Worldwide: Corporate/Commercial Law

Regulations introduced in 2025 impose new board gender balance obligations on many Irish companies listed on certain EU markets, with gender balance targets for both executive directors and non-executive directors (“NEDs”) to be achieved by 30 June 2026.

On 20 April 2026, the Central Bank of Ireland (Central Bank) published a feedback report on the review it carried out last year on a cohort of Irish fund management companies on board effectiveness through the lens...

The Central Bank of Ireland (“Central Bank”) has published its findings from a review of board effectiveness through the lens of diversity and inclusion (“D&I”) in the fund management company (“FMC”) sector — the first standalone D&I review conducted in this sector. The Central Bank’s overall assessment is that, while some positive practices were identified, more work needs to be done to enhance board effectiveness through the lens of D&I, with issues identified in governance processes across all firms reviewed and varying levels of understanding of D&I leading to uneven embedding of D&I across those governance processes.

The EU's Capital Requirements Directive VI introduces Article 21c, fundamentally reshaping cross-border lending by non-EU banks to EU borrowers. With Ireland's grandfathering deadline of 11 July 2026 rapidly approaching...

The European Union Intellectual Property Office and the European Investment Fund have launched a groundbreaking initiative to help EU businesses unlock the financial value of their intellectual property assets. Through a new Memorandum of Understanding, these institutions aim to address longstanding barriers that prevent innovative European companies from using their IP rights as collateral to access financing, potentially opening alternative funding routes beyond traditional equity and venture debt options

As a continuation of Part 2 in this series, which addressed some themes we commonly encounter relating to the process requirements of public inquiries and the handling of documentary evidence in particular...

The European Commission's EU Inc proposal promises to revolutionize startup formation with 48-hour digital company registration across Europe. But could this streamlined framework inadvertently erode Ireland's competitive advantage in attracting founders, and what role will Ireland's 2026 EU Council Presidency play in shaping the final outcome?

Ireland's implementation of AIFMD 2.0 brings significant regulatory changes for alternative investment funds, alongside evolving requirements for ESG disclosure and board effectiveness. The Central Bank of Ireland explores emerging opportunities in distributed ledger technology, tokenisation, and artificial intelligence while addressing future modifications to venture and growth capital fund regulations.

The European Union Intellectual Property Office and the European Investment Fund have launched a groundbreaking initiative to help EU businesses unlock the financial value of their intellectual property assets. Through a new Memorandum of Understanding, these institutions aim to address longstanding barriers that prevent innovative European companies from using their IP rights as collateral to access financing, potentially opening alternative funding routes beyond traditional equity and venture debt options

The Central Bank of Ireland has released a comprehensive thematic assessment examining compliance functions within MiFID investment firms, revealing both strengths and critical...

The Central Bank of Ireland has published findings from its thematic assessment of compliance functions within MiFID investment firms, revealing both strengths and critical gaps in how firms manage regulatory obligations. The assessment examined firms' adherence to compliance requirements, monitoring processes, and board reporting practices, identifying specific areas where improvements are urgently needed. Firms are now expected to conduct self-assessments and address identified deficiencies promptly.

The EU's Capital Requirements Directive VI introduces Article 21c, fundamentally reshaping cross-border lending by non-EU banks to EU borrowers. With Ireland's grandfathering deadline of 11 July 2026 rapidly approaching...