Category: Asia Legal Market
D&L: Daeryook & Aju and Lin Merge in South Korea
The combined firm, D&L, will have 397 Korean-licensed lawyers and aims to serve the legal needs of the country’s largest conglomerates. Its leaders say the harder part, integrating two firms, will take two to three years. D&L is the new South Korean law firm being formed […]
India Looks Positive on the Economic Front
World Bank lifts India FY27 growth forecast to 7.1 per cent, IMF projects 7.0 per cent and MeitY readies an AI consultation paper.
Hong Kong DoJ Offers Small Firms Up to HK$20,000 for LawTech
Hong Kong’s Department of Justice has launched a scheme reimbursing up to HK$20,000 of a one-year lawtech subscription for sole practitioners, firms with up to five partners and junior barristers. Applications close on 29 January 2027.
LAWYes: Malaysian Legal AI Launches With Fake-Citation Warning
Malaysia’s home-grown legal AI platform LAWYes launched in Kuala Lumpur on 27 October 2026, as Deputy Law Minister M. Kulasegaran warned lawyers to verify every AI citation, protect client data and keep their core skills sharp.
Shin and Kim and Douzone Bizon Partner on AI Governance
A Korean law firm and an enterprise software provider plan to sell AI compliance as one package, combining legal analysis with dashboards built into clients’ business platforms. Korean law firm Shin & Kim has signed a cooperation agreement with enterprise software company Douzone Bizon on AI […]
India Holds Its Growth Course as Reforms Open Doors
The Indian economy’s outlook remains positive and continues on a growth trajectory, according to growth forecasts from global financial institutions. This reinforces the positive impact of current government policies and actions taken in the past few months. The economic and regulatory reforms continue to be implemented […]
CMS Promotes Two Tech and IP Partners in Hong Kong
CMS has announced the promotion of Candy Tong and Mengyi Chen to partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property (IP) and Technology practice in Hong Kong, effective 1 October 2026. Working across the firm’s integrated Hong Kong and Beijing platform, Candy and Mengyi have developed distinct but […]
King & Wood Deepens Asia Reach with Singapore Office
King & Wood has launched its Singapore office, deepening the firm’s presence in one of Asia’s leading financial and commercial centres and marking a new chapter in its international growth strategy. The office brings together an experienced team under the King & Wood brand, strengthening the […]
India Regulatory Relaxations Boost Foreign Investment
The Government has undertaken several statutory steps to provide regulatory relaxations and boost foreign investment. The current Government has focused on continuous governance improvement and attracting foreign capital. As the implementation date of the final and most critical phase of India’s new data protection framework approaches, […]
Asia Legal Market Moves: This Week’s Key Hires
Law firms across Asia kept up a brisk pace of lateral hiring this week, with moves spanning Hong Kong, Singapore and India. Global and regional firms including DLA Piper, Latham & Watkins, Kennedys and Baker McKenzie bolstered their transfer pricing, capital markets, M&A and disputes benches […]
LexisNexis Launches Skills in Lexis+® with Protégé™ in Hong Kong
LexisNexis® Legal & Professional has announced the launch of skills in Lexis+® with Protégé™ in Hong Kong, designed to help law firms, corporate legal departments and legal professionals complete complex legal work faster, with greater accuracy, consistency, confidence and control. The launch of Lexis+® with Protégé™ in Hong Kong […]
India’s 2026 Growth Outlook and Policy Reforms
India’s economic growth forecasts continue to moderate in the near term, though future forecasts are slightly more optimistic. The government is considering several policy revamps and framework upgrades to boost foreign investment and increase revenue. The judicial system’s digitisation has progressed steadily over the years. Asian […]
DLA Piper Adds Robson as Singapore M&A Partner
DLA Piper has added Jake Robson as a partner in its Singapore office, continuing the firm’s run of senior lateral hires across the region this year. Robson joins from Greenberg Traurig, where he spent more than two years as co-managing shareholder and head of the firm’s […]
Freshfields Hires Singapore Private Capital Partner
Global law firm Freshfields has announced the appointment of Private Capital partner Sean Donovan to its Global M&A and Capital Markets practice in Singapore. Donovan rejoins Freshfields from Permira, where he served as a Managing Director for six years across Hong Kong, Singapore and London. Before […]
