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Norton Rose Hong Kong

38/F JARDINE HOUSE, 1 CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, HONG KONG
Warsaw, Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, Shanghai, Sandton , and 28 more

What we say about the firm's legal practice in Hong Kong

Asset finance

Within Asset finance, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Norton Rose Hong Kong’s shipping finance team acts for an impressive roster of clients, including DBS Bank and COSCO. In November 2010, Davide Barzilai advised Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and other lead arrangers on Genting Hong Kong’s $600m syndicated loan facility agreement, secured against Genting’s eight-vessel Asian fleet. Barzilai also has Islamic finance capabilities. Elsewhere, the team advised a Chinese bank on a RMB facility for the financing of two bulk carriers. Counsel Jonathan Silver is recommended.

Banking and finance

Within Banking and finance, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

With three finance partners and a large team of associates, Norton Rose Hong Kong is a major player in Hong Kong. It now has a genuine general banking practice with considerable success in bilateral and syndicated financings, as well as project finance. It has a market leading position in structured trade and commodity finance. Chris Redden, who is ‘making a mark’, recently advised a syndicate of 20 banks on the $5bn term loan facility to Sinopec. The experienced Peter Haslam and Davide Barzilai are also recommended.

Capital markets (equity)

Within Capital markets (equity), Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Though with a principle focus on the PRC market, Norton Rose Hong Kong has had considerable success in acting for non-Asian companies looking to list in Hong Kong. In 2010, Julian Chung led the team that advised Vale on its secondary listing on HKSE. The firm has developed a leading reputation in mining deals and with eight partners working on Hong Kong IPOs, it has unrivalled senior resources.

Corporate (including M&A)

Within Corporate (including M&A), Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose Hong Kong is particularly strong in financial institutions and natural resources M&A. The firm is ‘having a good run’ and has completed a series of deals for HSBC, including its acquisition of RBS’s retail and commercial banking business in India. On the natural resources front, it advised Chongqing Chonggang Minerals on its acquisition of 60% of Asia Iron Holdings. The immensely experienced David Stannard heads the department that includes Richard Crosby and Jon Perry.

Dispute resolution

Within Dispute resolution, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose Hong Kong’s ‘very impressive’ Camille Jojo has built a strong standing in the commercial disputes and contentious insolvency environments. In concert with contentious regulatory and shareholder disputes specialist Ruth Cowley and shipping and trade disputes expert Jim James, the firm has a genuinely broad practice. The firm has acted on behalf of its many Hong Kong-listed corporate clients in a multitude of SFC investigations.

Insurance

Within Insurance Other recommended firms

Intellectual property

Within Intellectual property, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose Hong Kong recently welcomed the entire IP group from DLA Piper. Justin Davidson is one of the key new appointments, specialising in contentious and non-contentious IP. Clients include Crocs, Crabtree & Evelyn and Constellation Wines.

Investment funds

Within Investment funds, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose Hong Kong advises sponsors, investors, trustees and fund service providers on fund formations and other matters. Charlotte Robins joined from Clifford Chance in April 2011, bringing private equity and hedge fund experience, coupled with regulatory knowledge. The ‘fantastic’ Andrew Abernethy provides ‘solid advice based on commercial considerations’, and counts Sunwah International Asset Management (Cayman) as a client. Davide Barzilai has experience in sharia-compliant funds.

Projects and energy

Within Projects and energy, tier 4

Norton Rose Hong Kong is developing a projects offering in the region, particularly in the mining sector. Chris Redden and Jon Perry advised Chongqing Chonggang Minerals Development Investment on its acquisition of a stake in Asia Iron Holdings. The team also advised the lenders, including Stand Chartered and National Australia Bank, on an 800MW combined cycle project, developed by the GMR Group in Singapore. Shaun McRobert is recommended.

Regulatory

Within Regulatory, tier 5

Also recommended are: Simon Berry at Latham & Watkins LLP, who advises financial institutions on banking and broker regulations and listings; the growing regulatory capability at Norton Rose Hong Kong, which was boosted by the arrival of Charlotte Robins from Clifford Chance in 2011; and James Wood at O’Melveny & Myers LLP, who has regulatory experience in the funds sector.

Restructuring and insolvency

Within Restructuring and insolvency, tier 4

Norton Rose Hong Kong continues to build on its strength in the arena, and is recognised for its quality advice and expertise. Litigator Camille Jojo advises on winding-ups and other contentious insolvency issues. Jojo is advising an Asian bank in a restructuring dispute claim in the High Court. Ruth Cowley is currently advising the administrators of a cross-border administration, and banking expert Peter Haslam provides restructuring advice.

Shipping

Within Shipping, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Norton Rose Hong Kong advises banks and shipping companies on a range of maritime issues across the region. The team has made a ‘strong push into the ship finance market’, and recently acted for Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (as well as other lead arrangers) on Genting Hong Kong’s $600m syndicated loan facility agreement secured against its eight-vessel Asian fleet. Banking partner Davide Barzilai is recommended, and for shipping litigation, Jim James is well respected.

