13/07/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 12 July, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) set the record straight over the deadlines with which British companies wishing to relocate their activities to the European Union after Brexit must comply. “As there is no assurance that a transition period will be agreed upon, entities need to consider the scenario where a hard Brexit would take place on 30 March 2019”, it warns. Noting a growing number of authorisation applications, it urges British companies to apply as soon as possible. Certain national competent authorities have already warned that applications received after July may not be processed in time. In order to speed up the processing of the authorisation applications, it also advises British companies to ensure that their applications are as detailed and specific as possible. (MF)