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FINANCIAL SERVICES

The Financial Services Sector powers the global economy by providing capital and expertise.

We have long standing experience of advising banks and listed companies in London and Hong Kong and the financial regulatory system.

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THOUGHTS

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Is the petrodollar system coming to an end?

  Reports of the end of the petrodollar are currently circulating (albeit not in the mainstream media).  There are claims…

The new UK Listing Rules Slim pickings for shareholder engagement and activism

Introduction Last week, the FCA finally published the new UK Listing Rules (which come into effect on 29 July 2024).…

Advising Founders on sale of a UK tech company to a US listed buyer

Sale of a tech company to a US listed buyer Having just advised the four Founders (and investors) on the…

Advising on private M&A in a cost effective way

Public M&A is often regarded as the pinnacle of M&A advisory.  After all it involves the glamour of buying a…

Activism Campaigns involving UK listed companies

Activism Campaigns involving UK listed companies We have advised boards of UK listed companies where they have an activist on…

ESG Shareholder Activism

The new paradigm Historically, activists have sought to drive financial performance.  Activists with purely financial motivations have often been seen…

ESG AND THE VOLUNTARY CARBON MARKET

How can companies reduce their carbon footprint?  Companies have the following tools at their disposal to meet carbon reduction goals…

What details have to be disclosed in an announcement by a potential bidder confirming it is considering a takeover offer under the Takeover Code?

Q&A The Code requires that: (1) the bidder is named in the announcement; and (2) a 28 day PUSU deadline…

What is the difference between the disclosure requirements for an interest in premium listed shares and standard listed shares?

Q&A Disclosure of premium versus standard listed shares   If the company is a UK issuer (which is often the…

Six-month update on Ogilvy Watson

Strategic Investor Legal Adviser In May 2021, I set up my own advisory practice “Ogilvy Watson – Strategic Investor Legal…

When is a target company required to announce it is in talks with which may lead to a takeover offer under the Takeover Code?

Q&A The short answer is an announcement must be made when if the target company has been approached by a…

Are there any FDI restrictions for investment into UK companies based on the nationality of the foreign investor?

Q&A Not explicitly. In theory UK buyers are caught in the same way as foreign buyers.  However, the UK Government…

Corporate governance rules for AIM companies?

Q&A Under AIM Rule 26, AIM companies must provide details on their website of the recognised corporate governance code that…

Corporate governance rules which apply to a company with a premium listing?

Q&A Under Rule 9.8.6R(5) and (6) the Listing Rules, all companies with a premium listing are required to comply with…

Can a bidder speak to a shareholder in the target company before there has been an announcement disclosing the possibility of a takeover under the Takeover Code?

Q&A In short, the answer is yes, subject to that shareholder being informed they will become an insider (which will…

Forcing a listed company to hold a shareholders meeting?

Q&A A shareholder holding shares which control 5% of the voting rights can requisition an EGM in a UK company. …

FDI & Bilateral Investment Treaties

International tax treaties influence how major cross-border FDI gets structured but don't ignore BIT's.  As Cairn’s experience in India has…

Post Brexit FDI opportunities for foreign investors

Post Brexit FDI opportunities for foreign investors  Each year the British Monarch reads a statement prepared by Her Majesty’s Government…

ESG and UK listed companies

Companies need to adopt appropriate policies on clean energy, social responsibility and good governance (“ESG”). However, fiduciaries (governments, asset managers…

2021 Takeover Code amendments

2021 Takeover Code amendments are being implemented with effect on Monday, 5 July 2021.   These changes are set out in…

Shareholder activism in the UK

Shareholder activism in the UK: Legal rights Even if the strategy of an activist is to work collaboratively in private…

UK FDI Rules

The UK National Security and Investment Act 2021 has introduced new FDI rules for foreign investors, with mandatory and/or voluntary…

Disclosing an interest in UK listed shares?

Q&A Normally, the requirement for disclosing an interest in UK listed shares arises when a person acquires a 3% interest…

Companies subject to the Takeover Code?

Q&A Establishing what companies are subject to the Takeover Code is not as straightforward as you may think. You might…

Chinese FDI into the UK?

Q&A There are no restrictions specifically targeting Chinese FDI into the UK companies.  The provisions of the new UK National…

Corporate governance for UK listed companies?

Q&A Determining applicable rules on corporate governance for UK listed companies depends on what market the shares are listed.  Companies…

Disclosure of derivative interests in UK listed shares?

Q&A Disclosure of derivative interests in UK listed shares is required subject to the interest reaching the relevant 1%, 3%…

When must a bidder announce it is considering an offer under the Takeover Code?

Q&A A bidder must announce it is considering an offer under the Takeover Code if: There is rumour or speculation…

Current UK FDI rules?

Q&A The current UK FDI rules are contained in UK Enterprise Act 2002 and regulations promulgated under this Act.   The…

ESG reporting requirements for UK listed companies?

Q&A ESG reporting requirements for UK listed companies are determined by the Listing Rules and the Companies Act 2006. The…

Disclosure requirements under section 793 of the Companies Act 2006?

Q&A Disclosure requirements under section 793 of the Companies Act 2006 are triggered when a notice is served under section…

What is a PUSU under the Takeover Code?

Q&A PUSU stands for ‘Put up or Shut up’ – it’s a rule in the Takeover Code which is triggered…

Sectors covered by the new UK FDI rules?

Q&A There are 17 sectors covered by the new UK FDI rules where mandatory notification will be required under the…

What is ESG?

