Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Hong Kong Courts were closed for several months and thousands of court hearings were adjourned during this General Adjourned Period (“GAP”). Although the Family Court has now reopened there are social distancing measures in place which mean that hearings are continuing to be adjourned. We expect this to be the ‘new normal’ for some time to come.
The Government has announced the much-awaited implementation details of the ESS along with the penalties in case of breach of undertakings. Our most recent update on the details of the ESS can be viewed here.
This practice note considers the applicable legal principles in respect of an application for a springboard injunction as well as key takeaways for employers seeking to protect their businesses when key employees depart.
The Government has recently provided more clarity on the Employment Support Scheme (“ESS”) and expanded its scope.
For directors, the winding up of a company could be judgment day when their past misdeeds come back to haunt them. If insolvency is on the horizon, there are various matters directors should bear in mind lest incurring personal liability if insolvency becomes inevitable.
Registered Foreign Lawyer Takashi Ugajin was seconded to Gall from Mori Hamada & Matsumoto (MHM), one of the Big Four law firms in Japan, last September. He shares how the opportunity to be seconded arose, what he enjoys about working at Gall and how the legal industry differs in Hong Kong to Japan. He also offers his advice to other Japanese lawyers exploring secondments.
The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council has approved the anti-epidemic relief fund of HK$ 137.5 billion which includes about HK$81 billion for an Employment Support Scheme (“ESS”). The purpose of the ESS is to provide financial assistance in exchange for employers undertaking to retain their employees who could otherwise be laid-off or made redundant.
The COVID-19 situation has caused increasing financial and operational difficulties for businesses. Various employers have either asked employees to take unpaid leave and/or annual leave during this period. This practice note examines the legal requirements for asking employees to take unpaid leave and/or annual leave.
In an effort to alleviate the financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hong Kong Government has announced proposed relief measures which include a HK$ 80 billion Employment Support Scheme (“ESS”).
Gall recently acted for the Plaintiff in Hong Kong’s first telephonic hearing in Cyberworks Audio Video Technology Limited v Mei Ah (HK) Company Limited & Ors which was a milestone in the Judiciary’s approach towards furthering the objectives of cost-effectiveness of practice and procedure, and expeditious dispute resolution. In this matter, Gall’s senior partner Nick Gall and senior associate Felda Yeung acted for the plaintiff. Please refer to our article on this unprecedented approach to case management during GAP here.
