On December 13, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC” or the “Commission”) voted 4-1 to approve Standards for Covered Clearing Agencies for U.S. Treasury Securities and Application of the Broker-Dealer...more
On December 13, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC” or “Commission”) adopted rule amendments (the “Amendments”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that will, in effect, require direct participants...more
On December 13, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) voted 4-1, to adopt Standards for Covered Clearing Agencies for U.S. Treasury Securities and Application of the Broker-Dealer Customer Protection Rule...more
On October 2, the Virginia Board of Pharmacy posted a general notice indicating that it had voted to rescind the request for applications (RFA) for a Pharmaceutical Processor license in Health Service Area I. The RFA will now...more
What Is It? Where one stands on an issue of tax law may depend upon context and perspective, including the facts and circumstances one finds relevant, and whom one is counseling or representing. Tax advisers often find...more
Commencing from 1 August 2022, Western Australia will adopt a new statutory progress payment regime under the Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment Act) 2021 (WA) (WA SOP Act). The WA SOP Act will change...more
Deal Costs, Generally- Every purchase and sale of a business, whether from the perspective of the seller or the buyer, is about economics, and few items will impact the economics of the transaction more certainly or...more
Tax Gap- In a report released last week, the U.S. Treasury Department explained that the so-called “tax gap” – i.e., the difference between the amount of federal income taxes owed by taxpayers for a taxable year and the...more
On January 1, 2021, the UK launched its very own emissions trading scheme (the “UK ETS”) exercising its autonomy since departing the EU. Under this scheme, companies operating in certain sectors can trade emission allowances...more
Ask the owner of a closely held business to describe their most recently recurring nightmare and you are likely to get an earful regarding the prospect of an increased federal income tax on their profits, an increased federal...more
Australia's competition authority settles allegations that port operator misused its market power. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ("ACCC") secured a declaration in its first action under Section 46 of the...more
Recently, there have been several developments within the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) that increase risk to companies that are doing business with CDOT. 1.CDOT has decreased its number of employees over...more
In Brief - The repeal of the exemptions relating to the licensing and assignment of intellectual property (IP) rights from certain competition law provisions in Australia will soon take effect....more
In Brief - Federal Parliament is debating the Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 5) Bill 2018 (Bill), which seeks to repeal section 51(3) of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (CCA). ...more
On November 21, 2018, Canada’s Finance Minister Bill Morneau presented the federal government’s Fall Economic Statement (Statement), which includes significant tax changes that take effect immediately. This bulletin...more
On 24 July 2018, in four separate decisions, the European Commission (“Commission”) levied fines totalling EUR 111 million on four well-known manufacturers of consumer electronic products for imposing fixed or minimum resale...more
California communities are shaking up the electric business. Pursuing lower costs, local control and renewable sources, communities from Humboldt to San Diego are embracing government-run energy programs — or Community...more
The Firearm Concealed Carry Act (CCA) went into effect in 2013. One of its provisions requires a principal or designee to make a report to the Illinois Department of State Police (ISP) “when a student is determined to pose a...more
The Australian and New Zealand markets present a dilemma for manufacturers. Both are highly developed economies with wealthy, well-educated consumers who are amongst the world's most enthusiastic adopters of new technologies....more
The Background: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ("ACCC") has proposed allowing health insurer Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Limited ("HCF") and participating dentists to agree on the maximum...more
Highlighting Changes of Interest in Competition and Consumer Law - ACCC Issues Paper on Digital Platforms Inquiry - Summary - In December 2017, the Australian government directed the ACCC to conduct an inquiry into...more
Financing energy projects that have entered into PPAs with CCAs presents unique challenges for lenders and investors. Key Points: ..In recent years, CCAs have begun supplying energy to a growing number of consumers in...more
Earlier this month, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) reminded businesses that, in February, the Federal Court of Australia ordered Woolworths to pay $3.057 million AUD for several violations of the...more
New GAP Insurance Rules - The FCA published new rules in June governing the sale of addon Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance. The rules came into force on 1 September 2015 and apply to commercial customers as well...more
On February 5, 2016, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Chief Counsel Advice 201606027 (the 2016 CCA) in which the IRS concluded, among other things, that guarantees by a partner of a partnership’s liabilities that...more