Panama: The recent enactment of Law 526 of 2026 introduces changes that are relevant for Panamanian entities that are part of multinational groups, as well as for corporate structures with an international presence. Our Partner in the Panama office has prepared an analysis on the scope of this reform and the key considerations that companies should keep in mind as they move toward its implementation.

New Zealand: The Government’s Budget tax package delivered on 28 May 2026 includes two measures that are particularly relevant for the private wealth sector, including high net worth individuals, founders, investors, and charities. A new NZ$100,000 cap on charitable donations eligible for the donation tax credit and an extension of the Revenue Account Method (RAM) under the Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) rules to all New Zealand taxpayers. While both measures represent significant policy choices, they move in very different directions.

New Zealand: At a recent conference I was sitting on a panel discussing different forms of dispute resolution for construction projects. The final question to me was “If you had to include one special condition in an NZS 391X standard form contract, what would it be?” The answer was simple.

New Zealand: Auckland has a congestion problem, and it is costing us up to $2.6 billion a year. Congested roads mean longer commutes, less time with family, and a significant drag on economic productivity. For decades, successive governments and councils have discussed time-of-use charging as a means of maximising the use of our existing roads and driving behavioural change. Now, it's finally on the horizon.

New Zealand: In this edition of the Echo, we touch on the government’s request for feedback on the employment dispute resolution system (including employment advocates) ahead of a potential overhaul. We also contemplate further questions about the Employment Leave Bill and who is most likely to be affected by the planned changes (assuming they go ahead). Finally, we consider the third instalment on whether a trust can be a PCBU, and what this means for trustees moving forward.

United Arab Emirates: In construction and infrastructure projects, liquidated damages are often treated as a simple equation: Days' delay x daily LD rate = amount payable. But under the new UAE Civil Transactions Law which came into force from 1 June 2026, the position is more nuanced. The LD clause still matters. The agreed daily rate still matters. But what happened on the project may be critical to how an agreed damages provision is applied and assessed. Under Article 340, courts have express powers to review agreed damages. Rather than the discretion to adjust LDs to the actual loss (as in the previous Code), the new Code specifies that LDs may now be reduced where they are excessive, where the works have been partially completed, or where the employer contributed to the delay.

Australia: Responsibility doesn’t disappear with automation, and the risks are changing shape rather than going away. As automated vehicles move closer to everyday use, businesses need to rethink how they manage safety in a more technology-driven environment. This article highlights what organisations operating in Australia should be focusing on now, from system reliability to oversight, and why waiting for clearer rules could leave gaps in how risks are managed.

On May 28, 2026, the Government of Ontario unveiled the framework for its first-ever Ontario Defence Industrial Strategy, a proposed 10-year strategy intended to grow the province’s defence industry and position Ontario companies and workers as pillars of Canada’s defence landscape.

United Kingdom: In the first alert in the new Dentons Competition Law Compass Series, we explore how the European Commission (Commission) and the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) are stepping up enforcement in the fast-evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI). 

Singapore and Thailand: Recent enforcement trends indicate that the longstanding reliance on nominee shareholding structures to circumvent the laws is no longer sustainable in Thailand. Are your businesses compliant or a ticking time bomb?

Singapore and Thailand: Recent enforcement trends indicate that the longstanding reliance on nominee shareholding structures to circumvent the laws is no longer sustainable in Thailand. Are your businesses compliant or a ticking time bomb?

Uzbekistan: On 21 April 2026, the President of Uzbekistan signed the new Law "On Limited Liability Companies” (No. LRU-1137, the “Law on LLC”), replacing the 2001 law. It enters into force on 22 July 2026. Below we summarise the seven most significant changes for shareholders' agreements and joint ventures structured as LLCs.

Middle East: The ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran continues to reshape the risk environment for companies operating in or connected to the Middle East. While businesses across the region have adapted to a more volatile geopolitical landscape, the legal, compliance and workplace risks created by prolonged instability remain significant.

Oman: Royal Decree 56/2026 has introduced a new Law of the Real Estate Registry (New Real Estate Registry Law). The law came into effect on 18 May 2026 and repeals the previous law of the Real Estate Registry issued by Royal Decree 2/1998.

Amsterdam: The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is seeking feedback on a discussion draft that includes revisions to Chapter VII of the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations (OECD Guidelines).

On April 28, 2026, the Government of Canada released its Spring Economic Update, signalling its intention to explore "alternative models of ownership" for Canada's federally owned airports, which encompasses most of the largest airports in the country.

Canada's debt capital markets are evolving rapidly, driven by a fundamental shift in government priorities toward the development of infrastructure, energy and transportation projects.

United Kingdom: The government recently introduced the Commercial Payments Bill [HL], which would, broadly speaking, ban retention clauses and affect payment terms under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (Construction Act).

Hong Kong: Normally, if a wrong is done to a company, it is the company itself – rather than its owners – that has the standing to sue for the wrong done to it. This is commonly known as the “Proper Plaintiff Rule”. However, this general rule may be displaced where the wrongdoers themselves control the company and would not allow it to sue. In that scenario, an aggrieved shareholder may exceptionally bring a derivative action in the name of the company.

United Kingdom: On Wednesday 20 May 2026, the UK announced the conclusion of negotiations on a new free trade agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), making the UK the first G7 nation to secure an FTA with the GCC.