Dentons - Insights

Consumer Credit Act reform: HM Treasury moves towards a more outcomes-focused consumer credit regime

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

United Kingdom: HM Treasury published a policy statement on reform of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (CCA) on 18 May 2026, with the FCA publishing a response on the same day.

Private credit in the GCC: where flexible capital is gaining traction

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

GCC: Private credit continues to establish itself as an increasingly important part of the GCC financing landscape. While banks remain the dominant force across the region's lending markets, private credit has developed as a complementary source of liquidity and financing flexibility, particularly in transactions requiring bespoke structuring, long-term capital or accelerated execution timelines.

Seismic changes: Proposed new earthquake-prone building regime

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

New Zealand: Since the Christchurch earthquakes of 2011, issues related to earthquakes and seismic performance of buildings have been a common feature of commercial leasing transactions in New Zealand. Proposed changes to our earthquake-prone building regime may pose a significant further development for commercial leasing in New Zealand with the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill (Amendment Bill) currently before Parliament. If enacted, the Amendment Bill will amend the Building Act 2004. At the time of writing, the Amendment Bill is before the Select Committee, with the committee scheduled to report back to Parliament on 16 June 2026.

Autonomous vehicles without a driver: What do WHS Laws require of employers in Australia?

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Australia: Responsibility doesn’t disappear with automation, and the risks are changing shape rather than going away. As automated vehicles move closer to everyday use, businesses need to rethink how they manage safety in a more technology-driven environment. This article highlights what organisations operating in Australia should be focusing on now, from system reliability to oversight, and why waiting for clearer rules could leave gaps in how risks are managed.

Budget 2026 – Two taxation changes of interest in the private wealth space

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

New Zealand: The Government’s Budget tax package delivered on 28 May 2026 includes two measures that are particularly relevant for the private wealth sector, including high net worth individuals, founders, investors, and charities. A new NZ$100,000 cap on charitable donations eligible for the donation tax credit and an extension of the Revenue Account Method (RAM) under the Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) rules to all New Zealand taxpayers. While both measures represent significant policy choices, they move in very different directions.

Congestion Charging: What Auckland can learn from Stockholm

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

New Zealand: Auckland has a congestion problem, and it is costing us up to $2.6 billion a year. Congested roads mean longer commutes, less time with family, and a significant drag on economic productivity. For decades, successive governments and councils have discussed time-of-use charging as a means of maximising the use of our existing roads and driving behavioural change. Now, it's finally on the horizon.

Employment Echo - June Edition

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

New Zealand: In this edition of the Echo, we touch on the government’s request for feedback on the employment dispute resolution system (including employment advocates) ahead of a potential overhaul. We also contemplate further questions about the Employment Leave Bill and who is most likely to be affected by the planned changes (assuming they go ahead). Finally, we consider the third instalment on whether a trust can be a PCBU, and what this means for trustees moving forward.

If there was one special condition for NZS 391X

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

New Zealand: At a recent conference I was sitting on a panel discussing different forms of dispute resolution for construction projects. The final question to me was “If you had to include one special condition in an NZS 391X standard form contract, what would it be?” The answer was simple.

Liquidated damages are not automatic: what the new UAE civil transactions law means for project teams

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

United Arab Emirates: In construction and infrastructure projects, liquidated damages are often treated as a simple equation: Days' delay x daily LD rate = amount payable. But under the new UAE Civil Transactions Law which came into force from 1 June 2026, the position is more nuanced. The LD clause still matters. The agreed daily rate still matters. But what happened on the project may be critical to how an agreed damages provision is applied and assessed. Under Article 340, courts have express powers to review agreed damages. Rather than the discretion to adjust LDs to the actual loss (as in the previous Code), the new Code specifies that LDs may now be reduced where they are excessive, where the works have been partially completed, or where the employer contributed to the delay.

Panama Strengthens Economic Substance Requirements for Foreign Passive Income

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Panama: The recent enactment of Law 526 of 2026 introduces changes that are relevant for Panamanian entities that are part of multinational groups, as well as for corporate structures with an international presence. Our Partner in the Panama office has prepared an analysis on the scope of this reform and the key considerations that companies should keep in mind as they move toward its implementation.