TMT

Within TMT, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

In October 2010, Norton Rose Hong Kong acquired DLA Piper’s TMT practice and the Hong Kong office welcomed two big names in Justin Davidson and Gigi Cheah (although Cheah recently relocated to the firm’s Singapore base, she is active across the region). The group handles contentious and non-contentious matters for a range of clients, and recently carried out a review for HSBC on its electronic terms, relating to enforceability and regulatory requirements.

What we say worldwide

Please choose another Norton Rose LLP office to view full details of what we say in that region, or choose from this list to view a specific editorial reference in context.

United Arab Emirates

Offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Australia

Offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Perth, and Brisbane

Belgium

Offices in Brussels

Bahrain

Offices in Manama

China

Offices in Beijing and Shanghai

Czech Republic

Offices in Prague

Germany

Offices in Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg

France

Offices in Paris

Greece

Offices in Athens and Piraeus

Hong Kong

Offices in Hong Kong

Indonesia

Offices in Jakarta

India

Italy

Offices in Milan and Rome

Japan

Offices in Tokyo

Kuwait

London

Offices in London

Libya

Morocco

Netherlands

Offices in Amsterdam

Poland

Offices in Warsaw

Qatar

Russia

Offices in Moscow

South Africa

Offices in Cape Town, Sandton, and Durban

Singapore

Offices in Singapore

Saudi Arabia

Offices in Riyadh

Thailand

Offices in Bangkok

Tunisia

Search News and Articles

Legal Developments in Hong Kong

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

  • LIABILITY FOR DIRECTORS OF LISTED COMPANIES – NOT JUST FOR FRAUD

    Article by Timothy Loh and Sherry Xiao
    - Timothy Loh, Solicitors

  • Hedge fund euthanasia?

    Are the Courts sealing the fate of struggling hedge funds too early or should they be given further time to recover and realize their potential for investors? 
    - Harney Westwood & Riegels

  • A Brief introduction to an amendment of the 2008 Patent Law

    New provisions: "Prior Art" refers to an art publicly known within and outside the country before the filing date; while Prior Design refers to a design publicly known within and outside the country before the filing date. Prior Art include arts that are being publicly disclosed in publications worldwide, publicly used or made known to public in the country in any other manner before the filing date (or priority date, in case a priority is claimed)
    - Wenping & Co.

  • BVI Securities and Investment Business Bill 2010 receives its first reading

    The long-awaited Securities and Investment Business Bill, 2010 (commonly referred to as “SIBA”) received its first reading by the BVI House of Assembly on 18 March 2010. This follows public consultation in Summer 2009.
    - Harney Westwood & Riegels

  • Cayman Investment Company Obtains Chapter 15 Protection in the United States

    The United States’ Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has recognised the liquidation of a Cayman company, Saad Investments Finance Company (No5) Limited (“SIFCO5”) (an SPV established to operate as an investment company), as a “foreign main proceeding” under Chapter 15 of the United States’ Bankruptcy Code.
    - Harney Westwood & Riegels

  • BVI to update Intellectual Property laws

    As the British Virgin Islands continues to play a vital role in facilitating global trade and investment, it turns its attention to helping its more than 60,000 new companies per year build a business environment where innovation can be a key economic driver. Towards this end, the BVI Financial Services Commission (the “FSC”), which is the public body with responsibility for, among other things, administering the intellectual property laws of the BVI, announced on 5 January 2010 the establishment of a Focus Group to review and revise the existing IP laws
    - Harney Westwood & Riegels

  • BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS CORPORATE ARRANGEMENT SCHEMES

    With a global economic downturn in full swing, companies around the world are looking for ways to safeguard their future existence. The strategies employed to do so are numerous and varied but a number of companies have employed the use of corporate arrangement schemes entered into with their creditors, investors and other stakeholders as a way to refocus and preserve their business.
    - Harney Westwood & Riegels

  • A Primer to Buying Securities Firms, Asset Managers, Insurers and Banks

    The meltdown in global financial markets has triggered a consolidation of the financial services industry as securities firms, asset managers, insurers and banks alike spin-off assets and restructure their operations to shore up capital. These transactions are often global in nature, involving substantial Hong Kong operations. In this article, we review the basic Hong Kong legal and regulatory framework for these transactions and present some lessons learned.
    - Timothy Loh, Solicitors

  • The PCCW Privatization: A Guide to the Applicable Law for Schemes of Arrangement

    Allegations of share splitting in the proposed privatization of PCCW have raised an important question as to how the statutory majority to approve a scheme of arrangement should be determined. This question is significant both in the short-term for investors trading PCCW and in the long-term in the context of future schemes of arrangement. In this article, we  examine the applicable laws and regulations with a view to providing hedge funds and other investors with guidance.
    - Timothy Loh, Solicitors

  • New Proposals to Regulate Mis-Selling of Investment Funds & Structured Products in Hong Kong

    The recent global financial crisis has resulted in an upswing in regulatory action throughout world markets. In Hong Kong, the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) has proposed a slew of new requirements, some of which have already been implemented retroactively and without industry consultation. In this article we examine these ongoing developments in SFC policy and their effectiveness in reaching a fair balance between investor protection and costs to the investor and the financial industry.
    - Timothy Loh, Solicitors
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