Legal & Regulation

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission says it will vigorously defend the constitutional challenge that accounting firm KPMG has initiated in the High Court of Australia against the Commonwealth of Australia and ASIC. »

PCE Investors has received regulatory approval from the Irish Financial Regulator for The Strategic Life Settlement Fund, a limited liquidity investment company with variable capital incorporated with limited liability in Ireland. »

RHJ International has received approval from the Financial Services Authority to become the controller of the UK and Channel Islands private bank and wealth management group Kleinwort Benson.  »

Guernsey’s Chief Minister Lyndon Trott has been reinforcing the island’s position as a leader in tax transparency during meetings with officials in Washington. »

Offshore law firm Walkers says it has seen burgeoning growth in its insolvency and corporate recovery practice, especially in Asia. »

Law firms Hogan & Hartson and Lovells and completed the combination of their two firms. »

Apex Fund Services, Mason Hayes+Curran and the Irish Stock Exchange will be hosting interactive seminars in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain on the opportunities of Ucits funds for Middle East and North Africa fund managers. »

Funds incorporated in the British Virgin Islands will now have further legal and regulatory support following the enactment of the Securities & Investment Business Act.  »

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has obtained interim orders against Peter van de Steeg, Jonathan Ezzy, Peter Berlowitz and Scott Walker and their 16 associated companies due to concerns about the possible operation of a Ponzi-style scheme. »

Offshore law firm Harney Westwood & Riegels has opened an office in Cyprus. »