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Coronavirus COVID-19

UK presses ahead with digital services tax

The UK confirmed in the Budget on 11 March 2020 that it is introducing a digital services tax (DST) from 1 April 2020, in the absence of a coordinated global…

Published on 19 Mar 2020

Read time 7m

Coronavirus COVID-19

UK COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility: how does it work and which companies are eligible?

Initial details of the government's much-publicised support package has given rise to concerns that a large chunk of UK PLC may fall through the gap between the scheme intended for…

Published on 20 Mar 2020

Read time 3m

Coronavirus COVID-19

Listed company AGMs: the COVID-19 factor

March to May in any year is typically the period during which listed companies with financial years ending on 31 December hold their annual general meetings (AGMs). Many companies have…

Published on 20 Mar 2020

Read time 6m

UK Latest articles

Coronavirus COVID-19

German business and the coronavirus: How companies can secure liquidity and other FAQs.

With many German companies facing a substantial decline in revenues and potential insolvency as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown, boardrooms are looking to take measures to secure…

Published on 3 Apr 2020

Read time 1m

Financial Services

New FCA lending guidance offers temporary financial relief for customers

Published on 3 Apr 2020

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Coronavirus COVID-19

Coronavirus Legal Briefing | What we’re seeing

Published on 3 Apr 2020

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Coronavirus COVID-19

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme 2.0: “The Overhaul”

Published on 3 Apr 2020

Read time 4m

Smart Cities: today’s reality

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Connected Consumer

From crowd-funding and data commercialisation to digital health and the sharing economy, we profile the latest thinking in consumer trends online.

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GDPR

IT and data

ICO signals its intentions on cyber security: large companies need to lead by example

The ICO has issued DSG Retail Limited, the owner of Currys PC World and Dixons Travel stores, with a sizeable fine under pre-GDPR legislation. The ICO's decision is a must-read…

Published on 17 Jan 2020

Read time 7m
IT and data

The e-Privacy Regulation: latest delays leave important questions unanswered

The most recent text of the proposed Regulation on Privacy and Electronic Communications (the e-Privacy Regulation) – which was due to replace the e-Privacy Directive 2002/58/EC – was rejected by…

Published on 3 Dec 2019

Read time 2m
Workforce Solutions

What are the key Digital Transformation issues for Recruitment and Workforce Solutions companies?

Digitalisation is affecting companies that provide workforce solutions, including recruitment services, more than ever before. Shareholder value and business survival will increasingly be affected by the actions businesses take in…

Published on 26 Sep 2019

Read time 3m
Brexit

Data protection and privacy: are you Brexit-ready for any outcome?

Profound business uncertainty has surrounded data protection since the UK voted in favour of leaving the EU more than three years ago. The basis on which the UK will leave…

Published on 5 Sep 2019

Read time 12m
Retail and Consumer

Doing retail in Europe | Some recent legal challenges in the market

The retail industry is subject to constant change. Rapidly increasing customer demands, changes in production, supply chains, product placement and distribution channels as well as the pressure of worldwide competitors…

Published on 30 Aug 2019

Read time 9m
GDPR

Learning from the British Airways and Marriott International fines: What organisational measures should companies be implementing?

This article was first published on ITPro: Learning from the British Airways and Marriott International fines: Part 2 The first part of this article detailed the baseline technical measures that…

Published on 29 Aug 2019

Read time 5m
GDPR

Learning from the British Airways and Marriott International fines: What does the GDPR standard of “Appropriate Technical and Organisational Measures” actually mean?

This article was first published on ITPro: Learning from the British Airways and Marriott International fines: Part 1 In July, the sea-change in data protection enforcement became abundantly clear when,…

Published on 29 Aug 2019

Read time 7m
IT and data

Privacy, piracy and protectionist agendas | Barriers to enabling digital trade in a 4.0 world

Industrial revolution has always gone hand-in-hand with international trade, and the barriers that can create. So, it is no surprise that industry 4.0 is opening up new battlegrounds in the…

Published on 28 Aug 2019

Read time 3m
GDPR

GDPR one year on | What have we learned and what’s next for data protection?

At a recent series of events, we shared learnings from the UK and beyond, one year on from the implementation of the GDPR.

