Sessions
Plenary 1: APAC employment law trends and updates 2025
Our highly anticipated round-up of APAC employment law developments will delve into the most recent legal trends, legislative changes, government reforms, and emerging demographic issues affecting the global labour force. Our panel of experts will share unparalleled insights into market dynamics and client needs, inviting you to participate in discussions that are shaping the future of work.
Moderator:
Catherine Leung
Partner
Lewis Silkin (Hong Kong)
Panelists:
Chris Mandel
Partner
Yulchon (South Korea)
Katie Sweatman
Partner
Kingston Reid (Australia)
Matthew Durham
Senior Consultant
Lewis Silkin (Hong Kong)
Steven Tobin
Senior Labour Economist (APAC)
International Labour Organisation (Thailand)
Breakout: Classification of workers in the gig economy
The expansion of the gig economy across the region and the trend of workers seeking more flexible working arrangements raises the complex issue of whether a specific working arrangement constitutes an employment or an independent contractor relationship. This session will delve into the legal hurdles organisations often encounter in classifying workers, examining recent case law, legal tests, and factors for distinguishing employees from other workers, including consultants, with fewer employment protections.
Moderator:
Jezamine Fewins
Partner
Lewis Silkin (Hong Kong)
Panelists:
Katie Sweatman
Partner
Kingston Reid (Australia)
Marshall Chu
Legal Director
GogoX (Hong Kong)
Peter Kiely
Partner
Kiely Thompson Caisley (New Zealand)
Yuka Kamio
Partner
Anderson Mori & Tomotsune (Japan)
Breakout: War on talent – Navigating and mitigating the legal risks of high-profile departures and team moves
Team moves and high-profile departures can pose a variety of legal, commercial, and operational challenges for employers. In this section, we will delve into the legal risks that employers may encounter when considering the departure or recruitment of a group of employees to/from a competitive organisation. We will also discuss the range of protective post-termination measures available to employers, providing insights into practical steps that can be implemented to protect business interests.
Moderator:
Russell Brimelow
Partner
Lewis Silkin (United Kingdom)
Panelists:
Dr Burkard Göpfert
Partner
Kliemt.HR Lawyers (Germany)
David Kong
Managing Associate
Lewis Silkin (Hong Kong)
Doreen Chia
Partner
Rajah & Tann (Singapore)
Lisa Zhao
Partner
Fangda Partners (China)
Tony Falso
Chief Human Resources Officer
Peak Re (Hong Kong)
