This primer provides an overview of the Dispute Resolution framework in Hong Kong includes: court procedure; legal practice which includes conflicts of interests and Chinese walls; and Money laundering, proceeds of crime and funds related to terrorism; legal privilege and foreign lawyers; production of documents; and alternatives to litigation that includes arbitration, mediation and expert determination.
This article covers recent developments concerning competition law in East Asia, focusing on the specific merger of two U.S.-based biotechnology companies approved by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.
This primer provides an overview of Dispute Resolution in England and Wales and includes:<br />court procedure; legal practice which includes conflicts of interests and information barriers; and Money laundering, proceeds of crime and funds related to terrorism; documents and the protection of privilege; production of documents in civil litigation; alternatives to litigation that includes arbitration, mediation and alternative dispute resolution.
Recent reforms of mining laws in African nations have led to a movement away from regimes regarded by many as "investor friendly", with states seeking to assert greater control and generate increased revenues from their resources. However, the importance of a stable regulatory framework in attracting foreign investment has also been recognised. As states attempt to balance these competing goals, an increased focus on the harmonisation of mining law regimes across African regions could provide comfort to investors.
While the SFC's consultation conclusions may soften the proposed requirement or adapt to industry comments, it is unlikely to be "scratched" from the field in its entirety. Potential change on this front, and the need to incorporate some form of suitability criteria into client agreements is therefore likely to be a starter in the Year of the Horse.
Shareholder activism continued in 2013, ranging from behind-the-scenes discussions to hard-fought proxy contests. There were more than 25 instances of activists demanding change through shareholder meetings, with dissidents being successful in whole or in part about half of the time. Read more about shareholder activism in Canada here.
On 11 February 2014, the Council of the European Union unanimously adopted the new EU public procurement regime which had been approved by the European Parliament on 15 January 2014. Read more about these directives here.
In the past 50 years women’s legal status has improved all over the world. But many laws still make it difficult for women to fully participate in economic life - whether by getting jobs or starting businesses. Discriminatory rules bar women from certain jobs, restrict access to capital for women-owned firms and limit women’s capacity to make legal decisions. Gender differences in laws affect both developing and developed economies, and women in all regions.
Linking to protected content on a free website does not constitute an unauthorised "communication to the public", according to the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) (Case C-466/12 Svensson) on 13 February 2014. Read more about this decision in this Ashurst article.