New Not-for-profit Corporations Act (Canada)

Changes are on the horizon for those operating in the “not-for-profit” sector in Canada.  Although the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (the “CNCA”) received Royal Assent on June 23, 2009, it has not yet been proclaimed into force. The…

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The Proposed Copyright Modernization Act (Canada)

The Bill seeks to balance the rights of consumers and creators in the modern age of new technology and bring Canada in line with its international obligations under the WIPO Internet Treaties. On June 2, 2010 the proposed…

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British Columbia – Environmental Protection and Landowner Rights

On March 29, 2010, the Government of British Columbia announced that it intended to introduce into the British Columbia legislature, a bill to amend the Oil and Gas Activities Act and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Act. Amendments…

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Canada – EU Free Trade

Although the EU is Canada’s second most important goods trading partner, and Canada’s second most important investment partner, there has been little interest in discussions relating to the proposed Canada – EU Free Trade Agreement (“FTA”). Going the…

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UK: Greater Certainty on Tax Policy

The Government today published a draft Tax Framework for business. Developed in discussion with the Business-Government Forum on Tax and Globalisation, the document is intended to provide greater certainty for large businesses about the Government’s approach to the…

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South Africa: Companies Act – Draft Regulations 2010

In April 2009 the President signed into law the Companies Act (2008). The Act is due to come into force later this year. Meanwhile, draft Regulations have been published supplementing the framework established by the Act. Included in…

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Australia: Constitutional Protection for Business

The Australian High Court has ruled in favour of protecting Australians, including Australian business, from the over reaching power exerted by quasi-judicial bodies and tribunals.  The High Court has kicked in the teeth of the NSW WorkCover Authority,…

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Zimbabwe: Investment Law Rejected by PM

Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai rejected legislation signed into law by President Robert Mugabe that forces companies to sell more than half of their shares to black investors, saying it would “scare off” foreigners. “The regulations would have…

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Russia: Judicial Trends in Thin Capitalization

For the purpose of protecting domestic interests, most states limit taxpayers’ ability to recognize interest on loans or credits as expenses reducing corporate profit tax payments, particularly where such interest is paid to a related entity outside the…

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Australia: Tighter Restrictions on Foreign Takeovers

  The Australian government approved legislation to tighten rules preventing foreign investors from using complex takeover arragements to bypass relevant laws to gain control of an Australian company.  The changes, approved yesterday, mean financial instruments such as convertible…

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