"The Hong Kong White Book is the standard point of reference for the rules of civil procedure in this jurisdiction and, as such, an indispensable tool for the well-prepared litigator." — The Hon. Mr Justice Joseph Fok P.J. (Editor-in-Chief)

"Using the White Book could easily save firms HK$20,000 a day." — Martin Rogers (General Editor)

What is the White Book?

Hong Kong Civil Procedure 2027 (The White Book) is the definitive reference manual on the rules of civil procedure and practice in Hong Kong. Endorsed by the Hong Kong Judiciary and relied upon daily by judges and practitioners, it is the standard point of reference for court litigation, arbitration, and mediation in Hong Kong.

What does The White Book cover?

The 2027 edition is published in five volumes:

1. Volume 1 — Commentary to each Order of the Rules of the High Court
2. Volume 2 — Commentary to specialist Ordinances on legal practice
3. Volume 3 — Detailed commentary on the Arbitration Ordinance, Mediation Ordinance, and selected Practice Directions
4. Volume 4 — Court Forms and Practice Directions
5. Volume 5 — Index

All commentary in Volumes 1–3 has been carefully reviewed and annotated by a pool of over 100 expert contributing editors, including leading barristers and solicitors.

Why do litigators rely on The White Book?

The White Book provides authoritative, court-endorsed procedural guidance across the full scope of Hong Kong civil litigation. Its reliable layout, comprehensive case law, and expert annotations allow practitioners to locate reliable guidance quickly, accurately, and confidently. With over 100 specialist contributors, it is the most comprehensively annotated civil procedure resource available in Hong Kong.

Who should use The White Book?

The White Book is an essential reference for Hong Kong litigators, solicitors, barristers, in-house counsel, and judges handling High Court civil proceedings, arbitration, or mediation matters.

Employment Law & Practice in Hong Kong is a comprehensive, current, and convenient employment law resource. The Third Edition captures the considerable developments in this area of law in the nine years since the previous edition, updated by a mostly new team of contributors comprising experienced barristers and solicitors.

• Recent enhancements to maternity and paternity rights and pay, including extended statutory leave and improved employee benefits.
• Expanded discrimination protections, with amendments to the Sex Discrimination, Disability Discrimination, Family Status Discrimination, and Race Discrimination Ordinances�now covering breastfeeding, protections against harassment in the workplace where there is no employment relationship, discrimination, and harassment on grounds of "imputation" and "association".
• Developments in implied terms within employment contracts, reflecting the latest judicial interpretations and practical applications.
• Chapter updated to address new and revised visa schemes, such as the Top Talent Pass Scheme and changes to professional admission routes, impacting recruitment and compliance for non-local employees.
• Judicial guidance on the enforceability of penalty and liquidated damages clauses in employment contracts, clarifying standards of reasonableness and proportionality.
• Updates on major case law concerning post-termination covenants, including duties of confidentiality and restrictions on competition, solicitation, dealing, and poaching.
• New guidance on employer compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO), detailing obligations for handling employee data, consent, retention, and employee rights.

Conversations with the Conscience: Dialogues on Law, Life and Dissent is a written dialogue between Dr Charles Ho Wang Mak and The Honourable Mr Justice Kemal Bokhary GBM JP. The book captures Justice Bokhary's voice in a form that his judgments cannot: a candid conversation moving between personal experience and legal philosophy. It is accessible to the general reader while remaining substantive for practitioners and students.

Conversations with the Conscience covers four themes:

Who should read Conversations with the Conscience?
• Practitioners and barristers seeking a candid engagement with judicial philosophy and the act of dissent
• Law students and academics interested in the principles underlying Hong Kong's common law tradition
• General readers drawn to legal memoir, judicial biography, and the rule of law in Hong Kong

A Guide to Wills and Probate Practice in Hong Kong, Second Edition sets out the essentials of non-contentious probate practice in Hong Kong. The book explains the substantive law on wills, alongside practical guidance on will drafting and the probate process.

