Pakistan's Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has drafted the National Freelancing Facilitation Policy 2023, a substantial initiative aimed at strengthening its digital economy. The objective of this policy is to establish Pakistan as a prominent global centre for freelancing, thereby augmenting the average yearly income of freelancers and making a substantial contribution to the country's influx of export remittances.
Released on Feb 3, 2025
A conference report from the 28th Annual IBA Competition Conference, held on 6–7 September 2024 in Florence, Italy.
Released on Jan 28, 2025
Export controls refer to the regulations that identify goods, technologies and services leaving a country’s borders to ensure compliance with objectives of national security, foreign policy and domestic economic interests. Economic sanctions involve measures imposed by governments to restrict trade or financial transactions with specific countries, entities or individuals for various reasons such as national security and economic interests.
Released on Jan 27, 2025
A report on the discussion on legal technology held at the IBA’s 7th Annual European Start-up Conference in Stockholm, taking place on 13 November 2024. Participants discussed the challenges and opportunities present by artificial intelligence, embracing change and individual responsibility for professional development.
Released on Jan 27, 2025
A report on the panel session ‘To list, to sell or to flip to the US: sucessful exist methods in Europe’. Participants discussed recent challenges in the initial public offerings market, the ‘dual-track’ strategy and the role of legal advisors among other interesting points.
Released on Jan 27, 2025
The IBA European Regional Forum (ERF) is pleased to announce changes to its officer positions for 2025. These changes reflect the organisation's commitment to diversity, inclusion and the evolving needs of its members.
Released on Jan 27, 2025
The year 2025 promises to be an exciting and dynamic one for the IBA European Regional Forum members. With a full calendar of events and initiatives, we look forward to engaging with our members. Here’s a preview of what’s ahead.
Released on Jan 27, 2025
Directory submissions often feel like an administrative burden to be ticked off the list and moved on from, but they’re actually one of the most valuable tools for building credibility and strengthening your firm’s market position. In this article, the authors explore practical ways to streamline directory submissions, make collaboration more effective and ensure that your firm presents the strongest case possible.
Released on Jan 16, 2025
A report on the webinar ‘Law firms’ ESG decisions in our current geopolitical environments – a follow-up discussion after the US president elections’, held on 12 November 2024.
Released on Jan 16, 2025
On 26 April 2024, the Chinese State Council passed the Tariff Law of the People’s Republic of China, which came into force on 1 December 2024. The new law consolidates existing rules in different documents and certain practices in one administrative law.
Released on Jan 13, 2025
After the unveiling of the revised Anti-Monopoly Law, amended on 2022 (the ‘AML Amendments’), 2023 has been a year of progressive antitrust legislation in China. A flurry of updated regulations and mechanism were published to further clarify the AML Amendments, absorbing the past enforcement experience, for the purpose of facilitating the implementation of the AML Amendments
Released on Jan 13, 2025
The Chinese data protection regime, along with extensive supplementary implementing regulations, exerts a comprehensive influence on data protection regulations with extraterritorial implications and significant impacts on companies conducting business in China, with a particular emphasis on the supervision of cross-border data transfers. Companies engaged in the processing of personal information of individuals residing within the territory of China during business operations may be subject to regulatory oversight, regardless of whether they are physically established in China.
Released on Jan 13, 2025
The Company Law of the People's Republic of China (the ‘Company Law’) is the fundamental legislation that governs the socialist market economy system. Since its initial publication in 1993, the Company Law has undergone five revisions or amendments. The sixth revision of the Company Law commenced in 2019. Following four discussions by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and extensive consultation with various sectors of society, the latest draft was formally reviewed and approved on 29 December 2023. It is scheduled to come into force on 1 July 2024.
Released on Jan 13, 2025
The Civil Code of the People’s Republic of China took effect on 1 January 2021. It consolidates a number of civil laws, including the general principles of civil law, property law, contract law, guarantee law, family law, succession law, tort law and specific clauses in the judicial interpretations of the Supreme Court of the People’s Republic of China.
Released on Jan 13, 2025
The IBA’s Criminal Law Section (made up of the Criminal Law, Business Crime, Anti-Corruption and Asset Recovery Committees) has closed 2024 with another successful conference; this time in Mexico City, where around 5,000 delegates gathered to exchange ideas, discuss the latest hot topics in the legal world and – of course – experience Mexican food, music and culture (including a memorable trip to a Lucha Libre wrestling competition).
Released on Jan 13, 2025
This article examines the intricacies surrounding the concept of a ‘place of effective management’ in determining tax residency for foreign corporate entities in Zambia. While Zambia’s Income Tax Act incorporated the concept of a ‘place of effective management’ to align with international practice, the undefined concept creates uncertainty that leaves the concept open to various interpretations. This article further critiques the inadequacy of the guidance provided by Zambia’s tax authority on the concept and compares the concept of a place of effective management with the alternative concept of a ‘head or main office’ in achieving certainty in the determination of the tax residence of corporate bodies.