Published on 15 Jul 2019

Read time 4m
IT and data

Another day, another huge fine: Marriott International announces ICO’s intent to fine it £99.3m for data breach

The ICO's announcement yesterday (9 July 2019) that it intends to fine Marriott International £99.3m will send shock waves to boards across Europe. It comes only a day after the…

Published on 10 Jul 2019

Read time 5m
IT and data

British Airways facing fine of £183.39m as ICO plans to issue its first GDPR monetary penalty

The ICO's announcement today (8 July 2019) that it plans to fine British Airways £183.39m in relation to its high profile data breach has sent a very clear message that…

Published on 8 Jul 2019

Read time 3m
GDPR

GDPR nine months on | What should you be thinking about now?

The UK Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham, has been vocal about the fact that GDPR compliance is not a moment in time event, but requires ongoing commitment. In her own words,…

Published on 25 Feb 2019

Read time 5m

Why Blockchain matters to your business

Blockchain

Workforce Solutions

What are the key Digital Transformation issues for Recruitment and Workforce Solutions companies?

Digitalisation is affecting companies that provide workforce solutions, including recruitment services, more than ever before. Shareholder value and business survival will increasingly be affected by the actions businesses take in…

Published on 26 Sep 2019

Read time 3m
Tech, Media and Comms

Legal status of cryptoassets, distributed ledger technology and smart contracts| Consultation on what needs clarifying

The LawTech Delivery Panel's UK Jurisdiction Taskforce (UKJT) has launched a public consultation to help shape its work on the status of cryptoassets, distributed ledger technology (DLT) and smart contracts…

Published on 29 May 2019

Read time 3m
Financial Services

FCA consultation on Cryptoassets brings welcome clarity on extent of regulatory perimeter

On 23 January 2019, the FCA published a consultation on Guidance on Cryptoassets (CP19/3). The consultation ran for 10 weeks and the FCA intends to publish feedback and the final…

Published on 16 May 2019

Read time 5m
Financial Services

What will MLD5 mean for the regulation of Cryptoassets?

In April 2019, the UK government opened its consultation on transposing the Fifth Money Laundering Directive (MLD5) into national law by the 10 January 2020 deadline for transposition. MLD5 changes…

Published on 16 May 2019

Read time 6m
Blockchain

Will blockchain drive the evolution of cognitive supply chains?

Cognitive supply chains could help solve some of the challenges facing traditional supply chains: lack of transparency and uniformity; inability easily to track, monitor and investigate illegal or unethical practices;…

Published on 13 May 2019

Read time 3m
Blockchain

Law Commission hits pause on smart contracts project, making way for LawTech Delivery Panel

The Law Society's LawTech Delivery Panel will be taking the lead role in investigating the role and regulation of smart contracts under English Law.

Published on 1 Apr 2019

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Blockchain

Why blockchain matters to your business | Insights into the growth of private blockchains

Moving past the hype and headlines It doesn’t take much effort to find headlines reporting either hype or scare stories in the world of blockchain. It is much rarer to…

Published on 15 Mar 2019

Read time 5m
Blockchain

Blockchain and GDPR: beyond the right to be forgotten

In September 2018, the French data protection authority (CNIL) issued a report considering Blockchain technology from a personal data protection perspective. Although not binding guidance, the report represents one of…

Published on 26 Nov 2018

Read time 5m
Tax

Taxation of cryptocurrencies in Europe: an overview

What is cryptocurrency? The term "cryptocurrency" emerged as a reference to a Bitcoin-style digital currency whose ownership (at issue and following any subsequent transfers) is recorded as a chain of…

Published on 17 Sep 2018

Read time 9m
Blockchain

The Digital Revolution: Blockchain – the legal issues

Blockchain is already presenting new opportunities for businesses in a range of sectors - but how will it be regulated?

Published on 13 Sep 2018

Read time 1m
Blockchain

The Digital Revolution: How blockchain works

Blockchain is emerging as a candidate for one of the major disruptive technologies of our time – but what is it exactly, and how does it work in practice?

