JD Supra Hong Kong

Publisher

Law Firm

Latest documents

• The recognition and treatment of relationships under Hong Kong law—2026 - Final Report

  In March 2025, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling (A&O Shearman) was commissioned by the Gender Studies Programme of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to identify and analyse Hong Kong legislation and certain Government policies in which a person’s relationship status is a factor.

• The recognition and treatment of relationships under Hong Kong law—2026 - Executive Summary

  In 2019, Allen & Overy (as Allen Overy Shearman Sterling (A&O Shearman) then was) was commissioned to conduct an analysis of Hong Kong legislation and certain Government policies in which a person’s relationship status was a factor as at 31 December 2018 (the 2019 Report). The 2019 Report identified widespread—yet inconsistently applied—instances of differential treatment based on relationship status across 21 separate areas of Hong Kong law and government policy. These disparities extended beyond individuals in alternative relationships, such as cohabiting couples, civil partnerships and same-sex marriages, impairing effective law enforcement and producing broader societal consequences. The findings were based on an unprecedented review of legislation in Hong Kong, covering 537 Ordinances

• Lexology In-Depth: Complex Commercial Litigation - Hong Kong - Edition 8

  The High Court Ordinance (Cap. 4) and Rules of the High Court (Cap. 4A) (along with guidance that includes the Practice Directions issued by the Hong Kong Judiciary) apply to civil litigation in the High Court of Hong Kong. These rules, governing procedures ranging inter alia from pleadings to evidence, witnesses and costs, are robust and provide a clear framework for the resolution of disputes. Commercial arbitration is also an extremely popular method of resolving cross-border, international disputes, along with other modes of alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation.

• Hong Kong Stock Exchange Publishes Conclusions on IPO Price Discovery and Open Market Reforms

  The Stock Exchange adopts most of its proposals to optimise IPO price discovery and open market requirements, with certain modifications based on market feedback. On 1 August 2025, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the Stock Exchange) published its Consultation Conclusions following its December 2024 Consultation Paper on proposals to optimise IPO price discovery and open market requirements. The Stock Exchange will implement the proposals, with modifications in response to market feedback, and has launched a further consultation on ongoing public float proposals. The amendment to the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange (Listing Rules) became effective on 4 August 2025 and will apply to all issuers and all new applicants with listing documents published on or after that date, with transitional arrangements for ongoing public float requirements pending further consultation.

• APAC AI Watch Series | Hong Kong

  Asartificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, understanding the evolving regulatory landscape is more critical than ever. Our new APAC AI Watch series offers in-depth analysis of key legal developmentsacross Asia-Pacific, helping businessesanticipate compliance challengesand seize emerging opportunities. Each article will break down legislative updates, policytrends,and enforcementactionsacross the region, providing practical guidance on how businesses can navigate evolving AI regulations, mitigate risks,and refine their strategies.

• All’s Well That Ends Well for Keepwell Providers?

  No loss to issuers puts note trustees in the spotlight. The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal (CFA) has overturned the Court of Appeal’s order that Peking University Founder Group Company Limited (PUFG), as the keepwell provider, breached the terms of the keepwell deeds and was liable to three of its offshore subsidiaries that were the issuers and a guarantor of the keepwell bonds (together, the Issuers), for the total outstanding amounts of those bonds.

• Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Releases 2024 Annual Statistics

  The statistics show a robust demand for arbitration and reflect Hong Kong’s importance as an arbitral venue for resolving cross-border commercial disputes. On 20 February 2025, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) released its annual statistics for 2024. The newly published statistics demonstrate an increasing use of the HKIAC as an arbitration centre. This growth reinforces Hong Kong’s position as a leading international arbitration institution, and follows on the heels of the issuance of the HKIAC’s new 2024 Administered Arbitration Rules which, as we discussed in a previous Client Alert, are aimed at further innovating the procedural framework for arbitration users.

• A Guide to Doing Business in Hong Kong – 2025

  Since establishment of the office in 1982, Hong Kong has acted as the hub around which Hogan Lovells’ regional growth and network expansion have been organised. We are also the sole Hong Kong member of the Pacific Rim Advisory Council (PRAC), a unique strategic alliance within the global legal community, consisting of over 20 major independent law firms, each with a substantial presence and expertise in the Pacific Rim region. We also have a number of Hong Kong qualified lawyers who have successfully obtained practicing licences in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (“GBA”), who can provide legal services relating to certain civil and commercial legal matters in the nine Mainland China cities within the GBA.

