It has been half a decade since the U.S. housing bubble burst, triggering one of the worst economic crises the modern world has seen. The financial sector, which bore the brunt of the consequences, is feeling the squeeze of new and more watertight regulations.

In conversation with Dr. Akhil Prasad, Head of Legal, Oversight & Company Secretary, Fidelity Worldwide Investment, India

After decades of in-house experience, Lu Renjiang, Deputy Director General of the Department of Policies and Law at the China Huadian (CGD) Group, one of China’s “Big Five” state-owned power generators, still believes in the sanctity of the law. He hopes that one day, reforms will help the practice of in-house counsel of SOEs as much as that of external lawyers.

Clifford Chance aids Mitsui & Co's investment in Khonburi Sugar, Davis Polk helps CITIC Capital's takeover of Focus Media, Slaughter and May guides China Construction Bank (London) on extending its term loan to Land Rover, and much more in this week's North Asia deals roundup.

The Government of Mongolia issues its first global bond offering, Freshfields advises on GCS Capital’s acquisition of Dexia Asset Management, KWM seals PetroChina’s acquisition of BHP’s interests in Australian project, and much more in this week’s North Asia deals spotlight.

Chinese maritime law experts gathered in Shanghai in November to discuss the hottest issues in the sector at the China Lawyers International Maritime Law Forum 2012.

With 2012 winding down to a close, and 2013 beckoning, this is an ideal time to gauge the mood of the in-house lawyers that form such an invaluable part of ALB’s readership, and also find out about the challenges they are facing.

Bakers advises Champion REIT on its $1 billion notes issuance, Freshfields helps HSBC sell its minority stake in Ping An Insurance, and much more in this week’s North Asia deals spotlight.

The Chinese aviation market is experiencing positive growth and offers exciting possibilities for specialist lawyers, with much of the work coming from a surprising area. Phil Taylor investigates the opportunities and challenges within this high-flying market.

China’s star may be on the rise as a global growth market, but for Taiwanese investors, the market has been fraught with legal challenges. A newly signed investor protection agreement between Beijing and Taipei on Aug. 9, however, is forging closer economic ties between the two nations, and has introduced a blueprint for resolving cross strait disputes. The deal is bolstering investor confidence, but some questions remain. Kanishk Verghese reports