Hugill & Ip

Adam Hugill – Partner and Head of the Employment practice at Hugill & Ip – goes through the past year at the firm while discussing the future.   Can you summarise how the past 12 months have been for Hugill & Ip? Over the past year, the firm has achieved several significant milestones that reflect our commitment to service excellence and innovation. We have seen both organic growth in areas as Private Client and Employment, as well as within the Family practice – continuing to respond to client demand for comprehensive and bespoke legal services. In particular, the synergy between our Trust & Estates and Family areas has been able to fulfil every angle of individual clients’ needs – including Estate Planning and Administration, contentious aspects of Trusts & Estates and matrimonial and children matters. Our firm continues to receive recognition from the most prominent legal directories, affirming our position as a key player in the Hong Kong boutique market – especially those directed to individuals and their personal needs. Furthermore, we have taken strides to streamline some internal processes, enabling us to serve clients more efficiently within an increasingly sophisticated landscape. Hugill & Ip expanded its equity base, promoting Caroline McNally to Equity Partner, where she will play a crucial role in shaping the firm’s strategic direction.   Can you tell us more about your practice in Employment Law and what developments you see within Hong Kong legal market? Our Employment Law practice continues to advise both employers and employees on all aspects of employment law. Employers include both local Hong Kong employers (large and small) and also multi-national organisations.  In acting for “both sides” we gain a unique perspective as to the recent developments. The uncertain market in Hong Kong means that employees are very much aware to the fact that there is no guarantee that they will quickly secure alternative employment if their employment ends. This means that employees are increasingly willing to fight to try to protect their jobs and / or seek substantial exit packages / compensation in the event that their employment terminates (especially if this happens due to no fault by the employee, i.e. redundancy).  This has also led to a reluctance in employees to resign when they are unhappy with their job and instead, they are prepared to challenge issues internally and raise grievances. This has led to a marked increase into assisting employers in handling internal investigations and disciplinary and grievance procedures. Year on year there appears to be an increasing awareness and willingness to speak up against discrimination in the workplace.  While Hong Kong law only has in place four anti-discrimination ordinances, employees are willing to challenge their employer (especially multi-national organisations) in upholding their internal policies and best practices which often extend beyond the areas that are protected by legislation.  Coupled with discrimination, in particular the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (Cap 487), we have also seen an increase in cases concerning employee sickness and absence, including managing employee’s workplace mental health issues.   Can you give us a few practical examples of how you help clients navigate their legal matters? One of our key approaches is to offer personalized legal strategies tailored to each client’s unique circumstances. For instance, when acting for an individual in Employment cases, in addition to understanding the legal issues, we focus on what the individual wants to achieve and how best this can be done. When acting for an individual in such circumstances, legal costs are of paramount concern, and this is also something that we need to be very much aware of from the outset. Our Family and Private Client team have similar consideration in mind from the outset, with our teams trying to understand and manage our clients' emotional and financial needs, which allows us to plan an appropriate legal strategy, which often starts with an effort to negotiate favourable settlements that prioritize their well-being. In Corporate transactions, we guide clients through complex business landscapes, ensuring compliance while also identifying opportunities for growth. We also provide guidance about legal changes that may impact companies, empowering clients to make more informed decisions.   What do you see as the main differences between practicing law in the UK and Hong Kong? Practicing in the UK and Hong Kong presents distinct challenges and opportunities. In the UK, the legal framework is more established, with a long history of case law and regulatory structures. In contrast, Hong Kong’s legal system, while rooted in English law, operates within a unique context that surely also influences the legal practice. In Hong Kong, the emphasis on mediation and collaborative law reflects local cultural sensitivities, which often prioritize harmony and discretion. Moreover, specific legal developments in Hong Kong require practitioners to stay agile and responsive. Understanding these nuances is crucial for effectively navigating the landscape in each jurisdiction.   How are technology and AI impacting the way law firms work? Technology and Artificial Intelligence are revolutionizing the legal landscape in numerous ways. From AI-driven tools for document review and legal research, substantially reducing the time spent on these tasks which ultimately have a positive impact on reduced costs for clients. This not only enhances productivity but also allows lawyers to focus more on strategic advising and interaction. As we move forward, we can anticipate that AI will continue to evolve. Many believe that AI could potentially even assist with predictive analytics to inform case strategies and outcomes – which remains to be seen. However, it's crucial to also recognize the risks associated with these advancements. Issues such as data privacy and client confidentiality, the potential for algorithmic bias, and the importance of maintaining the human element in providing legal advice must be at the forefront of every lawyer's mind. As law firms around the world integrate AI into their practices, we must ensure that ethical considerations and compliance with legal standards are upheld. Continuous updates and risk awareness are key to navigating these challenges effectively.   Hugill & Ip has always been at the forefront in terms of Diversity & Inclusions, as well as Corporate Social Responsibility, can you highlight some recent initiatives and plans for 2025? We take pride in our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion. Recently, we implemented a comprehensive programme designed to empower minorities and underrepresented communities in Hong Kong. The programme marks a significant step towards fostering a more inclusive and just society, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, have equal access to legal resources and opportunities. “Bridges to Empowerment” aims to break down barriers by raising legal knowledge, providing educational and legal training resources, and enhancing education support. By establishing legal aid networks and fostering community engagement, all of us need to strive to create an environment where everyone can participate fully in society. Additionally, our Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives have continued to include partnerships with local charities, where our team volunteers pro bono services to underrepresented people and communities – the firms has been recognised by The Law Society of Hong Kong every year since it has opened its doors for the pro bono and community service contribution it provides.   How do you see your firm moving forward in the next three years? In the coming years, we foresee areas of growth in different practice areas we focus on, both on the advisory and contentious side of things. While maintaining our base in Hong Kong, we are keen on expanding further our international reach due to many of our clients having matters that have aspects which include overseas jurisdictions.

