Benelux lawyers join forces to compete With small home markets, Benelux lawyers have been among the first in Europe to consider cross-border mergers and alliances. Their successes will be a model for others to follow. Paul Lee reports
Russian government securities market opens to foreigners The Central Bank of Russia recently issued Instructions giving foreign investors greater scope to invest in rouble-denominated bonds. By Mira Davidovski and Robert Chernoff of Salans Hertzfeld & Heilbronn, Paris and Moscow
Court of Appeal throws case law in doubt The Royal Trust Bank decision has left uncertainty as to how best to create a fixed charge over receivables. Chris Hanson and Geoffrey Yeowart of Lovell White Durrant, London, attempt to reconcile the cases
Asset repackaging wins further followers Christopher Lewis of Simmons & Simmons considers the rise and rise of the asset repackaging phenomenon and takes a detailed look at how deals are structured and what are the main vehicles on offer
Brazil's insurance industry opens to foreign investment Uncertainty over the Brazilian's state's right to control the domestic insurance industry appears to have been temporarily resolved – to the advantage of foreign insurance firms. By Manoel Ignácio Torres Monteiro of Amaro, Stuber e Advogados Associados, São Paulo
Bankers' acceptances smooth Canadian-US cross-border credit Despite their frequent use in Canada, US lawyers are often puzzled by bankers' acceptances. Lisa Boulton of Tory Tory DesLauriers & Binnington, Toronto, explains why they are so popular in Canada's money markets
Finland implements Investment Services Directive Alongside implementing the ISD and CAD, Finland has made a number of other changes to its securities law. By Tomas Lindholm and Tarja Wist of Roschier-Holmberg & Waselius, Helsinki
New Arbitration Act aims to restore London's supremacy Arbitration is an increasingly popular form of dispute resolution. The recent Act for England and Wales boosts London's position. By David Wyld and Simon Nurney of Macfarlanes, London
Emerging market cash flow securitizations take off Douglas A Doetsch of Mayer, Brown & Platt, Chicago, looks in detail at one of the most vigorous and innovative sectors of the capital markets and its particular usefulness in Latin America and other emerging jurisdictions
City Litigation Limiting professional liability; Lending to local authorities; Disqualification of directors; Enforcing an assigned debtBy Neil Mirchandani, City Litigation Group, Lovell White Durrant, London
US government's project financier Charles Toy, vice president and general counsel of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Washington DC, talks to Richard Forster
