In today's increasingly complex corporate world, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity is rising. But with the heightened levels of M&A also comes a rise in fraud risk. In fact, fraud related to mergers and acquisitions has become one of the most significant threats facing companies now– a grave concern that must be addressed effectively in order to protect both the acquiring and target entities. That is why it’s essential for all parties involved in an M&A transaction to...

When it comes to disputes involving contracts, two aspects come into play - representation and warranties. Representation and warranty clauses are widely used in commercial agreements, as they help protect a contracting party's interests by setting out specific promises made by one party to the other. Through these assurances, parties can be assured that what is being agreed upon will be delivered faithfully or risk repercussions if not fulfilled. In this episode, we'll discuss how...

Mergers and acquisitions are a common occurrence in the business world. Although beneficial for many, there are often disputes between firms once an M&A event takes place. These post-M&A disputes can be particularly damaging if not addressed quickly and properly. In this episode, we'll take a closer look at the different kinds of post-M&A disputes that can arise, their causes, and how to resolve them effectively so you can avoid conflicts later on down the line. To find out more,...

The recent amendment to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 by MEITY has been a topic of discussion among various stakeholders. The amendment aims to regulate online gaming intermediaries and requires them to observe due diligence while discharging their duties. The proposed amendments also include provisions for intermediaries to block access to social media posts and news articles deemed fake or misleading. In this episode, we...

Data processing has become even more critical in recent years, especially for digital lending platforms that are now ubiquitous throughout India. The need to properly regulate data processing activities is more pertinent than ever before, as this will help protect consumer rights and privacy while creating a secure environment for all stakeholders involved. With the emergence of digital lending platforms in India, regulatory agencies have stepped up efforts to ensure that data collected...

As the Indian government looks at introducing a data protection bill, industries are bracing themselves for yet another shift in their digital ecosystem. The draft bill titled ‘The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022’ is groundbreaking with its approach to drafting regulations for holding and processing personal data of Indian citizens. Businesses will have to take drastic measures steps towards compliance or face penalties if they don't adhere to the guidelines set out in the proposed...

Data localization rules are becoming increasingly important in today’s digital world. As countries become more aware of the value held within data, many have implemented laws that require businesses to store and process their data within the country’s borders. In this episode, we will take a look at data localization rules in Vietnam and how they affect companies operating in the country. Please visit Russin & Vecchi for more information Our Guests Nhut Nugyen Nhut has experience in...

The environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors of a company are becoming increasingly important to investors. Many companies are now touting their ESG credentials as a way to attract investment. However, some companies may be engaging in "greenwashing," falsely promoting their ESG practices. Investors need to be careful to differentiate between companies that are truly committed to sustainable practices and those that are only paying lip service to them. By doing their due diligence,...

Is it worth investing in companies that have an ethical and sustainable focus? There is no simple answer, but a growing number of investors believe that ESG investment does make sense. Here we'll take a look at some of the factors to consider when making an ESG investment. To find our more about Stephenson Harwood please visit https://www.esglegalhub.com/ About Our Guests Penelope Shen Penny is one of Hong Kong’s leading funds lawyers who counts among her clients the region’s top asset...

Hong Kong is a hotbed for business, and the economy is booming. However, companies must be aware of how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors can affect their bottom line. This epsiode will explore how ESG affects businesses in Hong Kong and provide tips on how to integrate these considerations into your operations. Stay ahead of the curve and make sure you're doing everything possible to protect your company's interests! To find our more about Stephenson Harwood please visit...

When it comes to sustainability, Hong Kong is often seen as a laggard. But a growing number of local companies and organisations are now starting to embrace environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles. In this epsiode, Penelope Shen and Tze wei Ng of Stephenson Harwood in Hong Kong take a closer look at the ESG landscape in Hong Kong. To find our more about Stephenson Harwood please visit https://www.esglegalhub.com/ About Our Guests Penelope Shen Penny is one of Hong Kong’s...

The Philippines has one of the fastest-growing fintech sectors in the world. Fintech is driving rapid innovation and growth in the Philippines and has fueled the country's ambitions in creating a digital economy. This podcast will explore the impact of fintech on the Philippine economy, highlighting the benefits it has brought to consumers and businesses alike. It will also discuss some of the challenges facing fintech in the Philippines, and consider how these might be overcome in order to...

Cryptocurrency is becoming more prevalent around the world. While this asset is still in its infancy, there are a number of countries that have already begun to implement regulations surrounding it. The Philippines is one such country, with a number of new rules and regulations for cryptocurrency exchanges. This podcast will explore the new regulations and how they may affect the cryptocurrency industry in the Philippines. Our Guests John Paul V. De Leon John Paul V. De Leon is a partner...

