A new Companies (Amendment) Bill 2023 began its passage through the Malaysian parliament in October 2023. If adopted, it will require companies to keep and maintain a register of beneficial owners at their registered offices and report any changes to the companies commission within 14 days.

The House of Commons Justice Select Committee (the Justice Committee) has launched an inquiry into the HM Courts & Tribunal Service’s (HMCTS’) probate registry performance, following continuing significant delays in the issue of grants.

The Supreme Court of British Columbia (the Supreme Court) has agreed to vary a mother’s will in favour of her estranged son on the basis of “moral obligation”, after he was raised by extended family on a different continent to her.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has released amended recommendations to give law enforcement, financial intelligence units, prosecutors, other asset-recovery practitioners and competent authorities extra powers to target and confiscate criminal assets.

The UK government has formally stated that it does not regard Vladimir Putin as having de facto control over all Russian businesses for sanctions purposes, contrary to the England and Wales Court of Appeal's (EWCA’s) pronouncement in the case of Boris Mints v PJSC National Bank Trust (2023 EWCA Civ 1132).

Switzerland and the US have renegotiated their agreement on the implementation of the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has written a letter to all chief executives of wealth management firms setting out what it regards as the key risks for the industry in the UK and urging firms to make more effort to prevent financial crime.

The Brazilian senate has approved Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 45/2019, which seeks to introduce a wide-ranging tax framework for the country.

The Spanish government's ‘temporary solidarity tax on major fortunes’ has survived a constitutional challenge brought by the Autonomous Region of Madrid.

The chair of the Charity Commission for England and Wales (the Charity Commission) has warned trustees that they should not refuse or return philanthropic donations without 'very good reason'.