Gallant

The firm: Gallant was established in 1977 and is one of the largest and most well-known local law firms in Hong Kong. It offers comprehensive legal services to individuals and corporate clients alike, covering various aspects of commercial, corporate and property-related activities including banking finance, joint ventures, project finance, mergers and acquisitions and listing of companies including ‘H’ shares in Hong Kong. Apart from banking, real estate and litigation work, which have always been the backbone of the firm’s services, it is particularly noted for its cross-border legal services between Hong Kong and mainland China.

Areas of practice: The firm’s China practice began as early as 1979 and work included joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, project financing, ‘H’ share listing, trade mark and patent registration, arbitration, mediation and dispute resolution. In 1979, it advised and prepared documentation for the first real estate project in Guangzhou for sale in Hong Kong. In the early 1980s, when the Special Economic Zone was set up in Shenzhen, the firm was naturally called upon to advise and assist in the development of tracts of land near the Shenzhen railway station. It was involved in the joint venture, financing and management documentation of over 20 hotels across China when China first opened up and developed its tourist industry. Hotel projects include the South Sea Hotel in Shekou, the Garden Hotel in Guangzhou and the Hilton Hotel in Shanghai. In the mid 1980s, the firm was involved in financing the documentation of the ’Ping Shuo Coal Mine’ in Shanxi, the single largest Sino-US joint venture at that time. In May 1990, China first introduced the leasehold concept to its land system, thereby ushering in a spate of real estate development activities in China. The firm has since handled over 150 real estate projects across 25 major cities in China. In recognition of the firm’s extensive activities in China, it was among the first batch of 12 law firms world wide granted permission by the PRC Ministry of Justice to set up an office in China in 1992.

The early 1990s witnessed the opening up of the securities and financial markets in China and the firm was involved in a number of ‘B’ share listings in Shenzhen and a number of ’Red Chip’ and ‘H’ share listings in Hong Kong, including Founder (Hong Kong) Limited; Anhui Expressway Company Limited; Anhui Conch Cement Company Limited; Sinopec Kantons Holdings Ltd. as well as Jutal Offshore Oil Services Limited; Wuyi International Pharmaceutical Company Limited and Tianneng Power International Limited. The firm also assists listed companies in their corporate compliance work and prominent clients include China Resources Land Limited and Chu Kong Shipping Enterprises (Group) Company Limited and its services also include preparing announcements and notices for annual reports and half-yearly reports; attending annual general meetings; and advising on notifiable transactions, connected transactions and disclosures of interest. It also frequently provides compliance training to directors.

More recently, the firm has acted for many banks in Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China to advise on the loan and security structures as well as regulatory and compliance issues in relation to cross-jurisdictional acquisition financing. In recognition of the firm’s quality services, it is appointed by many banks, securities companies and enterprises in Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China as their annual retainer law firm.

The firm’s litigation and dispute resolution department has advised and assisted clients, particularly public companies and financial institutions, in enforcing their securities and contractual rights or defending legal actions in various courts and arbitration commissions in China. The firm also frequently advises on SFC-related investigation matters.

The firm also offers comprehensive international notarial services as well as attestation services for the PRC. We have seven Notaries Public for international notarial services and seven China-Appointed Attesting Officers for attesting documents for use in the PRC. On 1 April 2024, Gallant and Guantao & Chow, solicitors and notaries (“Guantao Hong Kong”) entered into association. Guantao Hong Kong was established by Beijing Guantao Law Firm in Hong Kong in 2008 and completed its localization in February 2016.

Since December 2005, the firm has been a member of Meritas, one of the largest associations of independent law firms in the world. The firm is the sole member of Meritas in Hong Kong. The firm ensures that clients receive the same high-quality legal work and service, just like clients of every Meritas firm world wide. This gives clients using Meritas member firms the comfort of knowing their legal work will be handled reliably and consistently around the world. The firm’s Meritas affiliation offers it access to a network of over 180 accomplished law firms in more than 90 countries. It gives the firm a virtual presence in almost 200 cities worldwide.