Published on 22 Aug 2018

Read time 1m
Financial Services

The other side of the (bit)coin: the prudential treatment of crypto-assets

Much has been written on the topic of crypto-asset regulation from an issuer / intermediary perspective - is the crypto asset a specified (i.e. regulated) investment? Does the token constitute…

Published on 25 Jul 2018

Read time 3m

Navigate the landscape of UK business regulation

Regulatory Outlook

Regulatory Outlook

Regulatory Outlook | Regulation and responsibility | February 2020

From one of the largest oil and gas multinationals pledging to reach "net zero" to the world's biggest asset manager "placing sustainability at the centre of our investment approach'", responsible…

Published on 26 Feb 2020

Read time 2m
Regulatory Outlook

Regulatory Outlook | Regulated Procurement | February 2020

Current issues Applications to lift automatic suspension There have been two recent judgements in the High Court on applications to lift an automatic suspension – the injunction that comes into…

Published on 26 Feb 2020

Read time 6m
Regulatory Outlook

Regulatory Outlook | Product Regulation | February 2020

Current issues New Medical Devices Regulation On 26 May 2020, the new EU Regulation on Medical Devices 2017/745 (MDR) comes into force. In December 2019, a four-year transitional period was…

Published on 26 Feb 2020

Read time 4m
Regulatory Outlook

Regulatory Outlook | Investment Funds | February 2020

Current issues Alternative Asset Managers under the spotlight The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has written a "Dear CEO letter" outlining some of the risks of harm that alternative investment firms…

Published on 26 Feb 2020

Read time 6m
Regulatory Outlook

Regulatory Outlook | Health and Safety | February 2020

Current issues Building Safety | Far reaching and rapid reform? The publication of a new Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government consolidated Advice Note provides further clarity to owners…

Published on 26 Feb 2020

Read time 3m
Regulatory Outlook

Regulatory Outlook | Financial Regulation | February 2020

Current issues Suitability and effective governance The regulatory spotlight was turned on the financial advisory, alternative investment and wealth management worlds in January, with three "Dear CEO" letters issued by…

Published on 26 Feb 2020

Read time 6m
Regulatory Outlook

Regulatory Outlook | Advertising and Marketing | February 2020

Current issues New CMA consumer law enforcement powers The Competition and Markets Authority continues to press for increased consumer law enforcement powers, including the power to impose fines directly for…

Published on 26 Feb 2020

Read time 4m
Regulatory Outlook

Regulatory Outlook | Health and Safety | July 2019

Current issues HSE publishes fatal injury statistics The HSE has published its annual figures, which show that there were 147 deaths at work in 2018/19 (as reported under the RIDDOR…

Published on 18 Jul 2019

Read time 5m
Regulatory Outlook

Regulatory Outlook | Food Law | July 2019

Current issues New allergen labelling law The government has announced that it is planning to introduce new allergen labelling legislation in summer 2019, with businesses being expected to implement the…

Published on 17 Jul 2019

Read time 5m
Regulatory Outlook

Regulatory Outlook | Export Control | July 2019

Current issues UK government acted unlawfully in relation to the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia On 20 June 2019, the Court of Appeal, overturning an earlier High Court decision,…

Published on 17 Jul 2019

Read time 5m
Regulatory Outlook

Regulatory Outlook | Environment | July 2019

Current issues Government revises climate target On 12 June 2019, following the advice of the Committee on Climate Change, the UK government created secondary legislation which revises the greenhouse gas…

Published on 17 Jul 2019

Read time 4m
Regulatory Outlook

Regulatory Outlook | Employment & Contingent Workforce | July 2019

Current issues Preparing for IR35 reforms HMRC have published draft legislation fort the 2020 off-payroll IR35 tax reforms. The proposed regime is largely modelled on those introduced already into the…

Published on 17 Jul 2019

Read time 7m

Brexit: challenges and opportunities

Brexit

Brexit

Brexit Business Brief | Only one question

In the midst of the coronavirus crisis, we explore the only Brexit question which currently matters: will the transition period still end on 31 December 2020?

Published on 1 Apr 2020

Read time 3m
Brexit

Brexit Business Brief | Different visions

The negotiations begin today, with the EU and UK having different visions of the future relationship.