Q&A ESG stands for environmental, social and governance principles. These principles are constantly evolving and are being adopted in various…

Q&A

Filter

Is the petrodollar system coming to an end?

  Reports of the end of the petrodollar are currently circulating (albeit not in the mainstream media).  There are claims…

The new UK Listing Rules Slim pickings for shareholder engagement and activism

Introduction Last week, the FCA finally published the new UK Listing Rules (which come into effect on 29 July 2024).…

Advising Founders on sale of a UK tech company to a US listed buyer

Sale of a tech company to a US listed buyer Having just advised the four Founders (and investors) on the…

Advising on private M&A in a cost effective way

Public M&A is often regarded as the pinnacle of M&A advisory.  After all it involves the glamour of buying a…

Activism Campaigns involving UK listed companies

Activism Campaigns involving UK listed companies We have advised boards of UK listed companies where they have an activist on…

ESG Shareholder Activism

The new paradigm Historically, activists have sought to drive financial performance.  Activists with purely financial motivations have often been seen…

ESG AND THE VOLUNTARY CARBON MARKET

How can companies reduce their carbon footprint?  Companies have the following tools at their disposal to meet carbon reduction goals…

What details have to be disclosed in an announcement by a potential bidder confirming it is considering a takeover offer under the Takeover Code?

Q&A The Code requires that: (1) the bidder is named in the announcement; and (2) a 28 day PUSU deadline…

What is the difference between the disclosure requirements for an interest in premium listed shares and standard listed shares?

Q&A Disclosure of premium versus standard listed shares   If the company is a UK issuer (which is often the…

Six-month update on Ogilvy Watson

Strategic Investor Legal Adviser In May 2021, I set up my own advisory practice “Ogilvy Watson – Strategic Investor Legal…

When is a target company required to announce it is in talks with which may lead to a takeover offer under the Takeover Code?

Q&A The short answer is an announcement must be made when if the target company has been approached by a…

Are there any FDI restrictions for investment into UK companies based on the nationality of the foreign investor?

Q&A Not explicitly. In theory UK buyers are caught in the same way as foreign buyers.  However, the UK Government…

Corporate governance rules for AIM companies?

Q&A Under AIM Rule 26, AIM companies must provide details on their website of the recognised corporate governance code that…

Corporate governance rules which apply to a company with a premium listing?

Q&A Under Rule 9.8.6R(5) and (6) the Listing Rules, all companies with a premium listing are required to comply with…

Can a bidder speak to a shareholder in the target company before there has been an announcement disclosing the possibility of a takeover under the Takeover Code?

Q&A In short, the answer is yes, subject to that shareholder being informed they will become an insider (which will…

Forcing a listed company to hold a shareholders meeting?

Q&A A shareholder holding shares which control 5% of the voting rights can requisition an EGM in a UK company. …

FDI & Bilateral Investment Treaties

International tax treaties influence how major cross-border FDI gets structured but don't ignore BIT's.  As Cairn’s experience in India has…

Post Brexit FDI opportunities for foreign investors

Post Brexit FDI opportunities for foreign investors  Each year the British Monarch reads a statement prepared by Her Majesty’s Government…

ESG and UK listed companies

Companies need to adopt appropriate policies on clean energy, social responsibility and good governance (“ESG”). However, fiduciaries (governments, asset managers…

2021 Takeover Code amendments

2021 Takeover Code amendments are being implemented with effect on Monday, 5 July 2021.   These changes are set out in…

Shareholder activism in the UK

Shareholder activism in the UK: Legal rights Even if the strategy of an activist is to work collaboratively in private…

UK FDI Rules

The UK National Security and Investment Act 2021 has introduced new FDI rules for foreign investors, with mandatory and/or voluntary…

Disclosing an interest in UK listed shares?

Q&A Normally, the requirement for disclosing an interest in UK listed shares arises when a person acquires a 3% interest…

Companies subject to the Takeover Code?

Q&A Establishing what companies are subject to the Takeover Code is not as straightforward as you may think. You might…

Chinese FDI into the UK?

Q&A There are no restrictions specifically targeting Chinese FDI into the UK companies.  The provisions of the new UK National…

Corporate governance for UK listed companies?

Q&A Determining applicable rules on corporate governance for UK listed companies depends on what market the shares are listed.  Companies…

Disclosure of derivative interests in UK listed shares?

Q&A Disclosure of derivative interests in UK listed shares is required subject to the interest reaching the relevant 1%, 3%…

When must a bidder announce it is considering an offer under the Takeover Code?

Q&A A bidder must announce it is considering an offer under the Takeover Code if: There is rumour or speculation…

Current UK FDI rules?

Q&A The current UK FDI rules are contained in UK Enterprise Act 2002 and regulations promulgated under this Act.   The…

ESG reporting requirements for UK listed companies?

Q&A ESG reporting requirements for UK listed companies are determined by the Listing Rules and the Companies Act 2006. The…

Disclosure requirements under section 793 of the Companies Act 2006?

Q&A Disclosure requirements under section 793 of the Companies Act 2006 are triggered when a notice is served under section…

What is a PUSU under the Takeover Code?

Q&A PUSU stands for ‘Put up or Shut up’ – it’s a rule in the Takeover Code which is triggered…

Sectors covered by the new UK FDI rules?

Q&A There are 17 sectors covered by the new UK FDI rules where mandatory notification will be required under the…

What is ESG?

Q&A ESG stands for environmental, social and governance principles. These principles are constantly evolving and are being adopted in various…