monitor the behaviour of, EU residents. Canadian businesses that process personal information on behalf of organizations located in the EU will also be impacted. The…
Posted in: CPD/CLE, Europe, Privacy, Substantive, Video
March 29, 2018
As predicted, Canadian private M&A picked up steam in 2017, owing to a marked increase in acquisitions by non-Canadian financial and strategic buyers. This may be due in part to stability in Canada’s financial and governance systems as well as exponential growth in the tech sector. While Canadian M&A takes many cues from the United States and Europe, it is…
Posted in: Europe, In-House Counsel, Mergers & Acquisitions, United States
September 21, 2017
The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement is now in force, on a provisional basis, creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses. We will be releasing a number of resources to help you navigate this new landscape, including: A Primer on the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Also, please see the following articles: CETA Now in Force: Are…
September 21, 2017
CETA is the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union (EU) and its member states. CETA comprises 30 chapters of rules respecting trade between Canada and the EU. The agreement was signed by Canadian and EU leaders on October 30, 2016. CETA will enter into force, on a provisional basis, on September 21, 2017.
August 31, 2017
The U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently announced that the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) is to be phased out by the end of 2021 and replaced with a more reliable alternative. LIBOR is a daily benchmark interest rate set at approximately 11:45 a.m. (London time) every morning by a panel of leading banks in the U.K. It is the…
Posted in: Banking, Europe, Financial Services, Financial Services Regulatory
January 9, 2017
The dominant fintech narrative for the Canadian banking industry shifted in 2016 from a new entrant versus incumbent storyline to one of collaboration, as major Canadian banks continued to partner with new technology entrants. The intent of these partnerships varies but they generally aim to expand the incumbent bank’s customer service offerings, improve its customer/user experience (or UX) or accelerate…
Posted in: Banking, Europe, Financial Services Regulatory, Fintech, Information Technology, United States
December 15, 2016
Canada and the European Union recently signed the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which establishes a new tribunal, called the Investment Court System, to resolve investor-state disputes. CETA’s rules on investor-state dispute settlement contain numerous innovations that distinguish the agreement from existing investment treaties. The new tribunal and rules could be a model for future international agreements…
Posted in: Arbitration, Europe, International Trade
July 21, 2016
The use of express sandbagging language in M&A agreements (whether “pro” or “anti”), or the decision to remain silent, is commonly one of the most acrimonious issues faced by M&A practitioners in private acquisitions. The frequency of these provisions in Canadian M&A and the question of their enforceability are commonly discussed in light of evolving market practice and the historically limited guidance from…
June 22, 2016
The U.K. government recently enacted amendments to the U.K. Companies Act 2006, which requires non-listed U.K. companies and limited liability partnerships to maintain and file a register of people with significant control (PSC) or influence over them with Companies House (PSC Register). As of April 6, 2016, U.K. companies were required to maintain a PSC Register and make it available…
Posted in: Corporate & Commercial, Europe
