Tag: Asia Pacific Legal News
Myanmar – Tax Pocket Guide 2018 Edition
DFDL Myanmar is pleased to announce the publication of the 2018 edition of the Myanmar Tax Pocket Guide. Written by DFDL’s tax experts, this comprehensive guide offers clear and detailed insight into tax laws and practices in Myanmar. While tax law can be notoriously difficult to […]
India’s Growth Forecast High Amidst Dollar Woes
India’s economic growth forecast remained stable with Moody’s predicting growth of 7.5%. This was close to the forecast of 7.6% by Reuters. The Government is aiming for a further jump in India’s ranking in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report. Finally, the demonetisation report […]
Tax Issues & Strategies For Successful Investments in Cambodia
VAT Refund process? Audits? Tax incentives? Profit repatriation? Transfer Pricing? Cambodia/China double tax agreement? You want to understand more about these terms? Watch our latest video where our tax expert, Clint O’Connell, discusses tax issues and strategies for successful investments in Cambodia. DFDL, in collaboration with […]
ASEAN workplace: Addressing diversity and intersectionality
In this column, I highlight issues and solutions that arise within the legal context of ASEAN and which impact the diversity of the region’s social, economic, cultural and political life. Human rights are a contentious subject for many, presenting a number of challenges to companies and […]
2018 ALPMA Summit – 1 month to go!
2018 ALPMA Summit — Shaping the future firm – it starts with you.
Law, Technology and Access to Justice in Asia-Pacific and the USA
There is a growing conversation within the legal profession globally about how technology can help people access justice. Legal assistance is often seen as too costly for many people, and the legal system can be difficult to navigate for people who try to represent themselves. […]
Singapore – A City Guide for Lawyers and Legal Professionals
Singapore is a thriving multicultural home to some of the world’s most stunning architecture and landscapes, exquisite gardens, no traffic jams, lack of corruption, and a great history. It is a land of modern wonders, known for its rapid development and an attractive destination for business […]
Opportunities for law firms in the ASEAN region. An interview with Laurent Tam NGUYEN
Vietnam-based Laurent Tam NGUYEN has more than twenty-five years’ experience leading marketing and business development operations in b2b professional services, e-business and commercial property. His experience includes heading regional communications and marketing initiatives for leading ASEAN-region legal services organizations including ZICO Group and DFDL. In addition, he is […]
Hong Kong Provisional Liquidation Meets Singapore Moratorium: Re CW Advanced Technologies Limited
In a ground-breaking decision, the Hong Kong Court in Re CW Advanced Technologies Limited [2018] HKCFI 1705 explains: (a) the interface between the Hong Kong provisional liquidation regime and Singapore’s new insolvency regime; and (b) how both regimes could work in tandem to help restructure a Singapore-based pan-Asian […]
Vietnam Investment Guide 2018
It is our great pleasure to introduce the 2018 edition of our Investment Guide for Vietnam. Understanding the ins and outs of opening and developing a business in Vietnam can often be daunting. The latest investment guide identifies some of the important pitfalls, difficulties and solutions […]
1MDB Scandal and Reporting Suspicious Transactions under Anti-Money Laundering Laws in Malaysia
As we usher in the new Malaysia and the revival of the Rule of Law, we hear of scandal after scandal being disclosed as the new government assume the reins of power. The new cabinet ministers are no doubt working hard with rolled sleeves to manage […]
India World’s Sixth Largest Economy
India became the world’s sixth-largest economy recently. However, its economic outlook forecast was marginally reduce. In its continued effort to improve ease of doing business, India announced results of States and Union Territories’ performance in Ease of Doing Rankings. India also became home to the world’s […]
Work life balance across Asia – and how things are changing
South Korea is well-known across Asia for its long hours and ‘workaholic’ culture. According to statistics from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, South Korean employees worked for an average of 2,024 hours in 2017 – meaning the country places third in the world rankings […]
APAC regional legal tech conference LexTech launches AI assistant
APAC regional legal technology conference LexTech has launched an AI assistant to help facilitate a better conference experience, making its services available through Facebook Messenger — a first in the local legal tech industry. Called, LEXi, the Artificial Intelligence chatbot was developed by Malaysia’s CanChat and will focus on addressing enquiries […]
Corporate Investigations: Conflicts of Interest and Outside Counsel & Accountant.
