Adam Hugill
Bio
Notable Cases
Awards
Writing
Bio
Adam initially qualified in London in 2004, then moved to Hong Kong in 2008 to join a leading local firm and qualified as a solicitor in Hong Kong shortly afterwards. He joined an international firm in 2012 and was promoted to co-head the Hong Kong employment law practice, acting regularly for major global corporations and financial institutions.
In 2014, Adam returned to a leading local firm where he was able to offer a broader selection of services to both individuals and to the business community.
Adam acts for both employers and employees in connection with a wide range of issues. These include: employee transfers and team moves; corporate transaction support; large-scale and cross-border terminations; protection of trade secrets and confidential information; compensation and benefits; employment of contingent workers and independent contractors; data privacy; shareholder disputes; discrimination; and business immigration.
He is also skilled at advising senior executives on termination, including guidance on discretionary bonus and deferred compensation entitlements and negotiating exit agreements.
Adam works with clients – whether employer or employee – on their claims in the Hong Kong Labour Tribunal and in investigations by the Labour Department. He also represents clients in connection with District Court and High Court litigation, including: equal opportunities claims; breach of contract; and seeking immediate injunctive relief in connection with breach of post termination restrictions, misappropriation of confidential information, or unlawful competition.
Adam has been recognised as a leading lawyer in the area of Hong Kong Employment law by Chambers Asia every year since 2011.
Notable Cases
- Cunningham v. Qantex Capital Markets Limited (2023) High Court – successfully defending an appeal against a judgment by the Labour Tribunal to award our client HK$5,036,826.30 plus interest arising from claim for payment in lieu of notice for the remainder of his fixed term contract and other unpaid amounts.
- Mak v. LA (2022) High Court – successfully staying High Court proceedings (transferred from the Labour Tribunal) in favour of arbitration.
- BFAM Partners HK v. (i) Gareth Mills & (ii) Segantii Capital Management (2021) High Court – obtaining injunction against former CTO restraining him from working competitively in breach of his restrictive covenants.
- McLarens Hong Kong Limited v. Poon and others (2019) High Court – defending employer and nine former employees from claims for breach of contract / restrictive covenants and applications for springboard injunctive relief.
- MBM Metalworks Hong Kong Limited v. Nichols and other (2019) High Court – defending former managing director in connection with claims for breach of contract, fraud and conspiracy.
- X v. (i) Melvyn Lai & (ii) Leigh & Orange Limited (2018) District Court – defending claims of sexual harassment.
- Vistra v. Zedra and others (2017) High Court – defending claims for breach of contract, conspiracy and inducement to breach.
- WCL Corporation Limited v. Zhou Jia Jin (2014) High Court – obtaining Mareva / freezing injunction over assets of PRC national.
Awards
2024
- Leading Individual in Labour and Employment – The Legal 500
- Leading Individual (Band 2) in Employment: Hong Kong-based International Firms – Chambers Greater China Region
- Recognised for his Employment & Immigration practice – Private Client Global Elite
2023
- Leading Individual in Labour and Employment – The Legal 500
- Leading Individual (Band 2) in Employment: Hong Kong-based International Firms – Chambers Greater China Region
- Distinguished Practitioner in Labour and Employment (Highly Recommended Firm) – Asialaw
- Recommended firm in Labor and Employment (Litigation Star) – Benchmark Litigation
- Leading Lawyer for Employment & Labour – Doyle’s Guide
- Thought Leader for Labour & Employment – Who’s Who Legal
- Pro Bono and Community Service Bronze Award – The Law Society of Hong Kong
Previous Years (2014-2022)
- Leading Individual in Employment: Hong Kong Law – Chambers Asia-Pacific (2014-2022)
- Leading Individual in Employment Law (Hong Kong) – The Legal 500 (2015-2022)
- Leading Lawyer in Labour and Employment – Asialaw (2015-2022)
- Labour and employment Firm of the Year in Legal Expertise Regional Awards – Asialaw Awards 2022/23
- Recommended firm in Labor and Employment (Litigation Star) – Benchmark Litigation (2020-2022)
- Recommended Lawyer for Employment & Labour – Doyle’s Guide
- Pensions & Benefits: Adam Hugill – Who’s Who Legal (2015-2016 and 2020-2022)
- Immigration Law Firm of the Year – Asia Legal Business Hong Kong Law Awards (2015-2016)
- Pro Bono and Community Service Award – The Law Society of Hong Kong (2015 and 2020-2022)
Writing
- Editor Halsbury’s Employment Laws (Second Edition)
- Editor of the Hong Kong Employment Law Manual by LexisNexis (2013 – 2019)
- LexOmnibus: Termination of Employment Contracts – What you need to know (2020)
- LexOmnibus: An Overview of the Hong Kong Immigration System (2018)
- Co-author of the Hong Kong chapters of Executive Remuneration Review (2013) and Corporate Immigration Review (2011) published by Law Business Research.
