Described as ‘the market leader in niche practice areas of private client, management of family wealth, trusts, probate and estates litigation’, Hugill & Ip continues to leverage its commercial litigation and private client team’s capabilities to provide specialist and focussed advice to prominent families and high-net-worth individuals in Hong Kong and Greater China. The firm’s practice also covers family law matters, regularly advising on issues such as nuptial agreements, divorce and adoption. Regarded as ’the top litigator in Hong Kong’, Alfred Ip leads the team and has a strong regional reputation, especially for his expertise regarding trusts and estate planning. The team welcomed litigators Caroline McNally and Kajal Aswani in November 2023, both joined from Gall in November 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Alfred Ip and Geraint Ho are highly responsible and their advice is always on point. They are able to grasp complex issues and distill it in a concise and easy to understand manner.'
- 'Hugill & Ip is a boutique law firm, and is the market leader in niche practice areas of private client, management of family wealth, trusts, probate and estates litigation. It has one of the highest concentration of such cases in the market. With its energetic and client-oriented approach in terms of case management and problem solving, it breathes new life into what is otherwise a conventional area of law.'
- 'Alfred Ip is consistently regarded as the top litigator in Hong Kong in the area of trusts, estates and private client disputes.'
- 'Sophisticated and thorough knowledge of private client issues. Alfred Ip and Jacqueline Cheng are service oriented and knowledgeable.'
- 'They have a truly rounded team - with expertise in trusts and estates, as well as the whole gamut of family disputes. They focus on strategic solutions, and are not afraid to give clients frank advice. They are very well resourced and have excellent partner-associate support.'
- 'Alfred Ip is the best trusts and estates solicitor in Hong Kong and has quickly become highly respected for his family work. He has a strategic and aggressive mind that allows him to solve the unsolvable. He understands business better than any of the other family lawyers and can arrange an effective team to execute. He has unparalleled technical ability and experience across the different areas of private client law that make him incomparable.'
- 'Raphael Wong is the leading associate in this firm. He has excellent judgement and and a superb worth ethic. He has a very bright future indeed.'
- 'HIP is a more boutique firm so lawyers are more hands-on and accessible. A younger firm with younger lawyers.'
Key clients
- Pamela Aldred/Elysium Ltd
- Cornwall Agency Company Limited
- Alvarez & Marshall
- WLK
- SN
- Henry Li
- Ellie Oo Yi Lo
- Yang Wen
Work highlights
- Acted for a client in successfully obtaining and injunction, and successfully continued the injunction despite being contested, against the trustee of the family trust for disposing of the trust assets pending final determination.
- Acting for a company in a dispute among family members on the redevelopment of the property held by the company valued at HK$749m.
- Acting for professionals in managing the financial affairs of the MIP when her children are in multiple legal proceedings regarding assets disposition made in the course of her alleged incapacity.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Alfred Ip