Dentons is pleased to announce our continued contribution to the latest edition of the Corporate M&A Global Practice Guide, published by Chambers and Partners.

Australia: The recent Court of Appeal decision in Joseph v Spencer [2026] NSWCA 46 provides an important reminder of the purpose of conciliation conferences and explains the role of Commissioners of the Land and Environment Court in making orders giving effect to agreements reached by parties during conciliation conferences. In short, objectors do not have a right to be a “party” to without prejudice discussions between the parties and there are very limited grounds for an objector to bring a successful judicial review challenge against a consent granted by the Court pursuant an agreement reached in the context of a conciliation conference,

New Zealand: The Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026 took effect on 21 February 2026. One of the many significant changes introduced was the new Gateway Test. Designed to bring legal certainty to the contractor and employee distinction, the Gateway Test sets out five criteria which, if satisfied, confirm that the arrangement will automatically be treated as a lawful contractor arrangement. Importantly, this new test functions alongside the existing common law test, it does not replace it.

United Kingdom: Not for the first time, it seems that too great a volume of battery energy storage system (BESS) projects have the right to connect to the GB transmission and distribution grids. And once again, a proposed solution to a problem "caused" by BESS projects has emerged through the mechanisms that allow market participants to advance their own regulatory solutions in the form of industry code modifications.

United Kingdom: The FCA and PRA have issued policy statements outlining changes that have been or will be made to the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR). The changes aim to make the SMCR regime more efficient and proportionate whilst maintaining strong individual accountability and clarifying the regulators' rules and expectations. The changes will be made sequentially over the next few months, with further changes to follow if the required legislative changes are made.

Australia: Hugo Morgan, Solicitor sits down with Bethany McKnight, National Talent Acquisition Advisor, to introduce the new podcast series and discuss what it takes to land a clerkship or graduate role at Dentons. This episode will discuss the key elements of the application process, from resumes to networking events to interviews and what an applicant can expect to experience as a clerk or graduate at Dentons.

Australia: Even with careful planning, disputes remain a real possibility in complex projects. In this article, Partners Ryan Cable and Matt Coleman explore how well designed dispute resolution clauses can help contain risk rather than compound it. They unpack practical drafting considerations, including the need for clear escalation pathways, the dangers of ambiguity in process selection, and the particular challenges posed by multi party, multi contract energy projects. The article ultimately underscores why boilerplate provisions deserve close attention at the start of any project.

Indonesia: This article highlights what has changed, what it means in practice, and the steps businesses should consider moving forward—providing a clear starting point for those evaluating opportunities under the new regime.

Welcome to the April edition of the Political Law Playbook. This month, we highlight SCOTUS' long-awaited Voting Rights Act decision, potential legal trouble for online fundraising organization ActBlue, and the announcement of the US Treasury Department’s plans to amend the Form 990 information returns filed by most nonprofit organizations.

In early 2025, President Trump signaled his intent to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) programs in the federal government. As part of that policy, President Trump signed Executive Order (“EO”) 14173, which took aim at “illegal DEI” in federal contracting. Since then, contractors have sought to understand what constitutes illegal DEI. The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) recently provided the first concrete example of practices that it alleges to be illegal DEI.

Europe: The April Franchising Masterclass, hosted by Dentons, attracted more than 50 delegates from the retail, hotel, restaurant and car rental sectors. We discussed top tips for international expansion into new markets, and delegates shared their thoughts on negotiation strategy.

On April 22, 2026, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Hencely holding that state-law tort claims against military contractors operating in combat zones are not automatically preempted by federal law when the contractor's challenged conduct was neither ordered nor authorized by the government.

Welcome to February edition of the EU AI & GDPR Monthly Update, bringing you the latest insights into artificial intelligence and data protections.

United Kingdom: Dentons recently held its annual UK commercial real estate market predictions event. As ever, it prompted lively debate among a pan-European panel of industry experts on the themes likely to shape the year ahead.

United Kingdom: Each month, we look at some of the key employment, pension and immigration issues affecting our clients' workforces. In this edition, we explore: the whistleblowing public interest test; board diversity; expansion of the collective defined contribution pension scheme framework; preparing for the EU Pay Transparency Directive; and a round-up of the case law and developments in relation to access to single-sex workplace facilities.

Canada: Join Heather Barnhouse, Partner in our Edmonton office, as she explores women in leadership and entrepreneurship, and the ecosystem that supports them. In episode 99, Heather welcomes Rebecca Saunders, a family physician practicing in Alberta, to discuss her book project, Eight Saturdays, inspired by her friend Leslie’s terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis and her question of what to do with “eight Saturdays” left. Rebecca reflects on the rewards and challenges of longitudinal family medicine, contrasts Canadian and U.S. healthcare access, and shares how Leslie chose fun, connection, and candid boundaries over focusing on cancer. They explore how adopting an “eight Saturdays” lens can clarify priorities, reduce regrets, and prompt practical planning (like wills and insurance) so time can be spent on what matters most, ahead of the book’s May launch with worksheets and workshops.

Last month, for the first time, the Ninth Circuit issued an opinion establishing a three-factor balancing test for entities that notify their users of updated terms of service by sending out mass emails conveying those terms.

New Zealand: In our fourth edition of Transforming Challenges into Opportunities we bring together perspectives from our infrastructure specialists on the issues that matter most as New Zealand charts a more resilient future, as well as including a global look at how we can build this.

Uzbekistan: Amidst a volatile geopolitical landscape, Uzbekistan seeks to redefine its role in the global economy with the establishment of the Tashkent International Financial Centre ("TIFC"). For large international businesses seeking new markets, diversified risk exposure, and a stable regulatory environment, the TIFC presents a compelling proposition: a purpose-built financial hub at the crossroads of Central Asia, offering robust property rights protections, minimised political and regulatory risk, streamlined market entry, and substantial tax incentives - all underpinned by the 'Uzbekistan 2030' national development strategy.

Australia: Treasury has released draft changes to Australia’s foreign investor capital gains tax rules. The proposed reforms will broaden the CGT base for foreign investors back to 2006. Importantly, contrary to the announcement in 2006, in addition to land, assets fixed or installed for use on land will fall within the CGT tax base. The proposed amendments undermine Australia’s reputation in the foreign investment market.

A temporary CGT discount for certain renewable energy disposals is available, but only in limited circumstances. Foreign investors should assess exposure early and plan exits carefully.