Hong Kong Legal Articles & Insights

Starting law school can feel overwhelming, especially when you sit through your first exam and wonder whether you learned the material. I still remember scanning my first contract law question feeling confused and unsure how to apply the principles I had memorised. Over time, I learned several law school study tips that transformed the way I approach exams and coursework.

A Hong Kong employment contract defines the essential terms of your working life, from pay and hours to termination and post‑employment restrictions. Recent changes to Hong Kong employment law that took effect in 2025 and 2026 require careful attention, especially the shift from the 418 Rule to the 468 Rule for continuous employment, the abolition of MPF offsetting, and the increase in statutory holidays. For reliable statutory guidance, consult the Labour Department’s guide

If you are considering an expat divorce in Hong Kong, the first and most essential step is determining whether the Hong Kong courts have jurisdiction to hear your case. Under the Matrimonial Causes Ordinance (Cap. 179), the court may accept a divorce petition if, at the time of filing, either party satisfies one of the following criteria.

Child abuse continues to be a serious concern in Hong Kong. Following several high-profile cases noted by the Social Welfare Department, the Hong Kong Government introduced the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance (Cap. 650), commonly known as the Child Abuse Ordinance. The legislation came into effect on 20 January 2026 and is designed to strengthen the protection of children by requiring certain professionals to act when they suspect serious harm.

Email security threats continue to evolve in Hong Kong, and our firm has identified ongoing attempts to impersonate Ravenscroft and Schmierer using contact@rs-lawyers.com.hk. This address is no longer in use. Any email appearing to come from it should be treated as Spam.

Whether a law degree is required to become a lawyer is a question frequently asked by students and early-career professionals considering entry into the legal profession. The answer, while often assumed to be straightforward, is more nuanced in practice.

The Hong Kong Budget 2026/2027, delivered today by Financial Secretary Mr. Paul Chan, sets out a strategic plan guided by fiscal stability, innovation driven development and long-term economic competitiveness.

In many Chinese contexts, legitimacy and trust are created less by what people claim to believe, and more by what they consistently do. This practice-first orientation, known as orthopraxy, endured Maoist suppression, resurged after 1978, and continues to shape commercial negotiations and risk management across Greater China, including Hong Kong. For business leaders, demonstrated reliability ritualises relationship-building, and culturally fluent conduct often matters more t

Understanding what job interview questions Hong Kong employers are legally allowed to ask is essential for maintaining fair, compliant, and non‑discriminatory hiring practices. Whether you’re an HR professional, hiring manager, or intern conducting interviews, following Hong Kong’s legal and privacy framework is critical to avoiding discrimination claims and protecting candidate data.

As international commerce, migration and legal cooperation continue to accelerate, the demand for fast, secure, and reliable document authentication has never been greater. Traditionally, the process of legalising documents for overseas use involved physical submissions, manual verification, and multiple layers of authentication. While reliable, that system is increasingly out of step with modern business and personal needs.

Two major legal updates took effect on 1 January 2026 that are relevant for businesses operating in or with Hong Kong: the updated Nice Classification for trademarks and revisions to the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) Rules. These changes impact trademark strategy, arbitration costs, and dispute resolution planning. Below we explain what has changed, who is affected, and what businesses should consider going forward.

Hong Kong remains one of the world’s most dynamic business hubs, attracting both corporations and entrepreneurs. However, both local and international companies fall into avoidable legal traps that can undermine their success. This 2026 guide outlines the five most common business mistakes companies make in Hong Kong from a legal and compliance perspective, along with practical steps to avoid each business mistake before it becomes costly.

As a notary clerk at Ravenscroft & Schmierer in Hong Kong, I work directly with clients, manage AML compliance, draft notarial certificates and assist Mr. David Ravenscroft in the process of notarization. Through this hands-on experience, I've come to understand that a notary public is fundamentally an authenticator who verifies the due execution of documents and certifies their authenticity for international use.

What is the 417/468 Rule in Hong Kong and What’s Changing? Under current law, the “418 rule”, an employee must work at least 18 hours a week for 4 consecutive weeks to be considered under a continuous contract. This status is crucial because only continuous-contract employees get key benefits like paid rest days, annual leave, sick leave, maternity/paternity leave, as well as severance and long service payments.