Challenges and opportunities for the Estonian real estate market in 2024

The Estonian construction and real estate sector, like in other European Union member states, has gone through significant bumps and jolts in recent years. The trends most evident in the start-up and fintech sectors have also left their mark on the real estate and construction sectors. It’s been a journey from a Covid-period induced ‘full stop’ to the brink of overheating economy in 2022, followed by period of cool down introduced by the energy crises in the end of 2022, where the cheap inputs of the past were turned upside down by both record high electricity prices (up to €4,800/MWh) and the rise in EURIBOR. According to Statistics Estonia, the volume of domestic construction in the third quarter of 2023 was 7% lower than in 2022, and this trend continued in the fourth quarter. The real estate macro figures, which were moving in a vertical line between 2020 and 2022, also stagnated in 2023. The total value of real estate transactions fell by around 17% year-on-year in Q3 2023. Many developers and builders expect the same trend to continue in 2024.

Continue reading “Challenges and opportunities for the Estonian real estate market in 2024”

Real estate in India

FDI in construction development sector

Regulatory regime

India allows foreign direct investment (FDI) of up to 100%, under the automatic route, in the construction development sector, which includes projects such as townships, residential/commercial premises and hospitals and the like.

Continue reading “Real estate in India”

Seismic changes

At the advent of 2024, in-house lawyers and general counsel are cautiously observing the ramifications of Nick Ephgrave’s new leadership at the UK Serious Fraud Office with bated breath. The organisation has faced intense scrutiny in recent years due to unsuccessful prosecutions and overall inactivity. Yet, with the appointment of the former senior Metropolitan Police chief, new challenges are expected to emerge for corporations and their in-house teams from a rejuvenated enforcement authority. Continue reading “Seismic changes”

White-collar crime in the UAE

Introduction

The UAE’s well-developed legal and regulatory system, alongside its geographical location, is fundamental to its role as a global trade and transport hub. However, the system is complex – comprised of federal and emirate-level laws and enforcement agencies operating differently across jurisdictions including on-shore UAE and the country’s freezones. Many of the advantages and attractions of the UAE as a financial and business centre have also made it attractive to those involved in financial crime or as a location to invest its proceeds, perceiving that by doing so they are beyond the reach of international law enforcement. However, this is changing. In its efforts to attract further investment, the UAE has enacted new laws and systems for identifying and taking legal action against financial wrongdoing, with an increased emphasis on international cooperation and penalising wrongdoers.

Continue reading “White-collar crime in the UAE”