Introduction
Tanner De Witt’s China Practice Group was established in response to the growing demand from clients in Hong Kong and overseas seeking a deeper understanding of the legal and commercial landscape in Mainland China (the People’s Republic of China or PRC). Likewise, we support PRC-based clients looking to expand their businesses and invest in Hong Kong and other international markets.
Whilst we are a Hong Kong law firm advising on Hong Kong law, our extensive knowledge and experience of the PRC enable us to effectively assist overseas clients who have, or wish to establish, business interests in the PRC.
Acting as super-connectors (see article Hong Kong is ‘super-connector’ bridging mainland and global markets under belt road initiative on the Hong Kong Government’s website), we engage suitable local and regional expertise in the PRC to assist our clients with PRC-related matters. Similarly, for our clients based in the PRC, we leverage our established relationships with a network of recommended law firms and various intermediaries throughout Europe, the United States and other regions to support their international expansion.
With years of experience in both outbound and inbound investment involving the PRC, our team has helped businesses to navigate local culture and operational practices, and to develop effective growth strategies within the region. Our lawyers are fluent in Mandarin, Shanghainese, Cantonese, English, French, Dutch, and Spanish and are proficient in Simplified and Traditional Chinese.
We are highly experienced in advising clients on drafting legal documents and completing transactions governed by Hong Kong law. Hong Kong is frequently chosen as the governing law for contracts involving Sino-Foreign elements and is a preferred seat of arbitration due to its robust and impartial legal system and bilingual environment. We regularly represent clients in such arbitration proceedings.
Services
General Corporate Commercial matters:
- Mergers and acquisitions
- SFC regulation / licensing
- Company formation and joint ventures
- Hedge fund and PE fund formation and investment
- Corporate finance
- Trademark registration and protection
Dispute resolution including Litigation and Arbitration:
- General contractual disputes
- Shareholder disputes
- Regulatory and SFC investigations
- Urgent injunction and disclosure applications
- White collar crime and money laundering
- Immigration investigation, Family matters including matrimonial and probate dispute
- Restructuring and Insolvency
- Employment
Experience
- Advised Kaisa Group Holdings Limited in the multi-jurisdictional restructuring of the company’s offshore debt of approximately USD 2.6 billion (nearly RMB 17 billion)
- Advising the liquidators of a large Chinese financial institution in connection with novel issues arising from the PRC regulators refusing to release funds held in PRC other than in RMB for payment of dividends in that currency
- Advised on and assisted a PRC-based fund manager to structure their China fund management platform by introducing an entirely new shareholding structure to permit separation of income streams and control
- Advised one of the largest natural resources companies in China on an investment into a Hong Kong company that holds coal mining assets in Pakistan. The investment involves a subscription for shares in the target company, and our client will become the majority shareholder
- Advised a Hong Kong start-up company on the investment and acquisition of shares in the company by a world-leading international electrical products and telecommunications company and a Chinese PE fund
- Acted for the intervener in a preliminary issue of whether his shareholding in a Shanghai-listed company is considered a matrimonial asset in a divorce
- Acting for Chinese businessman to recover assets (including listed shares and properties in Hong Kong, interests in a sino foreign equity joint venture in the PRC and companies in the BVI) which were fraudulently transferred abroad
- Acting for major shareholders and Directors in various medium-sized companies who experience disputes
- Acting for various PRC-based fund managers to establish hedge- and PE funds
- Acting for a Chinese shareholder of a large Hong Kong-listed PRC real estate developer to acquire two luxurious properties in the mid-level through acquiring shares of the holding company
- Acting for a French PE fund to acquire 95% shareholding in a WFOE in China
Accolades/Testimonials
“River Stone who heads the China desk, Edmond Leung (corporate/M&A) and Eddie Look are the key practitioners in the team. They’re always very approachable and responsive and give very practical and commercially savvy advice.”
Legal 500
Commercial, Corporate and M&A
“Pamela Mak heads the China practice group at the firm and is a highly respected litigator when it comes to cross-border shareholder disputes, regulatory issues and investigations requiring asset recovery expertise.”
WWL Global Guide Asset Recovery
“Eddie not only has vast experience of corporate transactions in Hong Kong, but also has a deep understanding of our business.”
“Edmond maintains good client relations and he is very good to work with.”
Chambers and Partners Greater China Region China
Corporate/M&A