Science-based or Paris-aligned meaning

Introduction The questions below illustrate items for a specific competency set and aim to draw out relevant behavioural evidence to gauge competency level. They are purposefully more precise than the usual open, behavioural questions such as, ‘Tell me about a time when you...’ or ‘Can you provide an example...?’ This is intentional. Their role is to zero in on information tied to the competency definition and the management of outcomes, while still acting as cues to investigate behavioural evidence. Without this level of targeting, there is a chance the interviewer will fail to gather information that is sufficiently specific to enable a fair judgement. Strategy delivery General Describe a recent strategic planning exercise you took part in. What was your role? Outline the specifics. And what about earlier planning efforts? OR How have you reviewed your business, current and emerging trends, and set long-term objectives? Have you created and put into practice a vision and a set of values for your business?...

In this issue: Sustainable finance and ESG round–up Lending Security Sustainable finance Debt capital markets Derivatives Structured products and securitisation Regulation for derivatives lawyers Restructuring Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Useful information Sustainable finance and ESG round–up Sustainable finance and ESG weekly round–up Sustainable finance and ESG round–up Sustainable finance and ESG weekly round–up For a summary of this week’s Sustainable finance and ESG developments, see: Sustainable finance and ESG weekly round–up—18 April 2024. Lending LMA publishes guidance on primary delayed settlement compensation The Loan Market Association (LMA) has issued guidance on primary delayed settlement compensation, setting out a suggested timetable for stages in the syndication process and embedding fault-based delayed settlement compensation. The note aims to reconcile the differing priorities of stakeholders involved in syndication. See: LNB News 17/04/2024 68. Source: LMA issues Primary Delayed Settlement Compensation Guidelines to promote efficiency...

Full statement follows. Due diligence: MEPs endorse rules for companies on human rights and the environment covers EU and non-EU companies and parent companies with turnover above €450m businesses must draw up a transition plan aligned with the Paris Agreement firms can be held liable for harm and face fines if they fail to comply new obligations require companies to stop child labour across their chain of activities On 24 April 2024, Parliament gave final approval to legislation compelling businesses to curb negative impacts on human rights and the environment. The European Parliament backed the new due diligence directive, negotiated with the Council, by 374 votes to 235 with 19 abstentions. It imposes duties on companies and their upstream and downstream partners — spanning supply, production and distribution — to prevent, cease or lessen adverse effects on human rights and the environment. These include slavery, child labour, labour exploitation, biodiversity loss, pollution, and the destruction of natural heritage. Risk-based approach...

UK Finance responds to FCA consultation on aligning sustainability disclosures with ISSB standards UK Finance has issued its reply to the Financial Conduct Authority’s consultation on bringing sustainability-related disclosures into line with international standards, backing the plan to embed the UK Sustainability Reporting Standards within the Listing Rules and to align with the International Sustainability Standards Board baseline, while underlining the need for international consistency and comparability. It supports the proposed ‘comply or explain’ model, yet seeks clearer signalling on the FCA’s next steps, including whether the regime will persist in its current form or shift towards mandatory adherence. The submission also urges consideration of the implications for the competitiveness of UK listings and for the broader corporate reporting landscape, and says the FCA should take a proportionate, supportive supervisory stance, especially during initial implementation, acknowledging that firms may rely on best endeavours as capabilities mature. UK Finance further stresses that using the ‘explain’ option should not be equated with non-compliance, and it does not support introducing...

This Practice Note examines initiatives centred on legacy IT estates, outlining the context for such refresh programmes—particularly within the financial services sector—and considering technology renewal via non-transformational outsourcing, cloud-based solutions, and software development/integration, together with the key issues and practical considerations for each. A technology refresh means replacing existing IT products and platforms with newer or improved alternatives to preserve capability, add or enhance functionality, boost performance and efficiency, remain aligned with cutting-edge advances, or meet evolving operational demands and process change. Where historic systems store or handle substantial datasets, data migration, along with integrity and security considerations, becomes a major workstream within the refresh. Background to legacy IT refresh projects Technology refresh is instrumental in helping organisations drive efficiencies, reduce costs, and compete in the market. Many organisations undertake a comprehensive refresh every five to seven years (shorter in some sectors), with smaller, interim refresh initiatives in between...