In the current difficult operating environment of government-linked companies and the reported incidents of hidden corporate scandals in Malaysia, new corporate leaders and incoming board of directors are faced with the risks of personal liability for breach of director’s duties and breach of employment contracts for […]
Indonesia Looks to Simplify Business Licensing With OSS System
As part of the push by the administration of President Joko Widodo to improve the ease of doing business in Indonesia and increase investment, the government has issued Government Regulation Number 24 of 2018 regarding Online Business Licensing Services (GR 24), which was signed and came […]
Common Reporting Standards – Impact in Malaysia and ASEAN
The Common Reporting Standards (“CRS”) aims to enable tax authorities to tackle offshore tax evasion by providing a greater level of information on their residents’ wealth held abroad. As a party to the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, Malaysia already has laws in […]
Legal Procurement Conference APAC 2018 is set for Sydney on 24 July 2018
Hosted by the Buying Legal Council and Lawcadia, the event is a powerful platform for buyers and sellers of legal services to network and learn, share best practices, launch new initiatives, get motivated, and inspire the legal industry as a whole. The conference encourages dialogue, discussion and formal and […]
LexTech18 regional legal tech conference set for Kuala Lumpur, Oct 25-26, 2018
LexTech18 regional legal tech conference is set to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct 25-26, 2018. LexTech brings together private, public and regulatory organizations to share new ways of thinking, build strong partnerships, and define new strategies to compete in Asia’s ever-changing legal landscape. In […]
Trust, Confidence & Anti-Avoidance – Will Hong Kong Decisions Impact Australia?
Hong Kong and Australia have always enjoyed something of a shared history. Both were former British colonies. Both legal systems are based on the English common law. Australian judges are invited to sit as non-permanent members of the Hong Kong senior courts. And although not binding, […]
KorumLegal Expands People, Process and Technology Capabilities in Hong Kong, Singapore and London
Addition of Danh Nguyen, Bill Novomisle and Tanya Rolfe demonstrates growing demand for broader legal solutions offerings across APAC region. The landscape for legal solutions is shifting in Asia with KorumLegal recently adding three significant hires. KorumLegal bills itself as “a boutique legal solutions firm providing […]
Provisional Liquidators’ Restructuring Powers Clarified: China Solar
The Court of Appeal decision in Re Legend International Resorts [2006] 2 HKLRD 192 had caused many to doubt if provisional liquidators appointed in Hong Kong could play a restructuring role at all. Twelve years later, in Re China Solar Energy Holdings [2018] HKCFI 555, Harris […]
Telecommunications Business Licensing in Thailand
The Telecommunications Business Act B.E. 2544 (2001) (“TBA”) provides that a person operating a telecommunications service in Thailand is required to obtain a license. “Telecommunications Service” is defined under the Act on the Organization to Assign Radio Frequency and to Regulate Broadcasting and Telecommunications Services B.E. […]
India’s Economic Growth Scores Highest in World Bank Report
India’s economic growth Score prospects received a major boost from the World Bank and the Government of India reports. The Government also simplified the reporting of foreign investment by Indian entities. The Government’s increasing focus on intellectual property rights and its awareness resulted in the creation […]
Energy Security and Climate Change in East Asia-Trilateral Cooperation towards a Sustainable Future
China, Japan and South Korea are undergoing rapid and comprehensive transformations in developing the intelligent and sustainable use of energy and other natural resources. These changes are driven by new strategies towards energy security and climate change mitigation. Given that future China-Japan-South Korea energy cooperation will […]
Madrid Protocol in Thailand
After a very long wait, on 7 November 2017, Thailand finally effectively acceded to the Madrid Protocol (MP). The Trademark Act, B.E. 2534 (1991), as amended by the Trademark Act (No.2) B.E. 2543 (2000) and the Trademark Act (No. 3) B.E. 2559 (2016), was amended in […]
Singapore’s new employment regime – a brave new world
By this time next year, Singapore will have a rather different employment regime from any it has had since independence. One aspect of this needs to be carefully thought through. About ten years ago, a distressed Norwegian client consulted me. His company’s Singapore office had a […]
Why Legal Practices Should Embrace Technology
Technology has changed virtually every industry, including the legal profession. New technology, cutting-edge apps and software, and automation have all helped reduce expenses and drastically increased productivity. However many people are still hesitant to completely embrace technology, including legal professionals. Here are a few reasons why […]