Linklaters Welcomes Back Alun Evans in Singapore
Linklaters is delighted to announce that Alun Evans will rejoin the firm in August as a partner in its corporate practice in Singapore. Alun has over 20 years’ experience advising on M&A and joint ventures across the Asia-Pacific region. He has a strong track record of […]
India Growth Outlook 2026: Telecom and Tax Reforms
India’s economic growth forecast is moderating as the impact of geopolitical tensions and domestic policy becomes visible. The Government is taking several steps to enhance policy decisions and boost the economy, while external factors weigh on growth. The regulatory regime is also consolidating to enhance security […]
M&A Partner to Join Paul, Weiss in Hong Kong
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP announced that Jamie McLaren will join the firm as a partner in the M&A Group within the Corporate Department, resident in Hong Kong. McLaren advises private equity sponsors, sovereign wealth funds, and public and private companies on a broad […]
Sullivan & Cromwell Hires Leading IPO Lawyer Steven Hsu
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP has announced that Steven Hsu will join the firm as a partner in its Capital Markets Group, based in Hong Kong. “Steven is a top capital markets lawyer with deep experience advising clients on some of the most significant IPOs in Asia,” […]
Korea’s One Law Partners To Merge With Boutique Minwho
South Korea’s One Law Partners is set to merge with Minwho Law Group, an intellectual property boutique, in a deal that will push the combined firm past 100 lawyers for the first time and deepen its bench in the practice areas its leaders believe will define […]
Asia-Pacific Law Firms in a Wave of Senior Moves
From Singapore and Hong Kong to Gurgaon and Tokyo, four firms have moved on the same day to deepen their benches in the practice areas now driving the region’s work, international arbitration, regulatory disputes, energy transition, and cross-border compliance. Four announcements landing together offer a useful […]
Asia-Pacific Cybercrime Surges, AI Drives Risk
Interpol’s 2025/2026 Asia and South Pacific Cyberthreat Assessment Report has revealed a dramatic increase in cybercrime across the region, driven by rapid digitalisation, new technologies, and increasingly organised criminal networks. The report, covering the period from January 2024 to March 2025, found that more than half […]
May 2026: India’s Industrial and Regulatory Focus
India is boosting its industrial infrastructure by establishing new zones and launching facilities, including semiconductor manufacturing units. Economic growth forecasts by global financial institutions appear to remain steady. There was a welcome move to expand the Supreme Court’s capacity by increasing the number of judges. Regulatory […]
Charles Russell Speechlys Expands Private Client Team
Charles Russell Speechlys appoints Kevin Lee as Head of Private Client in Asia, bringing a five-strong team to lead growth for clients.
Legora Builds APAC Legal AI Presence
Legora expands into Singapore and Tokyo as legal AI demand accelerates across APAC legal and transactional markets.
April: India’s Trade Forecast and AI Strategy
Global financial institutions continue to give India’s economic growth a thumbs-up, though the upward revisions to forecasts are minimal to moderate. Several external factors have been cited, and the government’s commensurate steps have been appreciated. Foreign trade agreements continue to be closed, enabling the expansion of […]
Relativity Expands APAC Footprint with Singapore Entity
Relativity, a legal data intelligence company, today announced plans to establish a Singapore entity to enable local hiring and strengthen its presence in Asia. The company is targeting a Q4 launch. The news underscores Relativity’s continued investment in strengthening engagement with customers and partners across Asia […]
Engineering Judicial Independence in Kazakhstan
Across many jurisdictions, judicial reform is often viewed through a constitutional or political lens. New laws are adopted, institutional mandates are revised, and declarations of independence are proclaimed. However, without a well-designed personnel policy, even the most carefully constructed legal framework cannot deliver stable, predictable, and […]
FiscalNote Expands U.S. Policy Intelligence in Asia
FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NOTE), a global leader in AI-driven policy and regulatory intelligence, has announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with D&A Advisory LLC, the Washington, D.C.-based consulting arm of D&A LLC, one of South Korea’s premier law firms. The MOU establishes a foundation for […]
India Expands Trade, Arbitration, and AI Strategy
