Investment Management due diligence is evolving but many firms are still held back by slow, fragmented processes and outdated workflows.

In this episode of The Legal Zeidgeist, Kate Horgan is joined by Mathilde Stich, Head of Due Diligence at Zeidler Group, to explore how due diligence is changing in 2026 and where it still falls short.

They unpack where processes most commonly break down, the inefficiencies that continue to slow firms down, and how technology, particularly AI, has started to make a real impact, from intelligent autofill to smarter data reuse.

But it’s not all about automation. Mathilde and Kate also discuss why human judgment remains critical, especially when it comes to risk assessment and decision-making.

Looking ahead, Mathilde explains how firms can move from bottlenecks to breakthroughs, building due diligence processes that are not only faster, but more flexible, more consistent, and ultimately more effective at managing risk.

Europe is often seen by US fund managers as complex, fragmented, and prohibitively expensive but is that perception really justified? In this episode of the Legal Zeidgeist, Kate Horgan is joined by Zeidler Group Head of US Scott Parkin to unpack the realities of entering the European market.

Drawing on firsthand experience advising US managers and serving at the heart of international fund structures, Scott breaks down the myths and the mechanics of EU access from pre-marketing and private placement to the economics that ultimately drive every decision. Together, they explore the critical mindset shifts US firms need to make, why a one-size-fits-all strategy doesn’t work in Europe, and how to approach expansion using a practical, step-by-step framework.

Whether you're considering your first move into Europe or refining an existing strategy, this episode offers a clear, grounded roadmap to navigating one of the industry’s most misunderstood opportunities.

With the AIFMD II deadline now behind us, the focus has shifted from understanding the rules to making them work in practice. In this episode of the Legal Zeidgeist, Kate Horgan is joined by Elisa Forletta and Tara Dutta to unpack what’s really changing when it comes to liquidity management tools.

From prospectus disclosures and constitutional document updates to new notification requirements and supervisory expectations, they explore how firms are moving from theory to implementation. The discussion highlights what “good” looks like in practice and why this is more than a compliance exercise, marking a broader shift towards proactive, demonstrable liquidity risk management.

In this episode of The Legal Zeidgeist, Mathilde Stich unpacks the critical role of due diligence in the investment funds industry. With growing regulatory scrutiny and operational complexity, fund managers are under more pressure than ever to ensure robust due diligence processes are in place.

Whether you're managing fund operations, compliance, or legal risk, this episode will help you sharpen your understanding of what good due diligence looks like in 2025 and beyond.

In this episode of The Legal Zeidgeist, we dive into one of the most consequential yet under-discussed developments in fund disclosure: the regulatory divergence between the UK’s proposed Product Summary and the EU’s PRIIPs Key Information Document (KID).

As the UK continues to chart its post-Brexit course, asset managers are now facing two parallel and increasingly distinct disclosure regimes. But what exactly is changing in the UK, and how does it compare to the EU’s long-standing PRIIPs framework?

Gemma Capelo and Jeet Doshi unpack the key differences between the UK’s Product Summary and the EU PRIIPs KID, explore the practical implications for firms marketing funds across both jurisdictions, and offer guidance on how asset managers can prepare for dual compliance even while the UK rules remain in draft form.

In this episode of The Legal Zeidgeist, Kate Horgan is joined by Alex Mercer, Head of Innovation at Zeidler Group, to explore how AI is transforming the delivery of legal services. Drawing on his background as a lawyer and his current role leading innovation, Alex offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Zeidler Group embeds large language models and AI into its legaltech solutions.

Alex discusses the shift from traditional legal practice to legal engineering, the most impactful use cases of generative AI within compliance and legal operations, and how legal professionals can begin integrating AI into their work. He also shares his perspective on the future of legal innovation and what trends to watch as AI continues to evolve in the legal sector.

In this episode of The Legal Zeidgeist, Kate Horgan is joined by Patricia Nitschke and Shalu Sura from our Regulatory Services Division to demystify two essential services supporting global fund distribution: European Facilities Agent Services and Regulatory Cross-Border Registrations.

Patricia provides a detailed overview of the Facilities Agent, its obligations and explaining why a centralised model is gaining traction among cost-conscious managers. She shares insights on local language requirements, regulatory duties, and how fund managers can streamline multi-jurisdictional operations.

Shalu then unpacks the complexities of Cross-Border Registrations from navigating fragmented regulatory frameworks to managing ESG disclosure expectations. She offers practical advice for fund managers preparing to enter multiple markets, including how to anticipate timelines and stay compliant with ongoing obligations.

Whether you're navigating your first UCITS registration or re-evaluating your cross-border setup, this episode offers sharp insights and actionable guidance.

In this episode of the Legal Zeidgeist, Kate Horgan sits down with Peter Sherwood, an Associate Solicitor in Zeidler Legal Services LLP, to discuss the latest developments in European Long-Term Investment Funds (ELTIFs). Peter provides an insightful overview of the ELTIF 2.0 reforms and the newly introduced Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS). Peter covers key changes such as the restrictions on derivatives, the importance of aligning the life cycles of ELTIFs with their underlying assets, and the criteria for determining minimum holding periods for redemptions. Peter also discusses the new requirements for redemption policies, liquidity management tools, and the management of liquid assets. 

In this episode of the Legal Zeidgeist, Kate Horgan is joined by Kwame Taylor, an Associate in Zeidler's ESG Legal Advisory Team, to explore the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR). They discuss the recent comprehensive assessment of the SFDR framework, unpacking key findings from the summary report of open and targeted consultations. Kwame provides an overview of the SFDR's objectives, challenges in framework coherence, and mixed stakeholder views on disclosure requirements. 

In this episode of the Legal Zeidgeist  we focus on the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR). Kate Horgan sits down with Kwame Taylor, Associate in our ESG legal advisory team to unpack the key findings from the recent comprehensive assessment and consultations on the SFDR framework. Learn about the regulation's goals, the challenges it faces, and the feedback from stakeholders on its effectiveness and areas for improvement. Discover how these insights could shape the future of sustainable finance in the EU.