Introduction: EVCA: Don't hinder the industry Private equity can contribute to economic recovery. Regulation should help by promoting transparency and controlling systemic risk. Javier Echarri of the European Private Equity & Venture Capital Association says new EU proposals have a long way to go
Austria: A legal step forward? Christoph Wildmoser and Philipp Kinsky of Herbst Vavrovsky Kinsky Rechtsanwälte explain how legal initiatives may boost private equity in Austria
Baltic states: Dealing with the downturn Natalja Sidorenko of Luiga Mody Hääl Borenius, Tallinn, Lauris Liepa of Liepa Skopina/Borenius, Riga and Tomas Rymeikis of Foigt & partners/Regija Borenius, Vilnius discuss private equity trends amid the economic downturn hitting the Baltic states
Germany: Impractical requirements The niche for unregulated funds is becoming smaller. Uwe Bärenz and Sebastian Käpplinger of P+P Pöllath + Partners in Berlin provide an overview of the new licence requirement for investment management
Japan: How tax will boost foreign funds Sanae Miyamoto of Mori Hamada & Matsumoto explains how Japan's recent reforms to the tax regime will help foreign funds in the country
Russia: Markets emerge Nicholas Moore and Justin Vaughan of Herbert Smith in Moscow show how onshore and offshore investments operate
Spain: Restructure, then invest Jesús Durán of Clifford Chance explores the private equity landscape in the aftermath of the credit crunch
Turkey: Approaching Turkish private equity Ismail G Esin of the Esin Law Firm discusses the legal nature of private equity deals in Turkey
United Kingdom: The real reason for blocked Pipes Private investment in public equity is popular in the US and Asia, but not in Europe. The reasons often given for this do not hold up. It's largely a question of culture. By Nicholas Pettifer, IFLR
United States: Be careful with time limits Getting Spacs more time for an acquisition can be tricky. Make sure you consider disclosure, authority and contractual issues. By Liza Mark of Dorsey & Whitney
Switzerland: Structures and guidance Regulatory and jurisdictional arbitrage are the flavour of the month for politicians. Private equity funds need to know the options they have