Reed Smith and Resource Law Managing Partners explain the strategy behind their Singapore alliance
Reed Smith formed an alliance with Singapore’s Resource Law in 2016 to strengthen its local expertise and client offering of a one-stop-shop service, and to help it stand out amid a highly competitive environment for both international and local firms in Singapore. The alliance has also […]
How the GC can move beyond relationships to a more strategic selection of outside counsel
As the legal industry evolves, in-house teams are under increasing pressure to demonstrate a commitment to innovation and transformation. However, as legal departments accept and even embrace the need for change, one element stubbornly resists transformation. Despite the growing availability of digital technology designed to assist […]
India Attracts Largest E-Commerce Deal
India’s potential for high growth in retail came to the forefront with the acquisition of its biggest homegrown online retail company. The high economic growth prospects were reaffirmed by the IMF. There will be a new system for monitoring foreign investment in listed entities. The current […]
China announces plans to further liberalize its’ legal market
China Daily reports today that China “will further open up its services sector by expanding a pilot program for innovative development of trade in services.” The decision was taken yesterday at an executive meeting of China’s State Council, chaired by Premier Li Keqiang. As a result […]
Today’s Lawyers Need Technology Training
Introduction Back in November, a group of people gathered in Hong Kong to brainstorm on using blockchain technology in legal transactions. They discussed Ethereum and cybersecurity, before debating the benefits and dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI). These weren’t computer programmers looking to create a new start-up […]
Asia ADR Week 2018: A platform for Asian-centric ADR trends and economic developments
The Asian International Arbitration Centre will present its inaugural edition of the ASIA ADR WEEK 2018, from May 05, 2018 – May 07, 2018 at the AIAC at the Bangunan Sulaiman, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In this Q&A article with Asia Law Portal, the AIAC explains the unique significance […]
NewLaw firm Vario to expand into Singapore
Pinsent Masons will launch its NewLaw flexible consulting service, Vario, in Singapore in mid-2018. Vario was first established in the Asia-Pacific region in Australia in July 2017. The firm reports it is witnessing increased client demand for its flexible lawyer solution globally, including in Asia. In […]
NewLaw expands in Asia with the addition of Cognatio Law in Hong Kong
NewLaw industry veteran Lesley Hobbs announced in February the launch of her own firm Cognatio Law to “satisfy the growing demand within Hong Kong’s legal market for flexible and cost-effective legal services [for large and small companies]. ” As the firm details in a press release: […]
India virtually closes the door to the entry of foreign law firms
The much awaited verdict of the Supreme Court of India was pronounced recently which virtually closed the door for the entry of foreign law firms. The Government has drafted an updated defence policy which seeks to increase foreign direct investment in the sector. India and Canada […]
Inaugural Asia ADR week set for Kuala Lumpur, May 5-7, 2018
The Asian International Arbitration Centre will present its inaugural edition of the ASIA ADR WEEK 2018, from May 05, 2018 – May 07, 2018, at the AIAC at the Bangunan Sulaiman, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ASIA ADR WEEK 2018 will cover key issues including the promotion of […]
Asian law firms prominent at Israel’s 4th Foreign Law Firms conference
Israel’s 4th annual foreign law firms conference took place on February 26 in Tel Aviv. Organized by Robus Legal Marketing in association with the Tel-Aviv District of the Israel Bar Association, the conference brought together over 400 attorneys, with over 130 representatives from law firms around […]
Asia Law Firm Management Congress set for Mumbai, April 12, 2018
The second annual Asia Law Firm Management Congress (ALFMC) will take place on April 12, 2018, at The St. Regis Hotel in Mumbai, India. Following up on a successful inaugural event last year where over 70 lawyers and management professionals from law firms across the region gathered to […]
TechLaw.Fest to take place in Singapore, April 4-6, 2018
TechLaw.Fest, scheduled to take place in Singapore, April 4-6, 2018, will bring together more than 3000 attendees, including leading thinkers in the space of Technology Law and Legal Technology. Jointly organized by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) and CORP, TechLaw.Fest will combine the ‘Law of […]
Sweeping Changes to India’s FDI Policy
2018 began with a bang for foreign investors as India made multi-fold changes to its FDI Policy. The IMF also forecast India would become the fastest-growing economy in 2018 and 2019. The Bar Council of India denounced the changes suggested by the Law Commission of India. […]
Big4 vs BigLaw in Asia: What makes Deloitte Legal unique?
