View

Thailand's Ministry of Commerce recently issued an advice concerning the ability of a majority foreign-owned Thai company to grant a guarantee. The advice has important implications for all majority foreign-owned Thai companies and their ability to grant guarantees and, by extension, mortgages and other security for third-party debts. International Partner Marcus Clark and Senior Associate Rawat Chomsri report on the implications of the advice

View

China's State Council Information Office recently released its White Paper on climate change. Partner Campbell Davidson and Lawyer Mark Harding report on this major policy statement from the Chinese Government

View

The PRC State Council has recently issued implementing rules for the PRC Labour Contract Law. These rules interpret and clarify a number of provisions of the Labour Contract Law and set out how the law will be implemented in practice. Partner Campbell Davidson and Senior Associates Ross Keene and Katherine Yu outline the key issues raised by the rules

View

The recent collapse of Lehman Brothers has rendered its 'minibonds' almost worthless with angry investors alleging that they were marketed to them as a low-risk product. It later transpired that the 'minibonds' were not bonds but derivatives designed for professional investors, not for retail investors. As a result, many investors are asking whether the banks fully disclosed the risks pertaining to that investment or were the banks in breach of any law or regulatory codes of conduct?

View

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has released a class order to facilitate the offering to Australian retail investors of collective investment schemes which have been authorised by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. Partner Susan Burns and Senior Associate Penelope Barclay look at a new regime where such schemes will effectively be governed by Hong Kong law, thereby reducing the Australian regulatory requirements which would otherwise apply

View

In January 2008, the Court of First Instance in Hong Kong approved the appointment of one of the receivers of an insolvent company as a joint and several liquidator despite the potential conflict of interest. Partner Simon McConnell and Senior Associate Mun Yeow look at the importance of the ruling in Re Orient Power Holdings Limited

View

The Voluntary Carbon Standard 2007 is one of the most internationally recognised voluntary standards for earning carbon credits. Partner Campbell Davidson and Lawyer Mark Harding examine the Voluntary Carbon Standard as an alternative, or complement, to Clean Development Mechanism approval for greenhouse gas-reducing projects in the PRC

View

The PRC State Council has set the thresholds for when notification is required of mergers and acquisitions under China's new Anti-Monopoly Law, which came into effect on 1 August 2008. Partner Nigel Papi and Senior Associates Ross Keene and Katherine Yu discuss the new thresholds and other issues in relation to the review of mergers and acquisitions under the new law

View

On 1 August 2008, China's Anti-Monopoly Law came into force. Its key provisions will be broadly familiar to businesses operating in Australia, Europe and the USA in that it prohibits anti-competitive ('monopoly') agreements and abuse of a dominant market position, and requires notification of mergers and acquisitions ('concentrations') that meet certain thresholds. However, the Chinese Government is yet to release regulations or final guidelines on a number of aspects of the law that require clarification

View

In September 2007, we reported on the progress of the agreement signed in July 2006 by the governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the People's Republic of China to implement laws to recognise the judgments of each other's courts. This milestone agreement led to the Mainland Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Bill being passed by the Hong Kong Legislative Council and the PRC Supreme People's Court Judicial Interpretation being issued on 3 July 2008. Partner Simon McConnell, Senior Associate Mun Yeow and Trainee Solicitor Stanley Li look at this latest development

View

An internal circular issued by the Ministry of Commerce states that, as of 1 July 2008, the power to verify foreign-invested real estate projects will be delegated to the provincial level. Partner Nigel Papi and Senior Associates Ross Keene and Maggie Ma comment on the key changes brought about by the circular

View

On 7 July 2008, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and ASIC signed a Declaration on Mutual Recognition of Cross-Border Offering of Collective Investment Schemes to expedite the public offering of retail funds into each other's markets. We look at what these arrangements mean for both Australian and Hong Kong funds

View

The Legislative Affairs Office of China's State Council has issued a circular seeking feedback on draft regulations for the PRC Labour Contract Law. The draft regulations interpret and clarify a number of provisions of the PRC Labour Contract Law , which came into effect on 1 January 2008, and suggest how the law may be implemented in practice. Partner Campbell Davidson and Senior Associates Ross Keene and Katherine Yu discuss

View

The Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration for Taxation have released the Administrative Measures for the Recognition of High and New Technology Enterprises which sets out the procedures and requirements for PRC enterprises to be recognised as high-technology enterprises. Partner Campbell Davidson, Lawyer Justin Chin and Paralegal Michelle Ding report

