The demand for electricity in Vietnam is rising rapidly to power the growing economy. Forecasts predict an annual growth rate for  electricity of ‘near-double’ digits in the years to come. We provide an overview of the Vietnamese renewable energy market and discuss recent developments. ...

Ensuring respect for human rights presents a growing challenge for businesses in light of evolving laws and standards, together with increasing public scrutiny and stakeholder expectations. This Insight provides an update on five emerging trends for 2021. ...

Our snapshot of the Australian IP highlights of 2020 and the key developments to watch in 2021, covering: Copyright & Designs; Trade marks; Patents; and Franchising. ...

This article highlights the three particularly significant cases that have informed some of the major industrial law reforms proposed by the Government in December 2020, incl: Rossato, Mondelez and Qantas stand downs. ...

New laws came into effect from 29 January 2021 which significantly increase the penalties payable for breaches of Australia's electricity, gas and energy retail laws. They also provide the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) with stronger powers when investigating and enforcing contraventions. ...

The Full Court of the Federal Court has held that foreign sovereign immunity did not apply to prevent parties from seeking recognition of an arbitral award against Spain. We examine Kingdom of Spain v Infrastructure Services Luxembourg S.à.r.l. and its implications. ...

Major foreign investment law changes; ASIC extends relief for financial reporting and AGM requirements and issues guidance on design and distribution laws; ASX issues guidance to address 'earning surprises'; ACCC releases first digital platform inquiry interim report; and WA Supreme Court hands down decision with implications for legal professional privilege in internal emails. ...

The Federal Government's insolvency reform package relating to small business provides for a debt restructuring process intended to give eligible small businesses the flexibility to restructure debts while the directors remain in control of the business, and for a new simplified liquidation process for small business. ...

The Financial Sector Reform (Hayne Royal Commission Response No. 2) Bill 2020 aims to implement the Hayne Royal Commission recommendations in relation to changes to ongoing advice fee arrangements, superannuation trustees passing on advice fees and requiring AFSL holders or authorised representatives (providing entity) to disclose a lack of independence when providing personal advice to retail clients. ...

In the absence of the Responsible Lending Obligations, lending by Australian banks will be regulated by APRA. This means the new Credit Risk Management Prudential Standard (APS220) will be the central legislative guidance in designing consumer assessment and lending protocols. ...