In this publication, our tech sector lawyers from around the world explore the key global trends in the technology sector that we believe will shape the legal outlook for businesses in 2024 and beyond.

The UK is set to introduce new laws to combat economic crime, including fraud, money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities. The legislation aims to strengthen systems for collecting, accessing and displaying information about UK companies and partnerships and about the ownership of UK real estate by overseas entities. In addition, business organisations may incur criminal liabilities if they fail to take measures to prevent fraud by their employees or agents and it will be made easier to prosecute companies for criminal wrongdoing.

In 2023’s edition, we look at how boards of listed companies should prepare to handle an activist investor. We discuss how to draw up a good climate transition plan, the merits of involving investors in “say on climate” and the increasing dangers of being accused of greenwashing.

2023 will be the year that global antitrust authorities implement and apply new tools designed to allow them to better support consumers in hard times. We expect to see authorities continuing to push the boundaries of established competition law and enforcement. Their top priority? Clamping down on anti-competitive practices by businesses under economic pressures, including in new areas like HR.

Our global and regional ESG legal outlooks are now available The general direction of travel for ESG in 2023 in many jurisdictions across the globe seems to be one of increased regulation, scrutiny and litigation, which will have a significant impact on how businesses plan, operate and report. Increased transparency and accountability, as well as ongoing concerns over greenwashing and litigation risk, are likely to rank high on the ESG agenda this year.

Disruptive forces are shaping the outlook for 2023, yet technology will continue to be a key enabler for businesses and certain tech verticals will attract significant investment as companies and investors navigate this new market dynamic. In this publication, our tech sector lawyers from around the world explore the key global trends in the technology sector that we believe will shape the legal outlook for businesses in 2023 and beyond.

2021 was a year of record-breaking tech growth – one of record global tech investment, deal-making, and unicorns. While this momentum carried through to the first quarter of 2022, as the months pass, geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic turbulence, and regulatory change are impacting the tech sector.

Explore our fully updated review of corporate criminal liability which assesses the risks corporates face across 22 jurisdictions.

Our cross-border guide for company directors aims to inform and help individual directors and international businesses in 25 jurisdictions. With contributions from lawyers across our global network, this version has been updated and now also covers the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Despite the economic disruption caused by the pandemic and a global trend towards greater scrutiny of foreign investment, deal values for cross-border M&A are at an all-time high. Navigating the traps for the unwary has never been more important. Our Cross-border Guide to Private M&A 2021 covers 26 countries, from Australia to Vietnam, and identifies key legal issues for potential purchasers when looking to make acquisitions outside their home jurisdiction.

Over recent years we have seen an increase in both the volume and value of Public M&A with the total global value of deals in 2019 reaching US$1.65tn. Despite a slower start in 2020, Q3 has seen cross-border public M&A back up to the same levels as Q3 2019 with many deals being announced largely backed by private equity, a trend which looks likely to continue. We have also seen changing regulations in different jurisdictions making the cross-border transaction environment increasingly complex.

As enforcement agencies increasingly cooperate to tackle bribery and corruption across the world, we have seen an uptick in large-scale investigations and correspondingly large penalties imposed on companies engaging in unlawful behaviour. Our comprehensive review of anti-bribery and corruption law and enforcement covers 22 jurisdictions across the globe and will be of particular interest to businesses with international operations. 

In this comparative review we look at the types of collective actions permitted in each jurisdiction and who may bring them. We examine whether they are opt in or opt out and what this means for the efficacy of the procedure. How collective actions are funded and the relief that is available is also considered. We also look forward to how the concept might develop in the future in each jurisdiction reviewed.

This Cross-Border Guide considers questions that commonly arise on joint venture deals and how they can be resolved in 26 jurisdictions.

GCs share practical tips and strategies on embedding corporate values and responsible business conduct, integrating ESG factors into decision-making processes, conducting human rights due diligence, using grievance mechanisms and using sustainability principles to navigate through crises.