View

The Thai Government recently enacted the country's first product liability legislation. The Unsafe Goods Liability Act B.E. 2551 (2008) is groundbreaking legislation as it empowers the court, for the first time, to grant punitive damages to injured parties. International Partner Marcus Clark, Senior Associate Rawat Chomsri and Associate Jeffrey Sok report

View

The Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security have jointly announced new rules to regulate the stock, securities and futures markets and to combat securities fraud in the People's Republic of China. Partner Simon McConnell and Senior Associate Mun Yeow look what the new regulations mean

View

The Hong Kong Financial Services and Treasury Bureau has initiated a major review of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance. Partner Simon McConnell and Lawyer Eric Cheung look at what changes are being contemplated

View

The PRC Labour Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Law took effect on 1 May 2008. Partner Campbell Davidson and Senior Associates Ross Keene and Katherine Yu outline the key changes resulting from the new law, and its impact on employers in the PRC

View

As a result of the Vietnamese Government's continuing economic reform agenda, foreign investors are likely to be given the opportunity to become strategic investors in major Vietnamese State-owned enterprises in the telecommunications industry as part of the country's 'equitization' process. Senior Associate Ian Stewart and Lawyer Daniel Allender comment on the current state of play and potential further developments

View

The Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong recently laid criminal charges over insider dealing activities for the first time. Partner Simon McConnell and Senior Associate Mun Yeow also look at some of the challenges to the Commission's powers of investigation and the resultant court cases

View

A New South Wales Government discussion paper foreshadows wide-ranging amendments to the Retail Leases Act 1994. If the proposals identified in the discussion paper are adopted, there will be a significant impact on how landlords lease, operate and manage their assets, and potentially on the value of those assets. Partner Grant Higgins and Lawyer Mark Ryan look at what will change.

View

The Securities and Futures Commission recently issued a circular to licensed corporations and associated entities on anti-money laundering and combating terrorist financing. The circular provides some answers on identification and handling of high-risk customers and politically exposed persons. Partner Matthew Barnard and trainee solicitor Brian Chen look at what the circular says and it implications

View

The regulator of Singapore's securities industry, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, has undertaken consultation with a wide range of stakeholders on proposed amendments to the principal legislation governing the securities industry - the Securities and Futures Act and the Financial Advisors Act. AAR TSMP Partners Robert Clarke and Stefanie Yuen Thio, and Senior Associate Krista Bowie, provide a brief overview of the proposed legislative amendments

View

The Singapore Exchange has warned directors and financial advisers of listed companies to pay particular attention to the interests of shareholders when assessing the commercial terms of acquisitions supported by profit guarantees. Partners Robert Clarke and Stefanie Yuen Thio, Senior Associate Ian Stewart and Lawyer Jonathan Teo report on the use of profit guarantees and the recommendations of the Singapore Exchange

View

The Hong Kong Department of Justice recently released its consultation paper and draft legislation for reforming Hong Kong's arbitration law. Partner Simon McConnell and Lawyer Kieran Humphrey discuss the background and likely impact of these reforms.

View

In light of suppressed regional share markets and below net asset value trading in the Singapore listed real estate investment trust space, Partners Robert Clarke, Stefanie Yuen Thio, and Senior Associates Ian Stewart and Andrew Emslie of AAR TSMP reflect on the current framework and highlight some of the key issues potential acquirers are likely to face

View

In January 2008, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission released a consultation paper that proposes the removal of current pre-publication approval requirements on certain notices and advertisements issued by collective investment schemes. Partner Tim Manefield and Senior Associate Andrew Shiu look at what will change

View

At the ceremonial opening of the 2008 legal year, Chief Justice Andrew Li said that justice reform legislation intended to change the civil rules and procedures will be operational by April 2009. Partner Simon McConnell and Senior Associate Mun Yeow look at the proposed changes

View

Consistent with its policy on foreign collective investment schemes, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission has released a class order that provides conditional exemptions allowing some Singaporean collective investment schemes to be offered in Australia. Senior Associate Rebecca Devon and Vacation Clerk Judith Hammerschlag report

