The focus on culture has become more acute during the COVID-19 pandemic, as investors and consumers observe and judge companies based on their navigation of the crisis, particularly treatment of employees and wider societal stakeholders. In our view, the global regulatory direction of travel is clear. Companies and investors planning an exit must consider the impact that poor corporate culture may have on their potential to achieve an exit, in particular an IPO, and to prosper as a company in the longer term.
For most corporate law departments, 2020 will be remembered as a year where everything was turned on its head. Law department leaders had previously helped guide their departments through recessions, sales shortfalls, and restructurings, but never a global pandemic. However, the after-effects of 2020 will likely contain as many positives as negatives; and, if department leaders are smart, it should act as a catalyst for accelerating the change agenda in 2021 and beyond.
In-house counsel should keep immigration compliance in the front of their mind. While not as widely discussed or emphasized, the fact that the legal consequences of non-compliance are serious for organisations and reputational impacts can be just as damaging.
The new Data Protection Law, DIFC No. 5 of 2020 (the "DP Law"), became effective 1 July 2020 and replaces DIFC Law No.1 of 2007. Businesses caught by the legislation have a grace period of three months to bring their organisations into compliance with the new requirements.
The new DP Law has been aligned with data protection regimes elsewhere in the world such as the European GDPR and the California Consumer Privacy Act. Adoption of international data privacy concepts means we're hopeful that such reform will see other territories recognising the DIFC as providing sufficient regulatory protection to allow data transfers in and out of the DIFC with relative ease.
When in-house counsel think of negotiations, they generally think of a small room with professionals huddled around a table late, arguing their point. This article explains that it's more about negotiation than battling till the end.
Every marketing team aims to create and execute engaging campaigns that will attract and retain new business. Every in-house legal team wants the marketing function to be compliant and to support the business’s reputation. In this article, learn to achieve this, as both teams need to work together to minimise risk and maximise marketing outcomes.
Increasing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investment and forging social sector partnerships in a post-COVID-19 recessionary world isn’t just the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do for in-house counsel and their companies.
As we all navigate the new ‘normal’ in the post-COVID-19 world, one major adjustment has been the ‘new’ workplace, aka our homes. This article profiles four in-house counsel and shares their experiences of working from home and their tips for getting through this challenging time.
The purpose of this article is to highlight the key issues any international non-government organization (NGO) should consider when evaluating their international employment needs, considering expansion into a new region/jurisdiction, or in any other context where employment law may arise.
This guide provides an introduction to Canada’s civil litigation and dispute resolution system. It describes the procedures followed in Canada’s civil courts and administrative tribunals and discusses alternatives to dispute resolution, with a focus on mediation and arbitration.