The Second Edition has been expanded to include a brand-new chapter on Wills and Probate Practice in Mainland China, written by Dr Dennis Tang, who is qualified in both jurisdictions.

Why should readers rely on A Guide to Wills and Probate Practice in Hong Kong?

This practical handbook is written for both practitioners and law students. It includes a selection of useful precedents, Practice Directions, and commonly used forms from the Home Affairs Department and the Probate Registry. This book also tracks recent Hong Kong and UK case law which are directly relevant to probate matters.

What is new in the Second Edition?

A Guide to Wills and Probate Practice in Hong Konghas been substantially enhanced to reflect developments in law and practice, including:

• Expanded coverage of estate and wealth-planning tools, including trusts, letters of wishes, living wills, and powers of attorney.
• Up-to-date case law, with key UK and Hong Kong decisions, such as:
  • the UK Supreme Court's decision in Ilott v Mitson [2017] and
  • LKYI v GJS (Personal representative of KO, deceased) (Financial provision claimed by de facto wife) [2024], addressing maintenance claims by a de facto wife under the Inheritance (Provision for Family Dependants Ordinance).
• Consideration of the "Golden Rule", as applied in Chiu Mei Cherry v Yip Ngan Yok & Anor [2024].
• Recognition of overseas same-sex marriages for inheritance purposes, following the Court of Final Appeal's decision in Li Yik Ho v Secretary of Justice [2024].
• Reference to UK Law Commission recommendations on "Modernising Wills Law". Given that Hong Kong's Wills Ordinance closely mirrors the UK's Wills Act 1837 (as amended by the Administration of Justice Act 1925), the book draws on relevant UK Law Commission proposals that may inform future reforms to wills legislation in Hong Kong, such as:
  • the abolition of revocation by marriage to prevent exploitation through "predatory marriages"
  • future-proofing wills law by enabling "electronic wills."
• Coverage of Mainland China-related and cross-border probate practice and procedure, including practical guidance for cases with cross-jurisdictional elements.

Who should use A Guide to Wills and Probate Practice in Hong Kong?

Solicitors handling non-contentious probate and estate planning, barristers advising on succession and family provision claims, and law students studying wills and probate law in Hong Kong. Practitioners handling cross-border estates involving mainland China will find Chapter 10 a valuable point of reference.

Volume 13 is now available for annual print subscription, inclusive of two issues.

JICL, which began publication in June 2014, welcomes contributions on contemporary issues of law not only in the areas of international law and comparative law, but also national and regional legal developments which will be of interest to a much wider audience. It welcomes interdisciplinary contributions especially those that tangibly link such disciplines as social sciences, economics, international politics, media studies and other fields of research and academic debate that may be more empirically based but of major significance in influencing the focus and reform of law in its national and global contexts.

Full length articles provide an opportunity for in-depth analysis of legal issues which may be approached, inter alia, from an historical, social, economic or contextual perspective. Shorter contributions enable our authors to critically comment, relatively quickly, on recent legal developments. JICL will also publish book review articles giving the reviewer an opportunity to share their own thoughts on the subject matter of the reviewed book.

Currently we are receiving submissions for publication in 2027 ~ 2028. Submissions may be sent to Professor Le Cheng at chengle163@hotmail.com to whom any inquiries may also be directed. Please refer to www.jicl.org.uk for further details.

Volume 56 is now available for annual print subscription at HKD 3,727, inclusive of all three issues published throughout the year.

Hong Kong Law Journal publishes authoritative scholarly articles on all dimensions of law that are of comparative or international significance. Founded in 1971, it is a peer-reviewed general academic law journal, published in association with the Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong, that is open to a wide variety of methodological traditions and submissions from all over the world.

Hong Kong Law Journal is indexed by the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Current Contents/Social & Behavioral Sciences, and the Index to Legal Periodicals.

"Imbued through and through with engagement, balance and sensitivity." — The Right Honourable the Lord Mance, Former Deputy President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom

What is Crocodylus Curiae?

