Actions for Damages in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and German

Short Reads - The new Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (VBER) entered into force on 1 June 2022. The new VBER is stricter on dual distribution and across-platform retail parity obligations than the old one, but is more lenient towards active sales and online sales restrictions. It also provides more guidance on the rules for exclusive and selective distribution systems.

Short Reads - Companies beware: new Dutch and EU transactional hurdles are coming closer. In the Netherlands, new national security investment screening rules are imminent. At the same time, the adoption of the EU regulation on foreign subsidies will only be a matter of time. Time for companies to put these extra hurdles on their M&A radar.

Short Reads - Companies involved in M&A transactions had better think twice before temporarily parking a target undertaking with an interim buyer. On 18 May 2022, the General Court upheld the European Commission's EUR 28 million gun jumping fine imposed on Canon for partially implementing its two-step takeover of Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation (TMSC) prior to notification and clearance.

Articles - Gertjan Boekraad schreef voor het Tijdschrift voor Insolventierecht een annotatie bij een arrest van de Hoge Raad over de vraag hoe in het faillissement van een bedrijf om te gaan met de vordering van de overheid die een milieuovertreding van dat bedrijf moet herstellen.