Competition in legal services in Asia is acute. Among the competitive pressures traditional law firms face in Asia is the drive by Big4 accounting firms to gain legal market share. In this Q&A interview, Asia Law Portal asks Mark Schroeder, Senior Legal Consultant with 勤理 China […]
Asia-Pacific Investors: How to Avoid Legal Risks When Investing In California
What Legal Risks Do Foreign Investors Take When Expanding into an Overseas Market? If you’re running your own business and it’s been doing great in your own country, you might have looked into expanding its current reach to a foreign country so that you can share […]
Innovating in-house legal in Asia Pacific
In this interview with Asia Law Portal, Peter Connor details his views of how legal services competition is impacting the general counsel, both within and outside the Asia-Pacific region
The New Year’s Resolutions lawyers should make for 2018
Go to the gym more, eat less chocolate, save more money – all common New Year’s resolutions and ones which, by February, will inevitably be broken. But, there is one resolution all lawyers should make and commit to for 2018 – creating more time for their […]
A Guide to Asia-Pacific Region Arbitration Hubs
As Asian Legal Business recently detailed: “Arbitration as an ADR mechanism has been steadily gaining traction across the Asia Pacific region. This is particularly accelerated by several recent legal developments and regulatory changes such as Third Party Funding legislations and Investment Treaties. In addition, the quality […]
India’s Indigenous Progress
As 2017 draws to a close, the Indian Government’s initiatives on ‘Make in India’ seems to have made significant progress in one industry. The labour law reforms undertaken by the Government in the last three years have been summarized recently in the Parliament. A Harvard Law […]
30 People to Watch in the Business of Law in Asia in 2018
As we approach the beginning of 2018 — Asia Law Portal continues its’ tradition begun in 2015 and followed up in 2016 and 2017 — of naming 30 people to watch in the business of law in the coming year. In retrospect — if 2017 were […]
Key takeaways from the 2nd Singapore Law Firm Management Forum
The Second Regional Law Firm Management Forum took place Friday November 3, 2017, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Singapore. This year’s Forum focused on how non-legal professional in law firms can become critical contributors to firm strategies. Andrew Barnes, President of Forum sponsor Australasian Legal Practice […]
Nominations now open for 30 people to watch in the business of law in Asia in 2018
In January of 2015 Asia Law Portal published the inaugural annual: 30 people to watch in the business of law in Asia in 2015 and in 2016 published: 30 people to watch in the business of law in Asia in 2016. In 2017: 30 people to watch in the business […]
Contract lawyering – the global gig economy for lawyers
Transport for London’s recent decision to revoke Uber’s licence meant the gig economy was back in the headlines, and not for positive reasons. Indeed, some business’ abuse of employment rights under the guise of the gig economy has meant that for some, this term has become […]
What opportunities exist for foreign investors in the Maldives?
As the Maldives Mission to the European Union details on its’ website: “Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) has always played a crucial role in the economic development of the Maldives. The Government acknowledges the importance of foreign investment and continues to recognize its importance for economic development […]
Lawyers: 5 Steps to Overcome Procrastination
Many lawyers admit that procrastination is a problem. If one can begin by admitting that it is difficult to manage time — this is a good beginning. Read More: India: FDI Policy Boosts Start-ups Ben confessed. “Sure, I admit that I procrastinate in my law practice. […]
India: FDI Policy Boosts Start-ups
India’s consolidated foreign direct investment policy was finally issued recently. The real estate sector is attracting significant foreign investment. Following up on last month’s activities, there was a further development relating to entry of foreign law firms in India. And a very important decision relating to […]
Second Regional Law Firm Management Forum set for Singapore, Nov 3, 2017
The Australasian Legal Practice Management Association (ALPMA), along with the Law Council’s Australian Law Management Group, held its inaugural Regional Law Firm Management Forum in Singapore late last year. The Second Regional Law Firm Management Forum is now set to take place Friday November 3, 2017, […]
US law firms face possible roll-back of South Korean legal market access
As the Washington Post reported last week, U.S. President Donald Trump is contemplating withdrawing the United States from the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS). As the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) details on its website, KORUS entered into force on March 15, 2012, with […]
Why is Africa becoming so important for Asian law firms?
