Data protection and cybersecurity laws across Asia are developing at a fast pace and with a great deal of diversity in approach across countries. Data privacy partner, Anna Gamvros, who is based in our Hong Kong office, will bring you up to date on where Asia is in terms of data privacy regulation development, in particular looking at the new China Cybersecurity Law which is effective from 1 June 2017.

For international financiers and corporate borrowers, taking or granting security in Asia Pacific requires a specialised and customised approach for each jurisdiction. Whilst there are many similarities between some jurisdictions, there are surprisingly wide variations within the region.

The renewable energy storage industry may still be in its infancy, but it holds immense potential – some estimates suggest that this will be a US$50 billion global industry by 2020. Across our global network, our energy lawyers are seeing more and more interest in energy storage projects with an increasingly diverse range of participants. Recent developments suggest that although e-storage costs will have to drop substantially to enable large scale implementation around the world, various technologies and applications are already economically viable and operational in various jurisdictions.

2015 was a busy year, with a number of important new legal developments in English law. Some were home-produced; others were EU related. 2016 is likely to see significant changes as proposals and consultations launched in 2015 take more solid form. The English Law Year in Review and Year to Come summarises, in four pages, a selection of the major developments last year, and major developments expected over the coming year, with links to further reading, where available. “Its always difficult to know what to include, what to leave out.

In our article “Mirabela Nickel Restructuring - An Australian First” in the Q3 2014 issue of Global Insight, we considered the cutting-edge case of Mirabela Nickel Ltd [2014] NSWSC 836 (Mirabela) which was the first example of the court approving a debt-for-equity swap of an externally administered listed company, despite the absence of shareholder approval. The issue has been considered further in the recent case of Nexus Energy Limited [2014] NSWSC 1910 (Nexus).

Moody's announced in October 2014 that the detainment of Agile Property Holdings' chairman, Chen Zhoulin by government authorities was credit negative, in Moody's view, "similar incidents would adversely affect developers' borrowing costs and/or their access to offshore funding". The events that have unfolded since show that Moody's were right on the money. Read more

2014 was a busy year, with a number of important new legal developments that affect businesses globally. To help you keep track of these key changes, Linklaters offices around the world have produced Year in Review guides that summarise a selection of the major developments in their respective regions last year, with links to further reading where available. 2015 is likely to see significant changes as proposals and consultations launched in 2014 take more solid form.

Asia-Pacific was able to weather the financial storm in 2009, demonstrating a resilience not seen in other parts of the world. However, once-promising growth prospects across Asia-Pacific are giving way to more conservative attitudes, as regional economic figures begin to indicate a change in the months and years ahead. The slowdown in mainland China is having a ripple effect on prospects across the region, with Asia’s emerging economies feeling the brunt of changing sentiment.

Welcome to issue 11 of Global Insight, bringing you breaking legal developments in restructuring law across borders and in jurisdictions around the world. This issue features: GUEST ARTICLE ■ Chinese companies and offshore debt AMERICAS ■ Bankruptcy sales for distressed hospitals: four questions to ask before you begin ASIA PACIFIC ■ Mirabela Nickel restructuring – an Australian first ■ China Credit – relaxation of restrictions on cross-border security ■ Cross-border insolvencies – recognition of foreign liquidators in Hong Kong CONTINENTAL EUROPE ■ New insolvency law in Romania – a step

Progress under the G20 and OECD Action 13 in regards to the Action Plan to tackle base erosion and profit shifting (‘BEPS’) continues at pace.