The world’s second-largest economy (China) stumbled; Japan receded; the U.K. showed signs of life; the war-torn Middle East reeled; oil revenue-dependent Russia, Brazil, and Venezuela took body blows; and the European Union exhaled after narrowly avoiding Grexit (and possibly Brexit), only to confront a refugee crisis of alarming (and expensive) proportions, as well as a demonstrated terrorist threat from the self-proclaimed Islamic State.
A Good Year for the U.S.
Global—On August 29, 2014, the International Capital MarketAssociation (“ICMA”), a group of banks and investors,announced a proposal designed to reduce the ability of holdoutbondholders to undermine sovereign debt restructurings. The plan was created after meetings convened by the U.S. Treasury Department in the aftermath of Greece’s debt restructuring and came on the heels of Argentina’s second default on its sovereign debt in 13 years.
In September 2014, in response to the Argentinian and Greek debt crises, both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations General Assembly (UN) published their proposals for making the restructuring of sovereign debt a more orderly process. The IMF’s focus is on firming up the contractual framework of sovereign bond documentation, while the UN’s focus is on establishing a legal framework for sovereign debt restructuring.
For the benefit of our clients and friends investing in European distressed opportunities, our European Network is sharing some current developments.
Recent Developments
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP Comparison of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), October 2015 1 Established pursuant to Abu Dhabi Law No. 4 of 2013, the ADGM is currently in the process of establishing itself as an alternative financial centre to the DIFC. It is intended that over time the ADGM will become a recognised international financial centre alongside the DIFC and other regional financial centres in Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Stefan Ingves has spoken on the Basel Committee’s priorities for the next year. He focused on:
A SUMMARY OF MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN KEY AREAS GENERAL COUNSEL UPDATE 27 February 2014 LEGAL GUIDE EDITION 37
Welcome to the first issue of International News for 2014. In this issue we focus on employee benefits.
First, however, in our Features section, we consider a number of ways of mitigating risk in African investments. As Africa becomes increasingly developed, investment opportunities are becoming increasingly appealing, but investors must still act wisely.
Restructuring & Insolvency
Global
Restructuring & Insolvency Newsletter
June 2014
In this issue:
Challenges faced by foreign creditors of Suntech
With an eye on the insolvency and restructuring proceedings of Suntech Power Holdings' principal operating subsidiary in China, Kwun Yee Cheung surveys the difficulties confronting foreign creditors in Chinese bankruptcies and restructurings. > Read more
Using English or US proceedings to restructure Asian businesses
Hogan Lovells Corporate Insurance Newsletter June 2014 UK PRA publishes PS5/14: PRA Rulebook PRA publishes statement of policy on the financial stability information power The PRA’s approach document to insurance supervision updated PRA publishes SS7/14: Reports by skilled persons PRA publishes statement of policy on the use of PRA powers to address serious failings in the culture of firms PRA publishes its annual report and accounts 2014 FCA publishes a market study into retirement income: revised terms of reference FCA publishes FG14/6 - Annuity comparison websites: financ