Europe: Long established as cargo-handling facilities, European ports are becoming multi-functional nodes at the intersection of the energy transition. This article examines the progress they have made, the regulatory and commercial challenges they face, and how contractual, institutional and financing structures are adapting. Its focus is maritime ports; the Ports Strategy covers inland ports too, and much of the funding and permitting analysis applies to them, but their traffic profile and regulatory position warrant separate treatment.

Hong Kong: In recent years, generative artificial intelligence (hereinafter referred to as GenAI) has been widely applied in scenarios such as marketing, customer service, research and development, and driving. The development of related products and services has also given rise to various new types of legal disputes, while courts have so far lacked unified standards for adjudicating AI-related disputes and China has not adopted a comprehensive AI law. Against this background, on 7 September 2026, the Supreme People’s Court issued Opinions on the Lawful Trial of AI-Related Disputes (hereinafter referred to as Opinions), providing directional guidance for the adjudication of AI-related cases.

On October 2, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the creation of the National Council on Artificial Intelligence (the Council). The Council is the federal government's first major step toward implementing AI for All, the national AI strategy released in June (the Strategy), and it marks a shift from policy development to execution.

Canada: This first article examines how the Bre-X scandal led to the creation of NI 43-101, which now governs disclosure standards for the Canadian mining industry. NI 43-101 aims to protect investors from misinformation regarding mineral projects by imposing rigorous requirements on how scientific and technical information is prepared, verified and disclosed.

United States: On September 30, Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mike Lee (R-AR) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) released the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, a 417-page bill to reform the federal permitting and environmental review process.

United Kingdom: Volatility in the global trade environment, including tariff increases and geopolitical disruption, has put supply chains under increasing stress in recent years, prompting many businesses to reconsider where goods are manufactured, from where materials and components are sourced, how they are sold between group companies and how they move to market.

United Kingdom: The success of luxury brands has long been defined by craftmanship, quality and strong heritage. However, in today's luxury market, another defining feature is emerging – the allure of personalisation.

United Kingdom: Several recent reports have highlighted the challenges disabled employees face when accessing reasonable adjustments. We consider the practical steps employers can take to support their employees in the workplace. 

Indonesia: This article examines key changes proposed under Indonesia’s Draft Oil and Gas Law, including BUK Migas, Working Areas, domestic supply obligations, taxation, land rights, and participating interests.

Global: In this Q3 2026 edition of our global employment and labor newsletter, we provide a concise overview of key legal and regulatory developments covering 35+ jurisdictions worldwide. Employers continue to navigate evolving workplace regulations, including developments on contractor classification, remote work and non-compete restrictions in Australia, employment terms and remote-working protections in Spain, and birth leave in France. In Asia, China and South Korea reflect greater scrutiny of working relationships and business responsibilities, while Taiwan and Vietnam have introduced new workplace and data protection requirements. Pay and remuneration also remain key priorities, with developments in Slovakia and Mexico relating to pay structures, salary transparency and gender pay equity.

United Kingdom: Youth unemployment is rising, while traditional routes into work are becoming harder to access. We consider what employers can do to remove barriers for young people entering the workforce and how this could help strengthen their future talent pipelines.

Uganda: The competition regime introduces important considerations for infrastructure and project finance transactions. This article examines its application to consortium arrangements, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions and long-term commercial agreements. It also considers merger notification requirements, anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominance and the practical implications for parties involved in infrastructure projects.

Poland: New VAT rules coming into force in 2027 will broaden the scope of joint and several liability. Businesses purchasing certain intangible services should therefore take a closer look at their suppliers and procurement processes.

Poland: The new VAT warehouse regime offers businesses an opportunity to improve cash flow and manage VAT more efficiently across their supply chains. It may be particularly relevant for distributors, manufacturers, corporate groups and businesses holding eligible goods in Poland.

Australia: The Victorian Royal Commission into Major Construction Projects is already issuing notices and conducting hearings, with a mandate that reaches far beyond Victoria's Big Build program. Contractors, subcontractors, labour hire providers, suppliers and government agencies may all come under scrutiny. With broad investigative powers and a focus on governance, procurement and misconduct risks, organisations should not wait until a notice arrives. We examine who may be affected, what the Commission is looking for, and the practical steps businesses should take now to prepare.

United States: The cookie banner most US companies deploy was built to answer a European question. It notifies users before information is stored on their devices and sorts trackers into a familiar set of European categories. But no US law requires that notice, and those categories carry no legal weight here.

Colombia: Companies that invest in research, development, and innovation generate assets that can become significant competitive advantages. However, part of this value may be lost if their innovations are not properly identified, protected, and managed.

Amsterdam: Justdiggit and Dentons are pleased to invite you to an interactive training session on Thursday 1 October.

New Zealand: In this edition of the Echo, we discuss the debate over public sector obligations relating to the proposed ‘public good’ test, and analyse two important questions relating to legal privilege and non-publication. We conclude with an overview of recent migrant exploitation cases, and how they are a timely reminder to ensure organisations are complying with employment standards.

United States: Boston cannabis partner Joanne Caceres spoke, and Chicago Cannabis associate Victoria Mooncotch moderated a webinar panel for the International Cannabis Bar Association on “The Day in the Life of a Cannabis Attorney,” offering a practical introduction to what a career as a cannabis attorney can look like.