Our Partner Mathew Liu gave a training workshop for the LabourRelations Division of the Labour Department, on the topic of “Insolvency Regimeand Debt Enforcement in Hong Kong: A Legal Perspective”.
In the Workshop, Mathew guided labour officers, including senior andexperienced officers, in comparing various debt enforcement avenues,summarizing compulsory and voluntary winding-up and bankruptcy processes, andblending such legal foundations with the Division’s day-to-day operation inorder to equip officers for consultation to employers and employees onemployment matters, as well as conciliation of disputes. Mathew went on introducing the concepts andlegal implications of liquidation, provisional liquidation and receivership.
Our Associate Winnie Hui assisted by sharing a landmark case whereSFKS cooperated with the Labour Department in the successful winding up ofPhysical Health Centre Hong Kong Limited, such that nearly 800 employees whodid not receive their salaries from the employer, in the total sum exceedingHK$75 million, received ex gratia payment under Protection of Wages onInsolvency Ordinance (Cap. 380).
SFKS has a vibrant insolvency practice, with thecapacity and capability to extend such expertise into the areas of employmentlaw and public policy. SFKS also advisesemployees and employers on legal issues.
Our Partner Mathew Liu gave a training workshop for the Labour Relations Division of the Labour Department, on the topic of “Insolvency Regime and Debt Enforcement in Hong Kong: A Legal Perspective”.
In the Workshop, Mathew guided labour officers, including senior and experienced officers, in comparing various debt enforcement avenues, summarizing compulsory and voluntary winding-up and bankruptcy processes, and blending such legal foundations with the Division’s day-to-day operation in order to equip officers for consultation to employers and employees on employment matters, as well as conciliation of disputes. Mathew went on introducing the concepts and legal implications of liquidation, provisional liquidation and receivership.
Our Associate Winnie Hui assisted by sharing a landmark case where SFKS cooperated with the Labour Department in the successful winding up of Physical Health Centre Hong Kong Limited, such that nearly 800 employees who did not receive their salaries from the employer, in the total sum exceeding HK$75 million, received ex gratia payment under Protection of Wages on Insolvency Ordinance (Cap. 380).
SFKS has a vibrant insolvency practice, with the capacity and capability to extend such expertise into the areas of employment law and public policy. SFKS also advises employees and employers on legal issues.
At the gracious invitation of 環亞唯信管理（深圳）有限公司 (hereinafter referred to as "Global Vishon"), SFKS attended the grand opening ceremony held at the Shenzhen Qianhai CBD as the Guest of Honour. The ceremony gathered over thirty distinguished representatives from the legal, financial, family office, and business sectors to witness this significant moment as Global Vishon establishes its roots in the Greater Bay Area and embarks on a new chapter in the mainland China market.
With Shenzhen Qianhai as its strategic anchor, Global Vishon brings together senior experts from legal, tax, education, investment, and financing fields, focusing on providing three core services: global identity planning, overseas education planning, and cross-border corporate services. Executive Director Alvin emphasized in his opening speech that Global Vishon will "fully leverage Hong Kong's professional expertise and Shenzhen's innovative vitality, relying on the unique resources of the Greater Bay Area to provide clients with tailored professional solutions."
With profound expertise in cross-border legal affairs, corporate compliance, asset planning, and family wealth inheritance, SFKS has established a highly synergistic relationship with Vishon's three core business areas. During the ceremony, representatives from SFKS engaged in in-depth exchanges with numerous industry elites, sharing valuable insights on cutting-edge topics in cross-border services and laying a solid foundation for future multi-level strategic cooperation.
This opening ceremony not only marks an important milestone in Global Vishon's expansion into the mainland market but also signifies the further deepening and expansion of SFKS's legal services layout in the Greater Bay Area. Moving forward, SFKS will continue to fully leverage our traditional strengths under Hong Kong's common law system, combined with a deep understanding of Greater Bay Area policies. We will collaborate with more outstanding partners to provide clients with high-quality legal services that integrate international perspectives and local wisdom, jointly writing a new chapter of professional services in the vibrant land of the Greater Bay Area.
