Key takeaways:

• New listing rules are coming into effect on 16 May 2014, which will particularly affect companies with a controlling shareholder.
• The new rules include a requirement for companies with a premium listing, and a controlling shareholder, to gain approval of the majority of independent shareholders (as well as 75% of the shareholders as a whole) in order to de-list or transfer to a standard listing.
• There are also new rules enhancing the current requirement that an applicant to the premium listing segment must be carrying out an independent business as its main activity, regulating relationship agreements with controlling shareholders and concerning independent directors.