Our firm acted for the Putative Respondent in a Judicial Review case in the High Court, and successfully opposed the Applicant’s application for leave to apply for judicial review and his substantive application concerning decisions on the termination of studies with the university (HCAL 1085/2026).
Please refer to the Judgment of Deputy High Court Judge Gary C.C. Lam.
The case was led by our Managing Partner Roy Leung and assisted by our trainee solicitor Jaimie Ho (soon to be admitted as qualified solicitor). Our firm regularly advises on public law and represents parties in administrative proceedings and judicial reviews.
SFKS secured clients’ victory in the Court of Appeal which, for the first time in Hong Kong, considered a claim of fraudulent calumny in the context of a contested will: Re The Estate of Ip Chan Kee CACV 116/2025, [2026] HKCA 1443.
The Court of Appeal unprecedentedly applied the judgment in Edwards v Edwards [2007] WTLR 1387 at §47 on the approach for avoiding a testamentary disposition on the grounds of fraud (fraudulent calumny).
The party who asserted fraudulent calumny must prove that: (1) there has been a false representation; (2) it was made to the testator; (3) it was about the character of an existing or potential beneficiary; (4) it was made for the purpose of inducing the testator to alter his testamentary dispositions; (5) the representor made it knowing it to be untrue or being reckless as to its truth; and (6) the disputed will was made only because of the fraudulent calumny.
Applying the 6 elements to be proved by the defendants asserting fraudulently calumny, the Court of Appeal held as follows:
(1) The Court of Appeal upheld the finding that the defendants failed to discharge the burden of proving that the representations by the younger son to the deceased father (“Representations”) were false.
(2) There was no dispute that the Representations were made to the father.
(3) The Court of Appeal, unlike the trial judge, found that the Representations speaks of the character of the elder son.
(4) The Court of Appeal upheld the trial judge’s finding that the defendants failed to prove that the Representations were made with the specific purpose of inducing the father to alter his testamentary dispositions.
(5) Following (1), the Court of Appeal rejected the contention that the younger son knew that the Representations were false;
(6) The Court of Appeal refused to interfere with the trial judge’s conclusion that the subject will of the father was not proved to be induced by fraudulent calumny.
This Judgment sets a landmark precedent on how factual findings shall be analyzed with corresponding evidence, or interfered by the appellate court with respect to each of the 6 key elements in the context of fraudulent calumny.
This case is led by our Managing Partner Mr. Roy Leung, assisted by Senior Associate Ms. Koey Wong and Associate Mr. Manson Chan. SFKS takes this opportunity to thank Counsel Mr. Jonathan Chang SC and Ms. Esther Mak for their thorough and able assistance in this appeal.
Our Partner Mathew Liu provided a full-day training course to senior property managers and officers on mediation in the contexts of water seepage and disputes in multi-storey buildings.
The training course was co-organized by the Department of Justice and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), via the Joint Mediation Helpline Office, in promotion of the firm belief on the vital role of alternative dispute resolutions among neighbors.
This course was also one of the first property management training course after the implementation of new procedures for investigating water seepage in private buildings by the Joint Office by FEHD and the Buildings Department on 16 July 2026. The new procedures involves expedited investigation, wider use of technology and prosecution power. Property management companies, alongside owners and stakeholders, are keen on receiving regulatory, legal and expert support in this regard.
SFKS is experienced in advising on all ranges of property and land disputes, for instance, water seepage and leakage, building management, tenancy and conveyancing disputes.
SFKS is honoured to be named as Finalist in 7 categories of ALB Hong Kong Law Awards 2026 by Thomson Reuters.
- GBA Law Firm of the Year (Hong Kong)
- Real Estate Law Firm of the Year
- Private Wealth Law Firm of the Year
- Labour and Employment Law Firm of the Year
- Transportation and Logistics Law Firm of the Year
- Corporate Citizenship Law Firm of the Year
- Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year (Roy Leung,Managing Partner)
SFKS is deeply grateful for these nominations, and shall continue with our solemn pledge to serve clients respectfully, apply law professionally and render work effectively. We also congratulate all finalists and peers in the legal profession.
SFKS is pleased to announce a successful outcome for our client before the District Court in Tang Chau Ming v Tang Sze Yuen [2026] HKDC 1107. On 22 June 2026, Deputy District Judge Alfred Cheng dismissed the Plaintiff’s claims for defamation and malicious falsehood against our client, the Defendant.
