Legal Network International’s update on global IP and trade mark news from the member firms of the Legal Network International (LNI).
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Author: Sarah Smith
PBW Law: Michael McKitrick Interview with The Journal of the Law Society of Scotland
Michael McKitrick recently featured in The Law Society of Scotland’s publication, The Journal of the Law Society of Scotland, following his promotion to Partner at the age of 30.
The article highlights Michael’s progression from trainee solicitor to partner at PBW Law—an achievement that reflects both his commitment to litigation and the firm’s culture of trust, responsibility, and early development. It offers insight into the realities of building a career in Scottish litigation, from managing a demanding caseload early on to developing confidence in advocacy across both civil and criminal courts.
Michael’s practice today spans a wide range of complex and high-profile matters, including public inquiries, fatal accident inquiries, regulatory proceedings, criminal matters and cross-border disputes. The feature explores how this breadth of experience—combined with hands-on mentorship and a willingness to step outside of one’s comfort zone—has shaped his approach to client care and advocacy.
The piece also touches on wider themes that will resonate with many across the legal profession: the importance of supportive mentorship, the value of gaining early responsibility, and the evolving role of technology in modern legal practice. It reflects not only Michael’s personal journey but also the opportunities available within firms that prioritise development and innovation.
For members of Legal Network International and the wider legal community, the article provides a thoughtful perspective on progression in litigation and what partnership means in practical terms at an early stage in one’s career.
Access the full article – https://www.lawscot.org.uk/members/journal-hub/articles/early-exposure-high-stakes-cases-michael-mckitrick-on-fast-tracked-development-in-scottish-litigation/
See more articles from our member firm in Scotland, PBW Law.
Philippe & Partners: Legal 500 (2026 EDITION) Endorsed in Key Sectors: Insurance, Arbitration practice, and Dispute Resolution
Philippe & Partners has once again been recognised by The Legal 500 (EMEA 2026) and Leaders League (2026) for its strength in Insurance, Dispute Resolution and Arbitration.
The firm’s Insurance practice is considered top tier by Legal 500 and leading by Leaders League.
“Combining ‘technical expertise with commercial insight’, Luxembourg and Belgium-based insurance boutique Philippe & Partners is well placed to provide ’tailored and business friendly solutions’ to a myriad stakeholders in the industry seeking advice related to their insurance products and distribution services, as well as on their day-to-day regulatory business needs.”
“Marc Gouden is prepared to handle distribution, life insurance, digitisation, cross-border activity, reinsurance, and transfer of business for insurance clients.”
“Pierre Moreau assists clients with the development of life and non-life policies, group insurance, compliance advice, distribution of insurance products, and insurance taxation.” (Legal 500)
The firm is also recognised as excellent (Leaders League) and recommended (Legal 500) for its Dispute Resolution and Arbitration practice.
“Philippe & Partners represents major regulated sector clients in complex disputes. Alongside his longstanding track-record in the energy sector, practice co-lead Denis Philippe is of note for his experience in arbitration proceedings. Fellow co-head Marc Gouden assists in litigation and arbitration within the energy and insurance sectors. Bringing further insurance sector expertise, Pierre Moreau acts on liability and regulatory disputes.”
Across these directories, client and market feedback consistently emphasise the deep sector knowledge, pragmatic and no-nonsense approach, and the ability to align legal advice closely with clients’ business objectives.
See more articles from our member firm in Belgium, Philippe & Partners.
Byrne Wallace Shields: LEAP Forward in Clarity for Ireland’s Data Centre Sector and Large Energy Users
In a short period of just over 4 weeks the Irish Government and the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) have sought to navigate the delicate balance between facilitating the development of the digital economy in Ireland, achieving energy infrastructure resilience and promoting positive climate change by publishing 2 key policy documents. The Large Energy User Action Plan (LEAP) and the Large Energy Users (LEUs) Connection Policy have come as a much-needed strategic relaxation of the 4 year moratorium on the development of data centres, particularly in the Greater Dublin Region.