From 30 September 2017, the Criminal Finances Act 2017 (CFA 2017) created a corporate offence for failing to stop the facilitation of tax evasion. Government guidance outlines what it expects from compliance arrangements. This Practice Note draws on the final form of the legislation and the accompanying guidance. That guidance should be interpreted and implemented proportionately, using a risk-based approach. In doing so, you should reflect the size, profile and complexity of your organisation. A small entity and a large multinational may reasonably apply the principles quite differently: measures that suit a low-risk small business could be wholly inadequate for a large enterprise in a high-risk sector. The Law Society has likewise issued CFA 2017 guidance for law firms, approved by the Chancellor on 21 November 2018. The Law Society states that the Chancellor regards its guidance as aligned with the Government’s guidance on the corporate offences of failing to prevent the criminal facilitation of tax evasion. The offences and defence There are two possible offences, determined by...

Bosnia & Herzegovina FDI control 1. What is the applicable legislation? Bosnia and Herzegovina presently lacks an FDI screening regime akin to those developing across Europe under the EU FDI Screening Regulation. Rather than that model, it relies on more conventional authorisation frameworks, with particular attention on the defence and media fields. Owing to the country’s administrative set‑up, foreign investment, including in areas subject to special limitations, is regulated at several tiers: Bosnia and Herzegovina (state level)-the Foreign Direct Investments Policy Act (Official Gazette of BiH Nos. 4/1998, 17/1998, 13/2003, 48/2010 and 22/2015) provides the overarching policy and procedural framework for foreign investment and applies throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina (the FDI Policy Act) Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) (entity level)-the FBiH Foreign Investments Act (Official Gazette of FBiH, Nos. 61/2001, 50/2003 and 77/2015) prescribes the rules for approving foreign investments within the FBiH, and Republika Srpska (RS) (entity level)-the RS Foreign Investments Act (Official Gazette of RS No. 21/2018) prescribes the rules...

Agents and intermediaries Agents and intermediaries are third parties engaged to deliver services for or on behalf of [ insert organisation's name ] or to act in our interests. Working with agents/intermediaries raises concerns around bribery, corruption, fraud, facilitation of tax evasion and financial crime more broadly, as we can be held liable for criminal conduct by those agents/intermediaries. There is also a risk that financial crime issues may arise from actions taken by another party within a supply chain. Therefore, when we appoint anyone to act for us, we must ensure we understand the financial crime risks involved. In all cases, we should carry out thorough due diligence so that potential criminal risks are identified, considered and addressed. Online due diligence can be used both to gather information and to verify and validate details sourced elsewhere, including directly from the agent/intermediary. Different third parties pose different levels of risk, so the breadth and depth of enquiries should be aligned to that potential exposure. If you uncover information that...

Key information Information details Firm name [ Insert details ] Role holder’s name [ Insert name ] Reporting line [ Insert details ] Type of role [ Insert, e.g. full-time/part-time/contractor ] [ If a contractor role, include length of contract ] Primary location [ Insert the main location for this role—if the post-holder is expected to spend regular time across multiple sites, e.g. in each regional office, ensure this is stated clearly ] Working pattern: remote/hybrid/office-based [ Insert type of work model ] Start date [ Insert date ] Probation length [ Insert details ] Probation review end date [ Insert date ] Role summary The core elements of the marketing/business development manager role are: Strategic marketing – carry out the necessary analyses, set objectives aligned to the business plan, and shape strategies and marketing plans. Ensure the marketing infrastructure and resources are overseen and utilised efficiently...