Published on 2 Mar 2020

Read time 5m
Intellectual property

IP after Brexit: consequences and checklists

Brexit has consequences for intellectual property in the UK. Our Insight draws together some of the headline issues alongside actions to consider during the transition period and beyond.

Published on 21 Feb 2020

Read time 4m
Employment and pensions

ePassport gates: genius idea or recipe for disaster?

What are ePassport gates? These are electronic gates that use technology to authenticate the biometric passport and also facial recognition technology to compare an individual's face to the digital image…

Published on 6 Feb 2020

Read time 4m
Employment and pensions

Ready for 2021 and beyond?

As the UK departed the European Union on 31 January 2020, the remaining months of this year will be a transition period with current EU law and free movement remaining…

Published on 6 Feb 2020

Read time 2m
Brexit

The UK exits: 20 quick things you should know

1. What changes on 31 January? The United Kingdom leaves the European Union at 11.00 p.m. London time on Friday 31 January 2020. It ceases to be a Member State…

Published on 28 Jan 2020

Read time 3m
Brexit

Brexit Business Brief | The UK exits: 20 quick things you should know

Welcome to Brexit Business Brief, our regular newsletter looking at Brexit developments in a legal and business context.

Published on 27 Jan 2020

Read time 3m
Brexit

Brexit Business Brief | Exit, and a timeline for the negotiations

Welcome to Brexit Business Brief, our regular newsletter looking at Brexit developments in a legal and business context.

Published on 16 Jan 2020

Read time 3m
Brexit

Timeline for Brexit 2020

To receive insights like this by email please register your interest in receiving Brexit Insights. Find out how we can help you prepare for Brexit Timeline for Brexit 2020 7…

Published on 15 Jan 2020

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Brexit

Brexit Business Brief | What happens now

The UK is set to leave the EU on 31 January 2020 With the Conservative Party now in a substantial majority in the House of Commons, it appears inevitable that…

Published on 13 Dec 2019

Read time 3m
Brexit

Ready for Brexit? Preparing for the impact of Brexit on EU citizens’ rights

To recap, a Withdrawal Agreement has been agreed in principle with the EU, and the European Council has agreed to extend the Article 50 period to 31 January 2020, although…

Published on 5 Nov 2019

Read time 3m
Brexit

Brexit Business Brief | Everything is possible

Welcome to Brexit Business Brief, our regular newsletter looking at Brexit developments in a legal and business context. You're receiving this newsletter because you've subscribed for Brexit Insights from Osborne…

Published on 31 Oct 2019

Read time 4m

Digital Single Market

Tech, Media and Comms

Legal status of cryptoassets, distributed ledger technology and smart contracts| Consultation on what needs clarifying

The LawTech Delivery Panel's UK Jurisdiction Taskforce (UKJT) has launched a public consultation to help shape its work on the status of cryptoassets, distributed ledger technology (DLT) and smart contracts…

Published on 29 May 2019

Read time 3m
Digital Single Market

New Copyright Directive published: how will it change the EU’s copyright framework?

The new Copyright in the digital single market directive has been officially published, meaning that it will come into force on 7 June 2019. However, Member States have until 7…

Published on 20 May 2019

Read time 5m
Digital Single Market

The Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive: text agreed in trialogue discussions

The long and tortuous passage of the Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive may finally be coming to an end with an agreement reached between the European Commission, Parliament…

Published on 11 Mar 2019

Read time 3m
IT and data

New Deal for Consumers: European Data Protection Supervisor concerned reforms could undermine GDPR

In an Opinion published on 5 October 2018, the European Data Protection Supervisor has raised concerns and made some significant recommendations on one of the key planks of the EU's…

Published on 7 Nov 2018

Read time 3m
Intellectual property

Proposed copyright Directive: European Parliament adopts its position

On 12 September 2018, the European Parliament adopted the final draft text of the EU’s copyright Directive, as part of the European Commission’s Digital Single Market strategy.

Published on 24 Sep 2018

Read time 6m
Digital Single Market

Controversial copyright reform approved by the European Parliament

The European Parliament has today (12 September 2018) voted to approve reforms to the EU's copyright rules as part of the Commission's Digital Single Market initiative.