Key takeaways from the LEAP and updated LEU Connection Policies
- Renewable Power: Large Data Centre seeking connection must commit to placing themselves on a glide path to achieve 80% of utilised power from a renewable source within 6 years;
- Private Wire: The Government is to legislate for private actors to install private electricity infrastructure;
- Green Energy Parks/Plan-led Model: System Operators and the CRU will facilitate plan-led demand locations, pre-determining where LEUs can locate through the establishment of green energy parks with the co-location of energy generation and/or storage onsite with the LEUs and
- Electricity Infrastructure Investment and Delivery: EirGrid, ESB Networks, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) are tasked with progressing investment in electricity infrastructure in line with Ireland’s 80% renewable energy target.
Access the full article – LEAP Forward in Clarity for Ireland’s Data Centre Sector and Large Energy Users
See more articles from our Irish member firm Byrne Wallace Shields.
JP Karsenty & Associés IP Newsletter, March 2026
The JP Karsenty & Associés Intellectual Property Newsletter, March 2026 written by Pierre Trusson, with assistance from Pauline Leyval, reviews the following news.
LCEN Law: The blocking of a website ordered to internet service providers by resorting to “dynamic” injunctions
In a recent order, the President of the Tribunal judiciaire de Paris, seized by the Arcom, ordered Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block the WatchPeopleDie.tv site, which is exclusively dedicated to the dissemination of violent content and attacks on dignity.
On that occasion, it detailed the criteria for contacting ISPs directly instead of the hosts and publishers of the disputed site and specified the terms and conditions for blocking the said site.
It also used a dynamic injunction to prevent the content of the disputed site from being “replicated” as soon as it was blocked on another website (“mirror sites”).
Our Focus goes into detail on this order and identifies the criteria that must be met by a company to obtain such an injunction.
Read the full newsletter:
English: Newsletter, March 2026, Intellectual Property
Français: Newsletter, Mars 2026, Propriete Intellectuelle
See more information on French member firm JP Karsenty.
Boyanov & Co: Fake Consumer Reviews – Enforcement Practice of the Bulgarian Consumer Protection Commission
Consumer reviews can make or break a purchase. For any trader that displays them, how those reviews are sourced, verified, and presented matters – because fabricated, selectively presented, or unverified reviews can distort consumer choice and mislead consumers.
The latest analysis outlines Bulgaria’s legal framework on consumer reviews, examines the enforcement approach of the Bulgarian Consumer Protection Commission to date, and highlights the key consequences for non-compliance.
Access the full article – Fake Consumer Reviews
See more articles from our member firm in Bulgaria, Boyanov & Co.
IP Newsletter March
Legal Network International’s update on global IP and trade mark news from the member firms of the Legal Network International (LNI).
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Join Us in Prague: LNI Spring Conference 2026
7-10 May 2026
We’re excited to announce the LNI Spring Conference 2026, taking place in the beautiful city of Prague this May. This year’s conference tackles two of the most pressing issues facing our profession today: the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on legal practice and the critical importance of mental health and well-being in our demanding field.
What to Expect
The conference will explore how AI is reshaping the daily work of lawyers, examining both the opportunities and legal risks it presents. We’ll look at practical strategies for using AI responsibly and effectively in your practice, ensuring you stay ahead of the curve while maintaining professional standards.
Equally important, we’ll address mental health and well-being in the legal profession. In an increasingly demanding work environment, finding sustainable ways of working and supporting our colleagues’ mental health has never been more crucial.
Programme Highlights
Friday, 8 May
- Panel Discussion: AI, Automation and the Future of Law Firms
- Interactive Workshop: Legal Writing in the Age of AI
- Session on AI and Interpersonal Relationships
Saturday, 9 May
- Legal Network International Members’ update.
