+852 2573 5000
Legal Updates
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
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
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
Practical steps in tackling sexual harassment in the workplace
The UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission (the UK counterpart to the Hong Kong’s Equal Opportunities Commission) recently published a guideline under the Equality Act to address the specific issues of sexual harassment and harassment at work (the “Guide”).[1] Although the statutory framework of the…Read More
Wage subsidy and employment relief announced in second round of Anti-epidemic fund
UPDATE 5: 12 June 2020 – Hong Kong Wage Subsidy Update 5 – Reminder: Deadline to apply for 1st tranche of Employment Support Scheme (ESS) closes on Sunday, 14 June 2020 at 23:59 HKT UPDATE 4: 19 May 2020 – Hong Kong Wage Subsidy Update…Read More
COVID-19 Legal Regulatory Framework
As the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak continues to spread, Hong Kong has taken rigorous actions in combat of the infection surge. This article serves to briefly outline the anti-epidemic measures imposed by the Hong Kong Government and their relevant legal implications on individuals. Entry to Hong…Read More
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
Separate representation of children in court proceedings in Hong Kong
At common law, children (in Hong Kong being persons below the age of 18 years old) do not have the capacity to initiate or participate in civil proceedings (Order 80 rule 2 of the Rules of the High Court (Cap. 4A)). However, family law proceedings…Read More
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
Family Violence and COVID-19 – what to do about family violence while isolated at home
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and in observance of recommendations made by the World Health Organisation (“WHO”) and governments around the world billions of people are under mandatory quarantine or isolation, or are self-quarantining or self-isolating at home to stem the tide of…Read More
To Will or not to Will
The matter of preparing a will is deeply personal and one that many individuals postpone until they are well into their years. Often we are asked when an individual should have a will in place. Taking a moderate approach, any person who is married (with…Read More
Video: COVID-19 Hong Kong employer and employee concerns and considerations
Please enjoy the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong‘s video of partner Russell Bennett‘s session from its first webinar. Technical note: during the first 20 seconds of this video there is an echo in the audio due to a recording conflict. The audio for the rest…Read More
