Overheard in Asia

Two years ago, we introduced #OverheardinAsia during #SingaporeConventionWeek. 2 years later, we are excited to announce... (Drumroll, please 🥁)     ...the launch of the Overheard in Asia website!    What started as an experimental initiative to bring legal practitioners across Asia together in a fun way has blossomed into something special. Our bi-monthly newsletter has been your cheeky companion for the latest legal updates across APAC, and now our new site is here to make staying informed even easier — and way more fun! 😎    Of course, we'll still be sharing:  🕵️♂️ Spotlights feature on the industry’s movers and shakers   📅 Master Calendar for legal events happening around the region   🍽️ Those delicious food from interesting nooks around the world that our readers absolutely love!    We can't wait to have you on board to explore the next chapter with us. Let's keep the conversation going on www.overheard.asia!

India's Reliance Infrastructure has failed to escape a hefty arbitration bill. 🍿 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝? The case revolves around a USD 1.3 billion contract between China’s Shanghai Electric Group and India’s Reliance Infrastructure for the Sasan coal-fired power plant in Madhya Pradesh. The deal started promisingly in 2008 but by 2019, Shanghai Electric was crying foul, claiming that Reliance had acquired but not paid for equipment. When the SIAC tribunal ordered Reliance to pay USD 146.3 million in December 2022, Reliance claimed that their former officer, Rajesh Agrawal, had never signed the guarantee letter and lacked authority to do so. They even brought handwriting evidence to prove it. But the Singapore Court of Appeal wasn't buying it. The judges pointed out that Reliance knew facts that should have raised red flags about the signature - like the mysterious absence of any copy or record of the letter in their files. Yet they chose to stay silent during the arbitration, only to cry foul after losing. In the court's words, this amounted to "the worst kind of hedging." 👀 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲 In a procedural first for Singapore, this case marks the first time witnesses were cross-examined in an award set-aside application - though ultimately, it couldn't save Reliance from their U$146 millions obligation. Some things, you just can’t run away from. ** 🤫 To read the rest of this OIA edition: https://lnkd.in/ghhCU7uQ 🤫 And if you like what you're reading, subscribe to Overheard in Asia to get the latest APAC disputes & arbitration news every 2 weeks in 3 minutes! -https://lnkd.in/gHFG4gvh #arbitration #lawyer #legal #disputeresolution

What happens when a seemingly straightforward share purchase agreement goes sideways? 🍿 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝? In 2017, Shenzhen Baoneng Investment Group (“𝐁𝐚𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐠“), owned by Chinese billionaire Yao Zhenhua, purchased a 51% stake in Qoros Automotive - a JV between Kenon’s predecessor (the Israel Corporation) and Chinese state-owned carmaker Chery. This increased to 63% in 2019. In 2021, Baoneng agreed to buy Kenon's remaining 12% stake in Qoros Automotive. But when neither the deposit nor initial payments materialised by the agreed deadlines, Kenon launched CIETAC proceedings that resulted in a $250 million award representing the purchase price plus interest and costs (“𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝“). 👀 𝐓𝐋;𝐃𝐑 The Beijing No.4 Intermediate Court has now rejected Baoneng's attempt to set aside the Award - a decision that can't be appealed. Looks like Baoneng is learning the costly price of contractual breaches! ** 🤫 To read the rest of this OIA edition: https://lnkd.in/ghhCU7uQ 🤫 And if you like what you're reading, subscribe to Overheard in Asia to get the latest APAC disputes & arbitration news every 2 weeks in 3 minutes! -https://lnkd.in/gHFG4gvh #arbitration #lawyer #legal #disputeresolution