India is making multiple efforts to improve foreign trade and ease of doing business. The Union Budget provided forward-looking proposals, including measures to attract foreign investment and other business-friendly steps. The journey to spotlight India as an arbitration hub continues with some key recent developments. The […]
Asia Legal Enforcement and AI Update 2026
1. AI Regulation and Governance The Asia-Pacific region has entered a critical phase of active enforcement and implementation in early 2026, transitioning from years of legislative drafting to real-world compliance obligations. Driven by the rapid rollout of AI frameworks, intensified data privacy enforcement, geopolitical supply-chain pressures, […]
FutureLaw 2026: AI Governance and Legal Innovation
FutureLaw 2026, taking place 14–15 May in Tallinn, Estonia, is one of Europe’s leading legal innovation conferences. The event brings together law firm leaders, legal operations professionals, regulators, technologists and policymakers to examine how artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and evolving regulatory models are reshaping legal services. […]
India’s Legal and Economic Landscape Review
India’s currency became the worst-performing Asian currency. It reached a new low against the US dollar recently, raising concerns about the economic situation, the impact on foreign investment, and rising dependence on imports. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) are withdrawing at record levels, and the effects of […]
Simmons & Simmons Accelerates Global Partner Expansion
International law firm Simmons & Simmons has announced the lateral hire of ten new partners across seven offices, marking a significant step in the firm’s ongoing international expansion strategy. All ten partners will join the firm in January across London, Paris, Brussels, Luxembourg, Singapore, Dubai, and […]
Three Partners Launch New Law Practice in Singapore
Partners from Mayer Brown PK Wong & Nair Pte. Ltd. — Suresh Nair, Jennifer Chih, and Bryan Tan have announced their decision to leave the firm to establish a new law practice in Singapore. The new firm, Nair, Jen & Tan LLC, will focus on litigation, restructuring and insolvency, corporate […]
UNIDROIT to Establish Liaison Office in Hong Kong
UNIDROIT is pleased to announce that the UNIDROIT General Assembly, at its 85th session, authorised the establishment of an Asia-Pacific Liaison Office in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (HKSAR) in 2026. The new Liaison Office, as UNIDROIT’s first overseas […]
Have Australian Law Firms Given Up on Asia?
Is the King & Wood Mallesons demerger really the end of Australia’s Asia strategy, or the beginning of a smarter one? In this Legal Practice Intelligence article, Richard W Smith LLB (Hons), CF APMP argues the demerger signals strategic maturity, not retreat, as firms refocus on […]
Dentons Enters Exclusive Association with Dacheng
Dentons in Hong Kong has announced that it has entered into a formal and exclusive association with Beijing Dacheng Law Offices LLP (“Dacheng”). Both firms have been working together for more than a decade before registering as association firms with the Law Society of Hong Kong. […]
Eversheds Sutherland Names Alby Yuen Asia Tech Lead
Eversheds Sutherland has appointed partner Albert (Alby) Yuen to lead its Technology, Data, and Cyber offering in Asia – the firm’s latest step in advancing its global growth strategy and underpinning its commitment to investing in exceptional talent across key markets and jurisdictions. Alby was previously […]
AI and Access: Kazakhstan’s Digital Justice Journey
Digital transformation is reshaping how societies deliver public services, and justice is no exception. Across Asia and beyond, courts are adopting technology to enhance proceedings, making them more transparent, efficient, and accessible. Kazakhstan’s experience shows that digitalisation can strengthen, rather than weaken, the human dimension of […]
Mishcon de Reya Expands International Offering in HK
Mishcon de Reya LLP entered the Hong Kong market almost four years ago through an association with Karas So LLP with the intention of becoming certified to practise local law. This association will continue to create opportunities for collaboration and connected growth. The Mishcon de Reya LLP […]
Law Firms Strengthening Client Relationships Briefing
Join us for a 45-minute session to discover how leading law firms are benefiting from RedView CRM, the most complete and connected client relationship platform for legal practices, to empower partners, marketing, and BD teams to drive measurable growth. What You’ll Learn: Event Details: Date: Tuesday, 18 November 2025Time: 10:00 AM […]
Taylor Wessing and H.M. Chan & Co to Separate in HK
