
Christopher Hooley
Bio
Awards
Writing
Bio
Chris was admitted as a Solicitor of England and Wales in 1980 and worked in the City of London before moving to Hong Kong in 1987.
In Hong Kong, he has worked for three large Hong Kong law firms, in each as the Partner in charge of the Corporate Commercial Department.
He has written articles and conducted seminars on a variety of differential commercial topics in Asia, Europe and North America and has a strong commitment to social endeavours, one of which is the World Justice Project, where Chris is an accredited contributor.
In addition to his Honours Degree in Law, Chris has a Masters Degree in Information Technology and Telecommunications Law from Strathclyde University.
Chris is recognised by Chambers Asia, Legal 500 and Asian Legal Business for his expertise in Mergers and Acquisitions and he is recognised by Practical Law, as being one of the leading employment lawyers in Hong Kong.
Awards
2022
- Leading Individual (Band 2) in Corporate/M&A: Independent Hong Kong Firms – Chambers Greater China Region
- Distinguished Practitioner in Corporate / M&A (Notable Firm) – Asialaw Profiles
2021
- Leading Individual in Corporate / M&A – Chambers Asia-Pacific and Chambers Global
- Leading Lawyer in Corporate / M&A (Notable Firm) – Asialaw Profiles
Previous Years (2016-2020)
- Leading Individual in Corporate / M&A – Chambers Asia-Pacific and Chambers Global (2016-2020)
- Leading Individual in Employment: Hong Kong Law – Chambers Asia-Pacific (2018)
- Leading Lawyer in Corporate / M&A – Asialaw Profiles (2016-2020)
Writing
- Presenting at legal updates/seminars and at international conferences.
Podcast S1E4 | Corporate & Commercial: Essential Considerations
References
Independent local firm Hugill & Ip acts for both employers and employees on contentious and non-contentious matters. It has been notably prominent in equal opportunity/discrimination cases, which are rarely seen in the Hong Kong market. In addition, its group’s other wide-ranging experience includes team moves, mass terminations and restructurings. The practice is led by name partner Adam Hugill. Another key individual is Christopher Hooley, who is recommended for advice on employment strategy in connection with team moves and senior executive hires/terminations. Jade Tang joined in June 2020 from Oldham, Li & Nie.
‘Hugill & Ip are a very enjoyable firm to work with. They take care of their clients and are serious about their work, but they don’t take themselves too seriously. They are friendly, approachable and provide solid legal advice.’
‘Adam Hugill is always a reliable referee, particularly for individuals. He is responsive, helpful and has a good bedside manner. I have referred numerous individuals to him. I have also worked with Chris Hooley and found him to be a safe pair of hands and a reassuring presence for clients.’
‘Adam Hugill gave his time and expertise generously.’
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
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.’
Adam Hugill is well respected by interviewees for his work assisting companies and individual employees with employment law advice and dispute resolution across a range of subjects, including immigration, discrimination issues, disciplinary actions and terminations. He represents clients in matters brought before the Hong Kong Labour Tribunal and the High Court.
Alfred Ip maintains a strong reputation for his contentious probate, trust and estate planning practice. He typically represents families and private individuals in estate disputes, probate actions and applications for declaratory relief. One source confirms that he is “very adept at dealing with probate matters.”
Christopher Hooley is held in high regard for his wide-ranging corporate law practice, with his recent activity spanning M&A transactions and joint ventures to commercial agreements and corporate organisation mandates. He co-heads the corporate and commercial law practice group at Hugill & Ip Solicitors.
Three of Hugill & Ip partners ranked as Asialaw Leading Lawyers 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:
“Excellent communication with clients. All issues, decisions, and implications are explained incredibly clearly, in a way that a non-legal person can understand and make decisions on. Extremely friendly, professional and responsive lawyers.” – Dispute Resolution
“Reactive and reliable. The firm is also very friendly.” – Labour and Employment
“Jonathan Gray is an excellent lawyer. Great at communication and explaining legal matters to a non-legal person, so that we are able to make a very well-informed decision.”
Since its establishment in September 2018, boutique independent law firm Hugill & Ip has quickly gained traction in the market for existing clients of lead employment partner Adam Hugill , many of whom followed him to his new firm. Praised for his ‘no-nonsense attitude and helpful, realistic way of giving advice’, Hugill is particularly accomplished at handling employment litigation for individuals in the financial services sector, including on disputes involving payment and clawback of bonuses, and vested and unvested remuneration rights. On the non-contentious front, Christopher Hooley excels at handling the employment aspects of M&A mandates and reorganisations.
‘The team provides direct advice within a practical framework.’
‘Adam Hugill clearly knows his stuff, but manages to exude a casual and relaxed air during meetings.’
Adam Hugill is valued by one client for being “very attentive and making sure to provide the best service he can, “as well as being “always available.” He frequently represents individual employees in disputes with their employers and also advises employers on general labour issues.
Alfred Ip of Hugill & Ip Solicitors maintains a strong reputation for his contentious probate, trust and estate planning practice. He typically represents families and private individuals in estate disputes, probate actions and applications for declaratory relief. One source confirms that he is “very adept at dealing with probate matters.”