Japanese drugmaker Nippon Shinyaku faces a USD 115.2 million hit after a Delaware jury sides with Sarepta, a US biotechnology company. 🍿 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝? This patent dispute revolves around competing drugs for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a devastating genetic disorder that causes muscle deterioration. The case first erupted in 2021 when Nippon Shinyaku sued Sarepta on grounds of patent infringement. In January 2022, Sarepta countered with its own infringement claims regarding patents licensed from the University of Western Australia. Earlier this month, the jury delivered a decisive blow to Nippon Shinyaku - not only must Nippon Shinyaku pay USD 115.2M in damages, but the jury also invalidated all seven of their asserted patents while upholding Sarepta's! 👀 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐎𝐧! That said, Nippon Shinyaku has vowed to explore "all options" including appeals, so this pharmaceutical slugfest may be far from over. ** 🤫 To read the rest of this OIA edition: https://lnkd.in/ghhCU7uQ 🤫 And if you like what you're reading, subscribe to Overheard in Asia to get the latest APAC disputes & arbitration news every 2 weeks in 3 minutes! -https://lnkd.in/gHFG4gvh #arbitration #lawyer #legal #disputeresolution

It's the final day of 2024 & our last edition for 2025! Where we dive into a $115.2 million pharmaceutical loss, explore when happens Chinese billionaires get into a tussle & Reliance’s massive $146 million bill. We also shine the spotlight on Helen Wang - offshore litigator embracing challenges, now thriving in Singapore, where she has built career and home. 🤫 To read this Overheard in Asia edition in full: https://lnkd.in/ghhCU7uQ 🤫 If you like what you're reading, subscribe to Overheard in Asia to get the latest APAC disputes & arbitration news every 2 weeks in 3 minutes! -https://lnkd.in/gHFG4gvh #arbitration #lawyer #legal #disputeresolution

Are you looking for a wholesome meal in KL? It's a Friday so we're back with another food recommendation at Overheard in Asia! At Nippori Café, the Sun Dried Saba may look like a simple dish, but it is a true testament to the skill and dedication of Chef Fukuzato. Carefully sun-dried for two days and rested for an additional day to enhance its flavour, the saba is soft and fluffy, with a subtle sweetness and rich umami that gradually reveals itself with every bite. Adding to the charm, Nippori Café offers an inviting atmosphere that feels like a little escape to Japan. With tatami-inspired seating, you can slip off your shoes, kick back and relax (literally!). There are only a few of these low tables, so if you’re lucky enough to snag one, it’s a cosy win. No worries if not – there are plenty of other spots indoors or outdoors to soak in the exquisite food and warm ambience. ** 🤫 To read the latest OIA edition: https://lnkd.in/g3tv_aBk 🤫 And if you like what you're reading, subscribe to Overheard in Asia to get the latest APAC disputes & arbitration news every 2 weeks in 3 minutes! -https://lnkd.in/gHFG4gvh #arbitration #lawyer #legal #disputeresolution

Meet Idza Hajar Ahmad Idzam - full-time gamer and accidental lawyer who happens to be a partner in the Dispute Resolution Practise Group in Messrs Zul Rafique & Partners! 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞, 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧? I am currently a partner in the Dispute Resolution Practise Group in Messrs Zul Rafique & Partners. We do all manner of civil litigation matters across the lower and higher appellate courts. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭? It's hard to name one. I am rarely proud of myself, but I constantly beam in pride when I see my lawyers under my tutelage and responsibility, progress in experience, achievements and get recognised for it. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 25 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐲! 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫? I am passionate about gaming so I would probably spend it playing the newest role-playing game out there. I have completed all the Final Fantasy games released at least twice. I am currently playing Diablo IV, the expansion. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐭 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐲𝐞𝐫, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨? Without a doubt, I would have become a professional online gamer, or the glamourous term used these days is to be an e-sports athlete. I used to game quite seriously during my law school days when gaming was in its infancy in Malaysia. I was part of an all-female team competing in gaming tournaments. We funded ourselves and managed to place quite well in tournaments! It helped me with my law school expenses. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬...? My favourite food in the whole wide world is Chicken Rice. I would eat it every day if I could. To me, it’s a complete meal. There is protein, carbohydrate, vegetables, soup and sambal all in one dish. What's not to like? I go to Nasi Ayam Hainan Chee Meng (Glenmarie branch. This specific branch and no other) almost every Saturday for a hearty lunch. I would highly recommend the Salted Fish Kailan apart from the Chicken Rice dish. It is delicious! ** 🤫 To read the latest OIA edition: https://lnkd.in/g3tv_aBk 🤫 And if you like what you're reading, subscribe to Overheard in Asia to get the latest APAC disputes & arbitration news every 2 weeks in 3 minutes! -https://lnkd.in/gHFG4gvh #arbitration #lawyer #legal #disputeresolution

