Legal Updates

27Nov2015

Legal update: Government launches public consultation on draft Children’s Bill

Further to our article posted on November 20th 2015 entitled “Long-awaited Children’s Bill coming soon to Hong Kong“, we are pleased to announce that the Hong Kong Government launched a four month public consultation on November 25th 2015 in order to gauge the public’s views…Read More

20Nov2015

Legal update: Long-awaited Children’s Bill coming soon to Hong Kong

The law in Hong Kong that protects children experiencing divorce and other family issues has been discussed and debated for years. Improvements have been made but no concrete Children’s Bill has been passed. Following the well-attended Third Children’s Forum held recently by CIF HK at…Read More

19Nov2015

Legal update: The Serious Risks and Consequences of Using False Academic Credentials – “Fit and Proper”

Introduction Hong Kong’s success as one of the most developed financial hubs in the world is attributable in great part to its well-established financial institutions, which safeguard the integrity of the market and protect the interest of investors big and small. The “Fit and Proper”…Read More

19Oct2015

Legal update: Hong Kong Insolvency Law – in need of its own restructuring?

The purpose of this short note is not to conduct a detailed critique of the law in Hong Kong in this very broad and complex area but to provide a brief sketch as to certain of the challenges faced by industry professionals and what steps…Read More

15Oct2015

Legal update: Reciprocal Enforcement of Arbitral Awards between Hong Kong and Mainland China

Pre-1997 Pre-1997, the mutual enforcement of arbitral awards between the Mainland and Hong Kong was carried out by way of the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. The convention ceased to apply once Hong Kong became a Special Administrative…Read More

02Oct2015

Legal update: Is your will your will?

Summary In a significant ruling, the UK Court of Appeal’s decision in Ilott v Mitson 2015 has ruled against the presumption that you can do with your estate what you wish. This decision has seemingly broadened the Court’s power to intervene where an adult child…Read More

09Jul2015

Legal update: Indirect Discrimination in Hong Kong: claimants need to prove that they are disadvantaged and why

In the UK case of Home Office (UK Border Agency) and Shafic Essop and Others, the Court of Appeal (“CA”) decided that it is necessary for the claimant to show the reason why the provision, criterion or practice (“PCP”) which it is claimed constitutes indirect…Read More

08Jul2015

Legal update: Tips on protecting yourself during criminal arrest and execution of search warrants in Hong Kong with proper legal representation

The Commercial Crime Bureau obtained search warrants to search our client’s two residential properties and company office in Hong Kong. The CCB carried out “dawn raids” simultaneously on all three locations. We were able to provide immediate advice and assistance. No items were seized from…Read More

18Jun2015

Legal update: Bankruptcy – Discharge or Extension? A tougher approach by the Courts

Introduction When an individual is adjudged bankrupt, the property of the bankrupt vests in the trustees.  A bankrupt’s duties include cooperating with the trustees and to assist them to recover and realise his assets.  Since the legislation was amended in 1998, in Hong Kong a…Read More

15May2015

Legal update: Equal Opportunities Commission – Racial Equality and School Uniform

Uniform policies and discrimination With the increasing awareness in racial equality, companies, institutions and organisations should review their existing policies and identify any potential problems which may affect the legitimacy of relevant policies. In particular, uniform policies implemented by schools and organisations have been a…Read More

12May2015

Legal update: Employment Agency Arrangements and Zero Hours

In 2004 the UK Court of Appeal handed down the decision Patricia Dacas v Brook Street Bureau Limited [2004] EWCA Civ 217 stating that, under the employment agency arrangements an implied contract of employment may exist between the worker and the end user.  The law…Read More

07May2015

Legal update: Identity theft: how best to handle the situation

What is identity theft? Identity theft is an increasingly common type of fraud involving the assumption of part or all of a pre-existing identity for the purpose of obtaining monetary or other benefits. Identity theft can be committed in a number of different ways, including…Read More