Adam Hugill

Adam specialises in employment law in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region. He also advises on a wide range of legal and commercial issues, both contentious and non-contentious, in the region and beyond.

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.

  • 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.
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)
  • 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 S4E2 | Employment: Labour Tribunal Proceedings 1600 583 Adam Hugill

Podcast S4E2 | Employment: Labour Tribunal Proceedings

Podcast S2E5 | Employment: Team Moves 1600 583 Adam Hugill

Podcast S2E5 | Employment: Team Moves

References

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