The EU’s bold plan for anti-corruption: New bribery regulations as FCPA enforcement is halted
As Europe grapples with a persistent decline in public trust and increasing exposure to high-profile corruption scandals, the European Union is stepping up its efforts to harmonise anti-corruption measures across its member states. The proposed EU Anti-Corruption Directive aims to create a unified legal framework, enhance enforcement tools, and embed robust preventative measures within national […]
The future of sustainability regulations in the EU: What rules will survive?
The European Union has long been at the forefront of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) regulations, driving corporate accountability and sustainability measures across industries. However, recent political shifts and regulatory debates have cast uncertainty over the future of these frameworks. With the introduction of the Omnibus regulation, many of the green policies established over the […]
Astute LXP release notes – February 2025 (V3.3.0)
Release Date: 18th February 2025 We’re excited to introduce new features and enhancements in this release, including a major upgrade to the LXP Report Builder, improvements to the Courses page, and additional performance updates across the platform. Major updates LXP report builder overhaul Since launching LXP Reporting in 2020, we’ve been listening closely to your […]
Netherlands eyes overhaul of AML regime: Potential changes in Dutch money laundering regulations
The Netherlands is poised for a significant transformation in its approach to combating money laundering. In a climate where current measures are increasingly seen as outdated and overly burdensome, both the government and the financial industry are pushing for reforms that not only tighten controls over illicit finance but also address unintended consequences like financial […]
What is positive discrimination?
Positive discrimination is the practice of favouring individuals from underrepresented or disadvantaged groups in a way that goes beyond levelling the playing field. While the intention is often to promote diversity and inclusion, positive discrimination typically involves giving preferential treatment to certain candidates based solely on a protected characteristic, rather than merit. Understanding the distinction […]
Compliance alert: Trump’s pausing of FCPA enforcement does not reduce the compliance risk
On February 10, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Justice (DoJ) to pause enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), a 1977 law prohibiting US companies and individuals from bribing foreign officials to secure business deals. The administration argues that stringent enforcement of the FCPA places American businesses […]
A smarter way to report: The new and improved LXP report builder
Tracking learning completions is an essential part of managing workplace training. LXP Reporting helps organisations keep on top of training progress, course completions, and learner engagement, making it easier to monitor activity and support their teams. Whether you’re an administrator, manager or compliance officer, having access to clear and accurate reporting ensures training stays on […]
Inadequate supply chain due diligence can breach sanctions and fuel proliferation financing
A questionable source of origin in the global grain trade has shed new light on the critical risks of robust supply chain due diligence. A high-profile case involving an Egyptian military agency’s import of over 20,000 tons of wheat from occupied Ukraine, carried by a Russian vessel with a murky trading history, should serve as […]
The high cost of AML failures: Lessons from a recent disciplinary case
In a striking case that underscores the serious consequences of failing to meet anti-money laundering (AML) and financial compliance obligations, a London law firm and its compliance officer were fined £25,000 each for multiple regulatory breaches. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) found that Law and Lawyers Ltd, an East London firm, and its senior director, […]
Tax evasion risk alert: Scottish Private Purpose Trusts
UPDATE: This original blog was published on 6 February 2025. Four days later on 10 February 2025, the Scottish Government announced that the implementation of Private Purpose Trusts has been paused and will be reviewed due to concerns around how PPTs might be used to facilitate tax evasion and money laundering. The Trusts and […]