We are honoured to be a Diamond Sponsor of this year’s Cross Strait Four Regions Young Lawyers Forum, an annual flagship event organised by The Law Society of Hong Kong to promote in-depth exchange and collaboration among the next generation of lawyers across the Greater China region. Held on 25 November 2025 at the Charles K. Kao Auditorium (also known as the “Golden Egg”) in the Hong Kong Science Park, the Forum brought together over 300 legal talents from Hong Kong, Macau, the Chinese Mainland and Taiwan.
This year’s Forum, themed “DARE”, focused on four cross-disciplinary areas that are reshaping the global economy and legal professional landscape: “Data & Digitalisation”, “Artificial Intelligence (AI)”, “Robotics”, and “E-Commerce and Low Altitude Economy”. The theme also encapsulates four core values that legal professionals shall uphold when adapting to the ongoing changes – “Determination”, “Accountability”, “Resilience” and “Ethics” – which closely resonate with our firm’s motto “as much as we are able, that we should dare to do.”
The Forum featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including senior government officials, representatives from regulators, executives from leading international and regional technology companies, distinguished academics as well as experienced legal practitioners across the four regions, who contributed valuable insights into the evolving intersections of law, technology and ethics and explored how the legal profession can navigate the challenges and opportunities brought by the technological innovations in a data-driven era.
Attendees from our firm included Mr. Simon Siu (Partner), Ms. Jenny Wong (Partner), Mr. Mathew Liu (Partner) (also a member of the organising committee of the Forum), Ms. Wai Yin Chung (Senior Associate), Mr. Marco Chong (Associate), Ms. Winnie Hui (Associate) and Mr. Manson Chan (Paralegal (Pending Admission)).
As a Diamond Sponsor of the Forum for two consecutive years and a forward-looking law firm, we remain steadfast in supporting the adoption of legal technology and innovation in professional practice. Our young lawyers are committed to harnessing emerging technologies responsibly and ethically to provide efficient, practical and high-quality legal services to our clients.
We heartily thank Mr. Alan Wu for giving a presentation at SFKS on ‘How Web3 Brings Impact: Hong Kong Blockchain Business’.
Mr. Wu is a co-founder of an established startup on digital asset business. Being a leading and innovative entrepreneur, and leveraging from his experience in the fast-growing Fintech industry, Mr. Wu discussed the market trends and compliance issues in respect of digital identity, real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, stablecoins and Web3 banks, against the regulatory and policy backdrop in Hong Kong.
As the market projects, tokenization will be well received in Hong Kong, and potentially in the Greater China, as a modern and convenient means of and cross-border transactions and investments, as well as a viable alternative to traditional corporate finance by way of public listing.
Amongst the multifaceted developments of Web3 and blockchain business, there are growing concern and needs on legal and banking compliance e.g. licensing, know-your-client procedures, data protection on the blockchain, proper drafting of smart contract frameworks, anti-money laundering, and freezing and tracing as a result of fraud.
SFKS stands at the forefront in providing legal support for clients as they navigate across digital finance mechanics, thereby transforming innovative investments into enforceable rights in a safe and compliant manner.
SFKS humbly received the following recognitions in the ALB Hong Kong Law Awards 2025:-
- GBA Law Firm of the Year (Hong Kong) - Winner
- Civil Litigation Law Firm of the Year - One of the Top 7 Finalists
- Real Estate Law Firm of the Year - One of the Top 6 Finalists
- Managing Partner of the Year - One of the Top 6 Finalists (Peter Sit)
- Young Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm) - One of the Top 8 Finalists (Jenny Wong)
- Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year - Finalist (Roy Leung)
- Restructuring & Insolvency Law Firm of the Year - Finalist
Thank you Asian Legal Business and Thomson Reuters for organising this annual flagship event. Thank you panel judges for your dedication in the selection process. Congratulations to all winners and finalists, our dearest peers in the Hong Kong legal profession. Last but not least, we heartily thank our colleagues in SFKS who contributed to this remarkable success in the firm’s history!