Crocodylus Curiae is the eighth cartoon law book by Justice Kemal Bokhary, retired Non-Permanent Judge of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal. Solely written and drawn by the esteemed Judge, this book continues the beloved series in which Crocky and a cast of characters examine the principles of the common law, the rule of law, and questions of legal philosophy. The book is imbued with wit and a conviction that the general public are the ultimate guardians of the rule of law.

What does Crocodylus Curiae cover?

The book spans a wide range of legal and philosophical topics presented in Justice Bokhary's characteristic cartoon format, each accompanied by a verdict from Crocky or the author himself. Topics include democracy, human rights, judicial independence, and the enduring ideals of the common law tradition.

Who should read Crocodylus Curiae?

Lawyers, law students, judges, and members of the general public who want to engage with legal ideas through humour and illustration. The series has long been recommended as an accessible entry point to common law principles for readers of all ages.

Since the Construction Industry Security of Payment Ordinance (Cap. 652) came into operation on 28 August 2025, Construction Industry Security of Payment Ordinance in Hong Kong is one of the first books providing readers with a comprehensive and practical guide to construction adjudication as a preferred mechanism for swift and cost-effective dispute resolution in Hong Kong. This book contains ten chapters and provides commentary that will help readers to understand the entire statutory framework including the scope and exclusions of the Ordinance, payment requirements, appointment of adjudicators, initiation and conduct of proceedings, making of determination, appeal and enforcement of determination.

Drawing on the legal references from the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Canada, this book equips professionals with the knowledge to manage payment regime, payment claims, prepare submissions, case management and understand the adjudicator's roles and powers. Whether you are a contractor, consultant, expert or legal advisor, this resource is a definitive reference for anyone involved in construction contracts and dispute resolution, and offers industry best practices on procedures and timelines to ensure compliance and strategic advantage.

Key highlights of this edition:

• A useful guide and commentary of the Construction Industry Security of Payment Ordinance (Cap. 652) from initiation of adjudication proceedings to enforcement of adjudicator determination.
• Covers legislative and adjudication case law in the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Canada.
• An essential reference for industry professionals and adjudication users with practical examples and illustrations on the proceedings and submission drafting.
• Explains the proposed rules, practice notes and guidelines of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction Adjudicators.

The Bills of Exchange Ordinance (Cap.19) regulates bills, cheques, promissory notes and e-cheques, which underpin many commercial payment systems. However, the Ordinance’s technical language can be challenging for readers.

This text addresses that difficulty through a structured, practice-focused explanation. Drawing on charts, tables and a dedicated flowchart, the author analyses each provision of the Ordinance, explains how the relevant instruments operate in practice, and identifies points of practical and legal significance. The second edition incorporates updated case law and includes a sample e-cheque.

Given the cross-border character of many financial transactions, issues of jurisdiction and choice of law may also arise. The book offers guidance on determining the applicable law where conflicts occur.

The book is intended for examination candidates, bankers, legal practitioners and students of commercial law who require a clear, reliable reference on the Ordinance and its practical application.

Hong Kong’s government continues to pursue institutional and legislative programs designed to position the city as a leading proponent and user of digital infrastructure, as reflected in updates of the Electronic Transactions Ordinance (Cap. 553). This includes both acknowledging digital and electronic methods adopted by the private sector as well as giving the same legal status to electronic filings as paper submissions for many government services. Although some government departments still maintain certain “wet signature” requirements, the most recent ETO amendments support covering a broader scope of transactions, deeper integration with government e-services, and future proofing for new tech. This updated volume includes those amendments which remove many paper-only exclusions and provide for certification of trusted digital identity services (such as the government’s own iAM Smart digital ID with biometric login) and the Code of Practice for Recognized Certification Authorities which sets out its recognition and oversight regime.

Criminal Procedure in Hong Kong, Third Edition is a comprehensive guide on the many and varied aspects of criminal procedure and the criminal justice system in Hong Kong.

