Legal Management Council of the Philippines

09/03/2026

LMCP Event Invitation:
Paris Arbitration Week 2026

Hi everyone! Sharing an invitation from Rajah & Tann Asia for a panel discussion during Paris Arbitration Week. Topic: Beyond the Passport: Is Nationality a Reliable Proxy for Neutrality?

The discussion will bring together practitioners and arbitrators from across jurisdictions to examine how nationality is considered in practice by arbitral institutions, counsel, and tribunals, and whether the current framework strikes the right balance between perceived neutrality and access to the most qualified decision-makers. The panel will feature Rajah & Tann Singapore speakers Kelvin P**n, SC (Deputy Managing Partner and Head, International Arbitration), and Dr. Vanina Sucharitkul (Partner, International Arbitration), and Michelle Li (Head, International Arbitration, Construction & Projects (China)), with distinguished guest speakers Yves Derains (Founding Partner, Derains & Gharavi), Vladimir Khvalei (Partner, Mansors), and Victoria Orlowski (Of Counsel, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP).
Date: Wednesday, 25 March 2026
Time: 16:30 – 18:00 (followed by cocktails) Venue: Hyatt Paris Madeleine, Paris
More Info & Registration: Click [https://parisarbitrationweek.com/event/rajah-tann-2026-41392/]

For more insights on ADR and legal developments, you can also visit https://arbitrationasia.rajahtannasia.com/. Stay safe, everyone!

Regional Paris Arbitration Week: Beyond the Passport: Is Nationality a Reliable Proxy for Neutrality? During the upcoming 2026 edition of Paris Arbitration Week (“PAW”), Rajah & Tann Asia will host a panel discussion titled “Beyond the Passport: Is Nationality a Reliable Proxy for Neutrality?....

06/03/2026

Dear LMCP Members,

We will begin sharing via Viber GC and our FB Page, insights and information received from our partner organizations, members, and sponsors. We start this series with this:

ARBITRATION ASIA: SINGAPORE UPDATE
March 2026

Can Sanctions Make Arbitration "Impossible"? The Singapore High Court recently addressed a critical issue regarding international sanctions and legal proceedings in the case of DRL v DRK [2026] SGHC 32.

The Key Ruling: The Court upheld an arbitral tribunal's decision to terminate proceedings because various sanctions imposed on the Applicant made continuing the case "impossible" under the UNCITRAL Model Law.

Major Takeaways:

Impossibility is Absolute: If continuation is impossible, the tribunal has the right to end the proceedings.
No Fault Rule: The Court clarified that it does not matter who caused the impossibility or if one party is prejudiced; the only question is whether the impossibility exists.
Legal Representation: The successful Respondent was represented by Lee Eng Beng SC, Chew Xiang, and Timothy Chong of Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP.

Read the full insight here:

Regional Paris Arbitration Week: Beyond the Passport: Is Nationality a Reliable Proxy for Neutrality? During the upcoming 2026 edition of Paris Arbitration Week (“PAW”), Rajah & Tann Asia will host a panel discussion titled “Beyond the Passport: Is Nationality a Reliable Proxy for Neutrality?....

23/01/2026

𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓: 𝐈𝐧-𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑–𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭

Dear LMCP Members,

We are pleased to announce that the In-House Counsel – Survey 2023–2024 has officially been published!

As part of our commitment to regional legal excellence, LMCP actively participated in this survey as part of APCCA.

This comprehensive report offers valuable insights into the current landscape, trends, and challenges facing in-house counsel across the region.

📄 Download the full report here:https://api.uianet.org/uploads/Survey_Status_Inhouse_Counsel_BAT_60107f2648.pdf

Thank you for your continued support!

LMCP Secretariat

16/01/2026

The University of the Philippines Law Center, through the Institute for the Administration of Justice (UPLC-IAJ), invites lawyer members of LMCP to its Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Hybrid Program on 26–30 January 2026, entitled “Like a Bridge Over Troubling Waters: Corruption and Access to Justice.”

The program reflects the Institute’s commitment to engaging the legal profession in timely and pressing social and legal issues confronting the country. Even beyond one’s area of practice, it offers lawyers a meaningful opportunity to participate in informed discussions on accountability, governance, and access to justice.

This five-day program ensures full MCLE compliance and features a distinguished faculty of Supreme Court and Sandiganbayan Justices, senior officials from the DOJ and the Office of the Ombudsman, former COA and DOJ heads, members of Congress, and leading legal practitioners and academics, including Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, former Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, former COA Chairperson Maria Gracia M. Pulido-Tan, former COA Commissioner Heidi L. Mendoza, Rep. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, and former Rep. Neri J. Colmenares.

