Ashurst Legal Outlook Podcast

Imagine living in a country that offers you stunning landscapes, rich culture, delicious cuisine, and a generous tax regime. Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? Well, not if you choose Italy as your destination.

Should a high-net-worth individual consider moving to Italy for tax reasons? How do the nation’s Flat Tax regime and Impatriate regime work? And why might company taxpayers also consider Italy? All these questions, and more, are answered in this episode of the Tax Lyrical podcast mini-series.

To evaluate the Italian tax regime, Ashurst’s Sophie Lloyd is joined by colleagues Michele Milanese and Federico Nobili. Together the three of them discuss the benefits, incentives and complications of investing in Italy, as well as the steps required to make your finances flourish. “Our advice is to have a clear understanding of the Italian tax law and the legal tools available to taxpayers,” emphasises Michele.

This is the latest episode in our mini-series of episodes tackling tax issues and investment funds. To listen to this episode and subscribe to future episodes, search for “Ashurst Legal Outlook” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"We're all learning... new acronyms, new exceptions, how to apply these laws," remarks Employment Partner, Trent Sebbens in this debut episode of the team’s Industrious Conversations series. Trent and Employment partner Kathy Srdanovic delve into one of the most significant changes introduced by the Closing Loopholes reforms: Regulated Labour Hire Arrangement Orders (RLHAOs).

This new regime, part of the Fair Work Act, requires that labour hire workers are paid a Protected Rate of Pay (PROP), aligning their wages with those of directly employed workers. The reforms have already triggered considerable activity, particularly in industries like mining, transport and aviation.

In this episode you will hear expert guidance on:

• The key criteria for the making of a Regulated Labour Hire Arrangement Order
• Exceptions where services, not labour, are provided
• Early test cases setting the tone for future rulings.

To explore key developments in industrial relations in Australia, and to gain insights from other members of the Employment team, subscribe to Ashurst Legal Outlook on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the frequency and complexity of workplace investigations rises, how can employers enhance their processes to mitigate investigation risk and safeguard their people? This episode considers the challenges of workplace investigations and how companies can respond. 

Workplace investigations can take many forms and be triggered by many different issues. In this episode we look at how allegations of misconduct can arise (from whistleblowing to regulatory action and more), why these are on the increase, and the challenges of managing different processes simultaneously. 

Together, Ashurst colleagues Neil Donovan, Ruby Hamid, and Hannah Martin discuss the increased scope of what is now considered misconduct, as well as the heightened expectations on employers to prevent misconduct from happening in the first place. The trio also reflect on the risks for employers that fail to take employees’ concerns seriously and they provide several practical pointers to enhance company policies and investigations.

To hear future episodes tackling corporate crime and investigations, subscribe to Ashurst Legal Outlook on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transaction.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With cyber threats and investigations more prevalent than ever, our expert panel considers how companies can bolster defences, meet regulations, and respond to cyber-attacks.

Cyber threats come in ever-shifting shapes and forms, so how can companies keep pace? In this episode, we consider the legal and regulatory risks and discuss how best to prepare for, investigate, and respond to a cyber incident.

Together, Ashurst colleagues Neil Donovan, Julia Spain and Andris Ivanovs discuss the heightened expectations of UK financial regulators, and how this is shaping enforcement and investigations. They describe the features a robust cyber response plan, and they consider the legal ramifications of the often-complex arrangements that companies have with third parties.

To hear future episodes tackling corporate crime and investigations, subscribe to Ashurst Legal Outlook on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the final episode of our new podcast mini-series, where Ashurst's trainees and junior associates share the influences and factors that have guided them in their careers in commercial law.

In this episode of the series, trainee’s Khadija Patel and Nick Hwong bring a host of insights and tips to help those considering a career in commercial law navigate their way through the competitive world of legal training applications.

Nick and Khadija share practical takeaways that include how to craft an impressive application, tips on how to ace your interviews and general advice on the importance of preparing your application to stand out in the crowd.

"Preparation is key. Tailor your application to highlight your unique strengths, and approach every interview as an opportunity to showcase your genuine passion for law." - Khadija Patel.

Join us for insightful conversations that shed light on the personal and professional paths of our trainees. Whether you're considering a career in law or just curious about the experiences of our talented team, this series is for you.

For more episodes in our trainee mini-series subscribe to Ashurst's Legal Outlook on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Digital companies operate globally which means they need to carefully navigate the new EU and UK digital markets regimes. In this episode, we highlight some of the key similarities and differences between the two regimes.

In Europe and the UK, the regulatory landscape is shifting for Big Tech. In this episode, we compare and contrast the EU Digital Markets Act and the UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act – and highlight the implications for multinational tech giants and the broader digital economy.

