Drew & Napier LLC

The English High Court in Re Sino-Ocean Group Holding Ltd approved a restructuring plan despite it allowing the shareholders to retain a majority shareholding in the company and thus disproportionally benefiting the shareholders. Among the reasons for its decision, the court noted the economic benefits of such retention, reflecting the court’s commercial approach towards the restructuring. Please click here to read more about the update.

In February 2025, President Trump passed Executive Order 14209, which temporarily suspends criminal enforcement of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) for at least 180 days, and directs the U.S. Department of Justice to review all existing FCPA investigations or enforcement actions, and issue updated guidelines or policies governing FCPA investigations or enforcement actions. In this update, Director Gary Low and Senior Associate Victor David Lau examine how U.S. affiliated entities operating in Asia have historically managed FCPA compliance, the implications of Executive Order 14209 for U.S. affiliated entities operating in Asia, and highlight key lessons for U.S. affiliated entities continuing operations in Asia amid an evolving regulatory environment. Read more here.

On 17 January 2025, ASEAN released the “Expanded ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics – Generative AI” (“ASEAN Gen AI Guide”) during the 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting in Thailand. In this legal update, Head of TMT Lim Chong Kin and Director Cheryl Seah analyse the 52-page ASEAN Gen AI Guide, and highlight key areas for organisations to take action on, as well as areas to monitor for future developments. Please click here to read the update.

In WXW v WXX [2025] SGHC(A) 2, the Appellate Division of the High Court clarified that whether a marriage is classified as single-income or dual-income in nature is dependent on the roles undertaken and discharged by the spouses during the marriage. This classification is significant as it determines the applicable approach for the division of matrimonial assets pursuant to s 112 of the Women’s Charter. Director Hoon Shu Mei discusses this decision. Please click here to read the update.  

In DEM v DEL [2025] SGCA 1, the Court of Appeal considered among other things whether a non-participating party to an arbitration can challenge the award on grounds that the arbitrator failed to consider a point which was not put in issue.The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, and held that although the arbitrator did not consider the issue, the appellant was not entitled to rely on this ground to challenge the award because he chose not to participate in the arbitration. Director Terence Tan discusses this decision in this update. You may read the update here.  

We highlight key aspects of the Protection from Scams Bill, such as the basis and impact of restriction orders issued by specified police officers, and the potential risks for banks. Read more here.  

On 17 January 2025, Association of South East-Asian Nations (“ASEAN”) unveiled the ASEAN Guide on Data Anonymisation (the “Guide”) at the 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting in Thailand. The Guide was developed by members of our Data Protection, Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice in consultation with the Infocomm Media Development Authority, the Personal Data Protection Commission and ASEAN stakeholders. In this legal update, our Data Protection, Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice Group highlights some key points from the Guide relating to data anonymisation and data protection that may be helpful for your organisation. Please click here to read the update.  

The fourth quarter of 2024 and start of 2025 saw several developments that may impact the Singapore lending market. In this update, Directors Renu Menon, Pauline Chong, and May Ng and Associate Elton Ching highlight developments relating to (i) the Enterprise Financing Scheme, (ii) the Multi-Jurisdiction Common Ground Taxonomy, (iii) the Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership and (iv) the launch of green loan provisions by the Loan Market Association. Please click here to read the update.  

In WQP v WQQ [2024] SGHC(A) 34, the Appellate Division of the High Court held that the fact that the pool of matrimonial assets comprises substantial pre-marriage assetscommingled with post-marriage assets is relevant to the division of matrimonial assets pursuant to s 112 of the Women’s Charter. Director Hoon Shu Mei discusses this decision.   Please click here to read the update.  

The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (“SIAC”) 2025 Arbitration Rules has come into force on 1 January 2025. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties,the 2025 Arbitration Rules and its procedures will apply to any SIAC arbitration which is commenced on or after 1 January 2025. In this Chinese update, Director Mahesh Rai and Associate Director Loh Tian Kai highlight 10 notable features of the new Rules as well as some related thoughts and considerations arising from practical experience. Read more here.