Pinsent Masons

With the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan upon us, we extend our warmest wishes to everyone observing. May this time be filled with peace, reflection, and community. Ramadan Kareem. ☪️

PODCAST: Companies are starting to report their climate and social impacts under new EU rules, but there's a twist.!🌪️ In the latest podcast sustainability reporting expert James Hay reveals that some companies are now worried about exposing themselves to legal risks through over-disclosure. Finding the right balance between transparency and liability is more important than ever.

US President Donald Trump is shaking things up with plans for "reciprocal tariffs" on UK exports, responding to VAT on US imports. This could hit industries like automotive, pharmaceuticals, and food and drink hard. Businesses should brace for potential changes in trade dynamics and costs.

Big news from this week’s Paris AI Summit. Focus is shifting to AI adoption with major investments from France and the EU. 60 countries are on board, and leading companies are driving innovation. Our experts were on the ground, covering the event and sharing insights 👇

Businesses must align their strategies with climate realities to achieve net zero goals, even amidst global changes. Economic success is increasingly tied to climate transition. Experts stress the importance of adapting to these changes to remain sustainable.

We are continuing our expansion in Asia Pacific having received government approval to open our third office in mainland China. Pinsent Masons will open an office in Shenzhen within the commerce hub of the Qianhai Free Trade Zone. Shenzhen is a highly innovative and entrepreneurial city of 18 million located in the south of China that has often been described as “China’s Silicon Valley”. Work is now underway to open the Shenzhen office in 2025. The new office adds to our 41-year presence in China, with offices in Hong Kong (opened in 1983), Shanghai (2002) and Beijing (2006). Our global Senior Partner, Andrew Masraf, said our expansion in China is in line with the firm's deep sectoral specialism, including a particular focus on the energy, financial services, infrastructure, real estate and technology sectors. 'What we are seeing in Shenzhen and across China fits in with those sector focuses across our global network,' Andrew said. Partner and Head of Asia Pacific, James Morgan-Payler, said the new office is part of a focused growth plan for the firm in Asia Pacific, which follows a number of recent hires in Australia and Singapore. ‘Our China practice will continue to focus on China-outbound investment and M&A into the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. We will also continue to support international corporations in their China inbound activities such as foreign direct investments and joint ventures in China.’ Partner and Head of China, Kanyi Lui, said China is a key player in economic development in Asia Pacific and across the world. ‘In just four decades China has transformed into one of the world’s leading players in energy, infrastructure, technology and innovation globally, and these are areas of real focus for Pinsent Masons, especially in Asia Pacific. This move is a commitment to continuing to assist our clients, which include many of the largest and most innovative Chinese companies and entrepreneurs, wherever their business may take them.’ Find out more about this development: https://ow.ly/Xw1z50UXjlq #PinsentMasons #China #APAC #Asia #Law #Legal

This week's Global AI Summit in Paris is bringing together heads of state, senior government figures, and industry leaders to discuss the future of AI. With a focus on public interest AI, future of work, innovation and culture, trust in AI, and global AI governance, the goal is to find common ground on tackling AI challenges and seizing opportunities. The Global AI Summit in Paris is expected to have a significant impact on businesses worldwide. #AIActionWeek #ArtificialIntelligence

PODCAST: Tune in as Robbie Owen discusses why the UK's sweeping planning reforms, while welcome, might not be enough to meet government goals. Plus, Katie Hancock dives into the fascinating world of forever chemicals class actions in the US and what could cross over to UK courts. Listen to the full conversation 👇

Artificial Intelligence - Impact on the Built Environment is a global survey that will examine use cases and opportunities for AI in the design, construction, and operation of infrastructure and built assets globally. 👉 Take the survey: https://ow.ly/NikF50UTom6 Pinsent Masons with industry leaders Bentley Systems, Mott MacDonald, and Turner & Townsend

The cell and gene therapy industry is thriving. Experts are optimistic, believing President Trump's agenda will attract investments and push reforms to bring groundbreaking treatments to market faster. Global businesses can expect new opportunities for growth and innovation in healthcare.