Littlewoods, Solicitors

Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Littlewoods handles a wide range of civil litigation in the District Court (jurisdictional limit HK$1,000,000) and the High Court (unlimited jurisdiction) including contract disputes, real property matters, debt recovery, construction disputes,recovery of fraud proceeds and other civil claims.Littlewoods can also advise on the registration and enforcement of foreign judgements.

Littlewoods have recently acted for clients in respect of claims brought against them by the newly formed Competition Commission.

Our solicitors regularly appear in those courts where solicitors have the right of audience rather than instructing barristers thereby reducing the costs of litigation.

Our solicitors are very familiar with other forms of dispute resolution such as Arbitration and Mediation and actively encourage our clients to consider resolving their disputes in this way if appropriate.

Intellectual Property Law

Littlewoods offers intellectual property law services in the following areas:

• Registration and protection of trademarks, designs and patents
• Litigation in connection the infringement of trademarks, designs, copyrights and patents
• Litigation to stop passing off
• Registration and rectification
• Seizures of infringing, counterfeit, or imitation products (Anton Pillar Orders)
• Distributorship, franchising and licensing agreements and disputes
• Knowhow, technology, design and OEM agreements
• Computer contracts

Conveyancing and Tenancy Agreements

Littlewoods has an experienced team of property lawyers who  advise on all types of property transactions in Hong Kong such as the sale, purchase or leasing of residential,commercial or industrial property.

Littlewoods is on the panel of all the local and international banks. We can therefore  prepare the mortgage documentation which will reduce the total cost of a purchase or sale transaction for the benefit of our clients. We also advise on all aspects of the refinancing of residential property which enables clients to change mortgage provider if they so wish.

The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation has appointed us to their panel of Reverse Mortgage Counsellors for clients interested in equity release.For more infomation please visit their website.

To receive a quotation of our fees for the sale or purchase of a property, please submit the property details, the sale or purchase price and the bank which is providing finance for the transaction and we will reply promptly.

Email for quotation

Alternatively, you may telephone  Brian Littlewood on 9033 5322 to discuss your requirements and obtain a quotation.

Personal Injury Claims

Littlewoods handles personal injury cases across the range of severity from catastrophic and permanent injury to less serious cases. However, regardless of the size of the likely damages (monetary compensation), your case will receive the same care and attention and will be brought forward for trial or settlement promptly and skilfully.

Such claims may be for employees compensation or at common law for negligence, breach of statutory duty and breach of contract. We deal with both work related injuries, particular from construction sites, as well as the general vicissitudes of life arising from road traffic accidents, "slips and trips" and more esoteric sources including those involving ships or hospitals.

For individuals who may be eligible for Legal Aid, Littlewoods is pleased to assist  in the preparation of an application for Legal Aid and, if it is successful, to handle the case looking only to the Defendant or the Legal Aid Department for legal fees subject to the operation of the First Legal Charge which will be explained at the outset.

Employment Law

We  offer legal advice to employers and employees in the event of a dispute in relation to:-

• Termination of employment
• Employment contracts
• Claims for unfair or constructive dismissal
• Redundancy
• Discrimination
• Personal data privacy claims
• Restrictive covenants
• Claims for unpaid salary
• Equal opportunities claims
• Employment visas

Although legal representation is not permitted before the Labour Tribunal we can give advice on the preparation or defence of claims. In the event that a matter is transferred to the Court of First Instance we can offer full representation. The initial consultation regarding an employment dispute is for a fixed fee agreed in advance.

Immigration Law

Littlewoods can offer advice to employers and employees on the issue of employment visas by the Immigration Department. Special considerations apply depending upon the nationality, occupation and experience of the applicant and the standing of the employer.

It is often possible to obtain an employment visa in Hong Kong even though an individual has arrived as a visitor/tourist.

A typical employment or investment visa application will cost in the region of HK$25,000.