Published on 12 Sep 2018

Read time 1m
Digital Single Market

European Parliament votes down controversial copyright reform – for now

The European Parliament voted yesterday (5 July 2018) to reject the draft revised Copyright Directive, which as we reported, had been recently adopted (by a narrow margin) by the EU…

Published on 6 Jul 2018

Read time 2m
Digital Single Market

Copyright Directive: EU parliamentary committee votes through controversial reform

On 20 June 2018, the EU Parliament Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) voted (by a tight margin) to adopt an amended version of the proposed EU Directive on Copyright in…

Published on 22 Jun 2018

Read time 2m
Tech, Media and Comms

New regulations to ensure online platforms and search engines deal fairly with other businesses

The European Commission has announced the first piece of cross platform regulation which aims to ensure that online platforms and search engines deal fairly with other businesses. Context The European…

Published on 23 May 2018

Read time 3m
Digital Single Market

Private copy levy system: how do recent developments in Spain compare with other EU jurisdictions?

In a judgment given on 10 November 2016, the Spanish Supreme Court annulled the existing private copy levy system which replaced the previous “fee” system on all suitable devices. We…

Published on 9 Mar 2017

Read time 8m
Digital Single Market

Agreement reached on EU portability regulation

What’s happened? After 14 months of negotiation, the European Parliament, Council and the Commission have finally reached agreement on the portability regulation. This will require providers of online content services,…

Published on 8 Feb 2017

Read time 2m
The cross-border portability of online content: progress report on the EU draft Portability Regulation

The European Commission published its draft Regulation on the cross-border portability of online content back in December 2015 (see here for our comments on the draft regulation at the time). It…

Published on 29 Nov 2016

Read time 4m

PSC Register

Business transparency

Public beneficial ownership registers coming to Caymans, BVI and Bermuda

British Overseas Territories (BOTs) will have to create public beneficial ownership registers for companies registered in their jurisdiction by 31 December 2020. BOTs are being mandated to introduce public beneficial…

Published on 3 May 2018

Read time 2m
Corporate

Latest details about beneficial ownership register for non-UK entities holding UK real estate and public procurement contracts

The UK government has set out its thinking on how the forthcoming beneficial ownership register for overseas entities holding UK real estate and public procurement contracts will work ahead of…

Published on 26 Mar 2018

Read time 3m
Business transparency

New UK law to create ‘world’s first’ public register of overseas property owners and public contract bids

The UK government has set out a timetable for a new law which will require overseas entities that own UK property or bid for UK public procurement contracts to disclose…

Published on 23 Jan 2018

Read time 1m
Business transparency

Beneficial owners of UK property and bidders for UK public procurement contracts to be disclosed under laws planned for 2018

Entities that hold UK property or enter into UK public procurement contracts will have to register their beneficial ownership information in a public register under government plans. Legislation is scheduled…

Published on 13 Dec 2017

Read time 2m
Business transparency

Extension of PSC register: UK AIM companies are now in scope

UK AIM companies are now within scope of the persons with significant control (PSC) register regime, as a result of changes which came into force on 26 June 2017. Changes…

Published on 30 Jun 2017

Read time 4m
Business transparency

Extension of PSC register: what do funds with Scottish LPs in their structure need to know?

Scottish limited partnerships (Scottish LPs) are now within scope of the persons with significant control (PSC) register regime, as a result of changes which came into force on 26 June…

Published on 30 Jun 2017

Read time 3m
Business transparency

PSC register changes came into force this week

Changes to the register of people with significant control (PSC) regime came into force on 26 June 2017. The changes were expected for some time, but not confirmed until late…

Published on 30 Jun 2017

Read time 1m
Business transparency

Changes to the PSC register regime coming in June 2017

Companies House has published some details about the changes to the “people with significant control” (PSC) register regime due to take effect on 26 June 2017. The changes are being…

Published on 6 Jun 2017

Read time 3m
Business transparency

PSC register data under the spotlight

The UK’s people with significant control register – a register which records the beneficial owners of UK companies and limited liability partnerships – has been public since June 2016. So…

