What Is Civil Litigation?

Civil litigation refers to court proceedings between parties to resolve disputes over money, contract performance, or specific performance obligations. These actions may be brought by individuals, companies, or institutions seeking justice or to enforce their rights through the courts.

Our lawyers appear in the High Court, District Court, Lands Tribunal, and Arbitration Panels, handling cases from trial to appeal, ensuring our clients receive the best possible legal support.

Common Civil Litigation Cases

• Debt recovery and unpaid invoices.
• Claims for damages and financial loss.
• Recovery of land or property possession.
• Intellectual property infringement disputes.
• Judicial review against public body decisions.
• Commercial and contractual disputes, including sales, transport, insurance, and franchise conflicts.
• Shareholder and investment disputes, business fraud, and internal company management issues.
• Cross-border joint venture and contractual breach cases.
• Property disputes: rent arrears, title conflicts, breach of sale agreements.
• Adverse possession and land ownership declaration cases.

Our Civil Litigation Services

• Representing clients in filing or defending civil claims, including litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
• Providing legal consultation, strategy formulation, and risk assessment.
• Drafting pleadings, statements of claim, defences, affidavits, and witness statements.
• Advocating in court and working with senior barristers for complex trials.
• Assisting in debt recovery, breach of contract, and business dispute cases.
• Providing legal advice for judicial review challenges against government decisions.
• Handling real estate disputes, lease issues, and possession proceedings.
• Offering arbitration and mediation solutions for early settlement and cost efficiency.

Case Highlights & Experience

• Recovery in commercial debt for corporate clients.
• Representing shareholders in internal management disputes, securing protection of equity rights.
• Handled intellectual property infringement claims .
• Unfair disciplinary decisions in judicial review cases against public authorities.
• Recovered leased properties for landlords in tenancy breach cases.
• Represented in adverse possession disputes, confirming ownership rights.

Our civil litigation team is well-versed in procedural law and negotiation tactics, achieving timely resolutions while minimizing client costs and maximizing results.

Litigation Timeframe & Process Overview

The duration of civil litigation depends on complexity — standard cases take several months to a year, while complex cases may last years. Many disputes are resolved through mediation or settlement before trial.

• Initial consultation and case assessment → Legal opinion and strategic planning
• Issuing a Letter of Demand or filing a Writ of Summons
• Exchange of documents and discovery process
• Trial or arbitration hearing
• Judgment enforcement and appeal proceedings (if necessary)

Legal Fees & Transparency

Our civil litigation fees are based on case complexity, lawyer seniority, and time commitment. We adhere to full transparency by establishing clear written fee agreements before engagement.

• Typical hourly rate: HK$2,000 – HK$5,000
• Standard civil litigation cases: from HK$100,000 upwards, complex cases may reach several hundred thousand.
• Consultations, legal opinions, and drafting fees charged on a time basis.
• All costs are clearly itemized in advance to ensure transparency and fairness.

In compliance with the Solicitors’ Professional Conduct Rules, a written fee agreement must be signed before case commencement to ensure transparency and client protection.