Are you considering Africa? Asia? The opportunities for law firms are abundant
China’s Belt and Road Initiative: What’s the view from Australia?
The numbers can be overwhelming. The expected investment from China and other participants in the One Belt One Road (OBOR) infrastructure initiative between 2015 and 2025 could hit US$ 5.3 trillion, and in 10 years will represent approximately 60% of global infrastructure investment. Too, Asia will likely represent […]
LexisNexis continues to help advance the rule of law in Asia-Pacific
Looking across the global landscape today, it’s not hard to see the serious and often severe challenges facing society, particularly for the four billion people living outside the umbrella protection of the rule of law. As a company, the LexisNexis core mission to advance the rule […]
An Entity-Driven Approach to Legal Services
A crowded legal marketplace requires law firms to do more than just provide quality legal services
Artificial Intelligence (AI): A new-frontier in legal services competition in Asia
In a news release issued last week – leading international NewLaw firm Axiom announced “the market launch of AxiomAI – a program that leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve the efficiency and quality of contracts work. As part of AxiomAI, Axiom will accelerate the use of […]
In-house Associations HKCCA and ACC Form Alliance to Better Serve Hong Kong Legal Community
Though in-house lawyers may work across dozens of industries and for hundreds of different companies, their concerns, challenges, and goals share more similarities than differences. Peer-to-peer networking opportunities, education focused specifically on the needs of working in-house, and resources tailored to corporate practice are invaluable in […]
When will the legal industry have its Napster moment?
“I like to think (it has to be!), Of a cybemetric ecology, Where we are free of our labors, And joined back to nature, Returned to our mammal brothers and sisters, And all watched over By machines of loving grace.” Thus wrote the beat poet Richard Brautigan in 1967. He was definitely […]
India: Fast Tracking FDI approvals
India is moving towards a fast track regime for FDI approvals. The Government has initiated the process for creating standard operating procedures in this regard. FDI, being a critical factor, has contributed to improving India’s balance of payment. The growing importance of India can be gauged […]
The Impact of third party funding on Hong Kong as a centre for International Arbitration
As recently as 14th June 2017, Hong Kong became the latest jurisdiction to permit third-party funding in international arbitration by passing legislation to amend the Arbitration Ordinance (Cap. 609). The amendment is likely to take effect later this year, giving time for a code of conduct […]
NewLaw shows progress in Association of Corporate Counsel Australia 2017 Benchmarks and Leading Practices Report
The Association of Corporate Counsel Australia recently launched the 2017 Benchmarks and Leading Practices Report, an in-depth and extensive study of trends in the Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) in-house legal profession. The report also features 13 general counsels as best practice case studies and 4 […]
Second Annual Asia Private Equity-Venture Capital Summit set for Singapore, Sept 21-22, 2017
For the second year in a row, the Asia PE-VC Summit will be held in Singapore. The event is an unprecedented global meeting place for top investors to discover companies in Asia’s fast growing economies. Set to take place September 21-22 at the Marina Bay Sands […]
India’s Law Commission Frames Rules to Recognise Foreign Lawyers
The Supreme Court has expressed its concern over unsatisfactory regulatory mechanism governing the advocates and observed in a case that there was an urgent need to review the provisions of the Advocates Act, 1961. The Law Commission of India, a body which looks into legal reforms, […]
NewLaw firm lexvoco enters the Japanese market
NewLaw firm lexvoco, which is based in Australia and which also operates in New Zealand, has begun operations in Japan. Lexvoco is the first NewLaw secondment business to do so. Japan has the world’s third largest economy with a GDP or 4.41 Trillion USD. Law […]