In today’s competitive global markets, businesses need wisely crafted and bespoke legal advice.
We advise a wide range of corporate clients and businesses ranging from multi nationals, local businesses, start-ups, deal makers and entrepreneurs, in Hong Kong and internationally. We also offer tailor-made solutions to complex regulatory problems and daily operations.
We help our clients identify and manage risk so that they can make the right choices for their business and offer practical support help grow the business while protecting its assets.
We carefully consider every aspect of a transaction in the light of the specific needs of our clients, to ensure that our clients’ legal and economic concerns in the transaction are sufficiently and properly addressed and protected.
We are experienced in advising local, regional and global organisations on public and private M&A transactions and restructuring and regularly act for client in connection with complex legal, regulatory and transactional issues. Our strong experience and practical understanding of local market allows us to provide end to end advice that extends beyond the law.
We also advise clients in respect of the tax issues and the ever-changing laws and regulations affecting their businesses, to help them to resolve all the legal challenges that they may face.
We tailor all documents to facilitate our clients’ needs on a particular transaction and certainly our approach of understanding our clients’ business and needs helps us keep this objective in focus throughout the process. We advise our clients at every stage of a transaction and are available to assist clients from the development of strategies through to their implementation.
We excel in corporate governance, directors’ liabilities and responsibilities and shareholders’ rights.
References
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 the majority of cases worked on during the research period.
One highlight saw the firm acting for Hong Kong hedge fund BFAM Partners to obtain an injunction against its former chief technology officer to restrict his ability to work for a key competitor for the duration of his non-competition covenant. This is a rare example of the High Court upholding and enforcing a non-competition restriction. In another ongoing case, the firm is defending claims on behalf of Charles Taylor and nine other defendants against allegations of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duties and unlawful conspiracy. The firm also acted for KPMG’s court-appointed administrator to administrate the estate and conduct various recovery actions against the former executor of the estate.
Christopher Hooley heads the corporate and commercial law practice group at Hugill & Ip Solicitors. He is held in high regard for his wide-ranging practice advising multinationals on M&A transactions and joint ventures. Market commentators acknowledge him as “a veteran in Hong Kong.“
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)
Client feedback:
“Good practical dispute resolution services for medium–sized disputes.” – Dispute resolution
“The firm is excellent for anti-discrimination work. They provide well-grounded and practical advice to their clients.” – Labour and employment
“Clear and honest advice placed in the context of the legal framework in Hong Kong. Charges are very reasonable also.” – Labour and employment
“We have worked closely with several partners who head different practice areas, and they have all provided excellent legal advice to us. Aside from being very professional solicitors, the firm has a practical and cost-effective way to approach legal needs. It is extremely thorough and very fast in getting back to us with the correct advice. We are also impressed about the Corporate Social Responsibility contribution that Hugill & Ip uses to give back to the community.” – Private client
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. 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 the majority of cases worked on during the research period.
One highlight saw the firm advise Hawaiian company Adon Construction recover misappropriated funds as a result of internet fraud. It also acted on a cross-border joint venture dispute between a garment manufacturing and retail company, High Fashion New Media, and an asset holding vehicle, Hansen. Another case highlight includes defending claims on behalf of Charles Taylor and nine other defendants against allegations of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duties and unlawful conspiracy. The firm also acted for KPMG’s court-appointed administrator to administrate the estate and conduct various recovery actions against the former executor of the estate.
Employment law is a core area of focus for Hugill & Ip, and since its establishment in September 2018, under the guidance of ‘knowledgeable and responsive‘ name partner Adam Hugill, the team has rapidly made inroads into the local market on behalf of both employers and employees. Work covers the waterfront of issues facing companies and individuals, including advice on employee transfers and team moves, data privacy, immigration, and discrimination.
Hugill has an excellent track record guiding individuals and employers in Labour Tribunal matters, including representation in any pursuant High Court litigation, and has established a strong reputation in advising on high-profile equal opportunity/discrimination cases.
The arrival in June 2020 of Jade Tang from Oldham, Li & Nie strengthens the firm’s capacity on the non-contentious front, in particular, and adds further weight to a team that also includes Christopher Hooley, who regularly handles strategic employment advice as an offshoot of his corporate and commercial practice.
‘The firm provides a fast and professional turnaround.’
‘Adam Hugill is very professional, knowledgeable, and responsive.’
Podcast S1E4 | Corporate & Commercial: Essential Considerations
How we can help you
M & A Transactions
• Share sale and purchase acquisitions
• Cross border business and asset transfers
Corporate Finance
• Private Equity funds
• Investment agreements
• Private placements
• China investments
• Corporate restructuring
• Facility agreements
• Joint ventures and shareholder agreements
Commercial
• Security documents
• Opinion letters
• Commercial agreements
• Sales agreements
• Franchising agreements
• Licensing agreements
• Manufacturing and distribution agreements
• Trademark agreements
• Standard terms and conditions
• Management services agreements
• Non disclosure agreements
Debt and Equity Financing
• Bank and loan documentation
• Regulatory matters
Digital
• Fintech advisory
• Regulatory and compliance
Regulatory
• SFC licensing, investigations and regulated activities
• Competition
• Privacy
Company Secretarial
• Company formation and secretarial services
• Directors’ responsibilities
• Corporate governance audits
• Company formations and provision of nominee services
Advice
We have acted for our clients on either the sale side or the buy side in respect of merger and acquisition transactions on businesses with different profiles ranging from SME to multinational conglomerates. Our clients are pleased with the effective and comprehensive manner that we handle the process, from the initial due diligence to the post-completion requirements.
With a team of experienced lawyers, and assisted by associates across the Asia region, we have the ability to assist our clients in both local and cross-border mergers and acquisitions. We are especially skilled at dealing with the legal issues facing international companies seeking to have a presence in Hong Kong and China.
Insights

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