Hong Kong

Suite 3201, One Island East, Taikoo Place
18 Westlands Road, Quarry Bay
Hong Kong
F +852 2509 9772

We have been established in Hong Kong for more than 15 years. As a separate jurisdiction, Hong Kong has adopted a common law system distinct from the legal system in Mainland China. Our team is intimately familiar with the local environment, providing a full range of legal support and advisory services.

Globally and locally connected, we can guide you through any matter that requires legal support. Whether you are based in the US or Europe, a multinational, or live in the area – we can be of service. Collectively, we speak five languages, enabling us to facilitate cross-border transactions with ease and efficiency.

Why Choose Us

The Hong Kong office is one of the few legal practices that can bring you comprehensive local, US and international tax advice. We collaborate with our colleagues in Beijing, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo to provide insight into the Asia Pacific region.

Whatever the scale of your business or ambition, we can advise you on merger and acquisition transactions, capital market transactions, joint ventures, international business law matters, outbound investment issues and in dispute resolution.

Our well-respected lawyers serve as honorary legal advisers for a number of NGOs, as well as serving on government boards and receiving numerous accolades.

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Communications

In-depth advice on all aspects of TMT, including regulatory and licensing matters. Our areas of expertise include mobile, mobile apps, location based systems, social media projects, new media content distribution and advertising. We also cover broadband wireless access, fixed line, data centers, WiMAX, satellite and submarine cable networks; broadcasting, media and the internet; content acquisition and distribution networks; information technology and distribution networks; and emerging technologies. Our clients include providers of mobile services, broadcasters and media companies. As part of our sector work, we assist investors and tech startups in angel/seed round investments and later stage private equity transactions.

Corporate

Astute advice on the whole spectrum of corporate transactions, ranging from mergers and acquisitions to corporate takeovers, joint ventures, private equity investments, corporate restructurings, equity and debt financing and initial public offerings. Clients include multinational companies, state-owner enterprises in Mainland China, listed companies in Hong Kong and the US, and private enterprises in different sectors.

Intellectual Property and Technology

Practical help applying for and prosecuting trademark and patent applications worldwide. We engage in patent due diligence and provide patentability opinions, freedom-to-operate opinions, infringement or non-infringement opinions, invalidity or validity opinions and license agreements. We can also advise you on enforcement of patent rights, trademark rights and other IP matters.

International Dispute Resolution

Litigation experience across many industries, from construction and energy and natural resources to international trade and general commerce. We are also experienced in insolvency and restructuring, with extensive knowledge of both local and regional markets. Representing clients in Hong Kong’s High Court, we enforce and resist enforcement of arbitral awards and judgments. The head of our international dispute resolution practice in Asia Pacific is a Chartered Arbitrator, and has been appointed as an arbitrator in commercial and maritime cases. He is also the vice president of the Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators.

Tax Strategy and Benefits

Our practice focuses on US and regional tax planning. This includes tax, trust, estate and wealth planning for international private clients. We can aid you in handling personal tax and estate planning for trusts and holding companies, minimizing US estate and inheritance taxes, avoiding US probate proceedings and revising existing structures in accordance with US laws relating to offshore trusts. In addition, we can advise you on international and US estate planning to reduce estate, inheritance and other succession taxes worldwide.

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As an initiative to facilitate business operations, Hong Kong’s new Companies Ordinance, Cap. 622, (“the new CO”) has abolished the mandatory requirement for a company to have a common seal and has made the keeping and use of a common seal optional. This applies to any company incorporated in Hong Kong under the new CO or any former Companies Ordinances. Pursuant to section 127 of the new CO, a company may execute a document under its common seal or, alternatively, without using its common seal. In particular, a document signed in accordance with section 127(3) and expressed (in whatever words) to be executed by the company has effect as if the document had been executed under the company’s common seal. The alternative mode of execution without the common seal is provided for under section 127(3).