On 11 November 2015, our partner Ms Heidi Chui, senior associate Ms Freda Au, associate Ms Karman Fung, and trainee solicitor Mr Jensen Chang gave a presentation on the Competition Ordinance (Cap. 619) at the Hong Kong office of Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank). Our team demonstrated how the Ordinance, which is due to come into force on 14 December 2015, may possibly affect how the banking industry operates.

In light of the First Conduct Rule (which relates to agreements and concerted practices between undertakings) and Second Conduct Rule (which relates to abuse of substantial market power), and given there is no grace period, a clear message was sent to the participants that they ought to refrain from usual banking practices which may constitute an infringement of competition law and attract civil and criminal liabilities (including corporate and personal). It was emphasised that even a casual conversation in an informal occasion might potentially be caught by the Ordinance. Examples as to how the leniency policy may work and what actions bankers should take in order to avoid violation of competition law were given during the presentation.

Ms Fung offered an overview of this new legal regime

The presentation was well received by the audience, and questions in relation to exchange of information with competitors were raised during the Q&A session.

Photograph of Ms Chui (in the middle), Ms Au (on the right), Ms Fung (on the left), Mr Chang (second from right), and Mr Patrick Leung (second from left), Head of Compliance, Hong Kong, Global Banking

Contact person: Ms. Heidi Chui

SW partners Ms Catherine Por, Ms Wendy Lam, Ms Janice Chin and Ms Sherlynn Chan attended the international conference, on the “Recovery of Child Support and Family Maintenance in Asia Pacific and Worldwide” jointly held by the Hague Conference Permanent Bureau’s Asia Pacific Regional Office (HAPRO) and the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China which took place at the University of Hong Kong between 9 to 11 November 2015.

This global conference provided an excellent opportunity to discuss the dynamic development of family law and policy in the Asia Pacific region. Key practitioners also made use of this occasion to meet colleagues, make new contacts, expand networks and discuss points of interest.

Lawyers from England and China visited our office during one of the days of the conference.

Please contact our Ms Catherine Por, Ms Wendy Lam, Ms Janice Chin and Ms Sherlynn Chan for any queries or further information about this event.

On 30 October 2015, our partner Mr. Eric Lui, associate Ms. Ji Hui, Head of Business Development (China) Ms. Connie Yeung and Business Development Manager (China) Ms. Zita Huang attended the opening celebration of Allbright Law Office (Jinan) and a conference in Jinan. The conference, titled “Dispute resolution in international trade and business”, was hosted by Allbright Law Offices Shanghai. Representatives from the Judicial Department of Shandong Province, Lawyer Association of Shandong Province, Lawyer Association of Jinan, Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of Shandong Province attended the conference.

The conference introduced different mechanisms in arbitration and other dispute resolutions.

Mr. Lui gave a speech on “The advantages of arbitration over court proceedings”; and “Whether it is possible to appeal a decision of the arbitration tribunal”. The audience was enthusiastic and had a fruitful discussion with Mr. Lui on the topics.

(Source: http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzA4MzAzMjA4Nw==&mid=400398982&idx=1&sn=d0643a6bb10e0c31d4b86ca1ee725f16&scene=5&srcid=1102Av5OtSefqTSzWpPE54zI#wechat_redirect)

Please contact our Mr. Eric Lui for any enquiries or further information about this event.

On 29 October 2015, SW partner Mr. Eric Lui, associate Ms. Vivian Ji, Head of Business Development (China) Ms. Connie Yeung and Business Development Manager (China) Ms. Zita Huang attended the opening celebration of Allbright Law Office (Tianjin) and a forum entitled “Enhancement of Corporate Values by Innovative Legal Services”.

Senior partners of other Allbright offices, Deputy Director of Tianjin Judicial Bureau Mr. Wei Dong, Professor of Central University of Finance and Economics Mr. He Qiang and Chairman of Tianjin Datong Investment Group Co Ltd. Mr. Li Zhantong also attended the events.

At the forum, attendees discussed various topics including intellectual property innovative services in the Free Trade Zone, current status of commercial factoring in the PRC and the development of the financing industry in the PRC.

Please contact our Mr. Eric Lui for any enquiries or further information about this event.

Our Senior Consultant Mr. Angus Forsyth attended the 59th Congress of the Union Internationale Des Avocats in Valencia, Spain from 28 October to 1 November 2015, where he delivered an extensive and informative PowerPoint presentation on the operations of Uber HK which was very well received by the members. Over 1,000 legal practitioners from all over the world attended the Congress.

At the Congress, members explored and shared their ideas on the recent Online Business Models of taxi ride Apps and car and bus sharing models extending to discussion on the development of the international non-jurisdictional communications on the Internet.

Please contact our Mr. Forsyth for any enquiries or further information about this event.

(Source: http://www.uianet.org/sites/default/files/PROG_VALENCIA_BAT_GB.pdf)

On 28 October 2015, SW partner Ms Heidi Chui attended the UNCITRAL Asia-Pacific Judicial Summit in the HK Arbitration Week 2015 organised by the Department of Justice, UNCITRAL and the HKIAC.

Speakers from UNCITRAL, Hong Kong Judiciary and arbitration experts shared their views and experience in relation to the interpretation and application of the New York Convention and on the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. The event was well attended by practitioners, judges and scholars.

Please contact our Ms Heidi Chui for any queries or further information about this event.