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Doing Business in Korea 2026
In collaboration with the In-House Counsel Forum, Asia Business Law Journal presents a practical guide to investing in South Korea, offering insights into the legal and business considerations that can shape the success of foreign investors
Gibson Dunn unveils new international arbitration co-chair
Gibson Dunn hires Nicholas Lingard from Freshfields, strengthening Singapore international arbitration capabilities significantly
Indonesia’s PHE acquires offshore oil and gas blocks from Eni
Squire Patton Boggs advises Pertamina on acquiring Eni’s offshore interests, boosting Indonesia’s energy security
Hai Run Law Firm opens Chengdu office
Hai Run Law Firm opens an office in Chengdu, its 16th nationwide and second in southwestern China
Clifford Chance adds life sciences partner in New York
Clifford Chance has hired Alan Wang as a partner in its transaction advisory team in New York, strengthening the firm’s healthcare capabilities
Linklaters steers Laos’ USD500m senior notes issuance
Linklaters advises lead managers on Laos’ USD500 million bond issuance, highlighting growing international market access
HKICC to boost Hong Kong’s dispute resolution status
HKICC launch in 2027 is expected to strengthen Hong Kong’s global dispute resolution appeal.
CO-PUBLISHED FEATURES
Reforms widen routes into Indian real estate
Regulatory reforms expand Indian real estate capital access via SM REITs, ECBs, bank financing opportunities
VPS Healthcare impact on M&A indemnity drafting
Supreme Court ruling in VPS case impacts M&A indemnity drafting to ensure protections
Post-award risk to encashed bank guarantees
Supreme Court held EPC bank guarantee encashment not conclusive; section 9 may compel deposit pending section 34 challenge
Where ADR fits in IP disputes
Indian courts now allow arbitration for contract-linked IP disputes, excluding validity, public-rights claims; ADR grows
MARKET PULSE
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu adds partner in Bangkok office
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu grows its Bangkok office with the addition of partner Supattra Sathapornnanon
Deals of the Year 2026: Make your submissions now!
We warmly invite law firms to submit notable deals and significant dispute cases that were completed or resolved within the past 12 months for award candidacy
Kirkland & Ellis welcomes Nelson Ni back as Shanghai partner
Kirkland & Ellis recently reappointed Nelson Ni as a partner in its Shanghai office, strengthening its PE capabilities
Former Hylands national board chair joins Matrix
Matrix appoints Jiang Qi, former national board chair of Hylands, as chief counsel in its Shanghai office
Tilleke & Gibbins hires M&A partner in Vietnam
Tilleke & Gibbins adds Phong Ngoc Nguyen as a partner, bolstering its M&A capabilities in Vietnam
Malaysia’s Adnan Sundra & Low hires M&A partner and team
Adnan Sundra & Low adds partner Aaron Sankar and team to grow its corporate and M&A practice
CORRESPONDENTS
Key features, requirements of BVI private investment funds
FSC recognition, requirements, notifications and filings are among key features of BVI private investment funds
Hong Kong’s listing framework: The next phase
From exchange competition to confidential filings, Hong Kong is reshaping market access, and companies must reassess timing, cost and compliance room
Spectrum judgment’s impact on resolution of regulated entities
Reconciling insolvency and regulation in natural resource sectors after India’s telecoms spectrum ruling
Philippine reforms aim to ease transmission bottlenecks
Philippines transmission delays strand new plants as DOE, ERC reforms let GenCos build shared lines.
Champerty on third-party funding in Philippines arbitration
Supreme Court ruling in RODCO v Ross keeps third-party funding possible for Philippines arbitration claims
Unfair competition in AI agent commerce
As AI recommendations and agentic procurement reshape market entry, GEO tests compliance, brand visibility, and fair competition
Disposal of corporate non-performing loans
From transfer, enforcement to bankruptcy and compliance, this article systematically examines legal bottlenecks in corporate NPL disposal, with practical countermeasures grounded in latest regulations and judicial practices
Debt set-off as a form of capital contribution
The updated Company Law opens the door for debt-to-equity conversions, but courts are holding the line
Is a fast-track merger really fast?
