Trending Now
Simmons & Simmons hires ex-IBM GC for Tokyo dispute practice
Simmons & Simmons has appointed Chris Studebaker, former general counsel at IBM Japan, as a partner and head of its dispute resolution initiative
China rules push RWA tokenisation out of grey zone: lawyers
China has tightened oversight of virtual currencies and real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation
SCCA’s APAC congress to focus on reinvention
The Asia-Pacific Legal Congress 2026 returns to Singapore on 8-9 April 2026, hosted by the Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA)
Q&A: Lawyers must be at forefront of change: IPBA panellist
IPBA panellist Clayton Kimpton shares his ideas on how lawyers can be agents of change and innovation
Former Norton Rose maritime practice head rejoins WFW
Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has appointed Paul Coggins as a partner in its Tokyo office to strengthen its Asia-Pacific maritime offering
Deals of the Year 2025
A look back at the blockbuster transactions of 2025 as we gallop into the Year of the Horse
Loeb & Loeb recruits investigations partner for Greater China
Loeb & Loeb has hired Phoebe Yan as a partner in its Beijing and Hong Kong offices to strengthen its investigations and regulatory practices across Greater China
CO-PUBLISHED FEATURES
Cryptocurrency in insolvency: How India’s IBC treats digital assets as property
The proliferation of cryptocurrency holdings on corporate balance sheets has introduced a novel dimension to insolvency practice in India
Importance of evidence organisation to a court’s application of law
Even without an entry in the shareholder register, an equity transferee may still be treated as a shareholder
Determining shareholder status in equity transfers
A co-shareholder sued to void a multibillion-renminbi equity transfer on right-of-first-refusal grounds
Demise of Fu Jing 001: Marine insurance liability and risk control
As the insurers’ bid to deny coverage for Fu Jing 001’s typhoon sinking failed in court, force majeure is no blank cheque for avoidance of liability
MARKET PULSE
Geopolitics to hit 2026 M&A: New Donaldson & Burkinshaw partner
Yi Wayn Ng acknowledges that ongoing geopolitical factors “will undoubtedly influence M&A dynamics in 2026”
Malaysia’s Zul Rafique & Partners rehires employment talent
Kuala Lumpur-based law firm Zul Rafique & Partners has brought back Janice Wong as a partner in its employment and industrial relations practice group
IPBA panel discusses the factors driving PE trends
Panellists at IPBA’s “Navigating cross-border private capital investments” session discuss the evolving private equity landscape
IPBA panel: International perspectives on trade and tariffs
IPBA panellists from Singapore, India and Russia discuss international perspectives on trade and tariffs
White & Case adds partner from KWM to boost M&A practice
White & Case has hired Alex Elser as a partner in Sydney to strengthen its global M&A practice, private capital industry group
Experts share views on adequate level of AI regulation
Experts share their views on the depth of regulation required for AI in an Inter-Pacific Bar Association
CORRESPONDENTS
Philippine arbitration cannot override Indigenous Peoples’ land rights in mining disputes
In the landmark consolidated cases of Lone Congressional District of Benguet Province v Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co (Lepanto) and Far Southeast Gold Resources Inc (FSGR) and Republic v Lepanto and FSGR
Philippines’ 99-year lease reform (RA 12252): Impact on foreign investment, land tenure
Long-term land tenure has historically been one of the Philippines’ most significant structural constraints for foreign investors
Philippines intensifies anti-counterfeit enforcement, online anti-piracy measures
The Philippines strengthens intellectual property enforcement as the NCIPR intensifies anti-counterfeit and anti-piracy operations
Delhi High Court: IP damages for Nutella jar shape mark breach
Delhi High Court upholds Nutella shape trademark, finds jar makers liable, limits damages on evidence
Exclusive jurisdiction clauses in India: Validity and enforcement
Exclusive jurisdiction clauses in India: Validity, CPC limits, key precedents and cross-border enforcement considerations
India-New Zealand FTA boosts trade, visas and market access
India-New Zealand FTA boosts trade, investment and mobility while protecting dairy, agriculture and sensitive domestic sectors
India’s domain KYC rulings: Ending anonymity in online fraud
Delhi High Court mandates domain KYC, curbs the registrar safe harbour, tackling online fraud and brand impersonation
India’s push towards mandatory installation of apps
