Litigation

Arbitration and Alternative Disputes Resolution

We have one of the largest litigation and arbitration practices in Hong Kong. Our Solicitors regularly participate in arbitration proceedings in the PRC under the China International Economic Arbitration Commission and related PRC arbitration commissions. We have extensive experience in conducting arbitration and litigation matters involving PRC parties both in the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong and in the principal international arbitration centres. Our arbitration and dispute resolution experience includes proceedings arising from trade finance, commercial and joint venture disputes, lending and security and maritime claims and disputes involving property. The firm maintains very close contact with a number of leading Chinese law firms which enables us to keep informed of changes in PRC legislation and practice.

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Banking Disputes

Our banking team provides a full range of legal services to lenders, borrowers and others. We also have considerable experience in handling banking and finance related disputes, in particular those involving or arising out of documentary credits, project finance, structured finance, debt restructuring, work outs and insolvency, custodian and trustee issues, regulatory and compliance issues, money laundering, fraud and guarantees and indemnities.

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Commercial Contracts

Our commercial litigation team is consistently rated as being among the leading teams in Hong Kong. We handle disputes arising from commercial contracts across a full range of sectors from sale of goods and commodities to intellectual property; from corporate and finance to shipping and insurance; from property to IT and telecoms. With offices and associated offices throughout the world, we are particularly well equipped to deal with disputes involving multiple jurisdictions.

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Corporate and Boardroom Disputes

We regularly advise on internal disputes in the operation of companies, including disputes between directors of companies and their board, between directors in "dead-lock", and either for companies, boards of directors or shareholders in claims for "fraud on the minority" or other shareholder and corporate issues. We have also assisted companies and directors in defending/prosecuting personal civil and criminal claims arising out of director duties and responsibilities and corporate fraud, including many high profile cases.

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Defamation

Richards Butler has a long-standing, successful record of acting in libel cases for both defendants and claimants. We have extensive experience of handling defamation disputes on behalf of clients including celebrities, major newspaper groups and other international publishers, financial institutions, individuals, IT and multi-media companies and multinational clients. Our defamation specialists have been involved in significant and often complex cases including internet related disputes.

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Employment

We act for employers and employees in advising on all aspects of employment law in Hong Kong. We draft contracts of employment, and handle all manner of disputes arising from contracts of employment.

We advise on and enforce the employer's right to protect itself and its proprietary information. We advise on anti-discrimination law in Hong Kong, and have acted for employers in opposing sex, family status, and disability discrimination claims.

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Financial Regulatory and Securities

We have extensive experience of a wide range of regulatory and licensing matters (both contentious and non-contentious) in all financial markets in Hong Kong. We have conducted a number of high profile contentious cases , investigations and Public Inquires involving securities and regulatory matters.

In addition, the firm has advised on and conducted a large number of disciplinary matters before the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. We have also been retained by the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong to deal with contentious regulatory/disciplinary matters (involving Judicial Review proceedings).

We have also represented clients (both Plaintiffs and Defendants) in banking disputes, boardroom disputes, minority shareholder actions, securities/financial fraud, contractual claims relating to securities/financial services, negligence claims against brokers, managers and professional advisers, contentious takeovers and mergers, insurance claims relating to securities and financial services and have represented applicants in a wide range of commercial Judicial Review cases.

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Immigration

We have a well-established immigration practice with one dedicated fee earner working full time in processing applications for work visas, dependent visas, training visas, investment visas, student visas, unconditional stay applications and applications for permanent residency. Our clients include banks, trading houses, shipping businesses, manufacturers, and individuals.

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Insolvency

We act mainly on behalf of banks and major accountancy firms on corporate recoveries, receiverships, administrations, re-financings, liquidations, cross-border insolvencies and other insolvency situations. Insolvency of insurance companies is a particular specialism.

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Insurance, Re-insurance and Professional Indemnity

We offer extensive expertise in general insurance, professional indemnity and specialised insurance acting for, amongst others, mutual and fixed premium insurers of ships, a wide range of insurers for freight forwarders, warehouse operators, transport intermediaries, cargo owners and trade insurers. We also act for insurers who provide professional indemnity insurance for various professional bodies in Hong Kong including dental practitioners and members of the Hong Kong Pilots Association.

In respect of general insurance disputes, the firm acts for four of the major insurers who operate in Hong Kong principally in relation to dispute resolution, general insurance disputes, personal injury, employee compensation claims and motor claims in areas other than construction, but also on the policy issues. We have acted on the non-contentious side for two P&I Clubs and a number of other insurers on regulatory and compliance issues.

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Media & Entertainment

We have wide experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters, on behalf of individual artists, film companies, newspapers, record companies, entertainment retail outlets and major international publishing houses and multi-media companies. We have represented such parties in all aspects of their businesses, in particular defamation (including over the internet) and breach of contract disputes (including employment), publicity rights and regulatory issues.

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Medical and Health Care

We have one of the largest medico-legal practices in Hong Kong, with a long established representation in all aspects of medical litigation, personal injury and general advisory work on medical related matters. We provide legal advice to medical insurers, hospitals, group medical practices, individual doctors and dentists, specialist medical colleges, as well as other medical institutions. We have a wide network of contacts and correspondents throughout the Asia-Pacific region and this, together with the firm's offices around the world, means we can offer clients a comprehensive and round-the-clock service.

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  • Chris Howse
  • Nanette Kwong
  • Asha Sharma
  • David Kan

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    Property Litigation

    Our property litigation team offers an efficient and professional legal service with an emphasis on achieving both effective and practical solutions. We have extensive experience in dealing with all aspects of property related disputes, ranging from landlord and tenant issues, re-possessions and debt collection to matters of security, finance, agency and property management. As one of the largest law firms in Hong Kong we can also provide a wide range of support services for our clients, such as employment, conveyancing and corporate advice.

    Landlord & Tenant
    We advise on all aspects of landlord and tenancy disputes, both in the context of Lands Tribunal proceedings and lease negotiations as well as re-possessions and advice on statutory and procedural issues. We provide a back up service for a number of clients ranging from development companies and banks with property portfolios, to property managers and individuals with particular queries. In all cases, we provide effective solutions for both complex and everyday problems.

    Property Management & Agency
    We provide a fully comprehensive and professional support network for a range of property managers, owners, management committees and agents. We have advised a number of clients on the Estate Agents Ordinance and its wide ranging requirements, as well as providing general advice on landlord and tenant, maintenance and property management issues. We are also experienced in all aspects of property management and agency law, from drawing up initial contracts to advising on the extensive obligations imposed by the Building Management Ordinance.

    Incorporated Owners and Owners' Committees
    Our clients range from incorporated owners and owners' committees of high profile estates to property managers, who often require assistance in interpretating the extensive legislation governing the rights and obligations of owners. Advice may be required both in connection with the Government and other third parties as well as the rights and obligations of one owner to another. In conjunction with our Conveyancing Department, we provide a fully comprehensive service to advise on issues ranging from management committee procedure, repair and renovation projects, illegal structures, water leakage and day to day control and management to developer's disputes and construction issues.

    Security and Guarding Services:
    As solicitors for the Hong Kong Security Association, our team advises on all aspects of security and guarding issues, ranging from advice on security issues in public places and the common law right of arrest to drafting employment contracts for security personnel.

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