Europe and Latin America: This deal, which is the largest debt-for-nature swap transaction executed to date in the world, entailed the exchange of part of Ecuador’s existing sovereign debt for new sovereign debt under more favourable financial terms and the resulting release and allocation of significant dedicated funds to the conservation of the Galápagos Islands and their marine ecosystems.

When a business struggles, its officers and directors may look for ways to slow the company’s cash outflows. This may result in businesses paying vendors outside of the terms of their contracts or not paying vendors at all for the goods and services rendered.

New Zealand: The Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025 and the Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2025 have now passed into law. Their enactment marks the final component of the Coalition Government’s ‘Local Water Done Well’ (LWDW) reform programme. To learn more about how we got here and what the changes mean, click here. 

Indonesia: It explains how these leveraged transactions operate, the associated risks, and the key legal requirements for securities companies and investors. As Part I of a two-part series, it sets the foundation for understanding these alternative financing mechanisms.

New Zealand: Our inaugural Social and Environmental Impact report highlights the progress we are making and the partnerships we have built to drive positive change. From reducing our carbon footprint to supporting diversity, inclusion and well-being, we are proud to share the ways we are shaping a more sustainable future.

New Zealand: New Zealand homes and infrastructure are becoming increasingly familiar with the consequences of sea level rise, coastal erosion and severe weather events. New Zealand has NZ$145 billion worth of infrastructure near rivers and in coastal areas already exposed to extreme flooding, and a further NZ$26.18 billion worth of roading, pipes, land and buildings vulnerable if sea levels rise by 0.6 metres.

Latin America and the Caribbean: Welcome to the second edition of our Energy Newsletter, where we explore the key trends, opportunities, and regulatory developments shaping the energy sector across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

Australia: The nature and size of battery energy storage systems (BESS) varies considerably, as can their planning approval pathway depending on their location. In Victoria (Vic), there are limited approval pathways for BESS projects. Whereas, in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (Qld) the scale of the project and its complexity affects the approval pathway.

Ukraine: On 13 August 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (CMU) approved tenders for production sharing agreements (PSA) and the respective conditions for two oil and gas blocks.

New Zealand: Joy Wang recently spoke to the NZ Herald on Overseas Investment and how New Zealand needs more than just homegrown capital and know-how. Joy discusses how foreign investment isn't just about capital. It’s about bringing in global expertise, technology and networks that help Kiwi businesses scale, modernise industries and create high-value jobs. Joy highlights that if New Zealand wants to lift productivity and stay competitive we need clear, predictable rules that attract the right investors, the ones who bring capability as well as capital. 

United Kingdom: After an employment tribunal awarded an employee nearly £70,000 after finding he was unfairly dismissed over a sexual harassment allegation, which was not adequately investigated, we explore some key steps for sound investigations, particularly in sensitive cases.

United Kingdom:The proposed new Building Safety Levy in England (levy) has moved a step closer to implementation with the publication of draft regulations and guidance. This note examines some of the key aspects of the levy as currently proposed.

New Zealand: The Law Commission has kicked off its review of the duties and potential liabilities of company directors. Director duties have risen to particular prominence following recent Supreme Court decisions, including a 2023 decision ordering the directors of Mainzeal to pay a total of NZ$39.8 million plus interest and costs to its liquidators.

Canada: On July 23, 2025, Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (the MLITS) published a Talent Agencies Consultation Paper (the Consultation Paper) and launched a consultation regarding the potential regulation of talent agents in Ontario. The Consultation Paper proposes certain key definitions and poses questions to stakeholders in the live, screen-based and recorded entertainment industries to explore whether a regulatory framework beyond existing legislation is needed to better protect performers from the risk of financial exploitation.

Canada: On July 23, 2025, Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (the MLITS) published a Talent Agencies Consultation Paper (the Consultation Paper) and launched a consultation regarding the potential regulation of talent agents in Ontario. The Consultation Paper proposes certain key definitions and poses questions to stakeholders in the live, screen-based and recorded entertainment industries to explore whether a regulatory framework beyond existing legislation is needed to better protect performers from the risk of financial exploitation.

United States: Andrew Mina is a partner in Dentons’ Energy practice in Washington, DC, and one of the energy industry’s leading lawyers with respect to data center development, energization, and regulation. In this Q&A, he shares insights on the surging electricity demand from AI and cloud computing, the regulatory and market forces shaping the industry’s future, and how Dentons supports data center clients.

Argentina: On August 7, 2025, the Argentine Executive Branch issued Decree No. 563/25 (the “Decree”), establishing a 0% export duty for 231 mining-related products.

A recent decision from the Federal Circuit serves as a reminder that trade secrets may be subject to discovery in patent and other non-trade secret litigation when they are relevant to the claims and/or defenses, and a court finds they are protected by adequate safeguards.

Ireland: In our previous publication, we considered the Irish High Court's decision to grant an interlocutory injunction in a passing-off case based exclusively on the get-up of a product (i.e. its overall visual appearance, including packaging, design and colour scheme).

Oman: Oman’s Ministerial Decision 317/2025 introduces a new regime of performance-based annual salary increments for Omani private sector employees, effective from 28 July 2025.