Courtyard Chambers | Practice Areas

Appeals

We fully understand the grievance and anxiety of a party in litigation who has lost his or her case. Appellate work also requires special attention to the procedural technicalities and definitive advice on the merits of a potential appeal. We offer priority to address the urgent needs of these clients. We would walk through the options available and offer professional advice.

Economic Crime and Corruption

Corruption, fraud and deception, SFC regulation transgression, money laundering, computer/cyber crimes bear a peculiar characteristic and therefore these criminal matters require special treatment and expertise. We believe in handling these cases with a modern and forensic approach. Our experience tells us that a team of devoted and energetic lawyers is the key to the success of defending the interest of this class of clients. We have the additional advantage of having some very experienced and reputable experts in the field to handle your case. You will find a way out of the maze and feel amazed.

Disciplinary Investigation / proceedings

Medical practitioners, veterinarians, other professionals or even lawyers are a special class of clients. It is legitimate for them to ask for the best quality of legal service and engage a barrister who is prepared to listen to their views. Our members are outstanding for their maturity and professionalism with which your clients can feel comfortable with the assured confidentiality and open up themselves and get focused on the issues at the earliest stage.

Commercial Litigation

We provide a full range of professional services in commercial litigation. Corporate and private clients focused on solutions will find us well equipped to help you solve issues and focus on smooth business development, from advice, drafting, preventing dispute, litigation to settlement. We have experience in all levels of court. We also handle cases with cross-jurisdictional elements and matters involving foreign legal experts.

Advisory

Advising clients on business acquisition, corporate planning, contracts, commercial deals and corporate governance are not exclusive to your competitors. You can find a great deal of support from our members to meet with the demands from your valued clients. Leave your tasks with us and discover the extra values, and more importantly, the appreciation of clients. We are also proud of our expertise in advising civil litigants on criminal liability. Our lay clients include corporations and individuals who have to handle enquiries or investigations by various governmental or public bodies.

Crime and Regulatory Law

From initial investigation to trial proceedings, we understand the anxiety and grievance faced by clients. Our members are experienced in dealing with investigatory bodies, providing advice at various stages of proceedings and advocacy in all levels of courts and tribunals. We listen to clients’ needs and aim at securing the best possible result.

Licensing and Compliance

More and more business owners are looking for legal guidance in obtaining or renewing licence required under various regulatory frameworks in Hong Kong. We are a team of professional experts who know what matters to your clients and we can help walk them through the process.

Traffic Offences

Common but not trivial. We understand the significant consequence and impact possibly brought by traffic offences and we handle them with experience and care. Our members are also experienced in the area of personal injury litigations and we provide legal advice and support catering to your needs.

Judicial Review

One of the most effective tools to scrutinise the exercise of public power for the aggrieved party. Find out what you can do about your issues with our expertise and experience.

Personal Injury

Accidents happen. We provide a realistic and fair assessment of your case - whether you are a leading insurer or an unfortunate injured victim. From road traffic accidents, occupiers’ liability, employees’ compensation, catastrophic injuries and fatalities, to coroner’s inquests, we can provide a solution and listen to your views so as to provide the best strategy, whether it is to negotiate a favourable settlement or ensure fair damages at trial. No matter the size of the compensation to be made, we will bring the same careful attention to your case.

Family Law

We see this area of practice more encompassing than the traditional view thinks it is. Matrimonial disputes are not confined to issues of custody, financial relief, adoption and wardship. Specialists in this area have to deal with complex jurisdictional aspects nowadays in light of the ever growing trend of cross-border or continent marriage. The practice in this area also requires expertise, advisory or contentious, in dealing with disposition of family properties and probate matters. In their hours of darkness in life, your client needs a barrister in whom he or she can confide.

Environmental Law

There are local legislations governing various forms of pollution (air, water, waste disposal and hazardous chemical) and some of them do attract penal liabilities. Many of the cases would require making legal representations to the Environmental Protection Department. It is advisable for corporations, regardless of their scale of operation, to have an understanding of the law so as to properly assess their position for compliance purpose or plan ahead for developmental strategy. We have extensive experience in this area and we have the benefit of working with a vast number of reputable experts in this field, both specific and general. Our swift response to attend to your needs is just one of the many advantages you are able to get from us.

Competition Law

This new regime of the law has received more attention than before. Some cases involve a complex factual matrix and demand a solid understanding of the trade in question. The legislative framework might look simple but we recognise that the interpretation of the law and the application could be intriguingly complicated. It is our focus to establish a team of experts in this area. Some of our members are highly qualified and we can offer an accessible and approachable legal service to your satisfaction and guide your corporate clients in aspects ranging from business planning, compliance assessment to investigation.

Land Law

From tenancy matters, building management disputes, to adverse possession, land resumption and trusts over land, we have advised clients at the leading edge of the developing area. Get clear and comprehensive advice for your unique situation on some of the most complicated areas of laws in Hong Kong.

Construction Law

Our members are well-versed in the laws of contract, commercial, planning, employment, environmental and tortious liabilities which all form the fundamentals of construction litigation. We have experience in dealing with advising on multi-party construction contracts, construction litigation including Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), to handling industrial summons and building disputes. We listen carefully and work closely with leading engineering and surveying experts to find the best solution to the dispute you are facing.

Arbitration

Arbitration is increasingly used as a way to resolve disputes outside court. We can act as arbitrators and party representatives in arbitration to help you minimise the time and costs in litigation. From commercial disputes to construction matters, we cater to your needs.

Mediation

Litigants sometimes find the experience of legal proceedings stressful and dreadful due to its characteristics: expensive, time-consuming, and unpredictable. Mediation, professionally handled, can offer a true opportunity for parties to narrow their differences and hopefully come to a settlement of disputes on reasonable terms. It is a true understanding and empathy for the parties’ concerns that make our services distinct.

Election Law

Election rules and election petitions can make huge differences to the outcome of an election, and often decisions must be made swiftly with expertise advice. This specialised field has seen key development in the past decade, and is expected to develop along with the changing social climate of our society. Have people in the know on your team.

Injunctions

Our members have experience in applying for and resisting a full range of injunctions, from applications for freezing orders, restraining the use of or disclosure of confidential information, to applications for prohibitory and privacy orders in cases of threats and blackmail. We have also handled committals for contempt. We are able to work swiftly to protect clients’ vital interests, especially when time is running short for urgent injunction applications.

Immigration Law

The Immigration Department is empowered to prosecute corporations and individuals for offences such as employing a person not lawfully employable, committing a breach of conditions of stay, and in some cases involving bogus marriage or misuse of passport. We are experienced in dealing with clients of this category. Our work covers legal visit and making legal representation to authorities and the whole range of relevant court proceedings. We also offer advisory services for corporate clients who value the importance of reviewing their internal policies and preventative measures.