Anti-Trust – No Longer Playing the Monopoly Game
July 8, 2013
In this edition, we present you with an overview of the issues relating to anti-trust and competition law in the region. Under the microscope are the implications of pending legislation in Hong Kong, the impact of Competition law on consumer confidence in the Indian market, and the great strides taken by the Japanese economy following the earthquake, in the context of merger review rules.
Courage of Conviction
July 8, 2013
CEOs and General Counsel share a sympatico that is hard to define. The role of in-house counsel has evolved to the extent that they have crossed over from being mere legal advisors to becoming definitive confidantes. Dispensing legal advice in prescription form won’t win you the brownie points you need to succeed in such competitive environments, explains Caroline Lim of DHR International. You’ll need “courageous integrity” to go the distance with your CEO.
Investigative Intelligence
July 8, 2013
Handling government competition investigations: an in-house primer
Yielding to Bonds
July 8, 2013
Anna-Marie Slot of White & Case guides us through some of the thornier compliance and regulatory issues that vex in-house counsel.
GI Joe’s /GI Jane’s – geographical indications in Vietnam
July 8, 2013
Unique to Vietnam, geographical indications (GI’s) provide a means by which locals and overseas applicants can protect their products. Hoai Nguyen and Stanislas Barro of Rouse Legal take us through some of the benefits and drawbacks of registration and explain why change is on the cards.
Cross-Border M&A
July 8, 2013
Last year’s strong M&A activity in Asia has continued in the first half of 2011. In our Special Report, senior lawyers practising in the field share their insights into the factors driving activity, from Asia’s thirst for overseas acquisitions to foreign companies trying to gain a foothold in emerging markets. Find out why Japan’s March 11 earthquake and tsunami could stimulate outbound investment, and how the UAE’s distinct business culture can present challenges for the unwary investor. Features articles contributed by Hogan Lovells, K&L Gates, Melli Darsa & Co, Phoenix Legal, Tilleke & Gibbins, DFDL Mekong and Indochine Counsel.
The future of Islamic finance in the Middle East
July 8, 2013
While conventional financial transactions in the West are in turmoil, there is a refreshing burst of optimism in the world of Islamic finance, according to Arti Sangar, partner in charge of Diaz Reus & Targ’s Dubai office. She takes a look at the challenges in an evolving sector.
Investigative Intelligence
July 8, 2013
The UK Bribery Act: prioritising investigations into third parties
Representing Corporate Asia & Middle East Survey 2011
July 8, 2013
In our landmark issue, we present the results of our annual Representing Corporate Asia and Middle East Survey, the most far-reaching and objective survey of in-house counsel and buyers of legal services along the New Silk Road. We uncover the issues which affect the working relationship between in-house counsel and private practitioners and announce the winners of our Firms of the Year 2011. Spotlighting some of the winning practice groups in each jurisdiction, we examine how they maintain their competitive edge and how they manage to outpace their rivals in a mercurial market.
Telecoms, Media & Technology Update
July 8, 2013
Poised to become a US$225 billion industry by 2020, the Indian information technology (IT) sector has been a significant growth catalyst for the country’s economy.Our Special Report on the telecoms, media and technology sectors outlines some recent key developments in the country’s rapidly changing regulatory framework. We also turn the spotlight on China’s efforts to open up its audiovisual imports market and ask whether they are enough to benefit foreign investors. With editorial contributions from Khaitan & Co and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.
Supporting the Legal Function (II)
July 8, 2013
In ‘Supporting the Legal Function (II)’, ASIAN-MENA COUNSEL brings you an exclusive extract from the revised paperback edition of Professor Richard Susskind’s ground breaking book, The End of Lawyers?, in which he shares his hard-hitting views on how the legal industry must adapt to survive. Plus, four senior practitioners provide their feedback.
Shares in BVI business companies: avoiding a succession problem
July 8, 2013
Where shares in a BVI business company are held by an individual, problems can arise on the death of that person. Failure to put succession planning in place could be costly, explains Raymond Davern of Conyers Dill & Pearman.
