Dentons - Insights

Attention startup founders!

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

New Zealand: We work closely with companies and founders at every stage – from pre-seed and beyond – and during our conversations we are asked many questions about founder arrangements, constitutions, shareholders’ agreements and cap tables. In this series, we share answers to some of these questions so that startups across New Zealand can learn from them.

On loan, but still protected? Secondments and liability for third-party harassment

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

United Kingdom: From 30 October 2026, employers will face new liability for harassment of their employees by third parties. A football loan dispute highlights what this could mean for employers when employees work within another organisation.

The decarbonisation of European ports

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Europe: Long established as cargo-handling facilities, European ports are becoming multi-functional nodes at the intersection of the energy transition. This article examines the progress they have made, the regulatory and commercial challenges they face, and how contractual, institutional and financing structures are adapting. Its focus is maritime ports; the Ports Strategy covers inland ports too, and much of the funding and permitting analysis applies to them, but their traffic profile and regulatory position warrant separate treatment.

Barriers to reasonable adjustments under scrutiny

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

United Kingdom: Several recent reports have highlighted the challenges disabled employees face when accessing reasonable adjustments. We consider the practical steps employers can take to support their employees in the workplace.

Customs and transfer pricing in focus: managing valuation risk in a changing tariff landscape

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

United Kingdom: Volatility in the global trade environment, including tariff increases and geopolitical disruption, has put supply chains under increasing stress in recent years, prompting many businesses to reconsider where goods are manufactured, from where materials and components are sourced, how they are sold between group companies and how they move to market.

Disclosure in mining

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Canada: This first article examines how the Bre-X scandal led to the creation of NI 43-101, which now governs disclosure standards for the Canadian mining industry. NI 43-101 aims to protect investors from misinformation regarding mineral projects by imposing rigorous requirements on how scientific and technical information is prepared, verified and disclosed.

Federal government launches National Council on Artificial Intelligence

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

On October 2, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the creation of the National Council on Artificial Intelligence (the Council). The Council is the federal government's first major step toward implementing AI for All, the national AI strategy released in June (the Strategy), and it marks a shift from policy development to execution.

Groundbreaking permitting deal in the Senate could advance essential energy projects in the US

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

United States: On September 30, Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mike Lee (R-AR) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) released the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, a 417-page bill to reform the federal permitting and environmental review process.

The price of personalisation: data protection challenges in the luxury sector

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

United Kingdom: The success of luxury brands has long been defined by craftmanship, quality and strong heritage. However, in today's luxury market, another defining feature is emerging – the allure of personalisation.

The Supreme People's Court issues opinions on the trial of AI-related disputes

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Hong Kong: In recent years, generative artificial intelligence (hereinafter referred to as GenAI) has been widely applied in scenarios such as marketing, customer service, research and development, and driving. The development of related products and services has also given rise to various new types of legal disputes, while courts have so far lacked unified standards for adjudicating AI-related disputes and China has not adopted a comprehensive AI law. Against this background, on 7 September 2026, the Supreme People’s Court issued Opinions on the Lawful Trial of AI-Related Disputes (hereinafter referred to as Opinions), providing directional guidance for the adjudication of AI-related cases.