The Electronic Transactions and Data Protection Law in Lebanon: Empowering Lebanese companies in the digital age

The Electronic Transactions and Data Protection Law in Lebanon: Empowering Lebanese companies in the digital age

In an era marked by rapid advancements in technology and an ever-expanding digital landscape, the significance of robust legal frameworks governing electronic transactions and data protection cannot be overstated. For Lebanese companies, the enactment of the Lebanese Law No. 81 of 2018 related to electronic transactions and personal data (Law No. 81/2018 or ‘Law’) represents a pivotal moment in their journey towards adapting to the demands and opportunities of the digital age. This legislation not only addresses the critical need for legal clarity in electronic transactions but also establishes essential safeguards for data protection in an environment characterised by evolving cyber security threats and heightened concerns about privacy.

Lebanon, like many nations worldwide, has been experiencing a digital transformation that has reshaped the way businesses operate, communicate, and engage with their customers. E-commerce, online banking, and digital marketing have become integral components of the Lebanese business landscape, offering companies new avenues for growth and innovation. However, the absence of comprehensive electronic transactions regulations had left many enterprises navigating this digital terrain without clear guidelines, resulting in uncertainty and potential legal risks. Continue reading “The Electronic Transactions and Data Protection Law in Lebanon: Empowering Lebanese companies in the digital age”

Sponsored briefing: Overview of ESG law in Switzerland

Sponsored briefing: Overview of ESG law in Switzerland

What amendments or additions to Swiss ESG laws have been introduced in the past year, and how are these expected to influence businesses in the coming year?

In January 2022, the Swiss rules on due diligence and reporting regarding non-financial matters in the Swiss Code of Obligations (Swiss CO), which were adopted as a counterproposal to the ‘Responsible Business Initiative’ that was rejected by Swiss voters in November 2020, came into force (art. 964a ff. Swiss CO). These rules have started to apply as of the current financial year 2023 and the first reports according to the rules will have to be published next year (covering the financial year 2023). In a nutshell, large, listed companies and large companies supervised by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) will be required to publish a report on non-financial matters covering environmental matters, in particular CO2 goals, social issues, employee-related issues, respect for human rights and combating corruption. The companies in scope will have to let their shareholders vote on the report on non-financial matters at the general meeting. Additionally, certain Swiss companies will have to publish a report on due diligence regarding child labour and/or conflict minerals and metals. Continue reading “Sponsored briefing: Overview of ESG law in Switzerland”

Sponsored Q&A: Incorporating social value into projects – Lorraine Bellinger, head of legal project delivery at international law firm, Bird & Bird

Sponsored Q&A: Incorporating social value into projects – Lorraine Bellinger, head of legal project delivery at international law firm, Bird & Bird

Bird & Bird is an international law firm with over 30 offices in Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Africa working across multiple sectors and supporting organisations being changed by the digital world or those leading that change.

Lorraine Bellinger joined the firm in 2020 to build Bird & Bird’s legal project delivery function, drawing on her private practice and in-house experience. She started her law firm journey as a PA and made a career move into legal project management 15 years ago when her then employer identified a need for a different kind of business support. Continue reading “Sponsored Q&A: Incorporating social value into projects – Lorraine Bellinger, head of legal project delivery at international law firm, Bird & Bird”

Sponsored briefing: The importance of maintaining a constructive media relationship throughout litigation

Sponsored briefing: The importance of maintaining a constructive media relationship throughout litigation

The potential for reputational damage from ongoing litigation is increasingly recognised across the legal sector. Even where the value of a dispute going through court may be relatively small, the reputational damage that can result from the hearings – particularly at trial – can be vastly greater. It is therefore vital to have a comprehensive strategy in place to manage any media attention that the case may receive, both to put the client’s narrative forward and to parry any talking points floated by the other side.

While it may seem advantageous to seek to minimise media attention at all costs during hearings that are likely to go poorly, this can often backfire. Seeking to push forward the client’s position and narrative only during positive parts of a case, and otherwise largely not engaging with the media, can cause long-term issues for credibility when working with those journalists relying on the parties for information around a case. Litigation is a contact sport both in the courtroom and in the press, and it is vital to have a team of experts advocating for you in both arenas. Continue reading “Sponsored briefing: The importance of maintaining a constructive media relationship throughout litigation”

Sponsored briefing: A brief overview of Dutch alternatives for participation structures

Sponsored briefing: A brief overview of Dutch alternatives for participation structures

VanLoman partners Marc Oostenbroek and Gabriël van Gelder explore the advantages and disadvantages of structures for employee participation commonly used in the Netherlands

Participation structures are an often-used method to bind employees/managers to the company and to share the value increase realised. In the Netherlands generally four kinds of participation structures are used: stock options; stock appreciation rights (SARs); shares; and carried interest. Continue reading “Sponsored briefing: A brief overview of Dutch alternatives for participation structures”

Sponsored briefing: The Digital Operational Resilience Act: the next chapter for cyber resilience in the EU financial sector

Sponsored briefing: The Digital Operational Resilience Act: the next chapter for cyber resilience in the EU financial sector

THE WHAT AND WHY OF DORA

The EU’s financial sector is counting down towards a major legal document aimed at addressing cyber security concerns within this sector. Continue reading “Sponsored briefing: The Digital Operational Resilience Act: the next chapter for cyber resilience in the EU financial sector”

Sponsored Q&A: Nicholas Blake-Knox – partner and head of Walkers’ asset management and investment funds group in Ireland

Sponsored Q&A: Nicholas Blake-Knox – partner and head of Walkers’ asset management and investment funds group in Ireland

Can you tell us a little bit about your career and how you ended up at Walkers?

When I graduated from University College Dublin in 2001 with a business and law degree I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do. A friend in university had started working in a finance role within a fund administrator and he told me that if I joined and stayed for three months that he would get a €500 referral bonus. I joined. He got the referral bonus (which he didn’t share with me incidentally) and subsequently left to become a primary school teacher. Ironically, I have remained in the funds industry ever since. My legal career began a couple of years later with one of the leading domestic firms in Dublin, where I was earmarked for their investment funds group when I finished my traineeship. In 2011, I moved to London and joined the global asset management firm, PIMCO. I stayed in London with PIMCO for almost seven years before returning to Ireland in 2018 when I joined Walkers. During my time in London I completed an MBA at London Business School and briefly considered the idea of moving out of a legal role but ultimately stuck with a career in the legal profession. I feel that I have made the right choice and enjoy working in the funds industry in Ireland. Last year, I was elected to the Council of Irish Funds (the asset management and investment funds industry association here) and recently have been appointed to the role of vice chair of the association and consequently will assume the role of chair next year. Continue reading “Sponsored Q&A: Nicholas Blake-Knox – partner and head of Walkers’ asset management and investment funds group in Ireland”

Sponsored briefing: Challenges and strategies in a competitive market

Sponsored briefing: Challenges and strategies in a competitive market

Lisa Broderick of DAC Beachcroft examines the key problems and priorities for Irish clients, as well as the firm’s recent international growth and adaptations post-Covid

DACB Dublin is part of DAC Beachcroft LLP, an international law firm with over 2,800 professionals and a legal network advising across the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and North America. Continue reading “Sponsored briefing: Challenges and strategies in a competitive market”