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Legal Updates
Employers Beware! Attempting to recover sums due from employees – pitfalls of “self help”
Employers frequently find themselves in a position where they may be owed money by an employee or feel strongly aggrieved by the actions of an employee which may have caused them loss – potentially when there is even a suspicion of fraud. Where these situations…Read More
Legal update: Recent amendments to Hong Kong employment laws (sexual harassment / paternity leave / minimum wage & employee compensation)
Employment Law Update Q1 2015 There has been a wave of employment related legislation enacted in Hong Kong over the last few months, most of which directly benefits employees. This legislation has repercussions for employers, who need to be aware of the changes and consider…Read More
Legal update: Statutory Paternity Leave
Hong Kong has finally introduced statutory paternity leave of up to 3 days for male employees employed in the private sector effective from 27 February 2015. A brief summary of the Hong Kong statutory paternity leave entitlement is as follows: (1) Who is entitled to…Read More
Legal Services in Hong Kong
A Reputable law firm In Hong Kong Tanner De Witt Solicitors has an established reputation for combining quality legal services with a flexible and innovative approach to service delivery. Our success is a result of developing and implementing practical solutions to every matter. The firm…Read More
The Competition Ordinance
INTRODUCTION The Competition Ordinance (“Ordinance“), enacted on 14 June 2012, introduces a cross sector competition law in Hong Kong for the first time. The institutional provisions of the Ordinance will come into force first to enable the establishment of the Competition Commission (“Commission”), Competition Tribunal…Read More
Summary of Key Changes in 2013 HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules (effective from 1 November 2013)
This article summarises key changes which arbitration practitioners and clients should be aware of in the revised administered arbitration rules recently unveiled by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (“HKIAC”). The revised rules (the “2013 HKIAC Rules”), finalised after a revision process and consultation period…Read More
What you need to know about the latest changes to the Trade Descriptions Ordinance
The latest amendments to the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (“TDO”) came into effect in Hong Kong on 19 July 2013. The amendments: widened the scope of the TDO; introduced new offences, including misleading omissions, aggressive commercial practices, bait advertising, bait and switch, and wrongly accepting payment;…Read More
High Court dismisses claims against senior employees and confirms provisions of Employment Ordinance are part of the mandatory employment laws of Hong Kong
Summary In a judgment, the Court of First Instance dismissed claims that a group of senior employees had breached their contractual and fiduciary duties by resigning and signing contracts to work for the same employer on the same day. The Court also confirmed that an…Read More
Business Visa requirements for Hong Kong visits
Introduction Recently in the litigation department, a client asked what type of visa to apply for if he intends to travel to Hong Kong for business purposes including, for example, to attend seminars and trade shows, look for business opportunities, meet clients or suppliers based…Read More
Corporate Rescue in Hong Kong: What will it eventually look like?
Introduction Unlike many other common law jurisdictions, Hong Kong still lacks a statutory corporate rescue regime, despite a proposal for one first having been made by the Law Reform Commission in 1996 and a proposed bill containing a corporate rescue regime subsequently being introduced in…Read More
Legal update: Does the ‘new’ cause of action for general harassment open Pandora’s Box?
The judgment in the case of Lau Tat Wai v Yip Lai Kuen, Joey handed down on 24 April 2013 appears to be a watershed in the development of a general law of harassment. New development Prior to this judgment there had been no authoritative…Read More
Directors and Officers Beware Liability for Wage Payment Offences by Company
24 February 2015 Directors and officers of companies with staff in Hong Kong should be aware that they may be held criminally liable and ordered to personally pay arrears in wages if their company commits wage payment offences with their consent or connivance or due…Read More
