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.

Costa Rica: Costa Rica takes an important step in protecting workers during the breastfeeding period. The new Law 10895 introduces changes that directly impact employers’ obligations and workforce management within companies. This matter requires immediate attention. Therefore, our Labor Law team has prepared an analysis to help understand its practical scope.

Ongoing volatility with U.S. tariffs is creating heightened exposure to securities class actions for public companies. As tariff regimes shift rapidly—through executive orders, judicial rulings, pauses, and reinstatements—companies may face lawsuits if their public disclosures fail to keep pace.

Canada: On April 22, 2026, TMX Group Limited (TSX: X) (TMX Group), the parent company of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Middlebury Holdings Pty. Limited (Cboe Australia) and Cboe Canada Holdings, ULC (Cboe Canada) from Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe) for aggregate consideration of US$300 million (approximately CA$409 million).

United States: A recent unpublished decision from the Minnesota Court of Appeals, In re the Gus A. Chafoulias Revocable Trust (February 23, 2026), raises an important caution: even asking a court whether a particular action would violate a no-contest clause can itself trigger the clause. This article examines the Chafoulias decision and offers practical guidance for estate planning practitioners and clients.

Canada: With reference to Alberta’s Draft Agreement, on March 23, 2026, Alberta announced it would bring forward new provincial legislation to set a 120-day approval timeline for major projects.

United Kingdom: A recent Court of Appeal judgment highlights that internal policies may not be as flexible as employers assume. Collectively agreed procedures can become binding, restricting employers' ability to adapt investigation processes in practice.

Europe: In the 10th episode of the series, Sabine Wieduwilt interviews Sebastian Schröder, Head of the Environmental Department at Panattoni Germany, who contributed to Real Estate Investment & ESG as co-author of the chapter focused on Environmental Due Diligence (EDD).

Oman: As Oman's sports sector continues to grow, event organisers are increasingly focusing on "Good Samaritan" issues, emergency first aid, medical cover and the legal framework for responding to medical emergencies.

Nigeria: In our previous article, we examined how the key provisions under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 (“PIA”) and the Petroleum Licensing Round Regulations 2022 (the “Regulations”) structure the bidding process and the issuance of concessions for oil block operations in Nigeria. Building on that foundation – and amid renewed investor interest after the conclusion of the 2024 licensing round - the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (“NUPRC” or the “Commission”) announced on 1 December 2025, the commencement of the 2025 licensing round (“Licensing Round”).

Nigeria: In our previous article (the “Article”), we examined how the Guidelines for the 2025 Oil Licensing Bid Rounds (the “Guidelines”) structure the 2025 licensing round (“Licensing Round”) under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 (the “PIA”) and the Petroleum Licensing Round Regulations (the “Regulations”). Against that backdrop, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (“NUPRC” or the “Commission”) kicked off its road show for the Licensing Round by convening a Pre-Bid Conference (the “Conference”) in Lagos on 14 January 2026, to provide clarity, uniform understanding, and equal access to information for prospective bidders in the Licensing Round.