Our Services
Scope of Business
Criminal litigation, commercial crime, and money laundering
Among others, fraud, conspiracy to defraud, obtaining property, pecuniary advantage, or services by deception and forging instruments are some of the most common commercial crimes in Hong Kong.
Commercial crimes often involve voluminous commercial documents, complex case facts and legal issues. Our Mr. Martin Yeung has extensive experience in this area and has defended his clients for serious commercial crimes, which vary widely from investigations by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Commercial Crime Bureau or the Securities and Futures Commission.
Money laundering
The Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 455) stipulates that a person commits an offence if he/she has knowledge or believes that any property represents any person’s proceeds of an offence, and he/she deals with that property. This is commonly known as money laundering. If any person knows or suspects any property represents any person’s proceeds of an offence or terrorist property, he/she must disclose the property to the authorized entity (i.e. the Joint Financial Intelligence Unit).
It is noteworthy that the prosecution does not have to prove that the concerned property is the proceeds of an offence. In many cases, the Defendant also shares certain burdens of proof.
For the prevention of money laundering and in defending money laundering cases, our experience has been proven useful in helping our individual, small and medium enterprises and corporate clients. Please contact us for any further advice in this area to protect your interests and rights.
Our criminal litigation lawyers possess decades of experience in handling a wide range of cases, including commercial disputes, commercial crimes, and money laundering matters in Hong Kong. Each commercial litigation matter is overseen by a dedicated lawyer who is proficient in the relevant legal process. We are committed to providing practical legal advice and services tailored to the specific needs of our clients. For further information regarding our legal services related to commercial crimes and disputes, we invite you to contact our solicitors at Messrs. Wan Yeung Hau & Co. We are prepared to provide you with bespoke legal advice based on your specific circumstances.
Divorce
Divorce
Going through a divorce could be unpleasant to many. However, as society progresses, Hong Kong’s divorce rate is on the rise.
Divorcees have to make arrangements for the custody of children, arrange temporary housing and divide the matrimonial properties between the husband and wife before their divorce proceedings complete. It is important for divorcees to obtain professional legal advice and services as they go through proceedings for divorce, in order to provide sufficient protection to the divorcee’s and children’s rights. We put our emphasis on providing quality legal opinion and services in such difficult times, and we strive to lead our clients out of their predicament and to restore a normal life.
Requirements for Filing for Divorce
When formally applying for a divorce in Hong Kong, the petitioner is required to provide reasons for the divorce. The court accepts one or more of the following reasons:
- • Adultery: The spouse’s infidelity makes it intolerable for the petitioner to continue cohabiting.
- Unreasonable Behavior: The spouse’s conduct has rendered it unreasonable for the petitioner to expect to live together (e.g., excessive gambling, violence).
- Separation of One Year: The petitioner and spouse have been separated for at least one year, and the spouse consents to the divorce.
- Separation of Two Years: The petitioner and spouse have been separated for at least two years; in this case, the spouse's consent is not required.
- Abandonment: The petitioner has been abandoned by the spouse for a minimum of one year.
In addition to providing the reason for divorce, relevant documents such as the marriage certificate and proof of residence must be prepared. For more details on the divorce procedure, please contact the divorce lawyers at Messrs. Wan Yeung Hau & Co., Solicitors, and we will advise on the most suitable options based on your circumstances.
Civil proceedings
A civil case relates to the disputes of legal rights and obligations between two or more persons,
companies or organizations, in which the parties wish the Court to adjudicate.
The more common civil cases include:
- Repayment of debt
- Contract dispute
- Defamation
Other civil cases include:
- Conflict between shareholders
- Adverse possession
- Judicial review
- Intellectual property dispute
*
It is important to note that civil litigations are different from criminal litigation in which the plaintiff or claimant needs to bear the burden of proof, and prove his/her claim to the Court on the balance of probability.
Each case differs on its own facts, you are welcome to contact our team for further enquiry.
Will/Probate
Making your will is of vital importance.
It is, of course, essential for you to support your family and friends, however, you love and care for them is equally important after your departure.
Oftentimes we avoid making a will as it may correlate with the loss of life, or due to the lack of time or knowledge.
Oftentimes we avoid making a will as it may correlate with the loss of life, or due to the lack of time or knowledge.
This is also a good chance for you to consider setting up testamentary trust to take care of your children, or appoint guardians for them.
Family Trust
Family trust is a legal device used to avoid probate, for estate planning and to protect assets.
Trust is a legal arrangement where a person transfers his right to manage his assets to the trustee (or actual ownership for irrevocable trust), the trustee holds and manages the assets to protect the beneficiaries’ rights.
