HKIAC Rules Effective Today

When substantive proceedings unfold in one jurisdiction while key assets sit in another, can courts preserve those assets without determining ownership? The Hong Kong Court of Appeal's decision in Jacky Zong v Kelly Fuli Zong addresses this critical question in cross-border family wealth disputes, examining whether preservation orders under section 21M require proof of dissipation risk, whether applicants must first seek relief from foreign courts, and how disclosure orders can ensure effective asset preser

No bias arose from exposure to witness in prior arbitration or robust cross-examination of expert, and personal friendship and professional relationship between arbitrators did not affect independence and impartiality.

Three decisions handed down within 15-day period grant security as condition for delaying enforcement pending determination of award challenges; allegations of arbitrator bias in two cases robustly rejected.

A junior associate at an international law firm submitted fabricated statutory text to the Court in a block transfer application, later revealed to be the product of AI hallucination. Despite repeated warnings from the AI tool itself to verify the text against authoritative sources, the associate failed to do so, leading to judicial scrutiny of professional standards, supervisory failures, and the appropriate use of artificial intelligence in legal practice.

Hong Kong's commercial litigation landscape in 2026 is poised for significant developments across fraud-related claims, cryptocurrency disputes, and insolvency matters. The courts are expected to enhance cross-border judicial collaboration while accelerating digital transformation initiatives to streamline dispute resolution processes.

The Hong Kong Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal in Chu Kong v Lau Wing Yan & others [2026] HKCA 1004, affirming the striking out of a double derivative action...

In High Fashion New Media Corp Ltd v Leong Ma Li [2026] HKCFA 18, the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal (the "CFA") provides important guidance on the interpretation and enforcement of injunctions and the circumstances...

Early determination, sanctions, confidentiality, costs and settlements concluded without authority amongst topics addressed in 8 recent first-instance decisions handed down over 3-month period.

Two recent Grand Court judgments examine the intersection of arbitration agreements and asset protection in Cayman Islands investment vehicles. When a joint venture dispute involving dividend diversion arose...

New specialist division of High Court for major cross-border and international commercial disputes expected to launch within coming year.