Conference programme

Despite decelerating global growth, the economic outlook for the Asia Pacific region remains bright amid the gloom of geoeconomic fragmentation and financial stresses with robust growth projected for many of its emerging market economies. Featuring insights from lawyers and analysts, this opening session will explore growth opportunities in the region, as well as highlight risks, observable shifts and key drivers relevant to lawyers and their clients.

In today’s global economy, cross-border M&A have become a strategic tool for businesses looking to expand their reach and diversify their operations. Asia, with its dynamic markets and rapid economic growth, is increasingly being recognised as a prime region for M&A activity. This session will delve into the intricacies of cross-border M&A transactions in Asia, exploring why it has become the sweet spot for international business expansion.

The courts have long grappled with the issue of whether a winding-up petition or a contractual clause which specifies that disputes are to be resolved by arbitration should take priority. This session therefore seeks to – (1) explore the primary considerations fuelling this debate; (2) analyse the relevant case law across multiple jurisdictions on this interplay between insolvency and arbitration; and (3) consider how this interplay has affected the insolvency and arbitration scenes in the Asia Pacific region.

New technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are creating new landscape, bringing profound impact on the traditional models of licensing of intellectual properties rights, know-how and technologies. Since the laws are still in the development stage, the session will discuss challenges, possibilities and the responses thereto.

China’s domestic market demand has been keeping weak since 2023. More and more Chinese companies are looking for new opportunities in overseas market, especially in the Asia Pacific region, expecting to duplicate their success in the past years in China. Can Chinese investments find more opportunities in other Asian markets? What challenges do they have to face in the diversified environments in the regions? This session will provide a broader picture from different perspectives of the new trends of China’s outbound investment in Asia and the related hot topics, trying to provide a vivid vision to the audience which goes beyond the specific legal issues in specialised legal areas. The discussion will focus on the changes of industries which attracts China’s investments, the challenges of legal and compliance issues they have to face and the social responsibilities that Chinese investors undertake in the local community. Recent cases will also be studied during the discussion.

Companies are treading in unchartered waters as the regulatory authorities in various countries are still grappling with how to regulate data privacy in the context of new technologies, including AI. The challenge is further compounded as companies expand their businesses across multiple jurisdictions and face compliance challenges under multiple data protection laws. Join this session to gain insight into cross-border data transfer requirements and personal data management in the context of business expansion, digitalisation, technology and AI.

Workforce has been migrating across borders for several decades now, with those from less developed countries seeking gainful employment in more developed countries; and with the more developed countries looking to save costs by the hiring of cheaper labour from less developed countries. What should have been a beneficial symbiotic relationship unfortunately often became the bedrock for exploitation. The session will discuss whether the tides are turning and whether due to stricter local enforcements, trade agreements, trade sanctions, ESG agenda or dare we say enlightenment, it has become necessary for businesses to comply not just with local applicable laws but also international standards. Basic employee rights have come to the forefront and is impacting listings on stock exchanges, mergers and acquisitions and of course daily operations.

This session will examine the confluence between common law and civil law in courts and tribunals dealing with both. How do judges/advocates of a civil/common law jurisdiction adapt to a role in an international commercial court? What are the challenges to the role of in-house legal counsel in international transactions and dispute resolution? What are the skillsets required in dealing with cross-border legal practice?

In this session, leaders within our global profession will engage in ‘crystal ball gazing’ to discuss the future of the legal profession in an increasingly globalised and diversified world. What opportunities and challenges lie ahead in world where technological advances have transcended geographical boundaries? How should lawyers position themselves to be future ready? What other innovations may we anticipate? How do we stay committed as professionals to the best traditions of the international bar in an ever-changing world?