Vinge Dude Diligence – for improved gender equality

The Labour Court: Unlawful blockade warning against Russian-linked ships made by Swedish Dockworkers Union AD 2022 No 33

On two occasions, the Swedish Dockworkers Union has warned of a blockade against ships to and from Russia and against Russian-flagged, Russian-owned and Russian-controlled ships that are currently not sailing in Russian ports. The Swedish Dockworkers Union argued that the blockade should be regarded as a lawful industrial action as it was primarily an act of sympathy and in solidarity with, among others, Ukrainian dockworkers. Secondly, the blockade should be considered as a form of legitimate political industrial action. However, the Ports of Sweden disagreed, which the union is bound by a collective bargaining agreement with. Following an application for an interim decision on the matter, the Labour Court found that the Swedish Dockworkers Union had failed to show that it was likely that there was a primary trade union conflict in Ukraine. The blockade could not be regarded as a lawful sympathy act. Furthermore, the Labour Court found that the blockade could not be considered as a form of lawful political industrial action as the blockade lacked the character of a protest and demonstration action due to the period of time the blockade would last and the not insignificant impact it would have on the business management rights for the Ports of Sweden’s member companies.

Changes to the Swedish Employment Protection Act and other labour laws

In recent years, the modernisation and reform of Swedish labour law has been a constant topic in the political debate. Earlier this year, Government Bill 2021/22:176, entitled "Flexibility, adaptability and security in the labour market", was presented. The bill, which is based on an agreement between the social partners, proposes legislative changes to a total of 21 labour laws. On 8 June 2022, the Swedish Parliament voted through the proposal, which will bring major changes to Swedish labour law. The majority of the proposed changes will enter into force on 30 June 2022 and will apply for the first time on 1 October 2022. In this detailed analysis, we will outline the most important changes to the Employment Protection Act (1982:80) ("EPA") and the Agency Work Act (2012:854).

New partners and counsel appointed at Vinge’s Malmö and Stockholm offices

Advokat Daniel Daun and advokat Victor Ericsson at Vinge’s Malmö and Stockholm offices respectively have been appointed as new partners as of 1 January 2023. Jacob Jeanrond, Caroline Krassén, Henrik Schön, Maria Dahlin Kolvik, Sara Strandberg and Linn Adelwald have been elected as counsel at Vinge’s Stockholm office.

COP26 - a step in the right direction to achieve the Paris Agreement goals

On 13 November 2021, the two-week international climate summit COP26, held in Glasgow, UK, was concluded after leaders from over 190 countries agreed on a new deal, the so-called Climate Pact in Glasgow. The aim of COP26 was for leaders from around the world to agree on how to step up global action to tackle the climate crisis. The agreement, which will set the global average temperature increase at between 1.8 and 2.4 degrees Celsius, is a step towards achieving the Paris Agreement's (COP21) more ambitious target of a maximum increase of 1.5 degrees.

The EU Court of Justice dismisses Belgium’s request in Opinion 1/20, but points out that the dispute settlement mechanism of ECT is not applicable to ‘intra-EU disputes’

The Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) is under renegotiation. Its Article 26, which provides a dispute settlement mechanism, has however not been announced as being subject to such renegotiations. On 2 December 2020, Belgium submitted a request to the EU Court of Justice (CJEU) for an opinion on whether the dispute settlement mechanism of the draft ECT, assuming it remains unchanged, could be interpreted as allowing its application intra-European Union, i.e. between an EU Member State and an investor who is a national of another Member State, and whether this would be compatible with the EU Treaties, in particular Article 19 TEU on the role of the CJEU and Article 344 TFEU on the autonomy of EU law.

Double win for Vinge at MIP Awards

As the only Swedish law firm, Vinge has won two awards at the Managing IP Awards 2022. Vinge was awarded Trademark Contentious Firm of the Year and Copyright and Design Firm of the Year.

Sanctions update June 8

Further to our previous sanctions updates of 25 February, 3 March, 11 March, 16 March and 14 April we herewith provide a further update of recent sanctions developments following Russia’s war against Ukraine:

New law on electronic communication

On 3 June 2022, the new Electronic Communications Act (the “New ECA”) entered into force. On the same day, the new Electronic Communications Ordinance, as well as several regulations from the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority, entered into force. On 1 August, regulations from the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority regarding security of networks and services are expected to enter into force.

New regulation regarding employer’s obligation to provide information and parallel employment

In March 2022, the Government presented a proposal for a new regulation on extended obligations regarding information about employment conditions and new clarifying rules on workers' rights to parallel employment under certain conditions. The updated regulation is based on a directive from European Union called “transparent and predictable working conditions in the European Union”.

The REPowerEU Plan – The EU Commission’s response to the energy market disruptions

On 18 May 2022, the EU Commission presented the REPowerEU Plan in response to the current world-wide energy market disruptions which have been caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Vinge Dude Diligence – for improved gender equality

Vinge is one of Sweden’s leading law firms and the country’s leading provider of M&A services. In 2021 Vinge advised on 167 transactions with a combined value of EUR 52 billion. To provide a better understanding of gender equality at companies prior to an acquisition, sale or merger, the due diligence process has now been expanded.

Sanctions update April 14

Further to our previous sanctions updates Sanctions update March 16, Sanctions Newsletter update 11 of March, Sanctions newsletter of 3 of March, Sanctions newsletter of 25 of February, we herewith provide a further update of recent sanctions developments following Russia’s war against Ukraine:

Vinge wins M&A legal advisor of the year award

Mergermarket has awarded Vinge the Swedish Legal M&A Advisor of 2021.

Insurance services in Sweden – a summary

Vinge’s insurance team has written a brief summary of some of the main features of the Swedish regulations affecting foreign insurers with existing or contemplated business activities in Sweden.

Decision from the Government – requirement for authorities to have external whistleblowing functions

On 17 December 2021, the new Whistleblower Act entered into force. The Act requires businesses and authorities to set up and manage so-called internal and external reporting channels.