View

The National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce issued on 31 October 2007 a revised version of China's Foreign Investment Catalogue, which sets out the industries for which foreign investment is encouraged, restricted or prohibited. The amendments to the Catalogue took effect on 1 December 2007. Partner Nigel Papi and Senior Associates Maggie Ma and Ross Keene look at the impact of the changes on the real estate sector

View

The Shanghai Housing and Land Resources Bureau has issued a new circular on bidding for residential land that appears designed to take some of the heat out of public bidding for land. Partner Nigel Papi and Senior Associates Maggie Ma and Ross Keene comment on the new circular

View

The Thai authorities have turned their attention to the insurance industry in an ongoing campaign to reform and strengthen financial institutions. The recent suspension of a major motor vehicle insurer, Samphan, and adverse findings against a number of other insurers over capital adequacy concerns has given new impetus to reforms designed to strengthen the regulator and promote industry consolidation in readiness for more competition.

View

On Friday 28 September 2007, the Monetary Authority of Singapore released revised Property Fund Guidelines. The amendments to the Property Fund Guidelines seek to enhance the regulatory regime governing REITs in Singapore. Allens Arthur Robinson TSMP Director Stefanie Yuen Thio, Partner Robert Clarke and Lawyer Brooke Griffin look at some of the key amendments

View

More regulations to give effect to measures implemented under the Federal Government's 'Simpler Regulatory System' legislation have now been made. Partner Susan Burns and Senior Associate Justine Woodford report on the latest developments

View

The People's Republic of China Anti-Monopoly Law was passed by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on 30 August 2007 (having been under consideration for 13 years) and will come into force on 1 August 2008. Although anti-competitive conduct is already subject to a degree of regulation in the PRC by different agencies and under different laws, the new law sets out a broader definition of monopolistic conduct and creates a commission to oversee this area.

View

The Federal Government has finally announced new regulations enabling financial services providers to incorporate by reference some of the information required to be included in retail disclosure documents. Consultant Derek Heath and Senior Associate Justine Woodford discuss the implications of this welcome development and the other measures introduced under these regulations

View

Last year, we reported on a groundbreaking agreement signed in July 2006 by the governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the People's Republic of China to implement laws to recognise the judgments of each other's courts. Legislative changes are now underway in Hong Kong to implement this arrangement. Partner Simon McConnell, Senior Associate Mun Yeow and Lawyer Amanda Andreazza look at the Mainland Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Bill and its implications

View

On 29 June 2007, the PRC Labour Contract Law, having undergone further revision since the second draft was reviewed by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. The law will take effect on 1 January 2008. Partner Campbell Davidson, Senior Associate Ross Keene and Consultant Katherine Yu outline the key differences of relevance to employers in the PRC between the second draft and the final version of the law

View

The merger provisions of the Competition Act (Chapter 50B) of Singapore came into force on 1 July this year. Allens Arthur Robinson TSMP Director Stefanie Yuen Thio and Allens Arthur Robinson TSMP Partner Robert Clarke and Lawyer Brooke Nicholls look at some of the key features.

View

A circular issued by China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange on 10 July 2007, which we understand has been forwarded to its branches and is being implemented by those branches, provides that foreign-invested real estate enterprises established after 1 June 2007 will not be allowed to have foreign debt. Partner Nigel Papi and Senior Associates Ross Keene and Wayne Wang comment on the key changes brought about by the circular

View

China's recently released National Climate Change Program focuses on reducing China's energy consumption per unit of GDP by encouraging growth of renewable and nuclear energy, energy conservation and clean technology sectors. It is also part of China's long-term strategy to develop its domestic high technology and low energy consuming sectors. Partner Campbell Davidson, Senior Associate Li Hong and Lawyer Mark Harding highlight the program's key aspects

View

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission recently issued a circular to clarify certain licensing application issues and the licensing process of fund managers, as part of its initiatives to streamline and simplify the licensing process. Partner Matthew Barnard and Senior Associate Steven Cheng comment on the key clarifications brought about by the circular

View

China has passed a new property law that introduces a wide range of specific improvements for the private sector and, for the first time, recognises that an individual's private property rights are protected to the same level as that afforded to collective and State property rights. Partner Nigel Papi and Associates Mark Harding and John Li examine the changes

View

A revised Partnership Enterprise Law and the associated Draft Foreign-invested Partnership Enterprise Regulations (both expected to take effect on 1 June 2007) were clearly intended to encourage foreign entities and individuals to form and participate in partnerships in the PRC. Partner Nigel Papi, Senior Associate Toby Grainger and Consultant Wayne Wang comment on the key changes brought about by the new laws