The dispute arose from the management of a Chinese customary law family arrangement known as Yuen Pak Tso (元柏祖) (the “Tso”) and its land in Yuen Long. The Plaintiff, who served as the elected manager of the Tso, alleged that a “Meeting Summary” distributed by our client during an ancestral worship gathering contained defamatory words. In the Plaintiff’s case, the words in question suggested that the Plaintiff had breached his fiduciary duties and acted dishonestly by secretly renting out Tso land to his own sole proprietorship business, Heng Hing Development Co. The Plaintiff sought substantial damages and an injunction.
After a 4-day trial, the Court evaluated the natural and ordinary meaning of the words and determined that they were defamatory in nature. While the Court rejected the defence of justification—finding the statements to be factually incorrect based on the evidence presented by the Plaintiff’s witness—our client successfully established the defence of qualified privilege so the Plaintiff’s defamation claim was dismissed. The Court agreed that the communication occurred on a privileged occasion, ruling that our client, as a descendant and member of the Tso, possessed a legitimate social and moral interest to convey his management concerns to fellow clansmen, who had a corresponding interest to receive them.
Crucially, the Court rejected the Plaintiff's contention that the qualified privilege was defeated by express malice on our client’s part. Applying the established appellate principles, the Court emphasized that a defendant’s carelessness, irrationality, or tendency to leap to conclusions does not equate to malice. The Judge accepted that our client maintained an honest, genuine belief in the truth of his statements due to a breakdown in communication and a poor relationship with the Plaintiff, rather than an improper dominant motive or a reckless indifference to the truth. As a result, the Plaintiff’s claims were entirely dismissed, and he was ordered to pay a portion of our client’s legal costs.
This outcome represents a complete vindication for our client following a deeply personal family and customary land dispute. It also reinforces SFKS’s established expertise in handling highly contentious defamation, customary law matters, and complex disputes involving qualified privilege and factual challenges.
This case serves as a vital reminder of the robust protective boundaries afforded by the defence of qualified privilege in Hong Kong defamation law. It underscores that the law actively safeguards the freedom of honest communication where a shared moral, social, or legal duty exists—such as within family, community, or customary organizations. So long as a speaker acts in good faith to protect a legitimate interest that is shared by the audience and harbors an honest belief in what he says, the protection of privilege remains intact, even if the underlying conclusions are ultimately shown to be mistaken.
This case was led by our Consultant Mr. Tommy Tam and assisted by our Senior Associate Ms. Koey Wong and Trainee Solicitor Ms. Janice Leung. SFKS takes this opportunity to thank Counsel Mr. Stony Chan for his thorough and able assistance throughout these proceedings.
The full judgment can be found at:
SFKS is pleased to announce the promotion of Marco Chong and Koey Wong as Senior Associates as from 1 July 2026.
Both Marco and Koey joined SFKS as trainee solicitors, stayed with us upon qualification as solicitors, and showcased their consistently high standards and quality of legal services.
Marco’s practice includes capital markets, corporate finance, regulatory compliance for listed companies, mergers and acquisitions (M&As), and general corporate and commercial advisory matters. Marco has extensive experience in advising Main Board and GEM issuers listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on a range of corporate and transactional matters. Marco works closely with Hong Kong listed companies and their directors and shareholders and assists them with navigating public takeovers and issues in relation to disclosure obligations and other compliance matters involving the Takeovers Code and the Securities and Futures Ordinance. Marco also advises listed and private companies across different sectors, statutory bodies, charitable institutions and high-net-worth individuals on a broad spectrum of general commercial matters, such as public and private M&As, corporate reorganisations, formation of joint ventures, and general commercial contracts.
Koey’s practice encompasses matrimonial law, land and property, contentious probate, debt recovery, and commercial disputes. Koey handles a wide variety of civil litigations, including cases concerning contracts, bankruptcy and insolvency, defamation, adverse possession, personal injuries, tenancy, fraud and shareholders’ disputes, as well as sensitive divorce and separation cases that often involve child care issues. Koey also has experience in fraud-related matters and advises on urgent injunctions for freezing the recipients’ bank accounts. For asset tracing and recovery, Koey works closely with legal professionals and investigators in jurisdictions such as PRC, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Recognising alternative dispute resolution (ADR), Koey supports and is well-equipped and willing to explore cost-effective alternatives, such as mediation, with her clients in order to achieve the best outcomes.
