Worldwide: Corporate/Commercial Law

De Ondernemingsrechtbank Antwerpen bevestigt dat arbitragebedingen in internationale franchiseovereenkomsten ook geschillen over de Belgische Wet Precontractuele Informatie kunnen omvatten. Deze uitspraak volgt de lijn van het Hof van Cassatie en markeert een belangrijke verschuiving in hoe Belgische beschermingswetten worden toegepast in een internationale context.

A Belgian court has ruled that arbitration clauses in international franchise agreements can override local franchisee protections, even when disputes involve Belgium's Pre-Contractual Information Act. This landmark decision extends earlier Supreme Court precedent and fundamentally shifts how protective legislation interacts with contractual dispute resolution mechanisms in cross-border franchise relationships.

Dutch tax authorities have issued new guidance clarifying the comparability criteria for foreign pension funds seeking exemptions from Dutch corporate income tax and dividend withholding tax. The guidance addresses whether minimum age and income thresholds, as well as voluntary additional contributions, prevent foreign pension schemes from qualifying for Dutch tax relief.

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority has published revised guidance on assessing merger efficiencies, marking a significant shift toward greater receptivity to efficiency-based arguments in merger reviews. The new provisions introduce more flexible evidentiary standards, recognize the potential role of behavioral remedies in securing efficiencies, and encourage parties to advance efficiency claims earlier in the review process without implying acceptance of competitive concerns.

In this episode of Life Of A Dealmaker, host Tarun sits down with John Messer, Founder and Managing Partner of Copilot Capital, a European private equity firm specializing in B2B software investments. The conversation explores Messer's journey in building and leading a focused investment firm in the competitive European tech landscape.

The UK's proposed AIFM reforms aim to create a more proportionate framework for emerging alternative investment fund managers. As these businesses evolve from proof-of-concept to institutional scale, they face increasingly complex questions around fund structuring, investor access, and long-term platform development that require sophisticated jurisdictional solutions.

A Nottingham-based law firm has partnered with Sharewear Clothing Scheme to tackle clothing poverty and textile waste across the East Midlands. Through donation points at three offices and a sponsored school partnership, the initiative has already diverted 151kg of textiles from landfill while providing free clothing to 100 people in need. The firm's Finance Director explains why addressing clothing poverty matters and how simple donations can create meaningful social and environmental impact.

A successful charity depends on more than a powerful mission and consistent funding. Effective governance is equally as important in helping organisations navigate challenges and deliver lasting impact. The importance of effective governance is especially evident in the current climate. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) reported in July that 97% of organisations report facing challenges over the last six months. While every charity is different, the most successful charities increasingly resemble well-run businesses – and there are a number of governance principles that can help.

George Hannah sits down with Abigail Wise, Partner at Lewis Silkin, for a candid discussion about forging a legal career without traditional advantages or conventional entry routes. From her start as a secretary to achieving partnership, Abigail examines the pivotal moments, obstacles, and systemic changes still needed in the profession.

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority has published revised guidance on assessing merger efficiencies, marking a significant shift toward greater receptivity to efficiency-based arguments in merger reviews. The new provisions introduce more flexible evidentiary standards, recognize the potential role of behavioral remedies in securing efficiencies, and encourage parties to advance efficiency claims earlier in the review process without implying acceptance of competitive concerns.

TLT's AI Brief for September examines the growing pressure on accountability and disclosure in artificial intelligence, covering new regulatory consultations, landmark legal statements on AI liability...

NCDs are long-term conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, that can affect people of all ages. NCDs typically require ongoing care across multiple settings and over long periods, creating multiple points where patient safety risks can arise - from prevention, early detection and diagnosis to treatment and long-term management. In fact, NCDs account for the majority of global deaths (74% of deaths worldwide) with delayed diagnosis recognised to be one of the most common contributory factors to patient safety incidents and avoidable harm.