View

Partner Matthew Barnard and Senior Associates Andrew Shiu and Julian Donnan look at measures to further liberalise the investment regime in the PRC by providing greater access to overseas markets to certain qualified domestic investors

View

In May 2007, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission issued a circular designed to assist financial intermediaries ensure their investment recommendations suit their clients. It also sets the benchmark for acceptable conduct of financial intermediaries. Partner Matthew Barnard and Lawyer Wilson Bae look at the recommendations

View

In another sign of the increased regulatory scrutiny of PRC insurance companies, China Insurance Regulatory Commission has issued several new regulations aimed at enhancing the corporate governance of PRC insurers. Partner Niranjan Arasaratnam and Senior Associate Troy Zhang provide an overview of the recent developments

View

A joint policy statement issued by The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission has clarified the requirements for the listing of overseas companies in Hong Kong. Partner Matthew Barnard and Lawyer Andrew Shiu report on the new guidance

View

On 20 April 2007, the Government of Vietnam passed Decree 69/2007/ND-CP on Purchase by Foreign Investors of Shareholding in Vietnamese Commercial Banks (Decree 69). Partner Bill Magennis and Lawyer Julia Howes look at some of the key changes

View

On 16 March 2007, the PRC National People's Congress passed the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, which, from 1 January 2008, will unify China's enterprise tax rules by replacing laws applying separately to foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises. Partner Campbell Davidson, Senior Associate Toby Grainger and Consultant John Li take a look at some of the key changes

View

A new Labour Contract Law is currently working its way through the PRC legislative system. If the law is passed in its current draft form, it will result in significant changes to the relationship of employer and employee in the PRC. Partner Niranjan Arasaratnam, Senior Associate Ross Keene and Consultant Katherine Yu outline the main issues

View

As China's burgeoning insurance sector looks set to expand further, a raft of new regulations aim to open investment channels for insurance companies that should increase their competitiveness, as well as introduce new measures to enhance risk management. Partner Niranjan Arasaratnam and Senior Associates Troy Zhang and Julian Donnan look at the recent developments

View

The central government of the People's Republic of China is to fully enforce the collection of land appreciation tax from February 2007. Partners Nigel Papi and Tim Manefield and Senior Associate Hong Li report on the key issues

View

On 9 January 2007, the Cabinet of the Thai government approved in principle a draft bill making significant changes to foreign direct investment into Thailand. Partner Adam Lunn and Senior Associate Jeremy Chase report on this significant development

View

Unlike Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, Hong Kong does not have a specific statutory corporate rescue mechanism. It was previously thought that the courts had inherent power to appoint provisional liquidators for the purpose of working out a corporate rescue. Partner Simon McConnell and Senior Associate Mun Yeow explain the present position

View

The State Council of the PRC has issued new rules on foreign-funded banks that will take effect from 11 December 2006. Partner Nigel Papi and Senior Associate Frank Voon of our Shanghai office look at the recent revisions

View

The Government of Indonesia held its second annual infrastructure conference in November aimed at boosting investor confidence in the Government's public private partnership program for infrastructure development. Partner Steve Pemberton and Senior Associate Cameron Negraiff report on the key outcomes of the conference

View

The pace of change in the People's Republic of China is rapid, both in the development of its laws and the expansion of attitudes. The story of white goods manufacturer Kelon exemplifies how PRC investor and consumer expectations are evolving, such that laws protecting them are increasingly likely to be utilised. Partner Simon McConnell and Senior Associate Mun Yeow report

View

The governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Peoples' Republic of China have recently signed an agreement to implement laws which will recognise the judgments of each other's courts. Partner Simon McConnell and Senior Associate Mun Yeow look at the new arrangement

View

On 8 August 2006, six ministries of the People's Republic of China jointly issued the Regulations Related to Foreign Investors Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises ([2006] No. 10). The Regulations, which take effect on 8 September 2006, establish new rules for foreign investors acquiring interests in PRC domestic companies. Partner Campbell Davidson and Lawyers Toby Grainger and Wayne Wang report on the key aspects of the Regulations

View

Liquidators of a high-profile Hong Kong hedge fund that collapsed in 2004 have recently commenced proceedings against the fund's auditor, custodian and administration services provider. This case has a number of commercial and practical implications for the managed funds industry, as Partner Matthew Barnard and Senior Associate Daniel Yeo explain

View

As financial service businesses in our region look to expand their markets, they must be aware of the varied regulatory and legal environments in which they want to operate

View

In our Focus: Project Finance - August 2005, we looked at the 'Equator Principles' and their impact on the project finance sector. The Equator Principles have since been revised to broaden their application and strengthen the social and environmental standards they impose. Partner Steve Pemberton and Lawyer David Donnelly of our Singapore office look at the recent revisions.