We congratulate Marco and Koey for their promotion.
SFKS is pleased to announce a successful outcome for our client before the Court of Appeal in Choi Wan Sheung Nancy v Choi Si Ming Danny and Another [2026] HKCA 997. On 12 June 2026, the Court of Appeal dismissed the Defendant’s appeal and upheld the judgment of the Court of First Instance in favour of our client, the First Plaintiff therein.
The dispute arose from the administration of the estate of the parties’ late mother and concerned, among other matters, the Defendant’s sale of an estate property in Hung Hom (the “HH Property”) and the beneficial ownership of a property in Causeway Bay (the “CWB Property”). The Defendant, who was the executor of the estate, contended that he had acquired our client’s and other beneficiaries’ interests in the estate and that our client held her interest in the CWB Property on trust for him.
At first instance, the Court of First Instance rejected the Defendant’s claims. The Court found that the Defendant had breached his duties as executor by selling the HH Property at an undervalue and ordered him to compensate our client for her one-fifth share of the difference between the sale price and the market value. The Court also declared that the beneficial interests in the CWB Property should be apportioned by reference to the parties’ respective financial contributions, with our client entitled to a 72.2105% beneficial interest.
On appeal, the Court of Appeal accepted our client’s position and dismissed the Defendant’s appeal. The Court held that there was no proper basis to interfere with the trial judge’s findings of fact and credibility, and that the Court of First Instance was entitled to reject the Defendant’s case on the alleged acquisition of our client’s and other beneficiaries’ interests and his claim to sole beneficial ownership of the CWB Property. The Court of Appeal further awarded our client the costs of the appeal.
This result is a welcome affirmation of our client’s rights following a long-running family and estate dispute. It also demonstrates SFKS’s experience in handling contentious probate, trust, property and appellate disputes, including cases involving executor duties, beneficial ownership and complex factual challenges.
This case serves as a timely reminder to litigants aggrieved by a first-instance decision: an appeal is not a retrial, nor does it provide another open avenue to easily disturb a trial judge’s findings of fact. As cited by Mr Justice Anderson Chow, a first instance trial on the merits should be “the main event”, rather than a “tryout on the road”. An appellate court will accord substantial deference to a trial judge’s findings of fact and credibility assessments given their unique “heard and seen” advantage and holistic familiarity with the case, something which an appellate court lacks. Trying to do otherwise would be a waste of judicial resources.
This case was led by our Consultant Mr. Tommy Tam and our Partner Ms. Jenny Wong and assisted by our Associates Ms. Koey Wong and Mr. Tommy Lam. SFKS also take this opportunity to thank Counsel Stony Chan for his thorough and able assistance throughout.
Full judgment can be found at legalref.judiciary.hk/lrs/common/ju/ju_frame.jsp?DIS=181798&currpage=T.
SFKS collaborated with a law firm in US in the recent success in resolving an intellectual property claim concerning a multinational corporate.
The dispute involves the multinational corporate suing, amongst others, a former key person at its Hong Kong office for allegedly infringing copyrights and divulging trade secrets. As the underlying agreement is governed by Delaware law, we assisted our client in instructing Delaware lawyer within our International Lawyers Network (ILN), and provided legal support to the Delaware lawyer in acting in the US proceedings, providing advice and engaging in out-of-court negotiations, as well as close attendance throughout.
SFKS has a long history of strength and experience in contentious and non-contentious intellectual property practice. Back in 1997, SFKS filed Hong Kong’s first registered design, first short-term patent, and first standard patent applications. SFKS advises on initial strategising, branding, drafting, filing, prosecution, opposition and revocation of intellectual property rights. As an all-service law firm, and blending our intellectual property practice and dispute resolution expertise, SFKS is well-positioned to assist in IP disputes as well.
IP disputes are often cross-jurisdictional in nature. SFKS, being a member of the International Lawyers Network (ILN), a global association of 91 high-quality, independent law firms representing more than 5,000 lawyers worldwide, facilitates expedient and frictionless access to top-tier specialist counsel worldwide and ensures comprehensive and seamless legal support to cross-jurisdictional affairs.
SFKS is delighted to welcome a delegation of mainland lawyers, including Ms. Zhou Lixia, Mr. Liu Wei, Mr. Cen Zhibin, and Mr. Zeng Decai. The mainland team engaged in deep and meaningful exchanges with our firm’s legal team across various practice areas, including cross-border matters, trusts, corporate governance, and dispute resolution.
