Clifford Chance Perspectives – Legal Developments Series

In this session we will consider the challenges and market developments relating to LIBOR transition, how the experience of sterling LIBOR transition may inform USD LIBOR transition, and assess the state of play in Asia and the EU.

While class actions have long been a feature of the legal landscape, there are clear indications that their reach is expanding. In this session, we will draw on our experience to provide a snapshot of the key risks in relation to securities and shareholder litigation, claims arising from data breaches and data misuse, and climate change litigation.

There is a growing spotlight on ethical principles such as fairness, transparency, accountability and access in tech. As the framework around digital ethics continues to evolve, we will discuss the hot topics for regulators, where the grey areas exist and how to deal with ethical considerations.

As investment floods into the Metaverse – a collection of immersive, integrated, virtual worlds where users can live, work and play – our panel of experts will explore the practical applications of the Metaverse and the legal issues that will arise as it grows. With questions of data security, privacy, IP, antitrust, diversity and ethics already emerging as key issues for the future of the Metaverse, we will analyse whether real-world problems will take on new dimensions in the virtual realm. As a growing number of established companies and institutions set up shop in the Metaverse, we will consider the implications of the new economic models emerging there, where wealth can be created, traded and enhanced using technologies adapted to its virtual environment, from cryptocurrencies to NFTs.

Post-Brexit, the UK Government plans to build a strong partnership with the insurance sector, strengthen its contribution to economic growth and work together to enhance the UK’s competitiveness as a financial centre in a truly global industry. We will discuss the UK regulators’ priorities, examine the UK’s plans for regulatory reform and consider the key regulatory issues impacting consumers, regulated firms and new entrants in the UK insurance sector.

We are delighted to welcome back Anand Menon, political commentator, broadcaster, Director of the UK in a Changing Europe and Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King’s College London. Anand will share his views on the state of EU-UK relations, drawing on recent events and ongoing discussions about the Northern Ireland Protocol. We will also consider the future direction of the relationship.

We will consider the burgeoning temptations for businesses to highlight their green credentials including the increasing regulatory imperatives in the US and Europe, how to be vigilant in avoiding the bear traps and some cautionary tales of those found guilty of greenwashing.

The landscape of the securitisation markets in the EMEA region has been changing rapidly over the last couple of years. Brexit has created a new legal jurisdiction within Europe, the UK and the EU are both reviewing their securitisation regulatory frameworks, ESG concerns are becoming an increasingly important consideration, and new markets are opening up, including in Africa. In this session, our panellists will take you through the regulatory horizon and the emerging market trends for securitisation in the EMEA region.

As the EU sustainable finance taxonomy develops, we will look at what’s sustainable and what’s not, what new obligations the Taxonomy Regulation introduces and whether we might see other jurisdictions developing their own taxonomies.

As sustainable finance, carbon trading and other areas of green financing continue to evolve and expand in China, our panel will discuss the themes and issues for the China market and where it is heading.

As rising energy prices and the shifting political landscape bring greater uncertainty, our panel will discuss how this will impact the speed of the wider energy transition. Our experts will look at some of the innovations and developments that we are seeing as corporates and governments take on the challenge of reaching net zero.