India rolls back mandatory Sanchar Saathi pre-installation after industry privacy concerns and disruption to manufacturing supply chains
India draft coal exchange rules 2025: Transparency, CCO role
India’s 2025 draft coal exchange rules: Regulated trading, transparent price discovery, quality checks and oversight
India’s GCCs: Evolving into key drivers for multinationals
India has emerged as a leading global hub for Global Capability Centres and is among the most attractive destinations for multinationals
Four labour codes: Big shifts for India Inc
India’s new labour codes reshape wages, employee coverage and compliance, impacting profits, restructuring and hiring practices
India investor tax overhaul covers buybacks, SGBs and derivatives
India revamps investment taxes: Buybacks, dividends, mutual funds, gold bonds and derivatives face major changes
Administrative dispute over dictionary pen design patent
Hard-fought patent rights can still be snatched away via invalidation. Netease Youdao, online dictionary operator and smartpen maker, faced this risk in a recent administrative dispute
BVI economic substance rules for Asian cross-border structures
BVI economic substance rules 2026 give cross-border structuring guidance for Asian investors
Philippines renewable energy reforms and foreign investment opportunities
As foreign ownership restrictions fall and market mechanisms evolve, the Philippines is opening its energy market to greater competition
How 2025 redefined listed company reorganisation
Listed company reorganisation enters new phase in 2025. Pre‑procedures stretch. Industry upgrade becomes core
FEATURES
Ready for take-off
Eight leading arbitration institutions share the latest trends and developments across the board
Clipping the clause
To what extent does party autonomy hold sway over contracts that involve exceptional or prohibited clauses?
Unleashed
After 20 years, India’s banks will be allowed back into the takeover game under an RBI proposal on acquisition finance
Counselling counsel
Weir legal director offers simple psychological tips for in-house counsel
VIDEOS
Judicial logic behind shareholder derivative actions
When corporate governance falters, how should courts respond?
Inclusive workplaces: The Workplace Fairness Act
Singapore enacts the Workplace Fairness Act to prevent discrimination and ensure fair employment practices
RBI draft rules open bank acquisition finance for listed M&A
RBI draft directions open bank acquisition finance for listed acquirers, enabling MBOs, LBOs and cheaper M&A
MOST READ
Strength through adversity
IPBA president-elect Priti Suri talks to IBLJ about a lifetime of embracing challenges
Beyond the boundary line: Technifying sports in India
AI transforms Indian sport, boosting performance and viewership while raising complex IP, data protection legal risks
India credit boom: Private debt, NCDs, ECB reforms, GIFT City
India’s credit market evolves with private debt, capital reforms, ECB liberalisation and GIFT City growth
India AI copyright paper: Blanket licensing risks, costs now
India’s generative AI copyright working paper: Mandatory blanket licensing, flawed balances and compliance burdens loom
The “impossible choice” of interim relief: When a stay comes at a price
Delhi High Court bars interest during stays on CCI penalties, reinforcing interim relief and merger doctrine principles
Identical ‘JBR’ marks: Court demands confusion analysis tests
Identical ‘JBR’ marks: Court requires commercial confusion test, not technical class distinctions, in opposition appeal
IN-HOUSE AGENDA
IHCF, KICA to mark International Women’s Day in Seoul
The In-House Counsel Forum (IHCF) and the Korea In-House Counsel Association (KICA), together with the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board International’s Women’s
ACC Asia-Pacific Annual Conference returns to Singapore
The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) will host the 2026 ACC Asia-Pacific Annual Conference on 21–22 May at the Westin Hotel in Singapore
ACCHK session highlights evolving virtual asset rules
The Hong Kong chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACCHK) hosted a seminar on the evolving regulatory landscape
GCAI’s YUKTI initiative concludes, focuses on future leaders
The General Counsels’ Association of India (GCAI) has concluded its flagship internship and mentoring programme
CHINA LEXICON
The immovables rule
The UK Supreme Court’s 2024 decision in Kireeva v Bedzhamov reaffirms the absolute nature of the immovables rule
Skills training for corporate counsel
China strengthens training rules for corporate counsel
Institutional law reform
Law reform bodies play key roles in updating legal systems in common law jurisdictions and the PRC
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