Non-systematic risk meaning

ARCHIVED: This Practice Note is archived and is no longer maintained. A bank loan is treated as a non-performing loan (NPL) if more than 90 days pass without the borrower making the agreed instalments or interest payments. Banks experienced an accumulation of NPLs in their books when borrowers' inability to repay was intensified by the financial crisis and subsequent recessions. When NPLs are proportionately high, banks' capacity to manage the riskiness of their lending is diminished. NPLs are a supervisory priority for the European Central Bank (ECB), which monitors the overall level of NPLs across euro area banks. Under the supervisory review and evaluation process (SREP), the ECB assesses whether individual banks adequately manage loan risk and whether they have suitable strategies, governance arrangements and processes in place. The ECB also regularly undertakes co-ordinated exercises to review the asset quality of the banks it directly supervises—it works with national supervisors to establish a consistent and effective approach to tackling and reducing bad loans, drawing on best practices as set...

Competition authorities with jurisdiction in Ireland Competition authorities operating in Ireland, chiefly the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and, where applicable, the European Commission, possess broad powers to carry out surprise inspections, commonly called ‘dawn raids’. Such raids are a central investigative device for enforcing Irish and EU competition law, particularly in matters involving serious and grave breaches of competition rules like alleged cartel conduct, abuse of dominance, and wage‑fixing arrangements. For companies trading in Ireland, the unannounced arrival of the regulator’s authorised officers at their premises without prior warning can be both highly disruptive and risky. Businesses must be dawn raid‑ready to mitigate disruption and to safeguard their legal entitlements while meeting statutory duties throughout an inspection. This Checklist outlines pragmatic pointers to consider before a dawn raid, including forming a dawn raid response team, alongside key priority steps to take during the on‑site raid, managing legally privileged material, and the follow‑up once the raid has ended. Equipping your organisation with dawn raid readiness know‑how and a...

Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) is the worldwide benchmark for routinely transmitting taxpayers’ financial details between jurisdictions to deter tax evasion. A trust resident in the UK is generally brought within the UK AEOI framework through the International Tax Compliance Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/878), as amended (the ‘ITC Regulations’). The ITC Regulations give domestic effect to the UK’s AEOI commitments under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) and the UK‑US FATCA Agreement (FATCA). Refer to Practice Notes: Automatic exchange of information-outline; Automatic exchange of information for UK trustees-key obligations; and FATCA and UK Trusts. HMRC’s guidance appears in the International Exchange of Information Manual (IEIM400000). This Checklist summarises the principal matters trustees must consider under the UK AEOI regime. Scope and Threshold Question: Does AEOI Apply? Has the trust’s UK tax residence position been determined for AEOI purposes? Has it been verified whether the ITC Regulations 2015 apply to the trust (CRS and/or FATCA)? Is the trust in scope of AEOI as a possible Financial...

This Flowchart This Flowchart helps determine the appropriate rate of stamp duty land tax (SDLT) for the transaction in question. Different SDLT rates may apply to purchases depending on the property type (residential, non-residential (commercial property), or mixed-use property). Use this Flowchart in conjunction with Practice Note: Rates of SDLT. This Flowchart proceeds on the basis that: the buyer is acquiring a single property and the purchase is not linked with any other transaction. For further detail on linked transactions, see Practice Note: SDLT chargeable consideration—Linked transactions no relief from SDLT applies to the transaction...

Flowchart This flowchart sets out the way in which UK non-residence or residence is established—firstly by applying the automatic overseas test, and secondly by considering the automatic UK test. Please also see the Statutory residence test and residence flowchart (sufficient ties), as well as the Statutory residence test ‘home’ flowchart...

ARCHIVED: This flowchart has been archived and is not maintained. These flowcharts were produced to help identify whether an asset counts as excluded property for UK inheritance tax (IHT) on or after 6 April 2017. From 6 April 2025, a new framework came into force, replacing domicile as the primary test for an individual’s IHT exposure with the concept of long‑term residence. The reforms also adjusted the criteria for when trust property falls within the scope of excluded property... From 6 April 2025, assets held in trust qualify as excluded property only where: they are non‑UK situs assets, and the settlor is not a long‑term resident of the UK at the point a potential IHT charge arises For more information, see Practice Note: New IHT regime from 6 April 2025—FAQs. The flowcharts consider whether an asset is excluded property by reference to the location (situs) of the property and, where relevant, the domicile of the beneficial owner or settlor...

