Worldlaw Profiles
Worldlaw Profiles (previously known as Asialaw Profiles) is published by Asia Law & Practice and is a reference guide for corporate executives, members of in-house counsel, lawyers at regional and international firms, and anyone with a professional interest in the world's legal markets.
Tanner De Witt receives the following commentary in Worldlaw Profiles 2008:
“Tanner De Witt continues its dedicated focus on business law. The firm regularly advises on key cases in the area of corporate and commercial, insolvency and restructuring, construction, insurance, employment and aviation.”
Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy
“Tanner De Witt acted for liquidators of a second case of more than 600 incorporated owners of substantial real estate with liabilities incurred to third parties. This was the second of only two such appointments of this nature in Hong Kong. The firm was also the legal adviser in the first of these cases.”
Shipping, Maritime & Aviation
“Despite strong opposition, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) passed the highly controversial global standard business practice ’same day void ticket policy’ in April 2007. Under the new policy, travel agents worldwide can no longer void tickets after the date of issue. The aim of this policy is to prevent abuse and address the loopholes in the current system whereby travel agents ‘deal hunt’ by simultaneously booking passengers on multiple flights and classes.”
“Taiwan and China have recently implemented the rule, while Japan is still pending implementation.”
“The controversy of this policy has led to litigation between the Society of IATA Passenger Agents and IATA. At the time of publication, Tanner De Witt’s team, led by partner Ian De Witt, successfully resisted an ex parte injunction brought against its client IATA in the case of Society of IATA Passenger Agents vs IATA.”
Asialaw Profiles 2007 noted:
“Established with two partners in 1999, Tanner De Witt has since expanded into a firm with 29 fee-earners. Despite its relatively short history and small size, the firm regularly advises on key cases in the areas of corporate and commercial, litigation, restructuring and insolvency, insurance, employment and construction. All of the firm’s seven partners are seasoned lawyers with solid experience in Hong Kong.”
Labour & Employment
“Tanner De Witt, which regularly receives referrals of employment cases from other leading firms, acted for Fimat Hong Kong, the brokering division of Société Générale Group, in an injunction application to enforce post-termination covenants against brokers leaving to join a big competitor, Link Securities Hong Kong.”
“Tanner De Witt also initiated an action based on alleged improper conduct and use of confidential information, on behalf of Slik Hong Kong Company against a group of employees who left en masse to join competitor Salmi International.”
Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy
“Another Court of Appeal case, Re Legend International Resorts Limited, also caught the attention of some restructuring lawyers. Robin Darton, currently head of restructuring, banking and finance law at Tanner De Witt, represented Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets, the creditor in the case, while he was still at White & Case. Darton comments that the case established a new system that favours creditors getting value from wound-up companies.”
“Tanner De Witt acted for the liquidators of the incorporated owners of a substantial real estate development in connection with liabilities incurred to third parties arising from the partial collapse of the building.”
