Team size: Six

Key team members: Li Lu (head of legal department), Yang Wangping, Ng Twinkle, Bai Jie, Yang Muqing and He Xiaohan

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

Our legal team has played a pivotal role in several complex debt restructuring transactions, one of which involved the consolidation of several cross-border non-performing loans with total principal amounts of around HK$2.6bn and their restructuring to maximise chances of return, including ownership restructuring, assets spin-off, cross-border debt swaps and addition of securities. As the counterparties or assets concerned are based or located in different jurisdictions, our work in those transactions has involved laws and regulations, including those governing listed entities, in Hong Kong, Mainland China and many other jurisdictions.

We have provided legal advice and comprehensive support across various stages of the transactions, and have successfully ensured compliance with all pertinent laws and regulations while effectively advocating for the company’s position.

Can you sum up the team culture in one sentence?

Our legal team thrives on a culture of collaboration, constant learning and making strategic decisions that prioritise the company’s prosperity.

Each member is committed to supporting each other, which is especially crucial given our small size and different work locations. We are all eager to acquire new knowledge and are committed to staying at the forefront of legal knowledge and skill development. With a deep understanding of the business and its context, our team is empowered to make strategic decisions that align with the company’s goals.

Apart from legal matters, has the team worked on other company initiatives?

The company has set up Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) across various jurisdictions for its project or business needs. The team now oversees the operation of all 150 SPVs from their establishment, ongoing existence, to deregistration and transfer, in adhering to applicable laws and regulations.

Given the diverse nature of the company’s projects, the legal team analyses daily work topics, identifies legal risks and offers insightful recommendations.

How does the in-house legal team contribute to the overall dispute resolution strategy of the organisation?

One of our core tasks is to formulate reasonable and practical dispute resolution strategies that align with the company’s objectives and interests. Our strategies, while protecting the company’s growth and interests, also consider the majority concern of all parties, emphasising early negotiations and settlements. For major cases, we engage business teams to organise basic facts and evidence, and enlist external legal counsel for analysis. This preparation enables us to construct an evidence chain, devise initial strategies, and minimise potential losses; we utilise legal and non-legal tools to develop effective response plans that uphold the company’s rights and interests.