Taylor Wessing and H.M. Chan & Co have mutually agreed to separate, with H.M. Chan & Co relaunching as an independent firm in Hong Kong. The two firms will continue to collaborate on client matters and support each other’s future strategies in Asia. The decoupling will […]
Anderson Mori & Tomotsune Opens Malaysia Desk
As ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia is seeing increased activity in investment promotion and policy initiatives, with steady growth in semiconductor and data centre investments. In addition to the capital, Kuala Lumpur, investment promotion is accelerating in Penang, a central semiconductor cluster, and Johor Bahru, where […]
APAC Legal Sector Key Trends and Moves Sep25
The September 2025 issue of Major, Lindsey & Africa‘s Asia Pacific Legal Market Summary highlights several regional hiring trends and partner moves across key jurisdictions. Below are the major takeaways for the Asia-Pacific legal sector. Regional Hiring & Market Trends Hong KongRecruitment is robust across all […]
China’s Arbitration Law Reform | Pinsent Masons Report
Pinsent Masons reports that China’s Arbitration Law is undergoing its most significant reform since its inception. The revised law, which will take effect on 1 March 2026, follows a multi-year consultation process. Rachel Turner, an arbitration expert at Pinsent Masons said, “Broadly adopting the changes from […]
Innovation Fuels Asia’s Patent Outsourcing Rise
In today’s innovation-driven economy, intellectual property (IP) has become more than a legal safeguard; it is a strategic driver of competitiveness. Patents, in particular, are critical across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and green energy. They secure inventions, attract venture capital, enable M&A activity, and support […]
Cheang and Ariff Joins WongPartnership Group
Singapore law firm WongPartnership LLP announces the addition of Malaysian law firm Cheang & Ariff to WPG, a regional law network. WPG was established by WongPartnership in 2017 and today offers clients legal expertise and tailored solutions across Asia and the Middle East. The growth and success of WPG enhances […]
Asia – From Back Office to AI Powerhouse
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just an experiment in tech labs; it is transforming industries worldwide, including the legal sector. Across Asia, AI is redefining outsourcing, turning it from a cost-cutting exercise into a driver of innovation, speed, and resilience. Tasks like contract lifecycle management, […]
India Boosts Domestic Demand Amid Steep Tariffs
The high trade tariffs imposed on Indian imports by the United States took centre stage on the economic front. The Government took calculated action to mitigate the negative impact on key industries by intensifying its focus on fostering stronger trade ties with its other partner countries. […]
Harneys Hong Kong Celebrates 20th Anniversary
This year marks a significant milestone for Harneys Hong Kong, as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. The office boasts an esteemed team of experienced offshore lawyers who advise a wide range of clients in Hong Kong and throughout the Asia-Pacific region on the laws of Bermuda, […]
Inaugural Legal Ethics Training in Tashkent
Global law firm White & Case LLP, in collaboration with PILnet and Tashkent State University of Law (TSUL), successfully concluded a four-day legal ethics workshop in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The program brought together more than 40 top law students from five countries in the region for immersive […]
India’s Economic Growth Sees Little Change
The economic growth forecast by leading global institutions shows no significant change from their previous forecasts. Government data shows marked growth in intellectual property filings, and some progress has been made in reviewing data privacy rules. Increasing the threshold of current avenues of foreign investment is […]
Kazakhstan’s Push to Embed Human Rights in Legal Education
What does it take to build a generation of citizens who respect human rights? In Kazakhstan, the government believes it starts in the classroom. While debates over civic education, legal literacy, and public trust in state institutions unfold across the globe—from the halls of European parliaments […]
Smarter Together: How AI Is Transforming Contracts Management for Legal Teams
Legal departments are undergoing a revolution. Long considered among the most traditional parts of a business, they are embracing one of the most disruptive forces in modern enterprise: Artificial Intelligence (AI). Nowhere is this transformation more evident than in contracts management. Where lawyers were once burdened […]
Can AI and billable hours coexist forever?