Fast-track mergers broaden but 90% consents, creditor clearances and missing minority exits still slow deals
Attracting capital and building investor confidence in India
India’s FDI shifts from attraction to retention as USD1.2 trillion inflows test predictability and exits now
Japan’s ‘nextgen’ global capability centre in Haryana
Haryana GCC Policy 2026 offers decade-long incentives for global capability centres, boosting Japanese participation
Courts will not reprice agreed commercial bargains
Supreme Court backs agreed rate of interest, reinforcing party autonomy and rejecting penal challenges in commercial arbitration
Drawing the arbitration line
Courts and lawmakers across Asia are reshaping the boundaries of arbitral procedures
Cybersecurity for power infrastructure: Regulatory needs
Central Electricity Authority cyber rules tighten OT-IT segregation, incident reporting, vendor controls, audits and penalties from 2027
Accessibility for the disabled weighs on industry
India’s draft disability rules tighten ICT accessibility, mandating ACRs in JSON/XML and frequent retesting burdens
MSME Amendment Bill reshapes commercial disputes
MSMED amendment bill 2026 reshapes MSME disputes with tighter timelines, stronger recovery, insolvency-linked enforcement risks
FEATURES
Two hats and a new outfit
Rathindra Das details how the company secretary is pivotal to managing cross-border governance after acquisition
Room for manoeuvre
Managing partners examine strategic flexibility for company GCs under heavy legal constraints
Bank statement
Banking Supervision Law’s first major overhaul: legal directors and senior partners dissect key draft changes
Unwrapping GIFT City
GIFT City reshapes India’s cross-border finance, offering an onshore IFSC but facing entrenched offshore rivals
VIDEOS
Compliance for exports of dual-use items to Japan
China’s tighter watch list regime for Japan-bound dual-use trade is forcing Chinese suppliers to upgrade screening and licensing.
Singapore Budget 2026: AI growth, risks and governance
Singapore Budget 2026 accelerates AI adoption, highlighting legal risks and governance needs for businesses
Healthcare investment in India: The PE playbook
India’s healthcare platforms draw PE and VC as AI, regulation and diligence shape specialty networks
MOST READ
An ongoing in-house agenda
In the past decade, Asia Business Law Journal has featured the initiatives, activities and achievements of in-house counsel associations across the region, documenting the changing role and growing influence of the profession
Covered: A decade of deals
From rose-scented car tyres to multibillion-dollar M&A, Asia Business Law Journal’s 10th anniversary special report revisits the region’s most striking deals of the past decade
Indonesia Law Firm Awards 2026
Asia Business Law Journal highlights top law firms in Indonesia
Biggest trends
Asia Business Law Journal’s 10th anniversary special report explores the trends, risks and innovations that have reshaped the region’s legal market over the past decade
Greenfield operations: India’s legal framework for GCCs
India’s legal framework for greenfield GCCs and data centres covers structuring, governance, compliance and investment rules
India’s landmark judgment on corporate criminal intent
Supreme Court’s Sanofi test reshapes attribution of corporate guilty mind and prosecution strategy in India
IN-HOUSE AGENDA
GCAI brings leaders together for India’s 2047 vision
GCAI convenes leaders in New Delhi to shape India’s 2047 legal framework for global economy
SCCA hosts first overseas in-house counsel event in Tokyo
The Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA) and Epiq held their inaugural overseas event in Tokyo
SCCA, GCAI forge Singapore-India in-house counsel partnership
The SCCA and the GCAI sign a memorandum of understanding to strengthen collaboration between the in-house legal communities of Singapore and India.
Asian in-house counsel need distinct negotiation tactics: IMI
Asian in-house counsel should adopt negotiation strategies distinct from their Western counterparts, says International Mediation Institute (IMI) certified mediator Pascal Comvalius.
CHINA LEXICON
State-funded companies and corporate governance
This column has previously discussed China’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs), see China Business Law Journal, volume 8, issue 4: SOEs
Cryptocurrencies and property
The column discusses the position in common law jurisdictions, including Australia and the UK, and then provides a brief outline of the legal position in the Chinese mainland
Butterflies and legal changes
This column discusses another famous Chinese legend and its implications for social justice and the law
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