31.7.2009
News

EU regulates hedge funds and other alternative funds

European Commission, after long-term reluctance to intervene in this sector of financial markets, finally presented a proposal for a Directive on managers of alternative investment funds at the end of April. The draft applies to all funds not covered by Directive 85/611 (the so-called UCITS Directive) and encompasses hedge funds, so-called private equity funds, commodities and real estate funds and special funds for professional investors.

However, the proposal counts on a concrete minimum amount of assets managed and thus regulates, for example, hedge funds if they dispose with assets of 100 million € and more. In case of private capital funds the limit should be 500 mil. €.

The aim of the proposal is to subject the said funds to registration and oversight of national regulatory authorities, primarily through their managers. They will be obliged to apply for a license and comply with the standards of management (corporate governance), to develop a risk management system and meet the requirements of capital adequacy. There are important new obligations to provide information that will affect not only supervision and investors, but also the public. 

The proposal is perceived as very controversial. Proponents who believe hedge funds played a significant role in the current financial crisis consider the extent of the proposal to be insufficient. On the other hand a number of financiers and politicians have harshly criticized it as unreasonable and unnecessary. The Commission currently expects the Directive to be approved by July of next year and implementation by Member States should therefore take place in June 2012.

Other articles

24.7.2026
News

Tomáš Sequens and Dana Jacková Discuss the Risks of the Proposed Amendment to the Building Act

KŠB partner Tomáš Sequens and counsel Dana Jacková recently spoke to specialist news platforms Česká justice and Ekonomický deník about the proposed amendment to the Building Act, which aims to accelerate and simplify the construction permitting process.

KŠB partner Tomáš Sequens and counsel Dana Jacková recently spoke to specialist news platforms Česká justice and Ekonomický deník about the proposed amendment to the Building Act, which aims to accelerate and simplify the construction permitting process.

21.7.2026
News

KŠB Supports Smetana Litomyšl’s Charitable Grand Finale

The 68th annual Smetana Litomyšl Festival closed this year with the Grand Finale – Italian Film Night, which took place under the patronage of our law firm. The Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Tomáš Brauner, performed celebrated film music by Nino Rota, Luis Enrique Bacalov and Ennio Morricone in the second courtyard of Litomyšl Castle, which was also broadcast live on ČT Art and Czech Radio Vltava.

The 68th annual Smetana Litomyšl Festival closed this year with the Grand Finale – Italian Film Night, which took place under the patronage of our law firm. The Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Tomáš Brauner, performed celebrated film music by Nino Rota, Luis Enrique Bacalov and Ennio Morricone in the second courtyard of Litomyšl Castle, which was also broadcast live on ČT Art and Czech Radio Vltava.

10.7.2026
News

Jan Lasák Speaks at Balkan Legal Forum 2026

KŠB partner Jan Lasák took part as a panellist at this year’s Balkan Legal Forum 2026, one of the leading conferences focusing on the legal market in Central and South-Eastern Europe.

KŠB partner Jan Lasák took part as a panellist at this year’s Balkan Legal Forum 2026, one of the leading conferences focusing on the legal market in Central and South-Eastern Europe.