Trust can be categorized in revocable trust and irrevocable trust:
- Revocable trust : This type of trust allows the settlor to cancel or revoke the trust. After the trust is revoked, the trust assets will be transferred back to the settlor. Nonetheless, once the settlor passes away, the trust becomes irrevocable. Revocable trust is commonly used to avoid probate.
- Irrevocable trust : Irrevocable trust disallows the settlor to cancel or revoke the trust, unless the trustee and the beneficiary agree otherwise. The trust deed would declare explicitly, the irrevocability of the trust. Irrevocable trust can also be used to avoid probate and can be an advantage in assets protection and tax planning. Family trust involves inheritance of assets and thus requires careful planning. Please contact us for more information.
Personal Injury Claims
If a person suffers from bodily harm or mental anguish, or even death from the negligence of another party, the person of the personal representative can initiate a personal injury claim.
Common personal injury claims :
Most common personal injury claims include:
- Traffic accidents
- Medical negligence
- Industrial accidents
- assault
It is noteworthy that, generally, the limitation period for personal injury claims is 3 years from the date of the injury. Otherwise, the injured person is debarred from initiating such claim.
The Court would consider various factors in deciding the amount of damages to be awarded to the injured person, including but not limited to the expenses incurred by the accident, the loss of earnings after the accident and during the trial, pain and suffering caused by the accident, and legal costs etc.
Should you require further legal advice, please feel free to contact us. Our experienced team of lawyers is happy to provide all necessary assistance.
Conveyancing
Conveyancing is the transfer of ownership of real property from one owner to another.
A typical conveyancing transaction includes signing a provisional sale and purchase agreement, signing a formal sale and purchase agreement, checking the deed and title of the concerned property, applying for mortgage, arranging the handling of miscellaneous property charges, and completing the transaction.
Choosing an Experienced Conveyancing Lawyer
- Buying or selling property is a significant life decision. Choosing an experienced lawyer ensures a smooth and secure transaction process.
- Conveyancing involves many legal and administrative work. Although every transaction shares similar procedures, each transaction is different.
- Experienced lawyers are familiar with conveyancing procedures and can provide clear answers to any questions clients may have about property transfers, mortgages, and other procedures.
Our experienced conveyancing team has worked on this area for decades. Please feel free to contact us anytime for enquiries.
Winding-up of Companies
According to Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong, a limited company may be wound up by the court in the circumstances set out below:
1. the company is unable to pay a debt of $10,000 or above;
2. the court is of the opinion that it is just and equitable that the company should be wound up; or
3. the company has by special resolution resolved that the company be wound up by the court.
Winding-up can be initiated by creditors, shareholders or the company itself, and is divided into compulsory and voluntary winding-up.
Once the court issues a winding-up order, any disposition of the company’s property is invalid, and the liquidator will take over the company, its collection and sale of all its assets, and the debts of creditors have been repaid.
In many cases, during the winding up process, allegations of commercial crimes or other civil lawsuits will arise. Please feel free to contact us to learn more.
Choosing an Experienced Conveyancing Lawyer
- Buying or selling property is a significant life decision. Choosing an experienced lawyer ensures a smooth and secure transaction process.
- Conveyancing involves many legal and administrative work. Although every transaction shares similar procedures, each transaction is different.
- Experienced lawyers are familiar with conveyancing procedures and can provide clear answers to any questions clients may have about property transfers, mortgages, and other procedures.
Our experienced conveyancing team has worked on this area for decades. Please feel free to contact us anytime for enquiries.
Initial Public Offering (IPO)
Hong Kong is one of the three major financial centres and one of the freest economic systems in the world. It has a solid common law legal system and a simple low tax rate system, which makes Hong Kong the choice for many companies to go public to raise funds.
Funds raised from the listing can be used for business development, research and development, marketing and other areas that are beneficial to the company, but of course it must also comply with the strict rules and guidelines of the Securities and Futures Commission.
Our client’s successful listing also means that the company’s management and business quality have been affirmed by the regulatory authorities, which has a positive effect on the public image.
Setting foot on Greater Bay Area
The development of the Greater Bay Area is a major national development strategy that provides tremendous opportunities for law firms. As the only common law jurisdiction in the country, Hong Kong has a well-established legal system and advantages in international legal services. It can fully leverage its unique position of "being backed by the motherland and connected to the world" to make important contributions to the rule of law construction in the Greater Bay Area.
Our law firm has set up an office in Hengqin, and we are honored to become lawyers in the Greater Bay Area to handle the increasingly frequent legal matters between China and Hong Kong.
ENG 
ZH_HK 
ZH_CN