For as long as most lawyers can remember, their work has revolved around the billable hours system. But as AI is increasingly being incorporated into legal workflows, is this model losing its relevance? Billable hours are easy to measure and keep track of, which is a […]
How Listening to Citizens is Shaping Human Rights Reform in Kazakhstan
Artur Lastayev, Commissioner for Human Rights in Kazakhstan In any society, the true test of a human rights system lies not in its declarations, but in how it responds to everyday injustice. While global debates often focus on high-level commitments and international frameworks, real progress is […]
Dispelling common myths about technology in contract management
Technology promises many efficiencies, cost savings and other benefits to the legal industry, but it is often still met with hesitation and uncertainty. When it comes to AI in Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) – managing a company’s exposure in the drafting, negotiating, review and renewal of […]
Interview with Elvira Azimova, Chair of Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Court
Constitution Day on August 30 in Kazakhstan is recognized as a national holiday. Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the current Constitution through a nationwide referendum. Kazakhstan’s Constitution has been amended several times, most recently in June 2022, with the aim […]
Kazakhstan Passes Law Criminalizing Domestic Violence
By Aigul Kuspan On April 15, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan signed a law on Ensuring Women’s Rights and Children’s Safety, amending penalties for violence against women and children. This is a victory for human dignity in the region and a monumental advance in human rights. Kazakhstan has […]
Patrick Dransfield Joins the Sino International Professional Advisory Council (SIPAC) as Senior Advisor
The Sino International Professional Advisory Council (SIPAC) is pleased to announce that Patrick Dransfield has joined the platform as a non-executive director and senior advisor. Patrick is currently based in Abu Dhabi and continues in his role as Client Relations Director with the Emirati law firm […]
How FDA Regulations Impact Asia-Pacific Region Companies
by Rick D. Quinn The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of medical products and food consumed by millions of people in the United States. However, its impact extends far beyond American borders, significantly influencing companies […]
The UAE Insurance Federal Decree No. 48 of November 2023. A Summary of the most significant changes
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued a new Federal Insurance Decree No. 48 (‘Decree No. 48 of 2023’) which was published in the UAE Official Gazette (Issue No. 762), the official periodical of laws and decrees issued by the UAE Federal Government, on October 31, 2023. […]
The Astana International Financial Centre: Pioneering Financial Excellence in Central Asia
Since its inception in 2018, the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has, according to the Global Financial Centres Index, established itself as the leading international financial centre in the region. Its unique blend of innovation and investor-friendly legal frameworks paves the way for global investors by […]
How Kazakhstan is Pioneering Human Rights in Central Asia
The preservation and promotion of human rights are fundamental to the development of a just and fair society. Upholding human rights is an essential responsibility that transcends geographical locations and cultural contexts, and it is a duty that every government must embrace. By dismantling discriminatory practices and providing equal opportunities, […]
30 people to watch in the business of law in Asia in 2024
In the last year Asia Law Portal has had the opportunity to highlight the work of lawyers and legal innovators in the Asia-Pacific region. These professionals have provided insight into their often-complex legal specialisms or capabilities in advising lawyers on legal innovation best practices in both […]
Carey Olsen Asia achieves its strongest Chambers rankings to date
Carey Olsen Asia has achieved its strongest rankings to date in the Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024 Guide, with the firm moving up to Band 2 in the Offshore category and a number of partners from across its Hong Kong and Singapore teams achieving new and improved individual […]
Kazakhstan’s Human Rights Aspirations in a Historically Authoritarian Region
by Martin Jones In the historically authoritarian landscape of post-Soviet Central Asia, the recent strides made by Kazakhstan in democratic reforms and human rights are drawing significant attention. This shift prompts an analysis of whether the region, with Kazakhstan as a focal point, is indeed turning […]
United Arab Emirates Legal Update – New Commercial Agency Law
UAE has introduced new Commercial Agency law i.e., Federal Law No. (3) of 2022 for regulating Commercial Agencies. The said law came into effect on June 16, 2023. The law is based on the principle of autonomy/will and the contract is pacta sunt servanda (agreements must […]
A Legal Perspective on Kazakhstan’s Transformation: Analysing President Tokayev’s Proposed Reforms
The recent state-of-the-nation address by Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, titled “Economic Course of a Just Kazakhstan,” presents a comprehensive road map for Kazakhstan’s political, economic, and social development. From a legal perspective, the reforms and initiatives proposed by the President not only signify a positive transformation […]
Addressing Cultural Nuances in Legal Translation: A Key Aspect for International Law Firms
In today’s globalized world, the practice of law extends far beyond national boundaries. International law firms play a crucial role in assisting clients with cross-border legal matters, whether it’s international business transactions, arbitration proceedings, or multinational regulatory compliance. One of the most underestimated yet vital aspects […]