Lonham Group Ltd v Scotbeef Ltd & another [2025] EWCA Civ 203 Traditionally, English insurance law placed onerous burdens on insured parties: they were required to reveal every material circumstance capable of affecting the judgment of a prudent insurer when setting the premium or determining whether to accept the risk. If they did not, the insurer could treat the policy as though it never existed. Likewise, any failure to comply with a warranty discharged the insurer from liability under the policy, regardless of the warranty’s relevance to the risk and irrespective of whether the breach was later remedied. In the early development of insurance, these severe rules were arguably justified by the informational imbalance between insured and insurer. By the twenty-first century, however, a more sophisticated market generated pressure for reform. For non-consumer insurance, the result was IA 2015, which marked a substantial change in approach. The previous duty of disclosure was replaced by a duty of fair presentation, and only in defined circumstances could an...

In this issue: Information technology Internet Media Advertising, marketing and sponsorship Reputation management Telecommunications LexTalk®TMT: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Useful information Information technology Commission consults on draft Guidance on EU Cyber Resilience Act The European Commission has opened a consultation on a draft Communication offering direction on how to interpret and apply in practice Regulation (EU) 2024/2847, the EU Cyber Resilience Act (EU CRA). In line with Article 26(1) EU CRA, this non-binding guidance seeks to support manufacturers, developers and other stakeholders in understanding their obligations and fostering a harmonised approach across the EU, with a particular emphasis on helping microenterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises meet compliance needs. the scope of the EU CRA, including free and open-source software and what constitutes a substantial modification; support period obligations; designation of important and...

Original news Mr Y (CAS-57893-P0C6)—20 August 2025 / Ms R (CAS-58612-P1X1)—18 July 2025 Summary The Pensions Ombudsman dismissed a complaint concerning a loan note investment. The scheme’s independent trustee bore no responsibility for losses arising from this high-risk, speculative asset. The complainants had completed forms confirming the trustee was not giving investment advice and could not be held accountable for any investment loss. The arrangement ran on an execution-only basis. The trustee also undertook appropriate due diligence before proceeding. In light of these factors, no liability ultimately attached to the trustee for the loan note loss. The determination highlights the perils of placing funds into non-standard investments. Accordingly, the complaint failed. What were the facts? Ms R and Mr Y were members of the Westerby Pension Scheme (the Scheme). The Scheme was a self-directed, self-invested personal pension (SIPP) scheme. Westerby Trustee Services Limited (Westerby) was the Scheme’s independent trustee and administrator...

This Practice Note sets out the essentials of Regulation (EU) 2024/2847, the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA): its background, timeline, aims, and how it aligns with other EU laws. For details on the CRA’s scope or core duties for economic operators, see the following Practice Notes: The EU Cyber Resilience Act—scope and classification of products The EU Cyber Resilience Act—obligations, compliance and enforcement Regulation (EU) 2024/2847, known as the CRA, is the first EU measure to set mandatory cybersecurity requirements for ‘products with digital elements’ across the EU. From December 2027, products that do not satisfy these requirements cannot be placed on the EU market. Accordingly, compliance will be crucial for market entry for both hardware and software. Manufacturers, importers and distributors will have extensive cybersecurity responsibilities and risk significant fines for non-compliance. The CRA was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 20 November 2024, entered into force on 10 December 2024, and applies in full from 11...

For guidance on what deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs) are and how they work, see Practice Note: Deferred prosecution agreements, which explains their operation. In what circumstances can a DPA be varied? The statutory power to amend a DPA sits squarely in paragraph 10 of Schedule 17 to the Crime and Courts Act 2013 (CCA 2013) itself. A DPA may require alteration in two situations: where the court invites the parties to vary the DPA under CCA 2013, Sch 17 Pt 1, para 9(3)(a), namely where the organisation has breached the agreement and the court wants the parties to put forward proposals to cure the organisation’s non-compliance, by agreement between the parties as invited by the court, accordingly (see Practice Notes: Financial penalties as a term of a DPA—Late payment and breach of a DPA and Breach of a DPA) where a variation is required to prevent the organisation failing to comply with its obligations in circumstances that were not, and could not reasonably...

