On June 27, 2024, the Supreme Court issued a decision holding that the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) practice of seeking civil monetary penalties in securities fraud cases filed in its administrative forum violates the Seventh Amendment of the Constitution. SEC v. Jarkesy, No. 22–859 (June 27, 2024). The Supreme Court’s reasoning could
Securities
IOSCO report on issues and considerations of market data in secondary equity markets
On 28 April 2022, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) published a report setting out some issues and considerations for regulators when reviewing the regulation of market data.
The report provides feedback on IOSCO’s earlier consultation report ‘Market Data in the Secondary Equity Market’ and offers the following considerations that regulators may find helpful…
SEC targets climate change disclosures
The SEC remains busy exploring additional, alternative means for requiring public companies to disclose climate risks and greenhouse gas emissions.…
House Passes Bill Directing Disclosure of ESG Metrics
On June 16, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1187, the “ESG Disclosure Simplification Act of 2021” (“Act”), by a 215-214 vote. The Act, if passed by the U.S. Senate and signed into law by President Biden, would direct the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) to issue rules requiring public…
What is an NFT, anyway?
Once relegated to the fringe of the crypto/FinTech communities, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have recently exploded to the forefront of modern pop culture and are taking on an ever increasing number of forms—from collectible digital kittens, to sport highlights, to music albums, to pieces of art auctioned off by Christie’s for US $69.3 million.
But what,…
SEC taking steps to develop and implement mandatory ESG disclosures
On March 15, 2020, Allison Lee, Acting Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), delivered comments at the Center for American Progress via webcast, announcing the opening of a comment period regarding climate change disclosures. The submissions are to be used in developing future guidance and proposals on ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance)…
IOSCO work programme 2021/22
On 26 February 2021, the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) published its work programme for 2021/2022.
Ashley Alder, Chair of the IOSCO Board, said:
“In 2020, our agenda was dominated by the response to COVID-19 induced market stresses. IOSCO has actively taken steps to address potential financial stability risks including a…
Under new rules, resource extraction issuers must disclose payments to governments
On December 16, 2020, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC or Commission) announced that it had adopted final rules requiring resource extraction issuers to disclose payments to governments related to the commercial development of oil, natural gas or minerals (the Rules). The Rules implement Section 13(q) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which …
Congress Expands SEC Disgorgement Authority
On January 1, 2021, the National Defense Authorization Act became effective after Congress overrode President Trump’s veto. Although unrelated to national defense issues, Section 6501 of the legislation amends Section 21(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to double the SEC’s statute of limitations for seeking disgorgement of a defendant’s unjust enrichment from five…
The LIBOR Transition — What US municipal securities issuers should know
The UK Financial Conduct Authority has warned that the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) is not likely to be published after 2021. What will happen to LIBOR-based municipal securities, loans, and derivatives that extend beyond 2021, if and when LIBOR goes away?
The contracts could be remediated by pending New York and possible federal LIBOR…