View

On 11 July 2006, a notice outlining new foreign investment restrictions in the People's Republic of China real estate market was jointly issued by six People's Republic of China government authorities. Partner Nigel Papi and Senior Associates Stuart Mengler and Maggie Ma report on the key aspects of the notice

View

We look at recent developments in China which will provide offshore funds managers, custodians, securities institutions and asset managers with greater access to one of the world's largest and fastest growing economies

View

In May 2006, Singapore investors were invited to take part in the first public offer of a business trust in Singapore. Business trusts are a new breed of investment, resulting from recent legislative developments in Singapore. Partner Steve Pemberton and Senior Associate Lisa Button report

View

The Hong Kong Competition Policy Review Committee recently issued its report and recommendations on Hong Kong's competition policy, as Partner, Simon McConnell and Senior Associate, Daniel Yeo report

View

Consultant Jeremy Chase and Senior Associates Rawat Chomsri and Orawan Chomsri report on a significant development in foreign ownership of Thai telecoms. They also consider, in brief, recently implemented interconnection rules and some new requirements for standard form telecoms contracts

View

Foreigners are generally prohibited from owning land in Thailand, although a practice has developed by which foreigners use Thai-owned but foreign controlled companies to hold land in Thailand. Now the Ministry of the Interior has implemented a crackdown on the use of Thai-owned companies to hold land for foreigners. Consultant Jeremy Chase reports

View

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and the Hong Kong Insurance Authority have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding that sets out their respective regulatory responsibilities and arrangements for cooperation. Partner Simon McConnell, Senior Associate Daniel Yeo and Lawyer Steven Cheng look at some of the implications of this development

View

The Hong Kong Investment Funds Association recently raised a number of issues with the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission about the Hong Kong licensing and regulatory regime relating to investment funds and licensed entities. Partner Matthew Barnard and Senior Associate Daniel Yeo report on the SFC's response

View

The Hong Kong Government recently signed its second comprehensive agreement with Thailand for avoidance of double taxation. Partner Matthew Barnard and Lawyer Steven Cheng look at the potential tax benefits under the agreement

View

Partner Matthew Barnard and Senior Associate Daniel Yeo report on a number of changes to the licensing regime under the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Ordinance that were recently announced by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission

View

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission has recently announced that it has entered into a number of bilateral arrangements with other securities regulators. Partner Matthew Barnard and Senior Associate Daniel Yeo look at some of the implications of these developments

View

Two years after the Financial Secretary announced that the Inland Revenue Ordinance will be amended to exempt offshore funds from profits tax, the Revenue (Profits Tax Exemption for Offshore Funds) Bill 2005 was introduced into the Legislative Council. Partner Matthew Barnard and Lawyer Steven Cheng look at the proposed legislation

View

The People's Bank of China and the China Banking Regulatory Commission recently promulgated an Administration of Pilot Projects for Securitisation of Credit Assets Procedures. This represents one of the most encouraging steps towards a domestic securitisation market in the PRC, as Partner Matthew Barnard and Lawyer Steven Cheng report

View

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission recently issued its consultation conclusions on whether real estate investment trusts authorised for retail distribution in Hong Kong should be permitted to invest in properties overseas. Partner Matthew Barnard and Senior Associate Daniel Yeo report

View

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission recently issued a consultation paper that proposes amendments to the current guidelines on authorising hedge funds for retail distribution in Hong Kong, as Partner Matthew Barnard and Senior Associate Daniel Yeo report.

