ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES: COMPLETING TRANSACTIONS IN A TIME OF SAFE DISTANCING Misa MITSUGI, Juen Yi FAN Despite disruption to businesses owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have been able to operate to some level of normality owing to a range of technological advancements in communication, document sharing and remote access capabilities. In particular, the use of electronic and digital signatures (collectively referred to as “eSignatures”) can...

LEGAL UPDATES: COVID-19 (TEMPORARY MEASURES) ACT 2020 – KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS Misa MITSUGI, Juen Yi FAN Businesses and operations around the world are currently at an unprecedented standstill with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Singapore has not been spared. In an effort to provide some temporary reprieve for businesses in Singapore, the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020 (the “Act”) was passed by the...

The legal framework in which the investment management industry operates is subject to rapid changes, especially in the present climate, presenting a number of different challenges for the industry. Legislation In recent times, such changes are motivated by international tax treaties, efforts to step up against money laundering and terrorism financing, and the effect of new technology on the finance industry including the advent of cryptocurrency,...

Singapore (27 February 2019) – Amendments are proposed to the Protection from Harrassment Act (“POHA”). These are in addition to the review of the Singapore Penal Code. The focus is on violence against a person in an intimate or close relationship with the perpetrator. Says Mr Lee Terk Yang, Director of Flint & Battery LLC, “The amendments criminalises harassment, stalking and other anti-social behaviour.” “It is...

15 October 2018, PAYOUTS UNDER CPF RETIREMENT SUM SCHEME – In the 2018 Budget Debate, the topic of CPF contributions for older workers were raised for debate. It was reported that the current rates for such older workers were set in 1988 and were never reviewed. During the debate: It was suggested that the progressively decreasing contribution rates allow private companies to remain competitive. It was further suggested in the debate that workers are paid on...

1 February 2019 – ECONOMIC SUBSTANCE LAW As at 1 January 2019, certain legal entities carrying on relevant activities are required by the newly effective Economic Substance Law to demonstrate adequate economic substance in the Cayman Islands. Any company, LLC or LLP registered or incorporated in the Cayman Islands should be aware of this legislation and consider how it may be affected. The laws require further detail and will be progressively added...

21 November 2018 (Singapore) – Mr Lee Terk Yang, Director of Flint & Battery LLC, answers some common but often misunderstood questions regarding a difficult area of family life: divorce and separation. Q1: What is the difference between separation and divorce? A separation is not the same as a divorce.  The key difference between separation and divorce is that when you are separated, you are still legally married to your spouse even...