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Briefing Notes
Disputes
London High Court orders Samsung to pay China's ZTE $392 million in a landmark global patent licensing ruling
London's FRAND rulings now set global SEP licensing values — making the High Court the world's most commercially consequential patent venue.
Banking & Finance
Ares Management raises a record $30 billion in Q1 2026, with $4 billion for European direct lending as private credit fundraising hits new highs
Private credit's record European fundraise converts into English law lending mandates as bank disintermediation accelerates.
AI & Law
82% of global general counsel now demand law firms disclose their use of AI in client matters, according to 2026 KPMG survey of 468 senior legal leaders
GC disclosure demands are turning AI governance from an internal IT question into a front-office client relationship requirement.
Energy & Tech
Nissan cancels all-electric plans at its Mississippi plant and pivots to hybrid powertrains as Trump-era EV tax credit removal collapses US demand
US EV policy reversal is converting automotive capital investment mandates into restructuring and supply-chain renegotiation work.
Regulation
FCA clears Verdane's £186 million acquisition of a London fintech in a Section 178 FSMA change-of-control approval
FCA change-of-control approval is the critical path item in any PE acquisition of a UK-regulated fintech — it drives the deal timetable.
International
OFSI publishes three-year sanctions strategy as UK Russia sanctions enforcement priorities are set for 2026–2029
OFSI's forward enforcement strategy converts Russia sanctions complexity into a sustained compliance advisory pipeline for City firms.
M&A
Dublin's Version 1 acquires UK AI consultancy CreateFuture in undisclosed cross-border tech services deal
Regulated-sector AI consultancy targets drive cross-border M&A as buyers pay for compliance-ready delivery capability.
Capital Markets
Global equity markets extend their longest weekly rally since 2024 as Iran peace signals and strong tech earnings drive record highs
Equity record runs reopen IPO windows — sustained rallies convert pipeline mandates into live transactions.