Released on Jan 8, 2025
This article provides a high-level overview of the taxation landscape for entities seeking to establish their business or invest in the United Republic of Tanzania. The current landscape provides for taxes payable or which entities are liable to collect and remit to the tax authorities in the United Republic of Tanzania. The article also discusses the potential tax consequences should an entity seek to exit the country. In this regard, the article examines both voluntary and compulsory exit situations.
Released on Jan 8, 2025
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has historically been known as a tax-friendly jurisdiction, attracting multinational corporations, family offices, investors and individuals to the country. However, in response to evolving global tax policies and a strategic shift away from the reliance on hydrocarbon revenues, the UAE has undertaken significant tax reforms, including the introduction of corporate tax at the federal level in 2023. This article explores the UAE’s evolving corporate tax environment, examining key corporate tax considerations and recent developments that impact businesses operating within the UAE.
Released on Jan 8, 2025
The Kingdom of Bahrain is undergoing a significant economic transformation as it moves away from its historical reliance on oil and gas reserves. In this respect, Bahrain has strategically diversified its economy, emerging as a prominent business hub within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This transformation is marked by recent tax reforms, including the introduction of value-added tax (VAT) and a domestic minimum top-up tax, reflecting Bahrain’s aim to establish its long-term economic stability. This article examines the tax environment in Bahrain and the implications for businesses aiming to establish or expand their presence in Bahrain.
Released on Jan 8, 2025
One of the current trends within the Israeli tech startup environment is that startups are increasingly considering restructuring their corporate structures by placing a non-Israeli company at the top of their holding structure, often referred to as a ‘flip’. While this can involve various non-Israeli jurisdictions, it is particularly common for the resulting parent company to be based in the US. The reasons behind this trend include tax incentives, investor preferences and regulatory advantages. The typical process of a flip involves the transfer of rights by rightsholders in the Israeli company to a newly formed foreign parent company, often creating immediate tax implications for Israeli stakeholders. However, the Israel Tax Authority has the ability to offer a favourable tax decision in this regard that can exempt Israeli rightsholders from tax, provided certain conditions are met. This decision by the regulator may also have a potential impact on the company’s future exit strategies and tax obligations. The implications of flips should, therefore, be carefully considered by startups and investors.
Released on Jan 8, 2025
Kenya, an East African country, was recently ranked the top African country for expatriates and ninth in the world in this regard. As businesses and people move to Kenya, it is crucial that they understand Kenya’s tax landscape, including the applicable tax laws and incentives meant to attract investors. This article provides a general overview of the local taxation rules, some of the incentives and the key consequences for businesses and individuals moving to or from Kenya.
Released on Jan 8, 2025
Oman, a Gulf nation, has emerged as an attractive destination for foreign investment. With a stable political and economic environment, coupled with favourable government policies and incentives, Oman offers significant opportunities for businesses. The government’s pro-business initiatives, including tax exemptions and incentives, have further enhanced Oman’s appeal. While corporate income tax is levied at a moderate rate, the absence of personal income tax and the recent suspension of withholding tax on dividends and interest make Oman an even more attractive proposition. Additionally, the country’s robust infrastructure, the ease of doing business, and the growing focus on diversification contribute to the overall investment climate.
Released on Jan 8, 2025
This article provides an overview of the provisions relevant to taxation in Mauritius and discusses key recent developments in this area.
Released on Jan 8, 2025
This article is intended for the attention of businesses planning to expand their activities in Iraq, as it describes the current legal framework regarding the taxation of income, be it generated by a local corporation, a foreign investor or an individual. The article discusses the applicable provisions and provides insight into the current and expected approach of the local tax authorities.
Released on Jan 8, 2025
The panel explored the complexities of debt-to-equity swaps as a financial restructuring tool and its success and limitations in enhancing a debtor's balance sheet by converting lenders’ claims into equity securities in several jurisdictions.
Released on Dec 12, 2024
This article delves into the foundational elements of reverse solicitation, exploring its regulatory basis and implications in the Italian context, as well as its alignment with evolving EU standards.
Released on Dec 11, 2024
India’s space start-up ecosystem has witnessed remarkable growth over the past decade, with the number of space startups increasing from a mere one in 2014 to 189 in 2023, according to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade’s Startup India portal. The surge in interest is evident, with Indian space startups attracting US$124.7m worth of investments in 2023 alone. This dynamic growth has been significantly influenced by the national Space Policy 2023, which provides a structured framework for the registration and regulation of space objects.
Released on Dec 11, 2024
Japan has made significant progress in carving out a place for itself within space business, accelerated by the new initiatives undertaken by the government regarding its space policy. This has entailed recent (and upcoming) updates to the relevant legal framework in order to prepare Japanese actors for participation in new types of space-related activities, including on-orbit services, moon exploration and sub-orbital flights
Released on Dec 11, 2024
An introduction to the activities of the ESA and EUSPA as Europe’s two main space institutions and the critical discussions taking place in Europe regarding the competing fields of activity and the main principles of these institutions
Released on Dec 11, 2024
A comparative analysis of the UN Space Liability Convention and Indian Space Policy, in light of the increasing involvement of private companies in the Indian space sector.
Released on Dec 11, 2024