What do you see as the main points that differentiate Hugill & Ip from your competitors? Some of the feedback that we consistently get from clients is that they feel well looked after. They feel there is a close partnership between themselves and the solicitor. As a boutique law firm, we are immersed in all practice areas we focus on. We are not generalists, so we have our eye on both market trends as well as up-to-date technical skill and knowledge. Our lawyers are responsive. In addition, we have a very high ratio of partners vs associates and other supporting staff, so we are able to lead matters with the right involvement and supervision at senior level. Moreover – being a relatively small outfit – we can be agile and offer more innovative and adaptable pricing structures to suit the varied needs of clients, both corporate and individual. Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that? My core practice area is Trust & Estates. In this area we have seen a consistent growth of both advisory and contentious Trusts & Estates work. The firm has built a strong reputation in contentious Estate matters and we have represented clients successfully over a diverse range of issues, including those involving modern family relationships where the law has been slow to catch up. Most of our competitors are international firms or renowned local firms with long history. We are proud to currently have one of the biggest Private Client teams in Hong Kong. We also have a fast-growing Family and Matrimonial practice to which we are giving extra investment and support, adding passionate and knowledgeable individuals who specialise in divorce, children and matrimonial matters including adoption, separation, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, financial maintenance, child custody, access and relocation (including Hague Convention). Our employment practice led by Adam Hugill has also had significant growth over the past two or three years and this is perhaps also fueled by a shift in values and priorities that many businesses and individuals have taken during the recent pandemic. What's the main change you've made in the firm that will benefit clients? We are constantly exploring new ways to benefit clients and to keep the firm very agile and flexible. Technology is surely something that has helped us to streamline processes internally and with clients, while keeping our legal advice top-notch and avoid adding heavy structures which would escalate internal costs that would need somewhat be passed onto clients. Being agile also means that internally we have learnt to multitask and move away from the traditional approach that many other law firms take. This happens across several practice areas and it is also possible because of the very clear focus that we had since opening our doors on avoiding to be a full-service firm. We concentrate on providing clients an excellent service in specific areas and we refer out matters which are out of our comfort zone. How important Corporate Social Responsibility is to your firm? When my fellow partner Adam and I decided to set up Hugill & Ip, one of the first core values that we shared was to give back to our community, so I would say that CSR is truly part of our DNA. By being more involved in the community we can develop a better working environment for our staff, and nurture social inclusion into them, as well as strive to provide better services for our clients. We all take so much from the environment and society in general, so giving back not only creates a positive impact on others, but it should be a moral obligation we should all commit as human beings. We have always taken some matters on a pro-bono basis, but also been involved in larger social responsibility campaigns. Making real impact to people’s lives is what we strive for, and a lot of those who needs us cannot afford us, therefore we are privileged to have the capacity to take on pro-bono cases. Specifically, we focus on social issues that are very dear to us both as individuals and as a firm overall: most recently we ran a fundraiser and awareness campaign related to cancer research, and we also feel very passionate about other issues – e.g. the environment, the protection of disadvantaged people (Migrant Domestic Workers, the elderly and children), equality and LGBTQ rights. These are causes we have dedicated time and effort to support so far and that we plan to continue getting involved in the future. Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business? Since my practice area focuses on individuals rather than businesses, I can focus on times when we have really supported and achieved a great result for people during very difficult times in their life. We are currently helping a child who has lost his father and his estate did not provide for him, and we are claiming for financial provision.  His life would be dramatically different if this claim is successful. We are very keen to make it happen and we are doing all we can to help him. We are also helping a number of clients whose relationships with their significant others are not recognized under the laws: de facto relationship, same-sex relationship, etc. We help them claiming for their entitlement, at the same time we constantly advise other clients in similar relationships to avoid litigation in the future with proper Estate Planning. Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms - where do you see the firm in three years’ time? Our three-year plan is for sustained and risk-calculated growth. We continue to hire new team members, having brought in two brilliant new associates in the past six months. It is crucial that as we expand and work with new people, while we stay true to our core values. Our expansion will soon see a boost in several practice areas with new partners and associates joining us in the Dispute Resolution, Private Client and Corporate & Commercial teams. In three years’ time, we reckon our focus and attention will continue in a similar way – widening the team is simply a response to the expansion in our client base, for which we feel privileged as a firm.