Pieter Gunst

Cayman Islands’ Restructuring Officer Regime: A New Era of Corporate Recovery and Debtor Protection

The Cayman Islands recently exhibited its agile approach towards corporate restructuring, intending to further protect creditor and debtor rights while contributing to efficient cross-border restructuring operations. In an update to the Companies Act on August 31, 2022, the Cayman Islands introduced a regime which allows corporations to choose the appointment of a restructuring officer. The…

Read More

Texas Court Halts CFPB Rule on Lending Data Collection for Women-Owned, Minority-Owned, and Small Businesses

On Monday, the contentious issue regarding the implementation and enforcement of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) final rule gained a preliminary injunction issued by a Texas federal district court, according to this article. The lawsuit challenging the validity of the Rule was based on Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act. Nevertheless, this injunction was…

Read More

Navigating the Legal Landscape: PFAS-Related Lawsuits and Implications for Consumer Product Industries

The rise in claims regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has caught the attention of many legal professionals, especially those engaged in the consumer products sector and related industries. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers are amongst those being targeted by these lawsuits, increasing the necessity to comprehend the nature and types of these PFAS claims. Recent…

Read More

Effective Mediation Strategies Explored in Point-Counterpoint Dialogue Between Attorneys and Mediators

When trying to resolve disputes, lawyers and in-house counsel alike must often grapple with the question of when the best time is to engage in mediation. This conundrum, among other mediation-related topics, is comprehensively explored by the JD Supra. In particular, the article focuses on how attorneys and mediators interact during the mediation process. Each…

Read More

Amid Competency Investigation, Judge Newman Challenges Patent Eligibility Law

Legal professionals worldwide must keep an attentive eye on the ongoing saga of 96-year-old Federal Circuit Judge, Pauline Newman. Currently subjected to a competency investigation, Judge Newman made headlines once again as she openly criticized the current patent eligibility law as “unnecessary and confusing” while raising questions about its divergence from its “historical purpose”. In…

Read More

Navigating the Complex Legal Landscape of Fake ID Accusations and Consequences

Understanding the legal implications surrounding accusations of possessing a fake ID is something every lawyer dealing with such cases should grasp. Many cases typically revolve around college students desiring to participate in adult contexts whilst being below legal thresholds, such as entering bars or attending age-restricted concerts. However, the legal ramifications of procuring a fake…

Read More

Ireland’s Examinership Model: Proving Resilience in Cross-Border Corporate Restructuring

In recent years, the corporate rescue scheme known as examinership has been effectively utilised in Ireland, displaying impressive adaptability to the requirements of modern complex cross-border corporate restructurings. This approach was introduced in 1990 and has consistently evolved to efficiently handle the dynamics of the corporate business landscape. The examinership scheme has achieved increased significance,…

Read More

Delaware Court Ruling Bolsters Corporate Voice in Sociopolitical Engagement

In an increasingly dynamic and divided political climate, boards of directors and the corporations they govern are grappling with a spectrum of pressures from diverse stakeholders to chime in on specific political, cultural, and societal issues. Navigating these pressures can be a complex undertaking, but recent judgement by the Delaware Chancery Court provides some essential…

Read More

Michigan Supreme Court Reshapes Premises Liability Law, Impacting Property Owners’ Responsibilities

Property owners and possessors in Michigan are urged to take note of a recent framework from the Michigan Supreme Court that impacts how premises liability cases are handled in court. This new regulation stands to reshape traditional legal understandings of owner responsibilities in instances of on-site accidents, such as “slip-and-fall” cases, marking a pivot away…

Read More

HHS Increases Civil Penalties Under Information Blocking Rule Amendment

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), announced on June 27, 2023, an amendment to the civil money penalty (CMP) regulations under the Information Blocking Rule. This significant development, lodged on the OIG’s official website, incorporates new CMP authority and elevates the maximum penalties associated with specific CMP violations….

Read More

Offshore Restructuring Cases Highlight Rising Influence of Creditors’ Interests

Offshore bankruptcy and restructuring have always stood as complex, nuanced areas of law, necessitating an in-depth understanding of numerous jurisdictions and principles. Recent offshore cases underline the rising role of creditors’ views and interests, often in contrast with those of shareholders and the management of distressed companies. These cases address critical considerations such as winding…

Read More

OECD Advances Environmental Risk Assessment of Transgenic Plants with New Consensus Document

In recent news, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) publicized a fresh addition to its Series on Harmonization of Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology, titled Safety Assessment of Transgenic Organisms in the Environment, Volume 10: OECD Consensus Document on Environmental Considerations for the Release of Transgenic Plants, on July 27, 2023. According to JD…

Read More

NLRB Revises Criteria for Employer Handbook Policies Amid Evolving Decision-Making Landscape

In a recent turn of events, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has once again amended its criterion for assessing employer handbook policies and rules under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). This modification overturns the previous NLRB’s 2017 Boeing Co. resolution. The NLRB’s new ruling was evident in the case of Stericycle Inc., indicating…

Read More

FASB Pushes for Enhanced Transparency in Public Company Expenses and Segment Reporting

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is stepping up its game with new requirements for greater transparency regarding public company expenses. In an effort to offer investors more actionable details about expenses on the income statement, the board is targeting the issue from two key perspectives: the disaggregation of income statement expenses and segment reporting….

Read More

UK Property Developers Face Strict Enforcement with Building Safety Act Responsible Actors Scheme

Swift action is the watchword for residential property developers in the UK as the Building Safety Act Responsible Actors Scheme (“RAS”) commences enforcement. Provisions of the Responsible Actors Scheme, which came into effect on 23 July 2023, mandate remediation of fire safety defects in relevant buildings by developers, failure of which could result in them…

Read More

New SEC Rule on Cybersecurity Intensifies Reporting Obligations for Public Companies

In a marked move, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted a noteworthy new rule last week, a move that notably increased reporting obligations for public companies. The adopted Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance, and Incident Disclosure Rule (the “Rule”) demands, among various other things, the reporting of “cybersecurity incidents” within merely four business…

Read More

Starbucks Ruling Signals Potential for NLRB Reinstatement of Employer Disciplinary Bargaining Obligations

In a recent corporate legal development, an Administrative Law Judge ruled in a case involving Starbucks Corp., potentially paving the way for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to reinstate an employer’s obligation. The decision may lead to companies being required to negotiate with a union before imposing significant discretionary discipline in a newly-organized workplace,…

Read More