📅 26–30 January 2026
📍 Hybrid (Onsite at UP College of Law, Diliman and Online via Zoom)
📝 Register: https://mcle.law.upd.edu.ph
⏳ Deadline: 21 January 2026 (First Come, First Served)

More details are in the attached images. For questions, please feel free to reach out to the below contact person:

Nini J. Villanueva
IAJ-UPLC
INSTITUTE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
University of the Philippines Law Center
Tel no. 8929-71-37

15/12/2025

Invitation to the Japan In-House Lawyers Association Award Ceremony

Dear LMCP Directors and Members,

The Japan In-House Lawyers Association is pleased to invite representatives of LMCP to this year's JILA In-House Legal Award Ceremony, which will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026. Please find the details below:


🗓️ Date and Time:

Ceremony: 18:00
Networking Reception: 19:30
Expected Conclusion: 21:00

📍Venue:

Otemachi Place Hall & Conference
1F/2F, Otemachi Place (East Tower), 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004

(Access: A 7-minute walk from JR "Tokyo Station" or direct connection from "Otemachi Station" Exit A5)

Language:
The event will be conducted in Japanese with simultaneous English translation.

Attire:
Award judges and applicants are recommended to attend in black-tie attire. Guests and other participants may opt for either black-tie or standard formal attire, both of which are perfectly acceptable.


Members who are interested to participate in this event may send an email to [email protected]

Thank you!

15/12/2025

Save the Date for the APAC Legal Congress 2026!

Dear LMCP Board and Valued Members,

We are excited to share an invitation to a major regional event—the Asia-Pacific (APAC) Legal Congress 2026—and to announce that LMCP will be participating as a Supporting Organization!

The central theme is: “The End of the Legal Comfort Zone: Survival, Relevance, and Reinvention in an Algorithmic Asia-Pacific”

This timely theme will explore the evolving challenges and opportunities facing today’s in-house counsel and legal teams as technology and the region's landscape transform.

We encourage all our members to participate in this highly relevant congress for in-house legal professionals across the region.



📌 Event Details

When: 8–9 April 2026

Where: Singapore

Organiser: Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA)

📌 Ticket Details

SCCA Members: Complimentary

Non-Members: Priority Access $250 (until 9 March 2026), Early Bird $375 (9–22 March 2026)
Discounted rates apply until 22 March 2026 only.



🔗 Registration Link:
https://scca.glueup.com/event/161421/register/


This is Asia’s leading gathering for in-house counsel, and a fantastic opportunity for professional development and meaningful connections under the banner of LMCP.

We look forward to seeing strong representation from our LMCP members at this important regional event!

Register for "Asia-Pacific (APAC) Legal Congress 2026" hosted by Singapore Corporate Counsel Association Ltd

13/11/2025

LMCP invites directors and members to Beyond the Checklist: From Surface Compliance to Real Readiness When DOLE Knocks

Date: 25 November
Time: 08:00 AM UTC

In this webinar, employers will learn what to expect during DOLE inspections, when and why work stoppage orders are issued, and where and how employers can best demonstrate good-faith compliance.

When DOLE exercises its visitorial powers under Article 128 of the Labor Code, it looks beyond checklists to assess whether labor systems function as intended and effectively protect workers. Inspectors may enter workplaces, examine records, question employees, and review any matter related to labor law compliance, evaluating not just the presence of documents but the actual implementation of policies and programs.

The session will cover:

- Understanding DOLE’s visitorial and enforcement powers, including inspection, access to premises and records, and issuance of compliance or stoppage orders.
- Drafting defensible OSH and labor-standards policies that reflect how work is actually performed.
- Turning compliance checklists into verifiable documentation and evidence-based programs.
- Recognizing common triggers for work stoppage or compliance orders during inspections.
- Demonstrating readiness, cooperation, and good-faith compliance throughout DOLE investigations.

Registration Link: http://bit.ly/43taYoj

03/10/2025

APCCA members in Bali

03/10/2025

We had this rather sad news while attending the conference in Bali.

| 𝐈𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐫. 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐤 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚, 𝐀𝐝𝐯 The Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA) expresses our deepest condolences on the passing of Dr. Ashok Sharma, Adv, Founder & CEO of the Federat...

02/10/2025

02/10/2025

Taken from this morning’s Presidential Session featuring the Presidents of the member associations of APCCA

02/10/2025

LMCP attends the 2025 APCCA Confererence hosted by the Indonesian Corporate Counsels Association (ICCA). We were joined by new members Carlos Poblador and Pola Lamarca.

In 2024, LMCP hosted the conference for the first time.