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503 International HR Hot Topics

The liberalization of China’s distribution sector in recent years has opened a new range of choices for companies that are looking to sell their goods in China. No longer are companies required to use an uncoordinated network of domestic wholesalers. Firms now have the option to distribute products in China using international and Hong Kong-based logistics businesses, one of the many new domestic distributors in China, or to go at it alone. This interactive presentation will explore the significant issues in distribution and agency arrangements in China and Pacific Rim countries, and give you the information, tips and tactics you will need in order to advise your sales and marketing teams on effective strategies to address the complex legal and cultural issues raised by these types of arrangements.

With participation in sports fantasy leagues at more than 30 million people in the United States and Canada alone, the increasing impact on our society is undeniable. The question for ACC members, however, is what impact are these fantasy leagues having on the corporate world? Given that employees frequently manage and update their accounts during working hours, should employers and senior management be concerned? Are there viable concerns that intra-office gambling rings are thriving on company-issued hardware and software? How do we handle the various intellectual property issues? Dive into the legal landscape that surrounds these high-paced, high-stakes leagues to garner practical tips and safeguards to keep your company out of the penalty box.

In Japan, the “Feed-in Tariff (FIT) System for Renewable Energy” was introduced in 2012. The “Feed-in Tariff (FIT) System for Renewable Energy” (the “System”) is a system in which the Japanese government gives its assurance that electric power made by renewable energy will be purchased at a certain rate by an electric power company at the located site. Recently, the number of domestic and overseas business operators has increased significantly. This article details the legal procedures needed for entry into the electric power business under the System.

A presentation on contract negotiations that is meant to provide effective approaches and some practical and useful fallback provisions for commonly negotiated provisions.

In this briefing, you will find short, easy-to-follow guides to the main regulations which are changing the route to issuance and beyond. We hope you find it useful.

This document is intended as an aid to assist entities in establishing an organizational code of conduct.

After being ranked by HSBC as the top expat destination in 2011 and 2012, Singapore fell to third place in 2013. Higher cost of living and tighter immigration policy were blamed for the fall. Over the past year, the government has implemented a series of new requirements regarding foreign labour. These changes raise the barrier for foreigners who want to immigrate to Singapore, whether they are fresh grads or seasoned entrepreneurs. This article summarizes what you need to know if you want to start a business in Singapore or if you are planning on hiring foreign labour.

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act recently came into force in India. Ever since India’s economy opened up in the early 90’s and the number of women in the workforce increased dramatically, a law for the prevention of sexual harassment seemed likely. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to read newspaper stories about a high profile CEO being sacked by the board for sexual harassment charges. This article takes a close look at the impact of this law.

Many Swiss operations of international groups benefit from special tax regimes. Switzerland will introduce significant changes to these special tax regimes in order to be compliant with international standards and to maintain its attractiveness as a location for international business. This article is addressed to tax directors of international groups with operations in Switzerland.

This article discusses the Australian law implications of the acquisition of an Australian resident's shares of a non-Australian company by a European company.

This article highlights the most significant modifications to the Brazilian Corporation Law over the past 40 years.

Admission to practice law in Switzerland takes several years. The candidate needs to obtain an undergraduate and a graduate law degree from a Swiss university, which can take five years. In order to become a lawyer, candidates must train for at least one year in Swiss law firms and tribunals, and they must also pass a bar examination on theoretical and practical aspects of the law. Switzerland-native Emmanuel Grand, some- what of an iconoclast, took the route less traveled, though no less rigorous.

Employee leaves of absence continue to be a source of stress for many organizations doing business in the United States. Not only do employers need to be aware of federal laws that impact employee leaves, but also of state and city leave of absence laws that impose new and, in some cases, unexpected obligations on employers. This panel will provide expert advice about current litigation trends and best practices to avoid common pitfalls with absence management.

Overview of termination of employment rules under Mexican labor law.

The Netherlands, located in Northwest Europe, has an open economy that heavily depends on foreign trade. It borders the North Sea, Belgium and Germany and therefore plays an important role as a European transportation hub. Foreign entrepreneurs who wish to conduct business in the Netherlands will benefit from this article’s review of the Dutch approach to decision-making. On the work floor, employers and employees search for mutual interests, creating a culture of consensus. Collective bargaining takes place per sector of industry instead of being business-based. This article discusses direct participation by employees within the company in the Netherlands and in other European countries and, subsequently, indirect participation through unions.

The end of 2013 and early 2014 saw a variety of proposals and developments in Canada on a range of corporate governance matters. Here are a few areas to watch over the course of 2014.

Any business organizations and institutions have an option of entering into corporate guarantee agreement for obtaining funds, or the capital. The implications of corporate guarantee are far-reaching, and its execution requires a tedious examination of facts of each case. This article attempts to analyze the law on this subject and provide an overview on laws governing corporate guarantee.

Just how can the inside attorney seek ethical advice? Columnist John K. Villa assesses how in-house counsel can effectively go about seeking ethical counsel in an ethical manner in this must-read article.

Bringing staff from overseas to the United States, specifically, presents a challenge to in-house legal counsel since several certifications from different government agencies, abroad and in the United States, are needed. The stakes are high for individuals seeking various types of US authorizations. This type of immigration law requires a high level of expertise and experience, even more so for C-suite personnel or those with high technical skills.

Currently, an open-ended investment fund in Hong Kong can only take the form of a unit trust. However, Hong Kong based managers will soon have the choice of an alternative structure, the open-ended fund company (“OFC”), for establishing investment funds in Hong Kong. The objectives of introducing OFC is to offer an alternative legal structure for setting up local funds and to attract more funds to domicile in Hong Kong.