Antitrust and Competition Law
Overview
The Competition Ordinance (Cap. 619) came into full force in Hong Kong in 2015. It establishes the first cross-sector competition law regime which affects a broad spectrum of business entities in the territory.
Haldanes is proud to be one of the first few law firms to have developed a thriving practice in Antitrust and Competition Law and is now one of the leaders in the field.
Vast Experience in Competition Commission Investigations and Competition Tribunal Proceedings
Our award-winning team has substantial experience in representing corporate and individual clients in a wide array of Competition Commission investigations and Competition Tribunal proceedings. Our advice covers:
- First Conduct Rule (cartel conduct, price fixing, market sharing, bid-rigging, resale price maintenance etc)
- Second Conduct Rule (abuse of a substantial degree of market power)
- Dawn raids
- Section 41 Production Notices
- Section 42 Interviews
- Leniency Policy
- Cooperation and Settlement Policy
- Policy on Section 60 Commitments
- Internal control, training and regulatory compliance relating to the Competition Ordinance together with its regulations, guidelines and practice directions.
Our antitrust and competition cases often involve complex cross-border issues concerning jurisdictions such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Singapore and Mainland China, and we frequently work with prominent international lawyers and economic experts in this field.
Global Recognitions on Antitrust and Competition Law
Haldanes has been repeatedly awarded the“Criminal Law Firm of the Year” and “Regulatory and Investigation Firm of the Year” for its outstanding practice in criminal defence and regulatory matters. Given the quasi-criminal nature of antitrust investigations and enforcement proceedings in Hong Kong, we have a natural edge in devising effective and innovative strategies for clients in competition matters.
On a global level, we have also earned accolades from renowned legal directories including Who’s Who Legal / Lexology, Legal 500, Mondaq and China Business Law Journal for our excellence in this novel practice area of Antitrust and Competition Law.
In addition, we are one of the Antitrust Litigation Working Group members in the International Bar Association (IBA) Antitrust Section, and have authored international antitrust publications such as “In-Depth: Cartels and Leniency” published by Lexology and “Competition Litigation Comparative Guide” published by Mondaq. We are also selected by World Bank as an antitrust and competition law expert for Hong Kong to contribute to its flagship report “Business Ready 2025 – Competition Law” which evaluates the business and investment climate worldwide.
Recognition
Felix Ng
“Besides his exceptional professionalism, Ng is compassionate, empathetic and attentive … gave me the needed trust and confidence throughout the entire process and made this unbearable investigation a lot more bearable.”
“The partners and associates of Haldanes were always prompt and thoughtful in their responses. They were resourceful and fair, and adept at assembling teams of counsel and other experts. I would certainly recommend.”
“Haldanes lawyers are high quality and ensure that they research the position fully before they engage. I am very satisfied with their level of expertise and knowledge. They are always ready for the challenge and respond speedily and appropriately.”
“Haldanes is an excellent firm that is particularly good at responding and communicating. They are always prompt and helpful and ensure that both counsel and client are kept fully informed of all developments.”
“The firm was responsive and efficient and communicated well with the client and team. Their level of expertise was very good and they are experienced. We did not have any unexpected challenges as issues were effectively predicted and handled.”
“The firm absolutely met my expectations and I would definitely recommend them.”
“Haldanes has built a solid reputation in providing expert legal advice and representation in complex criminal cases, as well as navigating the regulatory landscape in Hong Kong. It has successfully represented clients in a wide range of matters, including white-collar crime, corruption, fraud and other serious offenses, while ensuring the highest level of professionalism and confidentiality. Haldanes’ expertise in criminal law practice is highly relevant to its competition law practice for several reasons:
- Overlapping legal principles: Both criminal law and competition law deal with the regulation and enforcement of certain behaviours and practices that can harm society or the economy. As a result, Haldanes’ extensive knowledge of criminal law principles allows it to better understand the foundation of competition law and implement effective strategies to protect its clients’ interests.
- Transferable skills: Haldanes’ experience in criminal law has honed its skills in litigation, negotiation and investigation. These skills are easily transferable to competition law cases, ensuring that it can provide top-notch legal representation to clients facing competition law issues.
- Regulatory knowledge: Haldanes’ background in regulatory matters means that it is well- versed in the rules and regulations governing various industries in Hong Kong. This expertise is invaluable in competition law cases, as it can quickly identify potential violations and advise its clients on the best course of action to avoid penalties or sanctions.
- Comprehensive approach: Haldanes’ experience in both criminal law and regulatory matters enables it to take a comprehensive approach to competition law cases. It can evaluate the potential criminal and regulatory implications of a given situation and provide a well-rounded legal strategy to address all aspects of the issue.
While Haldanes may not have an extensive international network, its local presence and deep understanding of the Hong Kong legal landscape make it the ideal choice for clients seeking knowledgeable and dedicated legal representation in competition law cases.”
“As the only law firm with competition law capabilities combined with the most renowned criminal practice in Hong Kong, Haldanes is in an unrivalled position to advise and assist clients throughout the enforcement process – from attending interviews with the Competition Commission, settlement and penalty negotiations, to enforcement proceedings before the Competition Tribunal.”
Felix Ng
“Felix Ng is the partner leading the competition practice at Haldanes. With his unparalleled depth of knowledge and experience in both criminal and competition law, he is in pole position to deliver quality advice and effective results. Felix is razor-sharp and will leave no stone unturned to achieve the best results for the client and the case. He is incisive, practical, strategic and commercial. He picks up on issues quickly, is highly responsive and is always a pleasure to work with. His client skills are second-to-none… a smooth operator.”
Felix Ng
“Felix Ng is singled out as a ‘highly professional and extraordinarily capable’ white-collar crime lawyer”
Felix Ng
“Felix Ng boasts a stellar reputation in the Asian legal market and, according to sources, leaves no stone unturned in preparing his client’s defence”
Felix Ng
“Besides his exceptional professionalism, Felix is compassionate, empathetic and attentive…gave me the needed trust and confidence throughout the entire process and made this unbearable investigation a lot more bearable”
Felix Ng
“Felix is held in high regard for his top-tier business crime defence practice advising domestic and international financial institutions and corporations in complex white collar crime and securities matters”
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