To do so, we have assembled a crack team of legal experts including Rafael Baena from Ashurst’s Madrid office, and Fiona Garside, Chris Eberhardt and Hayden Dunnett from Ashurst’s London office. Together, they consider the thresholds for designating companies under the two regimes, as well as the differing timelines, obligations and guidance in each jurisdiction. Recent developments and ongoing enforcement action are also discussed.

To listen to our previous episodes on digital markets regulation, search for ‘Ashurst Legal Outlook’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. And to ensure you don’t miss our future episodes, make sure you subscribe too.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the third episode of our podcast mini-series, where Ashurst's trainees and junior associates share the influences and factors that have guided them in their careers in commercial law.

In this third episode of the series, final seat trainee Saba Nasrolahi share her insights and personal experiences applying the crucial skill of commercial awareness in both her application and early career work experience at Ashurst.

Saba shares her journey from studying law at King's College London to her decision to join Ashurst as a trainee. She details what commercial awareness is and why it’s essential for a career in law and provides practical tips on how to develop it organically. Saba provides actionable advice for aspiring trainees, emphasising the importance of following your interests, staying updated with industry developments, and continuously building your knowledge.

Along the way Saba shares personal anecdotes about applying commercial awareness in real-world scenarios, from the virtual execution process in banking transactions to navigating businesses through political disruptions.

"Commercial awareness is … not necessarily a knowledge and expertise of the ins and outs of each part of the law or each sector. It's about understanding how businesses work and what might be impacting businesses.”

Join us for insightful conversations that shed light on the personal and professional paths of our trainees. Whether you're considering a career in law or just curious about the experiences of our talented team, this series is for you.

For more episodes in our trainee mini-series subscribe to Ashurst's Legal Outlook on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the next episode in our trainee mini-series, where Ashurst's trainees and junior associates share the influences and factors that have guided them in their careers in commercial law.

In this episode of our trainee miniseries, Junior Associates Aoife Weir and Divya Deivanayagam share their enriching experiences of international and client trainee secondments. Aoife and Divya explain the secondment process from their respective secondments, with Aoife working at BP in the gas and low carbon energy team, and Divya experiencing life in Ashurst’s Tokyo office. They discuss the application process, the support they received from Ashurst, and how these opportunities enhanced their professional growth.

Divya provides a glimpse into her international secondment in Tokyo, highlighting the cultural differences, increased responsibilities, and the logistical support provided by Ashurst, making the transition smooth and enriching. While Aoife recounts her client secondment at BP, and the development of her commercial awareness, the valuable relationships she built within the organisation, and the importance of timing and clarity of intent when applying for secondments.

"Timing is everything. If you know where you want to qualify and a secondment opportunity comes up, I would just say go for it. It's one of the best experiences I've taken on professionally to date." Aoife Weir.

Join us for insightful conversations that shed light on the personal and professional paths of our trainees. Whether you're considering a career in law or just curious about the experiences of our talented team, this series is for you.

For more episodes in our trainee mini-series subscribe to Ashurst's Legal Outlook on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act recently received Royal Assent. So what should businesses be doing to stay informed of the Act’s rollout as the Competition and Markets Authority begins its enforcement?

Fiona Garside, Chris Eberhardt, and Hayden Dunnett of Ashurst’s UK based Antitrust, Regulation and Foreign Investment Team delve into the three main pillars of the newly enacted Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act which promises significant regulatory changes. See our May 2024 update.

The team dissects how the new digital markets regime allows the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to designate firms with strategic market status (SMS), in order to impose bespoke conduct requirements and pro-competition intervention orders. The discussion highlights that the CMA's draft guidance  leaves significant questions about how the CMA will exercise its broad powers, particularly in relation to conduct requirements and pro-competition interventions.

The team also consider the CMA's draft statement of policy on administrative penalties which proposes to apply an "in the round approach" to penalties for breaches of orders and undertakings following merger and market investigations. See our July 2024 update.

To listen to more Legal Outlook episodes, including past episodes of the Digital Markets Competition and Consumer Law Act, search for Ashurst Legal Outlook on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your wherever you get your podcasts.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to our brand-new podcast mini-series where Ashurst's trainees and junior associates share the influences and factors that have guided them on their career journeys.

In our debut episode trainee Tom Segev shares his journey to joining Ashurts’s trainee program, from studying history at the University of Warwick to working at a music label, Tom details his decision-making process between pursuing music law and commercial law, and along the way highlights how he navigated these choices.

Tom also details the importance of networking and how engaging with current trainees offered him invaluable insights into the culture at Ashurst, and shares his standout moments so far, reflecting on the significant responsibilities he was entrusted with early in his training, which have contributed to his rapid professional growth.

And his advice to future trainees? "Talk to people. Talk to as many people as you can. It's the best way to learn."

Join us for insightful conversations that shed light on the personal and professional paths of our trainees. Whether you're considering a career in law or just curious about the experiences of our talented team, this series is for you.

For more episodes in our trainee mini-series subscribe to Ashurst's Legal Outlook on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.