White Collar Defence and Investigations
HOW WE CAN HELP REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE ACCOLADES

Our understanding of local sensitives and international perspectives enable us to provide our clients with insightful opinions and strategies on investigations and defence. Our unrivalled depth of knowledge of the regulatory regimes and business environment in Hong Kong and mainland China allows us to provide tailored-made guidance taking into account the nuances of obligations, investigations and offences across jurisdictions. Our frequent dealings with regulators and law enforcement bodies allow us to provide insightful and up-to-date advice on regulatory landscapes, crisis management and business ethics compliance programmes in Hong Kong and mainland China.

We assist clients in conducting internal investigations and formulating compliance programs. We represent clients at all stages of criminal proceedings, from interviews and investigation by law enforcement and investigation bodies such as the Securities and Futures Commission, Competition Commission, the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Hong Kong Police, all the way to defence of prosecution in courts and other regulatory authorities.

HOW WE CAN HELP
COMPLIANCE SYSTEMS AND TRAINING
  • We review your business practices to prevent violations, taking into account cross-border practices and regulations in each jurisdiction. We provide training and guidelines to strengthen proper business practices
INTERNAL INVESTIGATION
  • We leverage our knowledge of intricate legal practices across jurisdictions to conduct investigation, addressing potential violations and setting up protocols to prevent future violations, and providing proper documentary records to discharge its duties under the law
REGULATION AND INVESTIGATION
  • We devise sound and practical tactics to respond to allegations in investigations, guiding you through the legal, regulatory and reputational challenges such situations present
CRIMINAL DEFENCE
  • We robustly defend your interests and, when necessary, negotiate with the authorities to secure the most favourable outcome
REPUTATIONAL RISK ADVISORY AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT
  • We work with you to devise tailor-made response in crisis management situations
CORPORATE CRIME
  • Anti-money laundering
  • Antitrust and competition
  • Corruption and bribery
  • Criminal breach of trust
  • Cyber crime
  • Fraudulent trading
  • Senior management accountability
  • Whistleblowing
REGULATORY
  • Criminal IP infringement
  • Data privacy
  • Food safety and health
  • Gambling and gaming
  • Immigration offences
  • Multi-level marketing and pyramid selling
  • Product license control
  • Trade description
FINANCIAL CRIME AND TAX
  • Foreign exchange control related offences
  • Forgery
  • Fraud and asset tracing
  • Insider trading
  • Tax crimes
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
CORPORATE CRIME
  • Counsel a listed luxury brand on cooperation with ICAC regarding bribery offences, advising on internal investigation and warding off liability of senior management
  • Counsel to a leading shoe manufacturer in defending allegation of sexual harassment by a departing employee and ward off senior management's liability
  • Advise a European-based jewellery group on potential liability in relation to authority’s investigation against its supplier for bribery, and defence against the supplier’s allegations
  • Counsel the boards of various listed companies on criminal investigation against senior management
  • Represent senior management of a leading securities house against bribery charges in Hong Kong
FINANCIAL CRIME AND TAX
  • Counsel to the chairman of a leading listing group on non-disclosure of nominee shareholding arrangement, minimizing impact to group reputation
  • Advise a mainland Chinese finance professional on SFC investigations on alleged insider trading of shares
  • Advise a senior officer of a listed company on compliance of listing rules and the potential breaches by the management
  • Successfully use Hong Kong judicial expediency to freeze bank accounts and prosecute senior management of a conglomerate business in mainland China for embezzlement and fraud against their employer
REGULATORY
  • Devise strategies for a major pharmaceutical distributor in defending pharmaceutical regulatory offences to mitigate adverse publicity and impact on its wholesale license
  • Counsel a Fortune 500 company on alleged tax crimes of its mainland China unit, collate evidence and structure defence strategies at both the first instance and appellate levels to minimize possible sentences against senior officers, successfully impelling the prosecution to forgo charges against individual officers and to withdraw the appeal
  • Counsel to a leading power systems company in defending its employees on allegations of working across territorial waters without permit, and ensuring its internal guidelines are in compliance with the regulations
  • Counsel a leading confectionery brand on police investigation on potential breach of the Gambling Ordinance for conducting trade promotion competition without a licence
  • Devise strategy for a direct selling company on handling complaints of breach of privacy law and investigations by the Privacy Commissioner
  • Counsel to a smart office business in defending allegations of violation of licensing requirements for providing corporate services and warding off personal liabilities of the founder and senior management
  • Defend a direct selling company and its legal representative from charges of criminal copyright infringement due to acts by its distributors, resulting in a drop of chargesa
WHAT OTHERS SAY

"Vivien Chan is a master of strategy. When I need strategic counsel in a difficult situation, I come to her."

~ Orrick

"Vivien and her team handles every file with care. The quality and professionalism stands out from her competitors."

~ Blakes

"Your unique approach with down to earth personal services to tackle issues makes your firm outstanding and impressive."

~ Potomac Capital Ltd.

"The dedication and perseverance of you and your colleagues have been the hallmark of your success in what is now a demanding environment."

~ Drew & Napier

"I have always been pleased with the quality of services and client representation by Vivien Chan. The explanations of complicated aspects of the law are very helpful to me as I develop strategies for my clients."

~ Middleton-Reutlinger

"It is always be a pleasure to work with professionals with boundless energy and dedication to the project."

~ McCarthy Denning
ACCOLADES

CORPHUB HONG KONG'S MOST OUTSTANDING BUSINESS AWARDS

Greater China's Most Trusted Legal Consulting Services

of the Year 2021

GLOBAL LAW EXPERTS AWARDS

Employment Law Firm of the Year 2021

Hong Kong

ASIALAW LEADING LAWYERS

Notable Practitioner in Dispute Resolution 2020 Hong Kong

BENCHMARK LITIGATION

ASIA PACIFIC RANKING

Notable Domestic Firm for Private Client 2020

Hong Kong

WOMEN IN BUSINESS LAW AWARDS (ASIA-PACIFIC)

2020 - Hong Kong [Shortlisted]

APAC INSIDER BUSINESS INSIDER AWARDS

Best Full-Service Law Firm 2019 in

Greater China

ASIAN LEGAL BUSINESS

Dispute Resolution Boutique Law Firm of the Year 2019 (Finalist)