- Co-author of the Hong Kong chapter of International Labor and Employment Laws (3rd Ed) 2013 Cumulative Supplement.
- Writing and contributing to HR and Employment law articles in London and Hong Kong for Thomson – Sweet & Maxwell, HR Magazine and Personnel Today.
- Presenting at legal updates / seminars and at international conferences.
Podcast S2E5 | Employment: Team Moves
References
Adam Hugill ranked as Leading Individual (Band 2) in Chambers and Partners Greater China Region for Employment Hong Kong-based International Firms, China (Band 3)
The Law Society of Hong Kong has presented the 2023 Awards for the Pro-bono and Community Recognition Programme:
- Hugill & Ip – Silver Law Firm Award
- Individual Gold Award: Alfred Ip (Woon Shun), Frances Tsang (Fan Ching)
- Individual Silver Award: Raphael Wong, Saajandeep Singh, Jeffrey Chan
- Individual Bronze Award: Adam Hugill, Gary Wong, Harry Tang
Three of Hugill & Ip partners ranked as Legal 500 Leading Individuals in the following practice areas:
- Alfred Ip and Caroline McNally for Private Client and Family
- Adam Hugill for Labour and Employment
Moreover, the firm is also recognized in Commercial, Corporate and M&A for the independent Hong Kong law firms category.
Three of Hugill & Ip partners ranked as Asialaw Distinguished Practitioner in the following practice areas:
- Adam Hugill for Labour and Employment (Highly Recommended Firm)
- Alfred Ip for Private Client and Dispute Resolution (Recommended Firm)
- Christopher Hooley for Corporate and M&A (Notable Firm)
Adam Hugill is recognised as Leading Lawyer in the category of Employment and Labour Lawyers. Hugill & Ip is listed as Second Tier law firm in the same category.
Adam – and Hugill & Ip – have been identified by their fellow Hong Kong-based lawyers and barristers specialsing in these areas for their expertise and abilities.
Hugill & Ip has been ranked by Benchmark Litigation in the following practice areas:
- Highly Recommended for Private Client
- Recommended in Labor and Employment
- Tier 3 for Commercial and Transactions
Adam Hugill and Alfred Ip are rated Litigation Stars and Geraint Ho Future Star. Hugill & Ip is recognised for its work in dispute resolution and the firm has a distinct focus on employment and private client litigation. The firm is also increasingly involved in general commercial disputes. Key names in the dispute resolution team include partners Alfred Ip and Adam Hugill, who led most of the cases worked on during the research period.
Two of Hugill & Ip partners ranked as Chambers and Partners Greater China Region Leading Individuals (Band 2) in the following practice areas:
- Adam Hugill for Employment: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) (Band 4 Firm)
- Christopher Hooley for Corporate/M&A: Independent Hong Kong Firms – China
Moreover, Alfred Ip is recognized with Band 2 ranking in Private Wealth Disputes – China in Chambers High Net Worth.
Two of Hugill & Ip partners ranked as Legal 500 Leading Individuals in the following practice areas:
- Alfred Ip for Private Client and Family (Tier 2 Firm)
- Adam Hugill for Labour and Employment (Tier 3 Firm)
Moreover, the firm is recognized with Tier 3 ranking in Commercial, Corporate and M&A for the independent Hong Kong law firms category.
The Law Society of Hong Kong has presented the 2022 Awards for the Pro-bono and Community Recognition Programme:
- Hugill & Ip – Gold Law Firm Award
- Individual Gold Award: Alfred Ip (Ip Woon Shun 葉煥信) – Individual Gold Award
- Individual Silver Award: Raphael Wong
- Individual Bronze Award: Adam Hugill, Gary Wong, Jacqueline Cheng, Geraint Ho, Andrea Cheung, Harry Tang and Jeffrey Chan
Three of Hugill & Ip partners ranked as Asialaw Distinguished Practitioner in the following practice areas:
- Adam Hugill for Labour and Employment (Highly Recommended Firm)
- Alfred Ip for Private Client and Dispute Resolution (Recommended Firm)
- Christopher Hooley for Corporate and M&A (Notable Firm)
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