View

Partner Alan Millhouse and Lawyer Krista Bowie examine the potential role of Public Private Partnerships in Thailand and highlight some of the obstacles to attracting private sector investment for such ventures. This issue is topical following the Thai Government's announcement of plans to invest almost THB2 trillion into infrastructure over the next five years

View

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission recently issued updated anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing guidelines. Partner Matthew Barnard looks at the new measures proposed by the guidelines

View

Recent legislative developments in China have resulted in the creation of an insurance protection fund to protect policyholders in the case of an insurer's bankruptcy. Partners Simon McConnell and Jeremy Low and Lawyer Stephen Sander explain

View

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission recently issued a consultation paper that reviews the proposal to permit REITs that are authorised for retail distribution in Hong Kong to invest in overseas properties. Partner Matthew Barnard and Senior Associate Daniel Yeo report

View

Partner Alan Millhouse and Articled Clerk Mark Schneider look at a recent joint study by the Asian Development Bank, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and the World Bank, which highlights potentially vast opportunities for Australian companies interested in participating in infrastructure investment that has been identified as urgently needed in the East Asian region

View

Partner Adam Lunn and Lawyer Krista Bowie outline the differences in the rules governing the issue of warrants and derivative warrants in Thailand. This issue is topical given the price manipulation allegations made late last year against certain Thai politicians in the trading of Siam City Bank derivative warrants

View

A number of proposed changes to the licensing regime under the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Ordinance were recently announced by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, as Partner Matthew Barnard and Senior Associate Daniel Yeo report

View

Partners Simon McConnell and Jeremy Low and Lawyer Stephen Sander look at recent legislative developments in China

View

It is proposed that Hong Kong retail funds (other than real estate investment trusts (REITs)) may invest in REITs listed on any stock exchange. This follows changes to the law announced in November 2004 by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission to allow authorised retail funds to invest in Hong Kong authorised REITs, as Partner Matthew Barnard and Senior Associate Daniel Yeo report

View

In the latest edition of AAR's Focus: Insurance & Reinsurance & Asia series, Partner Simon McConnell, Senior Associate Mun Yeow and Lawyer Stephen Sander look at the current issues regarding Directors' & Officers' policies facing companies and non-executive directors in Hong Kong

View

Hong Kong retail funds may now invest in REITs in Australia, following changes to the law recently announced by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, as Partner Matthew Barnard and Senior Associate Daniel Yeo report

View

The prospectus-related provisions of the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance 2004 will soon come into effect. Partner Matthew Barnard and Lawyer Steven Cheng look at what will change in the financial products regulatory environment

View

In this edition of Focus: Insurance and Reinsurance Asia, Partner Simon McConnell in Hong Kong and Partner Jeremy Low in Shanghai look at developments in the Asian region over the past 12 months

View

In June 2004 the Hong Kong banking authorities issued revised money laundering policies and procedures. Partner Matthew Barnard and Senior Associate Daniel Yeo look at the changes and their implementation

View

In June 2004, Hong Kong banking authorities released guidelines for the sharing and use of commercial credit data in Hong Kong. Partner Matthew Barnard and Senior Associate Daniel Yeo look at the changes and their implementation

View

In the latest edition of our Focus: Insurance and Reinsurance - Asia series, Lawyer Kathleen Ready offers an overview of the Singapore insurance market and the relevant legal framework

View

Partner Richard Hamer and Law Clerk Tom Reid examine the potential changes the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement will have on the pharmaceutical industry

View

In this third edition of Focus: Insurance and Reinsurance Asia series, Partner Simon McConnell, Senior Associate Daniel Yeo and Articled Clerk Eve Hollole, provide an overview of the Hong Kong insurance market and the applicable legal framework

View

The recently announced agreed text of the Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Australia has major implications for the sectors of the Australian economy and society that focus on intellectual property, telecommunications, media, entertainment and electronic commerce. Partner Paul Zawa and Senior Associates Raani Costelloe, John Dieckmann and Rachel Nemes report.

View

Senior Associate Rachel Nemes and research assistant Siobhan Lancaster discuss the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement currently under negotiation

View

In the second edition of our new quarterly series of Focus: Insurance & Reinsurance Asia, Lawyer Sean Cooper provides an overview of the legal framework applicable to insurance in Thailand and sets out the issues facing foreign insurers planning to operate in Thailand's insurance market

View

Australia and Thailand are close to signing a bilateral trade agreement. Lawyer Adam Malouf looks at the basic framework of the agreement and which industries stand to gain from this bilateral trade liberalisation

View

The Hong Kong Government recently released its policy position on Private Public Partnerships. Partners, Alan Millhouse and Matthew Barnard and Lawyer Clare Lennox look at the main points of the policy