- Guided tour of Prague
Sunday, 10 May (optional)
- Extended guided tour of Prague
Networking and Social Events
Beyond the formal programme, there’s plenty of time to connect with colleagues, continue the conversation and enjoy everything Prague has to offer.
Why Attend?
This conference offers a unique opportunity to:
- Gain practical insights into AI tools and their application in legal practice
- Learn strategies for maintaining well-being in a demanding profession
- Share experiences with fellow LNI members in an interactive environment
- Explore the historic and vibrant city of Prague
- Build lasting professional relationships across the network
Registration
Visit lawyerprague2026.cz to register and find more information.
We look forward to seeing you in Prague in May.
Thank you to our hosts Petráš Rezek for what we are sure will be an excellent conference.
Byrne Wallace Shields: Publication of the General Scheme on the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026
On 4 February 2026, the Irish Government published the General Scheme of the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 (the Scheme). The Scheme outlines the proposed national legislative framework that will enable Ireland to implement and enforce the EU Artificial Intelligence Act.
The publication provides early clarity on the institutional structure and enforcement approach Ireland intends to adopt for AI regulation.
Distributed Regulatory Model
The Scheme proposes a distributed regulatory model, under which existing sectoral regulators will oversee AI systems within their respective areas of competence. This means that authorities responsible for sectors such as financial services, healthcare and data protection will supervise compliance with the AI Act where AI systems are used within those sectors.
This approach is designed to leverage existing regulatory expertise while avoiding the creation of a single overarching AI regulator.
Establishment of an AI Office
The Scheme also proposes the establishment of a statutory AI Office. This body will act as Ireland’s central coordination authority for AI regulation and will serve as the State’s single point of contact under the EU AI Act.
Its functions are expected to include coordinating market surveillance authorities, facilitating cooperation with EU institutions, and supporting the consistent application of the AI regulatory framework across sectors.
Enforcement Framework
The proposed legislation will empower designated market surveillance authorities to investigate and enforce compliance with the EU AI Act. Authorised officers will have powers to conduct inspections, request information and take enforcement action where breaches are identified.
As with the EU AI Act, organisations that fail to comply may face significant administrative fines, potentially reaching up to 7% of global annual turnover for the most serious infringements.
Next Steps
The General Scheme represents an early stage in the legislative process and will now undergo further scrutiny before the full Bill is introduced.
However, it signals the direction of Ireland’s AI regulatory framework and highlights the importance for organisations developing or deploying AI systems to begin assessing their obligations under the EU AI Act.
Access the full article – Publication of the General Scheme on the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026
See more articles from our Irish member firm Byrne Wallace Shields.
Boyanov & Co: 13th Balkan Legal Forum 2026
Boyanov & Co are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the Balkan Legal Forum 2026 – Beyond Business as Usual. Now in its 26th year, this flagship conference brings together leading legal practitioners, in-house counsel, academics, and industry experts to explore the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing law firms and their clients across Central and Eastern Europe. The Forum will focus on how law firms can remain relevant, resilient, and successful in a rapidly evolving legal and geopolitical landscape. The programme is designed to address what matters most to our clients—and how, as advisers, can best support and guide them.
Key topics will include:
- Rule of Law Under Strain
- Private Equity and Private Credit View
- The Impact of AI and Legal Tech on the Practice of Law
- ESG – Sustainability and Greenwashing
- Foreign Direct Investment Screening
- M&A and Restructuring
- Business Development – Current Trends
- Should Law Firms in CEE Actively Consider a Merger?
- How Are Partnership Models Changing?
- Key Drivers of Success – What Should Law Firms Do Tomorrow?
The conference will feature an outstanding programme of 12 sessions, a TED-style talks, and a fireside chat, offering both strategic insight and practical takeaways. Panellist details will be announced shortly and will include leading professionals and subject-matter experts from across the region and beyond.
You can find out more information about the event here – Balkan Legal Forum 2026
See more articles from our member firm in Bulgaria, Boyanov & Co.