Christopher Hooley is highly regarded for his advice on Hong Kong-related M&A matters. He is described by a market commentator as a “very good commercial lawyer.”
Three of Hugill & Ip partners ranked as Asialaw Leading Lawyers in the following practice areas:
- Adam Hugill for Labour and Employment
- Alfred Ip for Private Client and Dispute Resolution
- Christopher Hooley for Corporate and M&A
Client feedback:
“We are happy with the comprehensive and holistic work done by the law firm and Alfred Ip. They helped us to revise the trust deed to fulfil the requirement of the client.”
“Adam Hugill is canny, smart and well educated as well as being easy and pleasant to communicate with.”
“Adam Hugill is an excellent communicator, listening intently and giving helpful advice, not shielding us from the ‘bad news’. Emails are answered promptly and succinctly, and I trust his judgment thoroughly.”
Adam Hugill has a particularly strong reputation advising on contentious employment matters and has excellent ties with local businesses from many industry sectors, which should enable him to offer a viable alternative to some of the larger, more established firms in the market.
Christopher Hooley handles non-contentious employment matters as part of his broad-ranging corporate and commercial practice.
Insights

Podcast S3E2 | Corporate & Commercial: Shareholder Disputes
Podcast S3E2 | Corporate & Commercial: Shareholder Disputes https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/hugill-ip-hong-kong-hdr-skyline3-coral_1920x700.jpg 1920 700 Christopher Hooley https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Chris-Hooley_500x700-2-96x96.jpg
Podcast S2E5 | Employment: Team Moves
Podcast S2E5 | Employment: Team Moves https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/hugill-ip-hdr-meeting-room-blu_1600x583.jpg 1600 583 Adam Hugill https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Adam-Hugill_500x700_2-96x96.jpg
The Limited Partnership Fund Bill
The Limited Partnership Fund Bill https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/hong-kong-city-architecture-dome-metropolis-building-1594168-pxhere.com_-e1593425851324.jpg 600 750 Christopher Hooley https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Chris-Hooley_500x700-2-96x96.jpg
Shareholder Liability
Shareholder Liability https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Hugill-and-Ip-Solicitors-Corporate-and-Commercial-Shareholder-Liability_sm.jpg 1920 1080 Christopher Hooley https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Chris-Hooley_500x700-2-96x96.jpg
Podcast S1E4 | Corporate & Commercial: Essential Considerations
Podcast S1E4 | Corporate & Commercial: Essential Considerations https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/hugill-ip-hong-kong-skyline2-hdr_1200x800.jpg 1200 800 Gary Wong https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Gary-Wong_500x700-2-96x96.jpg
Commercial Contracts and the Importance of the Force Majeure Clause
Commercial Contracts and the Importance of the Force Majeure Clause https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/arrows-marcus-wallis-416821-unsplash_1600x1065.jpg 1600 1065 Christopher Hooley https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Chris-Hooley_500x700-2-96x96.jpg
Third-Party Guarantees in the Art Market
Third-Party Guarantees in the Art Market https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/anna-kolosyuk-481874-unsplash-e1560920940606.jpg 1350 900 Christopher Hooley https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Chris-Hooley_500x700-2-96x96.jpg
Global Banking and Finance Review | Hugill & Ip Solicitors keep achieving outstanding recognitions and expanding its boutique law firm practice in Hong Kong
Global Banking and Finance Review | Hugill & Ip Solicitors keep achieving outstanding recognitions and expanding its boutique law firm practice in Hong Kong https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Hugill-and-Ip-Pattern_1600x1006.png 1600 1006 Hugill & Ip https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/hugill-and-ip-LogoMark_512x512-150x150.png
China Business Rules for Joint Ventures, Product Manufacturing and Distribution
China Business Rules for Joint Ventures, Product Manufacturing and Distribution https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/bicycle-e1544605061140.jpg 545 386 Christopher Hooley https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Chris-Hooley_500x700-2-96x96.jpg
A new Agreement on Trade in Goods under the Framework of CEPA Takes Effect Today
A new Agreement on Trade in Goods under the Framework of CEPA Takes Effect Today https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/containers.jpg 566 398 Christopher Hooley https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Chris-Hooley_500x700-2-96x96.jpg
A New China E-Commerce Law is Coming into Effect in January 2019
A New China E-Commerce Law is Coming into Effect in January 2019 https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/computer.jpg 660 378 Christopher Hooley https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Chris-Hooley_500x700-2-96x96.jpg
Blockchain Rising Popularity and its Recent Developments in Hong Kong and Mainland China
Blockchain Rising Popularity and its Recent Developments in Hong Kong and Mainland China https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/blockchain01.jpg 506 332 Christopher Hooley https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hugill-and-ip-solicitors-Chris-Hooley_500x700-2-96x96.jpg
Associated Press | Three Partners of Hugill & Ip Solicitors achieve strong results in 2019 Chambers Asia-Pacific ranking
Associated Press | Three Partners of Hugill & Ip Solicitors achieve strong results in 2019 Chambers Asia-Pacific ranking https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Hugill-and-Ip-Pattern_1600x1006.png 1600 1006 Hugill & Ip https://www.hugillandip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/hugill-and-ip-LogoMark_512x512-150x150.png