Swiss Chinese Law Association — Geneva
SCLA Legal Observatory
Follow legal developments in China, Switzerland and the European Union. Understand what has changed, who may be affected and why it matters for cross-border cooperation, responsible business and public rights. Every explanation connects you to its original sources.
Hong Kong Magistrates' Courts have sentenced three incoming passengers to terms of imprisonment ranging from four weeks to six months, alongside fines from $1,000 to $4,000, for failing to declare and importing duty-not-paid cigarettes…
Court judgment24 October 2026
At its meeting on 21–22 October 2026, the WTO Committee on Trade Facilitation progressed discussions on the second review of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, examined specific customs and trade matters raised by members, and…
Status unclear23 October 2026
On October 23, 2026, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan visited Beijing to meet with central authorities, including the China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Commerce. During the visit, Hong Kong officials…
Status unclear23 October 2026
At Hong Kong Arbitration Week 2026, Deputy Secretary for Justice Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan detailed Hong Kong's ongoing consultation on Arbitration Ordinance amendments and reviewed cross-border opportunities following mainland China's revised Arbitration Law.
Public consultation23 October 2026
The governments of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong SAR, and Macao SAR jointly released the 2025 Pearl River Delta regional air quality report, showing long-term drops in major air pollutant concentrations following coordinated emission control…
Rules in force23 October 2026
An analysis of the Cambodian microfinance cases before the International Finance Corporation's Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) and the broader legal, procedural, and immunity implications of executive board intervention in independent accountability mechanisms.
Status unclear22 October 2026
At the 16th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference in Brunei, Hong Kong's Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, SC, detailed the SAR's legal framework against cyber-enabled child exploitation, extra-territorial image removal orders, upcoming legislative reforms, and joint…
Regulatory guidance22 October 2026
In a Legislative Council reply, Hong Kong's Secretary for Health detailed the statutory classification of medicines under Cap. 138, rules governing import licence exemptions for personal baggage under Cap. 60A, and recent prosecution metrics…
Rules in force22 October 2026
The Philippines has notified the WTO of a safeguard investigation concerning pork imports. Interested parties, including importers, exporters, and exporting WTO Members, are invited to submit written comments and evidence within five working days…
Public consultation21 October 2026
China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) stated at a press conference that the China-EU understanding on hybrid vehicle trade was reached within WTO rules, with specific implementation details remaining under bilateral communication.
Status unclear21 October 2026
In response to Legislative Council inquiries, the Hong Kong Secretary for Health detailed the statutory regulatory framework, enforcement statistics, and cross-border notification mechanisms governing medical advertisements published in Hong Kong by local and non-local…
Rules in force21 October 2026
Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič co-chaired the second meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultations in Beijing. The parties addressed trade balancing, battery electric vehicles, export…
Regulatory guidance21 October 2026
Market access, bilateral investment, company governance and cross-border transactions.
Imports, exports, tariffs, product rules and the movement of goods.
Financial regulation, payment systems and the protection of financial consumers.
Artificial intelligence, privacy, data transfers and digital responsibility.
Environmental rules, supply chains and the social responsibilities of business.
Creative work, brands, geographical indications and cultural knowledge.
Mediation, arbitration, court processes and the prevention of disputes.
Work, consumer protection and legal questions in daily and cross-border life.
We identify the jurisdiction, publication date and legal status of the developments we cover. Articles distinguish between proposals, adopted measures and rules in force. Where information changes, we update the article and record material corrections.
