The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced in March 2021 the formation of a Climate and ESG Task Force in the Division of Enforcement with a mandate to identify material gaps or misstatements in issuers’ ESG disclosures.
Down the Wire
The latest news on law and regulation in the capital markets
Blog Authors
Latest from Down the Wire
Diversity & Inclusion Reporting for Listed Companies
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published amendments to the Listing Rules and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules which implement mandatory board and executive management-level diversity and inclusion reporting.…
In Clear Sight: Nowhere to Hide?
The Government has published the Corporate Transparency and Register Reform White Paper which will significantly transform the corporate landscape and assist in the fight against economic crime.
Key areas of proposed reform include the following:…
Companies (Strategic Report) (Climate-related Financial Disclosure) Regulations 2022
On 19 January 2022 the Companies (Strategic Report) (Climate-related Financial Disclosure) Regulations 2022 (“CFD Regulations”) were published. They will come into force on 6 April 2022 and apply in respect of any financial year of a company which commences on…
Climate Related Disclosures

The Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) published its Primary Market Bulletin 36 yesterday.
It introduces specific Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) aligned climate-related disclosure requirements for listed companies and sets out the FCA’s disclosure expectations and supervisory strategy. Transparency…
London Readies for SPACs

The Financial Conduct Authority has published its final changes to the Listing Rules in order to encourage SPACs (special purpose acquisition companies) to list on the London Stock Exchange. The new rules will come into force on 10 August 2021.…
Financial Services Act 2021: Changes Ahead

The Financial Services Act 2021 has been published, making it the first financial services primary legislation passed by the UK Parliament since the UK left the European single market.
There are some important future changes that issuers need to be aware…
Restoring Trust in Audit and Corporate Governance: Consultation

Directors’ reporting and the statutory audit have taken a battering in light of recent corporate catastrophes such as Thomas Cook Group plc, Carillion plc and BHS. In response, the government commissioned three independent reviews in 2018: Sir John Kingman’s Independent…
Preparing for Your 2021 AGM and Reporting Season – What Should Be on the Agenda?
The Investment Association – Shareholder Priorities for 2021
On 18 January 2021, the Investment Association (“IA”) published its shareholder priorities for listed companies in 2021. The publication:
…