Special Issue: Apr 24 Legal Update

Share This: Top stories HKEX consultation conclusions on climate-related disclosures HKEX published conclusions on its consultation on the enhancement of climate-related disclosures under the ESG framework. The proposals were adopted as modified, with a “phased” approach. Implementation reliefs are also introduced for some new requirements, replacing the “interim provisions” approach as originally proposed. (Press release; […]

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Feb 24 Legal Update

Share This: Top stories Directors’ duties  (Loans, subsidiary, conflicts of interest) HKEX censures 3 directors (2 executive directors including chairman/CEO and his wife (non-executive director)) of Xinming China Holdings Limited, directs these directors to attend training on Listing Rule compliance.   (Announcement; Statement of Disciplinary Action)   It concerns an impairment loss in connection with loans obtained […]

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Mar 2024

Mini survey on AGMs (2024)
We further enriched our themes this year. Around 120 listed companies joined our survey, including over 70% of Hang Seng Index companies which are based in HK/Macao.
Survey findings:

– Majority: “physical” meetings
– Many Hang Seng Index cos adopt “e-facilities” ( “hybrid” with e-voting OR webcast)
– Majority: NOT proposing director fee rise
– Signs of board refreshment: majority have only some/or none of 9-year INEDs standing for re-election
– Meeting logistics: majority have refreshment/or souvenir/or both

Practising Governance AGMs 2024 Survey Findings Mar 24

Download Infographic

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Jan 24 Legal Update

Share This: Top stories HKEX review: annual reports disclosure HKEX published a report on its review of issuers’ annual reports for 2022 year-end.  (Press release; report) HKEX followed a “thematic approach” as in the past, selecting a number of specific areas for review. These include financial reporting and controls, material asset impairments (including loan impairments), […]

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Nov/Dec 23 Legal Update

Share This: Top stories HKEX review: corporate governance disclosure HKEX published a report on its analysis of issuers’ corporate governance practice disclosure for 2022 year-end (“HKEX CG review”) , and “A Snapshot of INEDs Roles and Responsibilities” (“HKEX INED Guide”). (Press release)   (A) HKEX CG Review It focuses on new requirements under the updated […]

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Sept/Oct 23 Legal Update

Share This: Top stories HKEX Guidance   (A) HKEX published Guidance Letter (GL 116- 23) on Disclosure of the basis of consideration and business valuations in notifiable transactions. Valuation in transactions and directors’ duties is a recurring theme of regulators. It was addressed in HKEX’s recent Enforcement Bulletin. (See our May/June 23 update) (Background:  in […]

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July/Aug 23 Legal Update

Share This: Top stories Privacy Commission’s new Guidance on handling data breach   The Privacy Commissioner on Personal Data published an article promoting the Commission’s new “Guidance on Data Breach Handling and Data Breach Notifications”.  (Article, Press Release, Guidance Note) In light of the increase (by 20%) in data breach reported to it during 1H, […]

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May/June 23 Legal Update

Share This: Top stories HKEX Listed Issuer Newsletter; new global ISSB sustainability standards   (i) HKEX published its latest Listed Issuer Newsletter, with useful observations on disclosure of business valuations in transactions, and compliance with new Listing Rules on share schemes. It also addresses issues relating to change in auditors. Firstly, as regards disclosure of […]

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Apr 23 Legal Update

Share This: Top stories HKEX consultation on climate-related disclosures      HKEX published a consultation paper on proposals to enhance climate-related disclosures under the ESG framework (Appendix 27). It proposes to (i) make such disclosures in ESG reports mandatory, and (ii) introduce new disclosures aligned with the International Sustainability Standards Board (“ISSB”) Climate Standard (ISSB standard expected to […]

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