One of Hong Kong’s premier litigation firms, Deacons maintains its coveted dominance in the city’s dispute resolution community, a position it has held for decades. The firm maintains top tier in almost all categories, including commercial disputes, IP, insolvency and private client. It comprises a long-established client base across a wide range of industries, including blue-chip businesses, governments, banks and tech giants. The firm’s growing family law practice team is experienced in handling a wide range of family-related issues, including financial disputes and children matters, maintenance, and financial provisions for special needs children and cohabitees.
Key players include commercial litigators Joseph Kwan, Robert Clark and Peter So alongside IP disputes star Charmaine Koo and labour specialist Elsie Chan.
In commercial and transactions, the firm acted for the second son of the late Henry Fok, a prominent figure in Hong Kong and mainland China, in substantial and high-profile actions brought by three of his siblings involving one of Fok’s estates located in China. In another ongoing commercial dispute, the firm is acting for an individual in a multi-billion shareholders dispute, which generated numerous sets of proceedings in Hong Kong.
In intellectual property, the firm is acting for Alibaba in IP infringement proceedings commenced in Hong Kong by a cosmetics supplier against three Alibaba companies – Zhejiang Tmall Network, Zhejiang Tmall Technology, and Taobao China Holding – and two mainland China third-party sellers on the www.tmall.com and www.taobao.com platform. This is the first Hong Kong case dealing with online platform operator’s liability.
In another IP dispute, the firm obtained a preliminary injunction on behalf of a global leader in genomics against a China-based company in patent infringement proceedings relating to genetic sequencing and pre-natal genetic testing technologies.
The firm’s recent client roster includes Beijing Runfeng Capital Management, Hummingbird Music, Jacob & Co and Progetto Jewellery.
“Deacons has provided timely legal advice on each critical step during the litigation process. They are also able to get senior counsels’ clarifications swiftly for the formulation of litigation strategy.” – Commercial and transactions
“Very comprehensive analysis and recommendations. Good drafting of terms and policies.” – Intellectual property
“Charmaine is very helpful and professional. She is very innovative and knowledgeable in Web3 and IP matters and is able to provide very comprehensive and business-focused solutions.”
“Paul is responsive and is reachable even outside business hours. He is able to deal with a client’s instructions by giving good advice on pros and cons. He is also able to negotiate with senior counsel for flexibility on fees.”
“Responsive, available, practical and cost effective.”