On 22 May 2026, our Partner, Calvin Lo, was invited by AIA’s Vendici Family  to act as the keynote speaker for a seminar titled “Hong Kong Trusts and Wealth Succession Planning”, held in Guangzhou. Mr Lo is a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and a Certified Trust Practitioner (CTP) of the Hong Kong Trustees’ Association.

Addressing the core requirements of high-net-worth individuals, the seminar provided attendees with a comprehensive analysis of modern wealth succession instruments and cutting-edge regulatory policies.

During the session, Mr Lo introduced key succession planning tools—including wills, enduring powers of attorney, and trusts—highlighting the distinct advantages of trusts in asset protection and family wealth preservation. He broke down the pivotal roles within trust structures and offered practical insights into trust deeds, letters of wishes, structural design, and the selection of jurisdictions. The presentation also covered ongoing administration and the definition of family offices, concluding with a detailed look at the zero-tax concession for Family Investment Holding Vehicles (FIHVs) under Schedule 16E of the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Ordinance.

Using the famous Zhang Lan case as a lesson, Mr Lo explained how improper administration of trust and excessive reserved powers and control would adversely impact the asset protection functions of a trust.  Mr Lo also used practical case studies to highlight the risks of neglecting succession planning, such as severe probate complications, financial strain on surviving family members, and legal disputes triggered by forced heirship regimes in Mainland China and Europe.

The event was attended by high-net-worth individuals, family business owners, and wealth management professionals and was well-received by the full-house audience.

本次活动得到了两地相关部门的高度重视与支持，由律师会主办，并获得广东省律师协会、深圳市律师协会、深圳市前海管理局、广州市南沙区司法局作为支持单位。本所合伙人、香港律师会理事兼大中华法律事务委员会副主席徐凯怡律师，以及合伙人张源辉律师出席了本次盛会，与现场逾百位来自大湾区的法律同仁、企业代表及行业领袖齐聚一堂，深入交流，共同拓展区内专业网络及业务合作机遇。

「甲乙有约」（大湾区）活动是香港律师会「湾区快车」系列的重要组成部分，旨在促进大湾区法律专业人士之间的深度互动与跨境协作。本次活动以「法律赋能数字未来」为核心议题，紧扣大湾区企业在数字化转型及跨境发展过程中所面临的新机遇与新挑战。

活动邀请到多位来自大湾区不同领域的嘉宾分享真知灼见，深入探讨了企业境外投资中的合规风险与本地化挑战，并聚焦如何善用大湾区的制度优势，以及RWA代币化在提升资产流动性与对接全球市场方面的潜力与合规路径；此外，活动还探讨了数据交易市场的发展方向，强调通过建立可信流通机制与制度创新，在保障安全隐私的前提下促进数据依法合规流通，为企业数字化转型提供制度支撑。

本次培训班面向企事业单位、律师、公证员、仲裁员等各领域在职法律人才，旨在提升涉外法律服务队伍的专业能力，增强跨境法律服务的实务水平，推动涉外法治人才培养体系建设。

在授课中，张源辉律师以《涉外律师跨境金融业务实务：跨境融资、国际债券发行与金融监管合规》为题，结合其在香港及国际金融市场多年的实务经验，系统讲解了跨境融资结构设计、国际债券发行的法律要点与流程、以及当前全球主要金融监管框架下的合规挑战与应对策略。张律师通过实际案例分析，深入剖析了香港律师在跨境金融交易中的角色，获得了与会学员的高度评价。

Between 4 and 7 February 2026, Partners Willy Cheng and Lai Lam represented the firm at the Interlaw Asia Pacific Regional Meeting in Sydney. As a founding member of this elite global network which comprises over 90 firms in 150 cities, our participation ensures we remain at the forefront of international legal developments.

Under the theme “Connecting Through Shared Values,” the three-day event was designed to strengthen business ties and foster cooperation between member firms from across the Asia Pacific and beyond. During the summit, Mr. Cheng and Ms. Lam engaged in a series of curated sessions and workshops focusing on the most pressing issues facing the profession. These discussions explored the defining role of AI within the Banking and IP sectors, the impact of shared values on recruitment for Employment and Labour in the digital age, and contemporary strategies for Leadership and Management. The meeting also provided a dedicated forum for participants to discuss specific business development initiatives aimed at deepening cross-border cooperation and streamlining service delivery across the region.

Please contact our Partners Willy Cheng or Lai Lam for further enquiries about this event.

On 6 February 2026, our Consultant Kenneth Leung and Associate Ronnie Tse partnered with TF International Securities Group Limited (“TFI”) to deliver an exclusive training seminar titled “Mastering Part XV of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO)”.

At TFI’s Hong Kong headquarters, Kenneth and Ronnie provided an in-depth analysis of the “Disclosure of Interests” (DI) regime, a cornerstone of market transparency in Hong Kong.

Why Part XV Matters Now

For directors, chief executives and shareholders of listed companies, failure to timely and accurately disclose interests can result in criminal liability, imprisonment, and reputational damage. For securities firms and licensed corporations, understanding the nuances of the regime—particularly the latest updates—is critical for both internal compliance and client advisory.

Key Highlights from the Session

The seminar provided TFI’s team with a practical roadmap through the complexities of Part XV, moving beyond basic rules to address advanced operational challenges. Key topics included:

• The “Treasury Shares” Update: Clarifying the SFC’s May 2024 revised Outline of Part XV, specifically the rule that treasury shares remain part of the “issued voting shares” denominator, reflecting the new framework for treasury shares adopted by the HKEX in June 2024.
• Deemed Interests & The “Chain”: Unpacking the “one-third rule” for controlled corporations and how interests aggregate across complex group structures, family trusts, and concert party agreements.
• Pitfalls in Electronic Filing: Best practices for navigating the HKEX DION System, including the strict “3-business-day” rule and common errors in filing Initial Notifications versus Change in Nature notices.
• Exemptions from UBO Disclosure: A deep dive into the exemptions under Part XV, helping investment managers understand situations where the ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) does not need to be disclosed.

About TF International Securities

TFI is one of the most established Chinese-funded securities groups in Hong Kong, operating through subsidiaries holding SFC licences for types 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 9 regulated activities. TFI is under the stewardship of Hubei Hongtai Group Co., Ltd, the sole financial services enterprise affiliated with the Hubei Provincial People’s Government.

How We Can Help

Navigating the SFO requires a team of people well versed in its practical application, beyond a plain reading of the rules. Our Regulatory Enforcement & Compliance team specializes in helping listed companies, substantial shareholders, and financial institutions manage their reporting obligations and regulatory risks.

For enquiries or to schedule a tailored regulatory compliance seminar for your team, please contact our Consultant Kenneth Leung or Associate Ronnie Tse.

联会的成立是粤港澳三地法律界融合发展的重要里程碑，旨在加强三地法律专业人士的交流与协作，促进跨境法律服务的协同发展，并精准回应大湾区内日益增长的跨司法管辖区法律需求。作为区内执业律师的关键沟通平台，联会将致力于落实《粤港澳大湾区发展规划纲要》，推动法律服务的深度融合。徐律师作为联会副主席将克尽己任，尽心履职，与联会成员保持紧密合作，积极发挥沟通协调与专业桥梁作用，与业界同仁携手推动法律服务水平的持续提升，为粤港澳大湾区的高质量发展贡献专业力量。

如阁下有查询或想了解更多详情，请联络本所合伙人徐凯怡律师。