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United States: Bid Protests And Contract Disputes: Getting Your Fair Share Of Federal Stimulus Funds - Faegre & Benson LLP

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:45:09 GMT

Companies seeking to capitalize on opportunities created by federal stimulus legislation through government contracts, grants, or loans should bear in mind that, at times, companies must fight for their rights under government programs.

China: The Effect Of New Placement Agent Policies On Asia - Morrison & Foerster LLP

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:45:09 GMT

The placement agent industry has been under increasing scrutiny in the U.S. following scandals involving U.S. state governmental retirement plans and private equity firms or those raising money for such firms.

United Kingdom: ‘Qualified Person’ Reports To Be Introduced - Smith & Williamson

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:45:09 GMT

Most RPs are now very familiar with the various requirements within the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 (Clara).

United Kingdom: VAT Advice For Housing Associations - Smith & Williamson

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:45:09 GMT

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is again trying to understand what housing associations are all about and how they operate.

United Kingdom: New Public Procurement Remedies Rules Published - CMS Cameron McKenna LLP

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Public Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2009 ("Amendment Regulations") have been published and will come into force on 20 December 2009.

United States: Equal Employment Opportunity Workplace Poster Updated By The EEOC - Barnes & Thornburg

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has revised its "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law" poster to reflect current federal employment discrimination law.

Australia: Newsflash: Government To Strengthen Franchising Code Of Conduct - Middletons

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On 5 November 2009, in its formal response to the 2008 Franchising Code Inquiry, the Federal Business Minister Craig Emerson announced that the Government will strengthen the Franchising Code of Conduct (the Code).

Australia: Apprehended Bias: How A Prior Agreement Can Render A Minister's Decision Void - Maddocks

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the recent decision of Gwandalan and Summerland Point Action Group Inc v Minister for Planning his honour Justice Lloyd of the NSW Land and Environment Court declared void approvals given by the then Minister for Planning, Frank Sartor (Minister), for a large residential development at Catherine Hill Bay and Gwandalan. His honour held that the Minister's approvals were affected by a reasonable apprehension of bias.

Latvia: Law On Public Procurement Amended - Raidla Lejins & Norcous

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:25:49 GMT

On 16 July 2009, the Latvian Parliament (Saeima) passed a large number of amendments to the Law on Public Procurement, extending the scope of the exemptions when the law is not applicable, as well as changing various details concerning the tender procedures and their application.

United States: Afghanistan Discussions Continue; Significant Questions Remain At White House - Blank Rome LLP

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As the Obama administration moves closer to announcing a decision on deploying additional troops and resources to Afghanistan, doubts continue to linger among the President’s top national security advisors regarding the leadership of Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

United States: Senate Banking Committee Introduces The Restoring American Financial Stability Act - Foley & Lardner

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In a continuing effort by Congress to address the perceived causes of the recent financial crisis, on November 10, 2009, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, through its Chairman, Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), introduced the Restoring American Financial Stability Act in the U.S. Senate.

United States: New Guidance On Expatriation Exit Tax - McDermott Will & Emery

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

U.S. Treasury has published new guidance concerning the exit tax applicable to expatriates and former long-term green card holders.

United Kingdom: Component Accounting - Smith & Williamson

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:09 GMT

With housing associations, the housing property typically comprises a number of parts, e.g. the roof, kitchen, bathroom and windows, which are replaced at varying intervals, while the core building remains for a very long time.

United Kingdom: Government Introduces New Consultation On Product Placement On Television - CMS Cameron McKenna LLP

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has issued a Consultation on Product Placement on Television.

Australia: Commonwealth Plans To Put The Brakes On Forward Trading Of Australian Emission Units - Clayton Utz

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Commonwealth Treasury has recently unveiled draft Corporations Regulations amendments which will effectively ban forward trading in Australian emission units in Australia until at least after the first auction of AEUs is complete, which we think will have significant effects upon the market.

Australia: New National Water Market System - Quenching The Thirst For Real Time Access To Water Information? - Clayton Utz

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Minister Penny Wong's announcement yesterday that the Commonwealth Government will invest $56 million in a national water market system demonstrates the Federal and State Governments' commitment to making water markets work more effectively across Australia.

United Kingdom: Government Publishes Response To Consultation On Encouraging Company Rescue - CMS Cameron McKenna LLP

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Government has today published its response to The Insolvency Service's "Encouraging Company Rescue" consultation that ran between June and September this year.

United States: Florida Government And Politics Weekly Update (Week Of November 9, 2009) - Foley & Lardner

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On November 5, 2009, Gov. Crist urged legislative leaders to call a special session in December to address commuter rail issues. Although a special session can be called either by the governor or by a joint proclamation of the Senate president and House speaker, Gov. Crist said he did not want to proceed until there was an agreement between the two chambers.

Latvia: Public Private Partnership Law Finally Passed - Raidla Lejins & Norcous

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On 18 June 2009, the Saeima passed the Public Private Partnership Law. The Law entered in force on 10 July 2009.

United States: Congress Extends Five-Year Carryback Of 2008 Or 2009 Nols To Most Businesses - McDermott Will & Emery

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Congress has resurrected a prior Stimulus Act proposal allowing most taxpayers, not just small businesses, to extend the NOL carryback period under section 172 for up to five years for 2008 and 2009 NOLs.

United Kingdom: Construction Act Changes: House Of Lords Sign-Off - CMS Cameron McKenna LLP

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Yesterday the House of Lords approved the amendments to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill made last month by the House of Commons.

United Kingdom: RP Issues - A Briefing For Registered Providers Of Social Housing, December 2009 - Smith & Williamson

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:00:10 GMT

The key theme through this newsletter is one of planning ahead. We cover a range of different issues of critical importance to the future of registered providers of social housing (RPs), all of which will require investment of time by management to ensure that potential adverse consequences are minimised.

United States: Weekly Climate Change Policy Update - November 2, 2009 - Van Ness Feldman

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:00:10 GMT

Chairman Boxer said the mark-up of S.1733 will start on Tuesday. Over the weekend, Chairman Boxer released an amended version of S.1733 for mark-up, now being referred to as the Manager’s Amendment . . .

United States: New Deadline For Red Flags Rules: Ftc Gives Businesses Until June 1, 2010 To Develop Compliant Identity Theft Prevention Programs - Foley Hoag LLP

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On Friday, October 30, 2009, just two days before the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was set to begin enforcement of federal Red Flags Rules, the FTC announced that it was giving businesses seven additional months, until June 1, 2010, to comply with the new identity theft regulations.

United States: Red Flags At Half Mast: FTC Delays Red Flags Deadline Again; Federal Court Determines Lawyers Are Not Creditors - Foley & Lardner

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The FTC announced on October 30, 2009 that it would delay enforcement of its Red Flags Rule until June 1, 2010 at the request of members of the U.S. Congress.