Haldanes is best known for its criminal defence practice, regularly advising clients on a broad spectrum of criminal matters, from minor crimes to complex listed company fraud and international corruption cases. The firm also has a well-respected family and matrimonial practice backed by seasoned practitioners with deep experience in post-divorce financial matters, liquidation of assets and complex child cases.
Managing partner Andrew Powner and senior partner Jonathan Midgley are key names for white-collar crime. Elsie Liu is known for her work in family and matrimonial law.
In family and matrimonial, the firm is representing a divorced mother in a successful application for variation of the status quo care arrangements and the subsequent relocation application. This is a significant case, as the Hong Kong courts now tend to consider the concept of parental alienation in determining the variation of care and control application. This case also sets a precedent that the element of psychological harm caused to the child could outweigh the importance of status quo and the wishes of the child, and that order for immediate change of residence could be granted even though the relationship of the child with the current non-caretaking parent has been damaged by parental alienation.
In the white-collar crime space, the firm has been acting for an individual in defending a charge of conspiracy to defraud and three charges of money laundering. As the individual’s company is one of the leading PRC garment manufacturing enterprises – with clients including international brands such as H&M, Levi’s and Zara – this is a high-profile case that has attracted considerable public attention and media coverage in Hong Kong as well as the Greater China region.
In another case, the firm is acting for a mask supplier in defending charges brought by the HKSAR Government for supplying goods to which false trade descriptions were applied. The case arose from media reports claiming that the masks were non-medical ones from the mainland, which are not in accordance with the expressed terms in the contracts with the HKSAR government. The matter attracted a lot of attention from the public, as this is the first case the HKSAR government has lodged against a company for the supply of surgical masks in times of a shortage of face masks during the Covid-19 epidemic.
“Professional and objective advice and services; good strategy; and good time management skills.” – Family and matrimonial
“The lawyers I have worked with are very thorough, with extensive knowledge on matrimonial law and the system in Hong Kong.” – Family and matrimonial
“The matrimonial and family department is especially strong.” – Family and matrimonial
“Top-notch white-collar crime lawyers who are technically sound and exceptionally good at assembling high-calibre legal and expert teams comprising barristers, forensic accountants, e-discovery specialists and other experts. Haldanes provides practical and considered advice, often achieving the best outcomes for their clients.” – White-collar crime
“Anita is very experienced and is now at partner level at the firm. She is calm, remembers detail and is strategic in her approach.”
“Personable, approachable, hardworking and transparent. He also conveys ideas and arguments diligently.”
“He is prompt and very approachable.”
“She delivers professional legal advice and services with high level of writing skill, strategic planning and time management.”
“I had a terrible experience with one practice and was looking for another law firm. Before each interview with the four law firms I shortlisted, I sent through a timeline of my case, as it was extremely complicated and I wanted to make sure the firm I chose understood that. Elsie Liu was the only lawyer who read my email before our appointment and had comments. I have had no regrets with switching to Haldanes. Over the years, Elsie Liu has given me some extremely good advice and has come up with excellent strategies to deal with the complicated issues that arose.”
“We love talking to Felix. We felt much more confident after communicating with him.”
“Felix Ng is very bright and brings positive energy to the teams he leads. He is highly regarded in the defence of white-collar crime matters, in particular Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) investigations. Always candid, Felix provides practical and considered advice, often achieving the best outcomes for his clients.”
“Excellent client-handling skills and business management. Understands the ‘big picture’ of litigation well.”
“She is client-focused.”
“Attention to detail and excellent client management skills.”