On March 24, 2026, Lawyer Wang Wei was invited to the Zhuhai Training Base of Sinopec Guangdong Company to deliver a thematic lecture and exchange session on complex legal issues related to the operation, management, and disposal of state-owned enterprise assets.

What happens if employees refuse to comply with the employer’s unilateral decision to permanently work hundreds of kilometres away from their contractual workplace and the employer dismisses them for unauthorized absence? Is this considered simply as a disciplinary dismissal, or can it qualify as redundancy under the EU Collective Redundancy Directive? The Court of Justice of the European Union had to answer this question in a recent judgement which we analyse below.

India’s entrepreneurial environment has changed significantly within a relatively short period. Earlier generations of business owners often entered markets through informal operations, family businesses, or sole proprietorship arrangements. Legal registration frequently occurred only after commercial activity reached stable levels. Incorporation was viewed as an administrative necessity rather than an early strategic decision. A different pattern is now emerging. Many first-time entrepreneurs choose company registration during very early stages, sometimes before revenue generation, customer acquisition, or product validation. For individuals launching startups, digital businesses, consultancy practices, ecommerce ventures, technology services, and specialised professional operations, formal registration increasingly forms part of initial planning. This behavioural shift reflects changing commercial realities. Founders entering today’s markets operate within environments shaped by investor scrutiny, digital commerce, intellectual property concerns, regulatory awareness, and global opportunities. Early registration is becoming less associated with statutory obligation and more connected with preparedness.

On March 12, 2026, the National People’s Congress formulated and passed the Ecological and Environmental Code (hereinafter referred to as “the Code”), which will come into effect on August 15, 2026. The main contents are as follows:

On July 31, 2025, the Supreme People’s Court issued and implemented the Interpretation (II) of the Supreme People’s Court on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in the Trial of Labor Dispute Cases (“Judicial Interpretation (II)”), which came into effect on September 1, 2025. Article 5 of this Interpretation provides that “a lawfully established representative office of a foreign enterprise may serve as a party in labor dispute cases. Where a party applies to add the foreign enterprise as a co-defendant, the People’s Court shall grant support in accordance with the law.” This provision marks the first time that the litigation capacity of foreign enterprises’ representative offices (“representative offices”) in labor dispute cases has been explicitly recognized. It also establishes a clear legal basis for employees to request the joinder of foreign parent companies as co-defendants. This development not only signifies the further improvement of China’s labor law system concerning foreign-related matters but also imposes higher compliance requirements on multinational enterprises operating in China.

In practice, if a trademark applicant fails to accurately assess the degree of similarity between a proposed mark and a prior mark, the application is highly likely to be rejected or opposed. It is therefore necessary, within a framework of normative interpretation, to conduct a systematic analysis of the standards, methodologies, and relevant factors for determining whether trademarks are identical or similar.

Recently, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued the Opinions on Accelerating the Establishment of a Long-Term Care Insurance System, marking China’s long-term care insurance (LTCI) system entering a stage of full-scale advancement. As an important component of the social security system, this policy not only concerns public welfare but will also have a profound impact on corporate labor cost structures and human resources management. For enterprises, it is particularly critical to understand the policy framework in advance and prepare accordingly.

India has become one of the most attractive destinations for foreign investment. Its large consumer base, expanding economy, and growing digital infrastructure present significant opportunities. However, entering the Indian market requires careful planning and a clear understanding of legal, regulatory, and commercial factors. Foreign investors must approach this market with a structured strategy to ensure long term success.

Recently, chat records claiming that a major internet company used AI to replace some positions, resulting in large-scale layoffs, went viral online. Although such chat records should not be readily believed, we strongly recommend that you learn relevant knowledge about layoffs in advance.

Shreya Dalal, Associate Partner - MHCO India’s corporate framework offers multiple business structures, yet the private limited company remains one of the most widely adopted forms. A key reason lies in how Private Limited Company Liability in India is structured...