Gamers FTW! 🍿 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝? Nexon is a South Korean game developer behind the likes of MapleStory. Back in 2010, MapleStory introduced a probabilistic item called ‘Cube’, which would allegedly allow players to enhance their characters’ abilities by rolling for three random options. Players began to voice their suspicions when they failed to obtain a ‘win’ after spending tens of millions of won. One particular MapleStory player named Kim, headed to the district court to obtain a refund of the 11 million won ($7,879) he spent on MapleStory. The district court ruled in favour of Nexon. Unsatisfied, Kim appealed and the appeals court ruled in January 2023 that Nexon should refund 570,000 won, about 5 percent of the requested amount, to Kim. 👀 𝐍𝐨𝐰 The Supreme Court has upheld the appeal court’s decision, marking the first time that a court has sided with a gamer in a tussle over in-game loot boxes! And mind you, Nexon’s woes haven’t ended just yet as the Korea Fair Trade Commission have already fined Nexon 11.6 billion won (after finding that Nexon had altered the probabilities so that there was a 0% chance of the Cube being obtained), with the company agreeing to compensate approximately 800,000 users for its intentional and active fraudulent behaviour. ** 🤫 To read the latest OIA edition: https://lnkd.in/g3tv_aBk 🤫 And if you like what you're reading, subscribe to Overheard in Asia to get the latest APAC disputes & arbitration news every 2 weeks in 3 minutes! -https://lnkd.in/gHFG4gvh #arbitration #lawyer #legal #disputeresolution

India's Competition Commission (CCI) is going after the likes of Amazon and Flipkart?! 🍿 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝? The saga began in January 2020 when the Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh, a traders' association, first complained about preferential treatment on platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. After a four-year investigation, the CCI announced in August 2024 that Amazon and Flipkart had breached India’s antitrust laws and were found to have systematically favoured select sellers, manipulating search results to boost certain vendors' visibility. The probe also uncovered a complex web of collaboration, implicating smartphone giants like Samsung and Vivo in exclusive online product launches that potentially breached competition regulations. 👀 𝐓𝐋;𝐃𝐑 The regulatory body is now taking its fight to the Supreme Court, seeking to consolidate 24 separate lawsuits designed to obstruct its investigation into alleged anti-competitive practices. With e-commerce sales in India projected to skyrocket from $57 billion to $160 billion by 2028, one wonders: Who really controls the digital marketplace's invisible hand? ** 🤫 To read the latest OIA edition: https://lnkd.in/g3tv_aBk 🤫 And if you like what you're reading, subscribe to Overheard in Asia to get the latest APAC disputes & arbitration news every 2 weeks in 3 minutes! -https://lnkd.in/gHFG4gvh #arbitration #lawyer #legal #disputeresolution

6E matters, if you’re in India. 🍿 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝? IndiGo, India’s largest airline with a 60% domestic market share, has just launched a legal assault against Mahindra Electric over the seemingly innocuous digits '6E' – a trademark that the airline has meticulously cultivated over the past 18 years. At the heart of this legal drama is Mahindra's upcoming electric vehicle, the MahindraBE 6E (which they have since decided to rename as BE 6), which is set to launch in February 2025. IndiGo argues that Mahindra's use of '6E' threatens to erode its carefully constructed brand identity, which spans everything from in-flight magazines to advertising and co-branded credit cards. The airline's whooping 48-page lawsuit even alleges that Mahindra has "deliberately tried to associate themselves" with the aviation industry by claiming that their car is shaped like a cockpit! 👀 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 While trademark disputes are common in India, legal disputes between major PLCs are rare. So this is going to be a tantalising case to keep an eye on! ** 🤫 To read the latest OIA edition: https://lnkd.in/g3tv_aBk 🤫 And if you like what you're reading, subscribe to Overheard in Asia to get the latest APAC disputes & arbitration news every 2 weeks in 3 minutes! -https://lnkd.in/gHFG4gvh #arbitration #lawyer #legal #disputeresolution