Cutting edge close-up: Qatari issue brings global Islamic bonds to the Middle East The largest international securities issue under Islamic law is also the first deal of its type in a civil law jurisdiction. By Kenneth Aboud and Hooman Sabeti
Cutting edge close-up: Fosters closes Australia's first whole business securitization Structuring a commercial mortgage-backed deal akin to a whole business securitization was a crucial part of Fosters' strategy in selling its pubs business. Matthew Allchurch explains
How plans to curb spinning could wrong-foot banks The National Association of Securities Dealers has taken the latest step aimed at stamping out abusive allocations of shares. Charles Gittleman and Russell Sacks explain
How risky is Russia? President Putin has a track record of being friendly towards business. But with the country's leading businessman in jail, are foreign investors underestimating Russian risk? By Simon Crompton
Two ways around Russia's security hitch Local law means bankers cannot rely on security trustees in syndicated deals. John Balsdon and Liza Ivanova review the alternatives
Moscow lawmakers unlock mortgage potential New legislation should help promote the development of asset-backed financings in Russia. By Vladimir Dragunov
Russian companies step from the shadows New securities laws aim to bring international standards of transparency to Russia's capital markets. Andrey Yakushin explains
Drafting workshop: equity underwriting agreements In the first of a series of articles examining differences between UK and US documentation, Tom Reid and William Underhill look at IPO underwriting agreements
Tax doubts take shine off German hedge fund law German and foreign hedge funds can target German investors for the first time. But the complexity of the corresponding tax regime stands in the way of rapid growth in the industry. By Edgar Wallach
Ontario leaves limitation questions unanswered Ontario's new statute of limitations is an important modernization, but it leaves the door open to disputes and litigation. Jay Lefton of Aird & Berlis LLP explains
China gives head start to Hong Kong banks Financial services companies in Hong Kong can now use a new trade pact with China to gain a lead over rivals elsewhere. By Andreas Lauffs, Eugene Lim and David Lee
Why deals are faltering in China's $300 billion sale Foreigners are showing interest in buying non-tradeable shares in domestically listed companies, but political ambivalence and a vague legal and regulatory framework are holding things up. By Doug Markel
Will protectionists hijack China's competition law? China must ensure turf wars between government ministries don't lead to different treatment of foreign and domestic companies, says Zhao Yong of Squire Sanders & Dempsey
