Search results

Rising to the challenge, how insurers will adapt in 2025

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Simon Laird, Global Head of Insurance

The global insurance industry is on the brink of transformation as geopolitical tensions, accelerating AI adoption, and escalating climate crises converge to create a perfect storm in 2025. From navigating a volatile economic landscape to addressing emerging risks in cyber and ESG, insurers face a year of unparalleled complexity and opportunity.

Confidentiality of arbitration proceedings may not always be protected - The Republic of India v Deutsche Telkom AG [2023] SGCA(I) 4

Published on 20 Jul 2023. By Swee Siang Boey, Partner

In general, arbitration proceedings are confidential. Arbitration-related cases which end up in the courts often are reported only after the names of parties have been anonymised, and it is quite common for a sealing order to be issued on the court file, so as to preserve the confidential nature of the arbitration.

Hong Kong court grants reported Norwich Pharmacal in aid of execution

Published on 27 Oct 2022. By Charles Allen, Partner & Head of Hong Kong office

Unsurprisingly, claimants want to be able to enforce their judgments, especially when the underlying proceedings have been hard-fought and (therefore) expensive.

Overseas King's Counsel appearing remotely before Hong Kong's top court

Published on 17 Oct 2022. By Antony Sassi, Managing Partner, Asia and James Lee, Associate

In an interesting and fully reasoned decision, delivered against the background of "Wave-5" of the Covid-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, a judge of the Court of Final Appeal has given approval for two King's Counsel (based in London) to appear remotely at a final appeal in January 2023.

Hong Kong – General adjournment of court proceedings ends with more guidance for remote hearings

Published on 04 May 2022. By Carmel Green, Partner and Jennifer Leung, Associate

Hong Kong's general adjournment of court proceedings ends with more guidance for remote hearings.

Hong Kong courts further expand remote hearings for civil cases

Published on 20 Jan 2021. By Jonathan Crompton, Partner and Rebecca Wong, Partner

Hong Kong Courts – Expansion of use of remote hearings

Published on 17 Jun 2020. By Carmel Green, Partner

As expected, the judiciary in Hong Kong has announced that it will expand the use of remote hearings for civil cases. The first Guidance Note for Remote Hearings for Civil Business in the High Court (Phase 1) came into effect on 3 April 2020. This was during the general adjourned period (GAP), when the courts were generally closed as a result of COVID-19, save for urgent and essential court business. The GAP came to an end on 3 May 2020.

COVID-19 – Hong Kong Courts handling urgent and essential matters

Published on 09 Apr 2020. By Charles Allen, Partner & Head of Hong Kong office

On 8 April 2020, the Hong Kong Judiciary announced that the general adjourned period ("GAP") for court proceedings will continue until at least 3 May 2020. During the GAP, court registries and offices are, for the most part, closed. However, the GAP does not apply to "urgent and essential court hearings and/or matters".

Arbitration or winding up?

Published on 17 Sep 2019. By Charles Allen, Partner & Head of Hong Kong office

In But Ka Chon v Interactive Brokers LLC [2019] HKCA 873, the Hong Kong Court of Appeal upheld a lower court's decision to reject an application to set aside a statutory demand. The appellant had argued (among other things) that an arbitration clause in his agreement with the respondent required their dispute to be referred to arbitration.

A matter of interpretation – the Supreme Court look at contractual interpretation once more

Published on 24 Feb 2023. By Poppy Hay, Associate and Laura Stocks, Partner

In their recent Judgment in Sara & Hossein Asset Holdings Ltd (a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands) v Blacks Outdoor Retails Ltd [2023] UKSC 2 the Supreme Court adopted a commercially balanced interpretation of a lease; rejecting the overly textual approach of the Court of Appeal in favour of reading the relevant clause in the context of the lease as a whole.