We  also provide legal advice and representation in areas such as:

• Right of Abode in Hong Kong
• Dependent or Prolonged Visitor's visas
• Change of employer
• Investment and Employment visas
• Visas for 'De Facto' or same sex spouses or partners
• Appeals against refusals to grant or extend a visa.
• Legal representation of 'overstayers' and for other immigration offences at the Immigration Department and in Court
• Applications for HKSAR passports and APEC Business Travel Cards
• Legal representation before the Registration of Persons and Immigration Tribunals

In the event that an individual or company is suspected of contravening immigration regulations we can provide effective legal representation at an early stage which can often lead to a satisfactory resolution of the situation.

We have a great deal of experience of representing individuals who have breached their conditions of stay by 'overstaying'.This service involves arranging a surrender to the Immigration Department and subsequently attending Court, if necessary, to put forward all mitigating circumstances with the aim of allowing that individual to leave Hong Kong as quickly and conveniently as possible.

Please call Brian Littlewood on 9033 5322 to discuss your situation or alternatively you may email him.

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Debt Recovery 

Our team of lawyers is experienced in  recovering debts for both local and overseas businesses or individuals. We commence such action with a demand letter which will be followed by appropriate court action if payment is not forthcoming.We can advise on the options available to enforce any judgement obtained.

We would be pleased to provide a  consultation upon request.

Divorce and Family Law

Our solicitors have a great deal of experience in the following areas of family law:

• Divorce
• Separation
• Custody of children
• Financial claims on divorce
• Pre and Post-nuptial agreements
• Cohabitants' claims
• Adoption
• Mediation of family disputes
• Applications under the Guardianship of Minors Ordinance
• Immigration issues connected with the above mentioned areas
• Paternity declarations under the Parent and Child Ordinance

We offer legal advice on all aspects of a relationship breakdown including the financial implications and arrangements for the children.A divorce will often take up to 6 months to complete and can be longer if there are disputes as to financial provision for the parties or custody arrangements for the children.  

We will offer advice on realistic goals and strategies from the outset with a view to reducing the financial and emotional cost of the divorce process.

A divorce to which both parties consent will cost in the region of HK$20,000.

Please call  Brian Littlewood on 9033 5322 to discuss your situation or you may email him.

Criminal and Regulatory Defence and White Collar Crime

We have a great deal of experience in representing individuals confronted by the authorities on suspicion of having committed criminal or regulatory offences. This experience ranges from investigations by the ICAC, SFC or Commercial Crime Bureau to investigations by the Police following road traffic incidents. We also regularly advise and represent individuals in cases investigated and prosecuted by the Immigration Department.

Our lawyers regularly appear in the District Court and the Magistrates' Courts representing individuals on the whole range of offences. Where necessary we will secure the services of the most appropriate Senior Counsel or Barrister for trials in the Court of First Instance.

We also have a great deal of experience representing individuals in the Appeal Courts, including the Court of Final Appeal, resulting in convictions being quashed or sentences being reduced.

Individuals when confronted by authority, be that the Police or another investigative agency, are advised to have a solicitor present in order that they can be sure that their legal rights are fully protected. The cost of attending and representing an individual in one of these situations will be in the region of HK$10,000.

Allied to this service, Littlewoods regularly advise individuals facing sanctions following disciplinary procedures of the various professions and of private clubs.

Please call or WhatsApp Brian Littlewood on 9033 5322  or contact him by email if  legal advice or represention is required or if you just wish to discuss your situation.

Wills and Probate Practice

Littlewoods offers a full service in this area including the drafting of wills which can also include the appointment of guardians for the care of children. We can obtain of grants of probate and letters of administration and prepare deeds of family arrangement as well as advise on intestacy.

We  have experience of resealing grants of probate obtained overseas in order that assets located in Hong Kong maybe distributed according to the wishes of the deceased.

We also can prepare and certify Enduring Powers of Attorney which enable your affairs to be administered in the event of mental incapacity.

Please email us to discuss your requirements.

Corporate Law

Littlewoods offers full corporate services at reasonable rates including the following:-

• Advice on corporate organisation
• Provision and set up of 'shelf corporations'
• Provision of registered office, nominee shareholders and directors
• Organisation of new Hong Kong companies
• Corporate secretariat for annual meetings, reports and filings
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Winding up and dissolution

The typical cost of acquiring a shelf corporation, activating it, changing its name and filing the necessary reports is HK$9,000. Alternatively a new company can be formed for the same fee.