Asia: Government, Public Sector

In Anwar Hussain v. State of Madhya Pradesh, the Supreme Court of India delivers a strong message on state accountability and protection of personal liberty under Article 21. The Court found that false criminal antecedents were wrongly attributed to the petitioner in a bail matter, rejecting the State’s “computer error” explanation and calling it a serious lapse affecting a citizen’s liberty.

In a significant reaffirmation of individual autonomy and statutory interpretation, the Kerala High Court has held that a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from a foreign embassy...

In a recent ruling, the Division Bench of the Bombay High Court, Nagpur Bench (“Bombay HC”) in Dr. Meenakshi Muthiah v. State of Maharashtra1, observed that the right to maternity leave is an integral facet of a woman’s fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India,1950 (“Constitution”) and cannot be curtailed by service bonds, contractual obligations, or administrative instructions. The Bombay HC emphasised that maternity leave cannot be treated as a break in service and that penalising a woman for availing maternity leave would undermine the dignity of motherhood and the constitutional mandate of social justice.

The Implementation Rules of the National Security Law and their latest amendments were the focus of a recent Ming Pao news feature, where Felix Ng, Partner of Head of our Criminal Defence and Securities & Regulatory practice, provided expert insight drawing on his two decades of experience in criminal investigations.

Australia’s AML/CTF framework has been significantly reformed, expanding obligations to new sectors including real estate professionals, lawyers, accountants, and precious metal dealers.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (“DPIIT”) had issued Press Note 3 of 2020 (“PN3”), mandating prior Government approval for investments originating from entities or citizens of countries sharing land borders with India (“LBCs”), or where the beneficial owner of the investment was situated in or was a citizen of such countries.

The NSW Parliament has introduced the Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026, proposing sweeping changes to the state's building approval system and certifier responsibilities. While the Bill aims to streamline approvals and reduce red tape to meet housing targets, it controversially repeals the unpopular Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 only to reinstate many of its key requirements, potentially facing significant industry opposition particularly from private certifiers whose liability

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 introduces sweeping changes to India's foreign funding regime, including the creation of a Designated Authority with powers to seize and permanently vest foreign contributions and assets. How will these amendments reshape compliance obligations for NGOs, trusts, and other organizations receiving foreign funds, and what risks do key functionaries now face under the expanded liability framework?

Vietnam's decision to revive its nuclear power ambitions marks one of Southeast Asia's most significant strategic infrastructure developments in decades. The Ninh Thuan 2 project represents far more than a power plant—it is the foundation for building an entire national nuclear ecosystem from near-zero, encompassing regulatory frameworks, safety oversight, grid modernization, emergency response systems, workforce training, and long-term operational expertise.

Australia’s 2026/27 Federal Budget indicates a shift towards prioritising onshore visa applicants and reforms that target highly skilled and qualified migrants in the medium to long term.

In Anwar Hussain v. State of Madhya Pradesh, the Supreme Court of India delivers a strong message on state accountability and protection of personal liberty under Article 21. The Court found that false criminal antecedents were wrongly attributed to the petitioner in a bail matter, rejecting the State’s “computer error” explanation and calling it a serious lapse affecting a citizen’s liberty.

In the world of arbitration, few distinctions are as doctrinally significant, yet as frequently misunderstood, as the difference between the “seat” and the “venue” of arbitration.