European Union: Finance and Banking

Maltese family businesses often avoid public listings due to fears of losing control, but going public through the Malta Stock Exchange can strengthen governance, facilitate succession planning, and unlock capital without necessarily surrendering ownership. This analysis explores how reduced free-float requirements and strategic use of debt versus equity instruments can help family enterprises build lasting legacies while maintaining meaningful control.

La Listing Act introduce cambios significativos en el Reglamento de abuso de mercado europeo, simplificando el régimen de retraso en la difusión de información privilegiada en procesos prolongados y modificando las circunstancias que permiten a los emisores demorar la divulgación pública. ¿Cómo afectarán estas reformas a las obligaciones de comunicación de los emisores y a la supervisión de los mercados financieros?

A partir del 5 de junio de 2026, entran en vigor importantes reformas del Reglamento de folletos de la UE introducidas por la Listing Act, elevando el umbral de obligación de publicación de folletos de ocho a doce millones de euros y estableciendo nuevas reglas sobre extensión máxima y requisitos de traducción. ¿Cómo afectarán estos cambios directamente aplicables a las ofertas públicas y admisiones a negociación en mercados regulados, especialmente consider

ESMA's revised weekly commodity derivatives reporting arrangements went live on 3 September 2026, introducing updated technical requirements, validation rules and XML schema version 2.0. Businesses trading energy or other commodity derivatives must understand their specific reporting role, verify that correct information reaches the appropriate reporting party, and ensure their systems properly handle the new technical framework. Cyprus investment firms, energy traders and groups using commodity derivatives

Capital Markets are often surrounded by misconceptions and technical jargon, yet they play a central role in how businesses grow and economies develop.

Ireland's Department of Finance has unveiled its renewed "Ireland for Finance" strategy, positioning the country as a key player in the EU's Savings and Investments Union while charting an ambitious course for its €5.6 trillion funds and asset management sector through 2030.

Syndicated financing allows borrowers to access capital beyond what a single lender can provide by distributing risk across multiple parties. In the Netherlands, a parallel debt mechanism addresses legal uncertainties around security interests, enabling a security agent to hold collateral on behalf of all lenders while maintaining clear enforcement rights.

Private equity execution has evolved beyond traditional buyout models, requiring sophisticated deal structures, flexible financing arrangements, and comprehensive due diligence across ESG, cybersecurity, and geopolitical risks. Success now depends on navigating complexity through adaptive strategies, cross-border expertise, and the ability to maintain momentum when conventional approaches no longer suffice.

In the Booking.com case, a court ruling is up for review by the Supreme Court for the second time.

Former Sheppard associate Sarah Ben-Moussa shares her journey from practicing M&A law in New York to building a renewable energy legal career in Paris. She discusses navigating the French visa system, the practical differences between U.S. and French legal practice, and the personal challenges of relocating abroad while leveraging American legal training in cross-border transactions.

Riżorsi Agrikoli Malta (“RAM”) has launched a pre-qualification process for the award of a major concession concerning the development and operation of a National Farm Waste Treatment Facility.

Private debt financing requires more than a strong project—it demands precise, credible documentation that answers fund analysts' critical questions upfront. This analysis examines how professional Information Memoranda, strategic fund identification, and transparent risk presentation determine whether well-conceived real estate, renewable energy, and growth ventures secure capital or lose their only opportunity to make a first impression.