SFKS is thrilled and immensely proud to announce that our Partner, Sidney Ho, represented The Law Society of Hong Kong’s Bridge Team, which has achieved 1st Runner-up at the Recreation and Sports Club for Hong Kong Professional Bodies (RSCP) Bridge Tournament 2026.
Hosted by The Hong Kong Medical Association, this prestigious annual tournament gathered top minds and elites from Hong Kong’s leading professional institutions.
Sidney and his teammates demonstrated exceptional strategic vision, sharp acumen, and composure under pressure. Throughout the intense competition, the team recorded stellar matches against the Hong Kong Medical Association,the Hong Kong Bar Association, the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Hong Kong Dental Association, ultimately claiming second place overall!
Beyond providing top-tier, professional legal services to our clients, SFKS has always championed work-life balance and encouraged our team to pursue diverse talents. Sidney’s remarkable achievement perfectly embodies our firm’s core values—bringing the same dedication, strategic thinking, and pursuit of excellence from our legal practice into the wider community.
We congratulate our Consultant Amanda Ng for being recognized as Family Solicitor of the Year 2026 in APAC Legal Awards 2026 by APAC Insider.
The APAC Legal Awards 2026 celebrate outstanding legal professionals and firms that demonstrate excellence, innovation, and a lasting impact on the legal landscape across the Asia-Pacific region.
Being an experienced and highly sought-after family lawyer, Ms. Ng is known for her strategic clarity, empathy and practical outcomes. Ms. Ng advises in divorce and separation proceedings, domestic violence injunctions, maintenance and financial arrangements for children and spouses, as well as division of matrimonial assets, trust and third-party interests, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and succession plans.
In line with Ms. Ng’s expertise and professionalism which reflects the values embraced by the legal communities in APAC, SFKS shall continue to assist private clients, high-net-worth families and parties in matrimonial proceedings for an effective and emphathetic resolution of family legal matters in Hong Kong.
On the afternoon of April 29, 2026, Managing Partner Roy Leung, Senior Partner Joseph Wong, Founding Partner Peter Sit, and Associate Carrie Li of SFKS were invited to attend the “Soaring to Blue Oceans, Conquering the Global Waves - Shunde Enterprises Exploring New Opportunities for Going Global via Hong Kong” matchmaking event, held at the Urban Living Room of the Yunlu Listed Company Town. The event was hosted by Yunlu Listed Company Town and brought together institutions including the Shunde District Bureau of Science and Technology, Shunde District Technology and Financial Innovation Center, Global Vishon Management (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., and SFKS, to jointly explore pathways and practical approaches for Shunde enterprises to leverage Hong Kong’s role as a “Super Connector” in expanding into international markets.
Leaders in attendance included Ou Shengjun, Director of the Shunde District Bureau of Science and Technology, and Liang Huimin, Deputy Director. Director Ou Shengjun noted that against the complex backdrop of international trade, opportunities and challenges coexist for enterprises going global. Hong Kong possesses unique geographical advantages and serves as a vital bridge and window for Shunde enterprises to reach global markets. He expressed hope that deepening cooperation between Shunde and Hong Kong would help build a “high-speed road” for Shunde enterprises to access international markets.
During the thematic sharing session, our associate Carrie Li delivered a presentation on the topic “Common Pain Points and Strategic Safeguards for Cross-Border Enterprises Going Global”, providing a detailed introduction to issues that enterprises may encounter in areas such as corporate account opening and financing, shareholding arrangements, and intellectual property protection in Hong Kong. Following the presentation, the solicitors from SFKS engaged in informal discussions with the attending enterprises, addressing specific concerns related to the listing requirements in Hong Kong, the establishment of offshore structures, and cross-border tax arrangements.
Looking ahead, SFKS will continue to uphold its service philosophy of “Serve Clients Respectfully and Apply Law Professionally” and maintain close collaboration with institutions such as the Shunde District Technology and Financial Innovation Center, Yunlu Listed Company Town, and Global Vishon. SFKS is committed to providing professional, efficient, and reliable legal services to enterprises in Shunde and the GBA for Hong Kong listings, cross-border investments, and overseas market expansion, helping more “Shunde-made” products and businesses leverage Hong Kong as a springboard to fly toward broader horizons overseas.