Published on 28 Apr 2017

Read time 2m
Business transparency

UK beneficial ownership register for trusts confirmed for Summer 2017 | Q&A

The UK government has confirmed that a beneficial ownership register for trusts will operate from Summer 2017. The register is being created as part of the UK’s implementation of the…

Published on 6 Apr 2017

Read time 3m
Business transparency

UK government plans beneficial ownership register for trusts

The UK government has published a consultation on the introduction of a beneficial ownership register for trusts administered in the UK and non-resident trusts with a UK source income. The…

Published on 4 Nov 2016

Read time 1m
Business transparency

Changes to the PSC register regime, including an extension to Scottish limited partnerships and possibly to AIM companies

The UK government has today published a consultation on proposed changes to the “people with significant control” (PSC) register regime which are necessary to implement the 4th Money Laundering Directive…

Published on 4 Nov 2016

Read time 3m

PSD2

Retail and Consumer

Consumer Update | October 2019

Welcome to the latest edition of Osborne Clarke's Consumer Update. This Update takes a bite-sized and practical look at recent legal and regulatory developments in consumer law.

Published on 22 Oct 2019

Read time 7m
Financial Services

The impact of CBPR2 on the payment industry | The equality of charges principle

On 19 March 2019, the European Parliament and Council adopted Regulation 2019/518 amending Regulation 924/2009 (the Current Regulation) as regards certain charges on cross-border payments in the Union and currency…

Published on 19 Jun 2019

Read time 4m
Financial Services

A managed rollout for SCA in the cards sector

UK Finance has been working extensively with the cards industry and retail sector to understand operational readiness for the introduction of strong customer authentication (SCA) in September 2019. As a…

Published on 19 Jun 2019

Read time 3m
Financial Services

Funds Legal Update | 29 April 2019

Welcome to our Funds Legal Update.

Published on 29 Apr 2019

Read time 3m
Financial Services

Brexit | What would be the impact on UK firms seeking to implement SCA-RTS?

Since early 2018, firms subject to the revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) have been preparing for new European regulatory technical standards for strong customer authentication and for common and secure…

Published on 4 Feb 2019

Read time 4m
Financial Services

No deal Brexit | How will the UK Temporary Permissions Regime for the financial services sector work?

At the point that the UK leaves the EU, in a no deal scenario, it will become a "third country" to the EU. This means that any incoming EEA firm…

Published on 4 Feb 2019

Read time 7m
Financial Services

New FCA proposals on the approach to RTS and EBA Guidelines under PSD2

As we await the final rules and guidance from the FCA following its consultation through CP18/25 (the consultation period on which closed on 12 October 2018), we take the opportunity…

Published on 7 Nov 2018

Read time 6m
Financial Services

Proposed Perimeter Guidance changes under PSD2

In amongst the FCA's CP18/25 on the SCA-RTS are a trio of small but important changes to the FCA's perimeter guidance (PERG) relating to AISPs and PISPs working with third…

Published on 7 Nov 2018

Read time 3m
Regulatory and compliance

UK Regulatory Update | September 2018

UK Regulatory Update | September 2018 Welcome to the latest edition of our Regulatory Update. In this edition, we return to one of the most talked about, and most widely…

Published on 28 Sep 2018

Read time 15m
Brexit

Implications of Brexit for payments

Is any new EU legislation expected to come into force and effect before the end of the transition period? Certain of the RTS on SCA will come into effect before…

Published on 13 Aug 2018

Read time 3m
PSD2

PSD2 authorisation and registration – clarity at the EU and UK level?

Hot on the heels of the EBA publishing its final report setting out guidelines on the information to be provided by applicants intending to obtain authorisation as a payment institution…

Published on 13 Jul 2017

Read time 5m
PSD2: FCA consults on approach to monitoring and enforcing Payment Services Regulations 2017

On 13 April 2017, the FCA published its consultation paper on the implementation of PSD2. The paper proposes a revised Approach Document which will set out the FCA’s approach to…

Published on 18 Apr 2017

Read time 3m

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Smart Cities: today’s reality

Connected Consumer

GDPR

GDPR

Why Blockchain matters to your business

Blockchain

Navigate the landscape of UK business regulation

Regulatory Outlook

Brexit: challenges and opportunities

Brexit

Digital Single Market

PSC Register

PSD2