We are delighted that Sammy Koo, former seasoned insolvency practitioner, has given an insightful presentation on third party funding approaches and litigation funding arrangements in arbitrations and insolvency practice at our firm.
Third party funding has emerged as a crucial element in significant litigations and arbitrations worldwide. It has a longer history in insolvency practice, and has been a useful tool since February 2019. A well-structured funding arrangement offers numerous advantages including:-
- Independent health assessment of case merits and enforcement capabilities
- Mitigation of financial risks associated with disputes
- Access to specialized expertise from funders and introducers
- Flexible funding solutions, including hybrid fee models
- Availability of after-the-event insurance
As we look forward to the gradual integration of third party funding into Hong Kong’s mega dispute resolution framework, it is essential for practitioners to stay updated of industry developments. We stand ready to collaborate effectively with funders, introducers, insurers and other experts to safeguard the best commercial interests of clients in arbitrations and stakeholders in insolvency matters.
We celebrated the impressive achievements of our Conveyancing Department at a wonderful dinner. The tireless efforts and dedication of every colleague have made a remarkable success on our various real estate projects.
We heartily welcome the visit of Mr. Francisco Leitão and Ms. Angela Wong of MdME. We exchanged on legal and economic developments between Macau and Hong Kong.
We are delighted to be named as Finalist in 7 categories of ALB Hong Kong Law Awards 2025 by Thomson Reuters.
Law firm categories:
- GBA Law Firm of the Year (Hong Kong)
- Civil Litigation Law Firm of the Year
- Real Estate Law Firm of the Year
- Restructuring and Insolvency Law Firm of the Year
Individual categories:
- Peter Sit, Managing Partner of the Year
- Roy Leung, Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year
- Jenny Wong, Young Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)
We are honoured by this recognition, and remain committed to excellence in serving clients and society.
We hosted an inter-departmental session on search warrant execution by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC).
It is part of our regulatory and enforcement practice to advise corporate clients in ensuring compliance and dealing with regulators.
Apart from SFC, we frequently act in relation to investigations by the ICAC, the Customs and the Police.
At Sit, Fung, Kwong & Shum, we feel obliged to keep abreast of latest legal developments to serve professionally and practically as a team.
To embrace collective and continuous learning, lawyers across departments and levels would sit together to exchange thoughts and experiences.
In a Decision for our client concerning a mega cross-border commercial dispute involving a Mainland restructuring plan, the High Court reaffirmed the antecedence of the issue of a solicitor’s authority to act, over other procedural or substantive issue including an issue of locus.
In Tu Jianhua v USUM Investment Group Hong Kong Limited [2025] HKCFI 2782, our client as the Plaintiff applied by an Originating Summons (the “OS”) for leave to commence a statutory derivative action on behalf of the subject Respondent company (the “Company”).
A firm of solicitors (the “Firm”) filed an acknowledgement of service on behalf of the Company (the “AS”). Our client filed a summons for an order that the AS be struck out on the ground that the Firm had no authority to act for the Company (the “Authority Summons”). The Firm filed a summons for striking out the OS on the ground that our client has no locus to seek the Leave on behalf of the Company (the “Locus Summons”).
There was effectively a procedural contest between the Authority Summons and the Locus Summons. Deputy High Court Judge Maria Yuen held that the Authority Summons shall be heard first, before the Locus Summons. The legal analysis is threefold, summarized as follows.
First of all, it is well established that where the solicitors’ authority to act for that litigant is challenged, that challenge should be raised at the outset and determined by the court at the earliest opportunity.
Secondly, comparing the two summonses, the learned Judge found that the Authority Summons was filed in good time and supported by PRC legal opinion, whereas the Locus Summons should not be heard first before determining whether the Firm even has authority to issue it on the Company’s behalf.
Thirdly, the learned Judge refused to hear two summonses together, as hearing an authority challenge together with substantive issues shall be discouraged.
The question of a solicitor's authority to act in legal proceedings is not just procedural, but goes in the heart of public interests in maintaining confidence in the judicial system.
This case is conducted by our Partner Mr. Sidney Ho.