ARCHIVED: This archived Practice Note is not being maintained. Today, most global businesses work with third parties, tapping into vital capabilities that help them operate across markets. Yet those relationships can also carry significant corruption exposure, potentially resulting in breaches of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). With the right diligence, tailored contractual terms, targeted training, and robust oversight, organisations can manage FCPA risk while still benefiting from third-party contributions to their operations. The FCPA bars corrupt payments made through intermediaries when a company is ‘knowing’ that some or all of the money will be passed to a foreign government official. It is not necessary to have actual knowledge of a third party’s conduct; wilful blindness can be enough to attribute knowledge. In practice, businesses cannot look the other way or disregard indications of possible bribery by those they engage. Agents, distributors, consultants, contractors, and subcontractors Service-providers, suppliers, and other non-intermediary third parties Effective third-party engagement should include anti-corruption due diligence,...

The Contract comprises the completed Standard Building Contract Without Quantities for use in Scotland 2016 published by the SBCC subject to the following amendments: Recitals and Articles updated: contractor to provide a master programme and Schedule of Information Requirements; CDP responsibility accepted; Principal Contractor duties priced; arbitration deleted; Schedule of Amendments prevails; Third Party Agreements duties. Contract Particulars: arbitration entries removed; Rectification Period set at 12 months; fluctuations and certain PII/guarantee entries deleted. Conditions: key definitions revised (Practical Completion, Copyright Material, Design sub‑contractors, Funder, Site); Scottish jurisdiction; approvals mean principles only; entire agreement; variations in writing. Design/materials/programming: contractor accepts ER/CP; quality and non‑deleterious materials; programme reporting; site risk; drawings/info supply; tighter discrepancy notices. Time/defects: mitigate and advise on delay; narrower Relevant Events; Practical Completion clarified; stronger rectification, consequential damage and indemnity; phased as‑built/occupation information. IP/confidentiality/BIM: broader licence, moral rights waivers and delivery; confidentiality reinforced; BIM where adopted. Management/sub‑contracting: access, approved Site Manager, meetings; prescribed sub‑contracts; collateral warranties/third‑party rights; CDM duties; insurance...

From: [ [ insert job title ], ] [ Name ] [ Insert, eg The Senior Leadership Team ] has established a [ insert period ] objective in order to raise our Governance and Compliance benchmarks even further. This entails ensuring every colleague fully comprehends and reliably adheres to our policies, procedures and relevant laws at the highest possible level. Focus areas include data protection, access to our products and services, and appropriate dealings with customers, suppliers and competitors...

1 General information Person(s) carrying out the audit: [ Provide name(s) of the individual(s) undertaking the audit ] Auditor classification: ☐ Internal ☐ External Audit dates: From [ enter date ] to [ enter date ] Audit type: ☐ Organisation-wide ☐ Targeted—[ Specify exactly what was targeted, e.g. property transactions funded by cryptoassets ] Office(s) in scope: [ Provide details of the offices included in this audit ] 2 Executive summary [ Provide a concise overview of the report findings ] [ Summary of recommendations: ] Importance — Number of recommendations Critical: [ Insert number of recommendations classified as critical ] Important: [ Insert number of recommendations classified as important ] 'Housekeeping': [ Insert number of recommendations classified as ‘Housekeeping’ ] 3 Scope of audit 3.1 This audit has been undertaken to: 3.1.1 review and assess the adequacy and effectiveness of the organisation’s policies, controls...

Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT) When placing a vacancy under the resident labour market test (RLMT), a sponsor must retain a screenshot of the website taken on the day the advert first goes live, unless the advert itself shows the date it was posted, in which case the screenshot can be produced at any point while the listing remains valid. See Practice Note: Resident Labour Market Test. If the wording of the advert is altered, the screenshot held by the sponsor to meet the above requirement will not match the actual particulars of the role (including the remuneration package). This inconsistency could lead, on audit, to a finding that the RLMT process was not followed. To minimise the risk of non-compliance on this matter, it is advisable to repost the advert, capture the requisite screenshots on the first day it appears as required by the RLMT, and refrain from changing the advert’s contents throughout the minimum 28-day period...