Russell Bennett

22Mar2021

Legal update: Statutory maternity leave extended to 14 weeks with effect from 11 December 2020

The Hong Kong Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 (“Amendment Ordinance”) came into effect on 11 December 2020.  Below is a summary of the key provisions introduced by the Amendment Ordinance: Statutory maternity leave increases from 10 weeks to 14 weeks for employees who give birth on or…Read More

15Mar2021

Legal update: Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021 proposes to increase statutory holidays from 12 days to 17 days over next 9 years

On 5 March 2021, the Government of the HKSAR published the Employment (Amendment) Bill (the “Bill”) in the Gazette. The Bill proposes to increase the number of statutory holidays under the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57) (the “EO”) in Hong Kong by adding the following 5…Read More

03Mar2021

Working Mothers: Maternity Rights under Hong Kong Law

New mothers have many things to worry about. Those who are working can also face additional problems in terms of maternity rights and difficulties when returning to work. The law provides several protections for working mothers in such situations. Maternity Rights Under Hong Kong Law…Read More

05Feb2021

Legal update: Does an employee affirm his or her contract of employment and lose the right to claim constructive dismissal by engaging and using the employer’s grievance procedure?

If an employee claims that his or her employer has breached the contract of employment and engages in the grievance procedure, is he or she still entitled to claim constructive dismissal?  We examine the recent UK case of Gordon v J & D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd…Read More

18Jan2021

Legal update: SFC fines company secretary for insider dealing

According to a recent press release issued by the Securities and Futures Commission (the “SFC”) on 11 January 2021, Mr. Chow Chiu Chi, the company secretary of China Automation Group Limited (“China Automation”), a company listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of…Read More

14Jan2021

The Legal 500 2021 rankings are announced for Asia-Pacific

Tanner De Witt is proud to be recommended this year in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific Guide 2021 for its four main practice areas; corporate and commercial, employment, restructuring and insolvency and dispute resolution. Notably, partners Ian De Witt, Robin Darton and Kim Boreham are ranked in the Hall of Fame, while Pamela Mak is recognised…Read More

30Dec2020

Legal update: Client facilitation in the execution of residual odd lots

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (the “SFC”) issued an FAQ on 18 December 2020 clarifying the applicability of the exemption from the requirement for licensed corporations (“LCs”) to obtain explicit client consent on a trade-by-trade basis prior to each client facilitation trade. As a…Read More

18Dec2020

Wishing you a happy 12 Days of Christmas from Tanner De Witt!

Introducing the Tanner De Witt Choir singing a Hong Kong version of The Twelve Days of Christmas! Singers include: Ian De Witt, Kim Boreham, Russell Bennett, Jeff Lane, Pádraig Walsh, Elizabeth Seymour-Jones, Tara Chan, Josephine Zhou, Vicky Leung, Mae Lim, Rachel See, Ryan Purkey, Charmaine…Read More

30Nov2020

Key points in the SFC Consultation Paper to amend the SFC AML Codes

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) released a consultation paper on 18 September 2020, proposing amendments to (1) the Guideline on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (For Licensed Corporations) and (2) the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Guideline issued by…Read More

12Oct2020

Legal update: Period of Statutory Maternity Leave to be extended to 14 weeks from 11 December 2020

The Government announced last week that the Hong Kong Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 (“Amendment Ordinance”) will come into operation on 11 December 2020. The Amendment Ordinance increases the statutory maternity leave entitlements under the Employment Ordinance (Cap 57) in Hong Kong from 10 weeks to…Read More

18Sep2020

Asialaw 2021 rankings announced

Tanner De Witt is delighted to announce Asialaw’s 2021 rankings of domestic law firms which can be found here. All practices and lawyers have maintained their rankings from the previous year. Our 2021 awards are as follows: OutstandingLabour & EmploymentRestructuring and Insolvency Highly RecommendedCorporate and…Read More

27Feb2015

Onerous Contractual Requirements with Regard to Insurance – How can Contractors and Employers avoid Potential Conflicts

Introduction Increasing costs of insurance and increasing demands from employers have led to some very practical difficulties for contractors. This paper will set out some main underlying themes and then discuss two specific provisions which are currently causing problems for contractors. There is a view…Read More