Investigative Intelligence
July 8, 2013
Internal investigations: using technology to tame your digital data
Supporting the Legal Function – Beyond External Counsel
July 8, 2013
With legal departments under more pressure than ever before to cut costs and improve efficiency, it is hardly surprising that general counsel have been seeking out the most cost effective options around when it comes to outsourcing. The demand for cheaper, more innovative third-party legal services has triggered a new wave of dynamic new players in the legal sector, eager to compete with traditional law firms for a slice of the action. Our Special Report focuses on the rise of ‘new model’ firms, legal process outsourcers (LPOs) and other service providers. Experts in the sector explain how these have changed the legal market and look at ways in which conventional law firms can compete by adapting.
Employment litigation in Japan
July 8, 2013
With labour tribunal cases on the rise, Japanese companies should pay extra attention to their employment arrangements, say Yumiko Ohta and Mark Weeks of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe.
Energy And Natural Resources Special Report
July 8, 2013
Asia’s economic growth has relied heavily on power generated from fossil fuels. But environmental concerns, political volatility in oil producing nations and finite resources mean the race is on to find alternative ways of meeting huge energy demand. In our Special Report on Energy and Natural Resources find out how the region is increasingly investing in overseas power projects and technologies as it strives to diversify its energy mix. Meanwhile, senior industry lawyers tell us how high-profile offshore energy disasters have shaped insurance legislation and how Indonesia plans to exploit its geothermal resources to generate electricity.
To trade or not to trade: that is the question
July 8, 2013
Dr George Woodman, director of Teng Hoi Conservation Organization, presents the case for carbon trading as a way of cutting greenhouse gas emissions and explains how a simple game is helping spread the word.
A journey into the danger zone
July 8, 2013
This month’s tragic events in Japan, triggered by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami, have shocked people around the world. The sheer scale of the catastrophe and loss of life cannot fail to have moved even the most hardened of observers, and countless organisations and individuals have been busy raising funds for the relief effort. Japanese officials have estimated it will cost as much as 25 trillion yen (US$309bn) to rebuild the country after the disaster. As fears of a nuclear fallout from the stricken Fukushima Daiichi plant spread in the days following the quake, residents and workers fled Tokyo in their thousands, many expatriates returning to the safety of their home countries. But as many international lawyers were fleeing the Japanese capital, one English barrister was heading into the danger zone on a mission to reach his family and get them out. Matthew Seligman, of London based Steel & Shamash Solicitors, didn’t hesitate to make the daunting journey to Tsunami-hit Sendai – the city closest to the earthquake’s epicentre – to be with his wife, Hiromi, nine year old daughter Daisy, and ‘Shark’ and ‘Dolphin’, their two cats. Matthew, who is also an internationally acclaimed musician, kept his Facebook friends updated with his progress, and has kindly allowed ASIAN-MENA COUNSEL to share abridged highlights of his courageous journey with the in-house community.
Deals Of The Year – The Best From 2010
July 8, 2013
Spurred by growing investor confidence, Asia and MENA enjoyed stellar mergers and acquisitions activity in 2010 against a backdrop of record-breaking activity in the capital markets. According to Citigroup, total M&A volume climbed by almost 50 percent to a staggering US$470.5 billion. The Financial Times, quoting Dealogic, reported that US$163.2 billion was raised through 768 Asian initial public offerings last year, a dramatic increase from just US$ 70.2 billion in 354 listings in 2009. The size of Asian deals has been steadily increasing too, with transactions worth more than US$1 billion up sharply from the previous year. These trends are reflected in our winning Deals of the Year …
Opportunity knocks
July 8, 2013
With demand growing for lawyers with the right skill-set, now is a good time to explore new in-house opportunities, according to Ben Cooper, vice president, Asia-Pacific at CML Recruitment. He takes a look at the latest trends in hiring legal talent