View

Lawyers Sarah Bergin and Marcia Ward provide an overview of the legal framework applicable to insurance in China, and set out the issues facing foreign insurers planning to extend their operations into China's insurance market

View

The Chinese Government hopes that changes to its mining laws and regulations will encourage greater foreign exploitation of mineral projects. Are foreign mining companies ready to enter China? And what is holding them back? Lawyers Marcia Ward and Campbell Izzard and Partner Seamus Cornelius look at the problems and opportunities

View

Senior Associate Jeremy Low provides a checklist of some of the legal issues that may be encountered in securitising in the People's Republic of China, particularly the securitisation of housing loan mortgages by banks

View

The Companies (Amendment) Bill 2003 is currently before the Hong Kong Legislative Council. Lawyer James Chan examines the provisions of the Bill, which seeks to liberalise prospectus requirements, enhance corporate governance and modernise the registration requirements for foreign companies seeking to have a place of business in Hong Kong

View

Changes proposed to China's laws on exploration and mining rights highlight the future role of non-government organisations and further reform the complex application process to win exploration rights. Shanghai-based AAR lawyers Marcia Ward and Campbell Izzard and Partner Seamus Cornelius offer a guide for potential investors

View

AAR Senior Associate Jeremy Low discusses the issues facing overseas banks in China

View

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission has announced that it will develop a fidelity insurance scheme to cover securities dealing, futures dealing and securities margin financing activities in Hong Kong, reports Senior Associate Daniel Yeo

View

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission has recently announced that it has authorised the first hedge funds products for distribution to retail investors in Hong Kong, reports Senior Associate Daniel Yeo

View

The recent enactment of new competition and utility regulation laws in Papua New Guinea will significantly affect the rules on doing business, whether through locally based firms or merely selling products into PNG. Special Counsel Merv Keehn and Partner Ted Hill review the main aspects of the legislation

View

AAR Senior Associate Thomas McAuliffe examines the long-awaited details of the amendments to the interest withholding tax provisions that were announced in August last year and introduced on 19 September 2002

View

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Ordinance will introduce a new definition of 'professional investor', explains Senior Associate Daniel Yeo

View

Senior Associate Daniel Yeo examines new guidelines issued by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) for the regulation of advertising material for deposits issued over the Internet

View

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority's new guidelines aim to ensure senior management is 'fit and proper' to manage authorised institutions, explains Senior Associate Daniel Yeo

View

Recent developments in Hong Kong have highlighted Hong Kong as an increasingly attractive market for Australian fund managers and investors to seek offshore investment opportunities, explains Senior Associate Daniel Yeo

View

Hong Kong-based AAR lawyer James Chan summarises changes under the region's controversial new financial legislation and reports on moves afoot in the corporate governance field

View

Welcome to our latest round-up of developments in South East Asia. This time we look at Singapore's revised Takeovers and Mergers Code; Indonesia's new IMF-backed plan to attract international investors and amendments to its capital market regulations; and Malaysia's budget.

View

Hong Kong-based Senior Associate Kate Axup looks at how foreign access to the Chinese financial services industry will change once China joins the World Trade Organisation

View

We look at recent reforms to the Singapore Financial Industry; the easing of IPO requirements in Malaysia; and new foreign investment laws in Indonesia, including the long-awaited oil and gas legislation

View

Matthew Barnard looks at recent changes affecting the sale of offshore debt capital markets issues

View

Through unit trusts, Hong Kong retail investors are becoming increasingly prepared to put their hard-earned dollars in the hands of fund managers, who can make money for them. In the rush to invest in the latest flavour-of-month fund, investors might wish to pause and consider what protection they have once their money is out the door

View

As Internet banking takes off in Hong Kong, we look at the Monetary Authority's new guidelines

View

AAR client the Royal Bank of Scotland examines recent Australian transport projects, and looks at the future potentials for this sector of the infrastructure industry

View

Controversial legislation dealing with companies in financial trouble has recently been re-submitted to the Hong Kong Legislative Council. It will substantially affect creditors' recovery of debts. Although particular aspects are being debated in the Legislative Council, the broad purpose is generally accepted

View

More than a year after it was lodged, an application to authorise an Australian-registered scheme in Hong Kong is still tracking through the Securities and Futures Commission's approvals process, with no sign of completion in the near future. We explain why