Corporate and Commercial Law

20Apr2020

Corporate Meetings During Social Distancing

Work-from-home arrangements. Restrictions on travel. No gatherings of four people or more. COVID-19 has changed how we work, live and socialise. The pandemic has also affected how companies conduct their corporate governance. We are now in financial reporting season when companies are convening board and…Read More

16Apr2020

Is COVID-19 an event of force majeure?

Does COVID-19 allow you to get out of your contract on the grounds of force majeure? We have been asked this question several times in recent weeks. COVID-19 has hurt many businesses and has stopped contract performance in its tracks in many instances. Does that…Read More

15Apr2020

Challenging Capital Reductions by Hong Kong Companies

Until recently, a Hong Kong incorporated company was allowed to reduce its share capital only with the approval of the court.  In 2014, the new Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) introduced a new court-free procedure to allow a company to reduce its capital by passing a…Read More

07Apr2020

Retailers’ Relief – deadline of 12 April 2020

Retail Sector Subsidy Scheme – Eligibility and Requirements The HKSAR Government has established the “Retail Sector Subsidy Scheme” (the “Scheme”) being a part of the HK$30 billion “Anti-epidemic Fund” to provide relief to retailers over financial difficulties arising from the COVID-19 epidemic. This summary intends…Read More

01Apr2020

COVID-19 and the Competition Ordinance

In light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak, the Competition Commission (“Commission”) issued a press release on 27 March 2020 on the application of the Competition Ordinance (Cap 619) (“Ordinance”) in terms of the supply of critical goods and services in Hong Kong. The Commission recognises…Read More

20Mar2020

Executing contracts: do we really need pen and paper?

As more and more consumers buy their everyday products and services online, it is also increasingly common for parties to execute their more formal business contracts – loan agreements, distribution agreements, share purchase agreements etc. – electronically. Either by signing printed copies in counterparts and…Read More

16Mar2020

Why the Privacy Commissioner in Hong Kong will soon have fining powers

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in the UK has fined Cathay Pacific GBP£500,000 for failing to protect the security of its customers’ personal data. Pádraig Walsh from the Privacy and Cybersecurity practice group of Tanner De Witt reviews. The data breach The data breach was…Read More

11Mar2020

Q&A with Ivy Chan – Registered Foreign Lawyer

Ivy Chan is a Registered Foreign Lawyer and English qualified Solicitor who assists the Corporate and Commercial practice at Tanner De Witt. She specialises in banking and finance with a strong focus on secured lending involving both onshore and offshore structures. Prior to joining Tanner De Witt, Ivy…Read More

24Feb2020

When Can The Public Register Of A Company Be Corrected?

What can be done if the public register of a company with the Companies Registry in Hong Kong is incorrect? Carol Ling from the Corporate Commercial practice group of Tanner De Witt reviews some of the guiding principles. This can be an important issue. What…Read More

20Jan2020

The Legal 500 2020 rankings are announced for Asia-Pacific

Tanner De Witt is proud to once again be recommended this year in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific Guide 2020 for its four main practice areas; corporate and commercial, labour and employment, restructuring and insolvency and litigation and dispute resolution. Notably, partners Ian De Witt, Robin Darton and Kim Boreham have retained their leading…Read More

20Jan2020

When can directors refuse to register share transfers

The board of directors must approve the transfer of shares in a Hong Kong company. What if the board of directors refuses to approve? Can that decision be challenged? Pádraig Walsh from the Corporate Commercial practice group of Tanner De Witt reviews some of the…Read More

17Jan2020

Partner River Stone speaks at 17th Annual Global Cross Border Mergers and Acquisitions Summit

On Tuesday, Partner River Stone and Solicitor Peter Tang were in Shanghai where River spoke at the 2020 17th Annual Global Cross Border Mergers & Acquisitions Summit. The summit examines M&A trends, issues, and opportunities from tax, regulatory, financial, operational, and even post-merger HR considerations. River…Read More