Introduction
Our litigation practice has not only achieved prominence but has consistently been a driving force in the legal community. Our team comprises of litigators across various practices, working together seamlessly to provide comprehensive legal services across a wide range of sectors.
We stand tall in commercial disputes, offering robust representation, simultaneously maintaining a flexible approach for individuals navigating through sensitive family matters, appellate challenges, or complex civil disputes.
Our practice is diverse, extending to areas such as criminal litigation, probate disputes, employment and intellectual property matters, which include copyright and patent litigation. Despite this wide range, our primary focus is on fostering positive resolutions in the commercial spheres.
We proudly represent diverse industries—from finance and healthcare to hospitality, technology, real estate, and manufacturing. With a wealth of experience, we approach each case with insightful legal analysis and a practical mindset. Our goal is to swiftly resolve disputes, minimizing disruption to commercial relationships.
Services
Our commercial litigators act on a wide variety of cases, many of which have involved landmark decisions. We handle a wide range of commercial and business-related disputes, including:
- Banking and Finance
- Breach of contract and negligence
- Commercial law
- Criminal law
- Debt recovery
- Defamation
- Employment
- Enforcement proceedings
- Family and matrimonial
- Injunction proceedings
- Intellectual property
- International trade
- Joint venture and franchise disputes
- Judicial review
- Shareholder disputes
- Professional negligence
- Regulatory proceedings
- Restructuring and Insolvency
- Sale of goods
- Trusts and probate
Experience
Our lawyers’ wide experience includes:
- Successfully advised and represented liquidators in making a disclosure and injunction order application against the bank accounts of a fraudster and connected parties in Hong Kong, resulting in the discovery of over GBP 12 million in funds subject to injunction
- Prevented the extension of a general asset freezing injunction issued by a judgment creditor seeking to enforce a PRC judgment against the parent company. This case provided a unique opportunity to clarify Hong Kong’s position on this matter, as previous decisions in the jurisdiction were limited, while different common law jurisdictions had adopted varying approaches
- Prevented extension of a general asset freezing injunction for a Hong Kong incorporated subsidiary;
- Application of Judicial review of Securities and Futures Commission’s refusal to investigate complaint lodged against a Hong Kong listed company
- As part of its regulatory and white-collar crime work, the department is acting on an international money laundering case involving the authorities in Australia and in Hong Kong
- Advising the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants on disciplinary proceedings against a prominent accounting firm
- The litigation department has a developing focus on minority shareholder protection which has resulted in a number of winding-up petitions based upon just and equitable grounds, including for a prominent Hong Kong toy manufacturer
- The firm is acting on a number of disputes concerning quoted companies and intra-family disputes where typically the second or third generation of an entrepreneur’s family claims different entitlements in the entrepreneur’s estate
Accolades/Testimonials
“Tanner De Witt always offers exemplary levels of service and is one of our go-to Hong Kong firms. They are always commercial and responsive.”
“The firm was always ready with documents and advice and the team all worked well together.”
“The team are all very capable and articulate and offer immediate responses, even when on holiday. They are also aware of the latest events and case law that will have an impact on the matters at hand.
Chambers and Partners 2023
‘I have been impressed by Tanner De Witt’s thorough approach to every litigation matter I have worked on with them. They also have excellent relations with attorneys located in many other jurisdictions that gives them tremendous depth to address complex cross-border issues.’
Tanner De Witt is a highly sophisticated complex litigation firm in my experience and because they are independent they are more flexible than many of their competitors. The have a really good
understanding of Hong Kong and the wider region and are staffed with experienced, diligent and careful associates.’
The team provides responsive, very sensible and commercial advice.’
‘The team is strong in disputes where there are allegations of serious wrongdoing and in applying for or responding to injunctive relief. They are also commercially sensible when it comes to pricing and are collegiate in the way that they work.’
Legal 500 2023
The team at Tanner De Witt provides ‘responsive, commercial, measured and sensible advice‘ on insolvency-related disputes, high-value commercial litigation, and complex shareholder disputes, among other areas. Jeff Lane and Pamela Mak lead the practice.
Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021
A market source comments on the team’s “formidable line-up,” noting that it has “extraordinary strength in depth.”
Another commentator considers it a “really solid litigation house with a lot of capable operators.”
Chambers and Partners Asia 2021
Insights and News
News
Tanner De Witt is delighted that our law firm has achieved consistent recognition in Chambers and Partners Greater China Region Guide 2024
Insights
Pamela Mak, the Head of our Dispute Resolution Department has been named in The A List 2023-2024: Growth Drivers
News
Our Partners have been listed in the Who’s Who Legal 2023
Insights
The Global Legal Post: Commercial Litigation and Cross-border Enforcement in Hong Kong
Insights
Stay of Play: Winding-Up v. Arbitration (Again)
Insights
High Court holding that a foreign plaintiff – with no assets or presence within the Hong Kong jurisdiction – has “a high probability of success” for the purpose of defeating a claim for security for costs
Insights
School accidents and bullying: Can a school be sued because a student is injured?
Insights
“No-Fault Divorce” in England: should Hong Kong follow suit?
News
The Chambers and Partners Greater China Region 2023 rankings are announced
News
