Navigating the Legal Landscape: Key Industry Updates (May 2025)

EU Banking Authority Issues Crypto and Climate Risk Guidance

 In April 2025, the European Banking Authority issued draft rules on appointing anti-financial crime contact points for crypto firms and launched a climate risk monitoring dashboard for banks.

Source: Paul Hastings

US Implements Sweeping Tariffs, Sparking Global Trade Concerns

The US implemented broad baseline tariffs and announced (then partially paused) specific "reciprocal tariffs" in early April 2025, raising global trade concerns and prompting potential WTO challenges.

Source: The National Law Review

Antitrust Enforcers Signal Focus on Monopolization, Tech, and Global Coordination

At an April 2025 meeting, global antitrust enforcers highlighted priorities including monopolization (especially tech), merger review evolution, algorithmic collusion, and compliance regarding ephemeral messaging.

Source: Morrison Foerster

Further Russia Sanctions Target Tech, Software, Diamonds, and Helium

New sanctions against Russia, effective April 24, 2025, expanded restrictions on goods, technology transfers, specific software categories, and imports, including third-country processed diamonds and helium.

Source: Gov UK

Survey Reveals Growing AI Adoption in Legal, Highlights Speech Tech Needs

An April 2025 survey shows that over half of legal professionals see AI as highly transformative, with growing use in research and contract review, highlighting a strong need for speech technology tools.

Source: Rev

UK Supreme Court Rules 'Sex' Means Biological Sex Under Equality Act

The UK Supreme Court ruled in April 2025 that 'sex' under the Equality Act 2010 refers strictly to biological sex, impacting single-sex exceptions and trans rights.

Source: Harvard Kennedy School

International Employment Law Sees Key Updates in April 2025

April 2025 saw international employment law updates, including Spanish wage delay rights clarification, Hong Kong MPF offset abolition, a Dutch workplace conduct code proposal, and a focus on EU AI Act employer duties.

Source: Simmons + Simmons

European Court of Human Rights Hosts Conference on AI Impacts

The European Court of Human Rights held a conference on April 24, 2025, exploring the significant challenges and legal protection needs surrounding Artificial Intelligence and human rights.

Source: ECHR

Amnesty International Releases Annual Report Highlighting Global Rights Erosion

Released April 28, 2025, Amnesty International's annual report details global human rights setbacks in 2024, citing authoritarianism, conflict violations, and the undermining of international law.

Source: Amnesty International