Empowering Sustainable Energy: The role of energy communities in the European Union
Energy communities in the European Union (EU) are a concept designed to promote decentralized, community-based energy production and consumption.
: Geo-blocking activation keys for Steam platform diminishes the EU Digital Single Market
On 27 September 2023, the General Court of the European Union affirmed the European Commission’s finding that the geo-blocking keys used on the Steam platforms breached Article 101 of the Treaty of Functioning of the European Union (“TFEU”).
The war on Asymmetric Jurisdiction Clauses
Asymmetric jurisdiction clauses – or so-called ‘lop-sided’ jurisdiction clauses – have become market practice in many industries. Most loan facilities give lenders the power to sue not only in the court specified, but also any other competent court of its choosing, while the borrowers are limited to only one.
Succession planning, ESG and appointment of independent directors in family run businesses
Malta’s business landscape is currently undergoing a significant transformation concerning issues of succession planning, ESG challenges and the involvement of independent directors in family-run enterprises.
Pedelecs do not qualify as ‘vehicles’ – the ECJ clarifies
On 12 October 2023, the European Court of Justice (the “ECJ”) responded to a request for preliminary ruling from the Belgian Court of Cassation (the “Referring Court”).
The FIAU issues a Consultation Document on the Implementing Procedures – Part II for Collective Investment Schemes and Related Service Providers
The FIAU has today published a Consultation Document on the Implementing Procedures – Part II for Collective Investment Schemes (‘CISs’) and other related service providers (“Service Providers”).
Malta M&A Watch: Update on Foreign Direct Investment in the EU
On 19 October 2023, the European Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) published its third annual report (the ‘‘Report’’) on Regulation (EU) 2019/452 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 March 2019 establishing a framework for the screening of foreign direct investments into the Union (the ‘‘FDI Regulation’’).
The GCEU declares the Belgian Excess Profits Tax Scheme as breaching the EU Rules on State Aid
On 20 September 2023, the General Court of the European Union (“GCEU”), in the case of Belgium v. Commission (Case T-131/16 RENV), in direct contrast to its initial decision in 2019, confirmed the findings reached by the European Commission (“Commission”) in 2016.
EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism comes into effect
On the 1 October 2023, the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (“CBAM”) entered into effect, starting with a transitional phase that runs until the end of 2025 (the Transitional Period”).
Understanding DORA: Strengthening Europe’s Digital Infrastructure
Introduction In an increasingly digitized world, where reliance on digital services and technology has become paramount, ensuring the resilience and security of critical infrastructure is of utmost importance.