Singapore offers foreign investors competitive access to the Asian market due to its favorable taxation policies and strategic location within Southeast Asia. Several free trade agreements with neighboring Asian nations are available to Singaporean businesses, in addition to over 80 double taxation avoidance agreements. Besides being a stable political and economic hub, Singapore is also an important financial center in ASEAN. International business and trade standards are mirrored by...

Many people think that when two or more people start a business together, they will automatically get along and have a perfect working relationship. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Co-founder conflicts can arise for a number of reasons, and if they are not managed correctly, can lead to the downfall of the company. In this episode, I am joined by Jerome McDonagh and Eddy Lee of MDD to discuss how to prevent co-founder conflicts, and how to manage them if they do occur. For...

Start-ups and tech companies are often lauded for their innovation, but this can make them difficult to value. Traditional valuation methods are based on financial metrics such as earnings and revenue, but these may not be relevant for early-stage businesses. Instead, investors must focus on other indicators such as the team's experience, the market opportunity, and the strength of the product. By taking a closer look at these factors, it is possible to get a more accurate picture of a...

Ben Cooper joins us in this Q2 review show of the Hong Kong legal market. For more information about the Hong Kong legal market, please visit https://ashford-benjamin.com/

There's been a lot of discussion lately about the role of legal ops within companies. Some people argue that legal ops should be an extension of the legal team, while others maintain that it should be independent. So which is the right approach? To help unpack this, we spoke with Nicolas Leroux, founder and managing partner of Kalexius, and Eric O'Donnell, head of legal operations at Total Energies. Nicolas Leroux is the Founder and Managing Director of Kalexius. He leads operations...

As the concept of outsourcing has expanded beyond its restrictive definition, legal outsourcing is changing the legal industry. Although outsourcing isn't new to business, it's relatively new to the legal industry. To help unpack this, we spoke with Nicolas Leroux, founder and managing partner of Kalexius, and Eric O'Donnell, head of legal operations at Total Energies. Nicolas Leroux is the Founder and Managing Director of Kalexius. He leads operations across all practice areas and is...

While Legal Operations is not a new concept, it is gaining popularity as General Counsel look for ways to create efficiencies within their legal departments. In-house legal teams rely on Legal Operations functions for strategic planning, people management, operational efficiency, technology investments, and project management. As a result, more and more companies are hiring Legal Operations professionals. Formerly regarded as a technology-driven, project-based role, the role has evolved...

"Do more with less" has been the call of many legal departments for almost a decade. Legal departments have had to ask themselves whether they are operating in a strategically sound manner when responding to this call. Thus, we are seeing a rise in legal operation functions in legal departments. Legal department heads must find ways to maximize productivity, streamline processes, and create value. All this while keeping a close eye on costs. In legal operations, multidisciplinary skills...

What it takes for a company to be resilient is constantly evolving, driven by macro socio-economic disruptions and micro business issues influencing a change in business models. A four-part series with FTI Consulting and Conventus Law focusing on the key areas where organisations can protect value and take action, to address critical issues and mitigate risks. We are in a period of rapid regulatory evolution with respect to data privacy. As Julie Brill, Chief Privacy Officer and Corporate...

Andrea Ng, Partner with Singapore-based law firm Shook Lin & Bok LLP takes a deeper look into the world of NFTs. How they are regulated, the complexities surrounding each NFT, and how NFTs make a business case for investors. To find out more about NFT regulations in Singapore, visit https://www.shooklin.com/en/ Andrea specialises in trust, asset and wealth management matters with a focus on REITs. She advises on securities, funds, capital markets intermediaries and trusts-related...

There is a naked ambition in Singapore for it to become a global fintech hub. Singapore has adopted a proactive approach to strengthening fintech by forming international partnerships and ensuring its regulators remain ahead of the curve. Singapore's financial technology industry will likely become a global fintech hub if it continues to mature through its application in several industries and efforts to build a cohesive digital ecosystem. To find out how Singapore can achieve this...

Singapore has one of the strictest requirements for Crypto Exchanges to obtain crypto exchange licenses. This has resulted in the small number of exchanges being granted licenses and some of the biggest names failing to obtain licenses. While Singapore's drive for "Best In Class" regulations may bring some short-term competitiveness issues, ultimately this could place Singapore as the main crypto exchange hub in the long run. Andrea Ng, partner with Singapore-based law firm Shook Lin &...