• Cross-border Dialogue Between Hong Kong And Mainland China on Insolvency Law

  In January 2025 in Beijing, a delegation of INSOL members led by Andrew Koo (INSOL Fellow) and John Lees (INSOL Past President) together with Hong Kong barrister Michael Lok, Alexander Tang (INSOL Fellow), and Howard Lam (INSOL Fellow), participated in a roundtable on crossborder insolvency topics with a team of prominent PRC bankruptcy experts led by Professor Li Shuguang, China University of Political Science and Law. Given the tremendous growth of the Chinese economy and overseas investments in the past few decades, corporate insolvency law in the PRC has become a priority area for legislative development and collaboration among practitioners both onshore and offshore. This ongoing dialogue between practitioners from two jurisdictions with very different legal traditions offers important opportunities for exchanging views and identifying areas of legal reform to resolve increasingly complex cross-border issues more effectively.

• Establishing a Business Entity in Hong Kong (Updated)

  ESTABLISHING A BUSINESS ENTITY IN HONG KONG - 1. Introduction - Hong Kong as an international centre for finance, commerce and trade is often considered as one of the most attractive places to do business owing to its unique advantages such as its prime location, business-friendly policies, simple tax regime, world-class infrastructure, sound legal system and robust regulatory regimes. This Asia’s world city has consistently topped various global rankings in business and economic competitiveness – more recently it ranked the 5th most competitive economy by the International Institute for Management Development in its World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, topping the ranking in business legislation and international trade, and being in the top five positions in tax policy, international investment, basic infrastructure, finance and education.

Featured documents

• Variable Interest Entity (VIE) Structures Face Additional Scrutiny for Hong Kong Listing

  Since its first use by Sina Corporation in 2000, the VIE structure has been widely adopted by many Chinese companies to attract foreign investment and complete offshore listings. While companies operating under VIE structure will continue to be allowed to list in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Stock...

• Outline of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Rule Changes to Complement New Sponsor Regulations

  On July 23, 2013, the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the Exchange) published amendments to the rules governing the listing of securities on the exchange (the Listing Rules) and issued additional guidance to complement the new sponsor regulations introduced by the Securities and Futures...

• Hong Kong Regulators Remind Intermediaries of Selling Practice Requirements for Complex Bonds and High-Yield Bonds

  Intermediaries need to review and enhance their policies and procedures to address any issues relevant to their institutions. On 25 March 2014, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) issued a circular (Circular) to remind SFC-licensed corporations of their obligations when selling...

• Hong Kong Regulatory Update - March 2015

  This Hong Kong regulatory update is intended to provide a brief overview of the principal Hong Kong regulatory developments in the preceding three months relevant to companies listed or proposed to be listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the HKEx) and their advisers, including HKEx...

• Can an Enforcement Standard be Discerned from the SFC’s Case Against Moody’s?

  The hearings have recently concluded in Moody’s appeal of the November 24, 2014 decision of Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (the “SFC”) to fine Moody’s HK$23 million for its release of a report applying a “red flag” framework to 61 rated Chinese companies. As was the case prior to the...

• Hong Kong Market Misconduct: The SFC’s Extra-Territorial Reach

  The Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (the “SFC”) recently initiated proceedings for alleged market misconduct against U.S.-based Andrew Edward Left in connection with his research report (“Left’s report”) published on a U.S.-based Internet website called Citron Research with respect...

• Hong Kong Securities Laws Violations: The SFC’s Extra-Territorial Reach – Part 2 (U.S. short-seller found culpable of market misconduct)

  Hong Kong’s Market Misconduct Tribunal (the "MMT") has found U.S.-based Andrew Edward Left culpable of market misconduct in connection with his research report (“Left’s report”), published on June 21, 2012 on a U.S.-based Internet website called Citron Research, with respect to the Hong Kong listed ...

• The Manager-in-Charge Regime: Ruffling feathers in the year of the Rooster?: Practical considerations for licensed corporations

  On 16 December 2016, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) issued a Circular to Licensed Corporations entitled Augmenting the Accountability of Senior Management (Circular). At the heart of the Circular was the introduction of a Manager-in-Charge regime (MIC Regime). The SFC’s intention ...

• Breakthrough? – Proposed New Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange May Allow Listing of Companies with Disproportionate Voting Rights Share Structures – Part 4

  In June 2017, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and its subsidiary The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “HKEx”) launched a consultation to seek public feedback on a set of proposals contained in two separate papers: (i) the New Board Concept Paper and (ii) the Consultation Paper on...

• Banks’ obligations to give foreign insolvency officeholders access to information and assets – a clear distinction

  Speed read - On 7 February 2018, the Court of First Instance (CFI) published reasons for its decision in China Lumena New Materials Corp. Justice Harris reaffirmed his earlier decision and held that where foreign insolvency officeholders are appointed by the court in the country of incorporation ...