Combining essential laws, cases and case scenarios, and Practice Directions, this title is a handy volume for criminal practitioners to bring to court. It also covers essential details of the general aspects of a criminal trial, including powers of law enforcement agencies, criminal investigations, roles of the key players and the relevant statutory and common law powers founding the entire criminal justice system in Hong Kong.

Highlights of the third edition:

• • “A consolidated, clear and practical account of recent legislative developments arising from the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, providing a structured overview of the principal updates affecting cases endangering national security. These developments are addressed where the relevant instruments confer specific powers or modify or replace existing powers, thereby furnishing readers with a ready reference to the current legal framework in this area.” – the Honourable Mr. Justice Kevin Zervos, JA.
• • Updates as a result of passage of legislations including Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (Instrument A305), Safeguarding National Security (Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Regulation (Instrument A305A), Safeguarding National Security (Declaration of Prohibited Places) Order (Instrument A305B), Courts (Remote Hearing) Ordinance (Cap. 654).
• • Dedicated sections in each chapter relating to cases endangering national security.
• • New sections relating to changes to Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Cap. 221) Part IV Appeals, Prison Rules (Cap. 234A), Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200) Part XIIAA.
• • References to the latest judgments including HKSAR v Huang Ruifang [2025] HKCFA 15, HKSAR v Lam Cheuk Ting (2025) 28 HKCFAR 209, HKSAR v Ho Chi Ho & Ors [2025] HKCA 769, HKSAR v Hui Shuk Yee Cherry [2025] 4 HKLRD 376, Ma Chun Man v Commissioner of Correctional Services [2025] 3 HKLRD 832, HKSAR v Li Wang-pong, Franklin [2025] HKCFI 5486.

The Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance (Cap. 650) came into effect on 20 January 2026. It requires 25 categories of specified professionals from the social welfare, education, and healthcare sectors to report suspected cases of serious child abuse. Failure to comply may result in criminal prosecution. The commencement of this Ordinance marks an important milestone in Hong Kong’s child protection legal framework.

Pending further development of this area of law through judicial decisions and evolving professional practices, this Annotated Legislation seeks to assist readers in gaining a better understanding of the Ordinance’s provisions and their practical implications.

Maritime Law and Practice in Hong Kong, Third Edition is the definitive practitioner text on maritime law and practice in Hong Kong. Written by a team of leading maritime law practitioners and academics, the text provides comprehensive coverage of all aspects of maritime law. The book has an accessible style and clear illustrations of the latest cases from major maritime jurisdictions, international conventions, and references to the latest local issues.

What's new in this edition:

1. For ship registration, legal conditions set forth for ship registration in Hong Kong and legal rules for provisional, ownership, demise, mortgage, and other types of ship registration in Hong Kong;
2. For bareboat charter, notable amendments made in the standard contract "Barecon 2017", compared with its predecessors "Barecon 89" and "Barecon 2001";
3. For the Convention of Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976 pertaining to wreck removal expenses, the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal decision in The Star Centurion and The Antea and the Federal Court of Australia Court of Appeal in The Goliath about the Convention of Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976 pertaining to wreck removal expenses;
4. The Marine Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) Ordinance (Cap.649) about drink and drugs boating in Hong Kong; and
5. For maritime arbitration, case statistics for key maritime arbitration centers from 2010 to 2024 including not publicly available statistics, and the divergences in approach about the governing law of arbitration agreement between Hong Kong and England and Wales under case law and statute.
6. The Star Antares [2024] 1 Lloyd's Rep 342 as to the interpretation of general average "according to York Antwerp Rules (“YAR”) 1994, or any subsequent modification thereof” under Clause 3 of the Congenbill 1994 and whether the same would incorporate the YAR 2016.
7. A complete rewritten Chapter 4 Bill of Lading with Hong Kong focus by seasoned practitioners.

Civil Litigation in Hong Kong, Seventh Edition is an unparalleled practical guide to civil procedure in Hong Kong. Its commentary, checklists and sample documents are a valuable source of knowledge for law students, trainee solicitors and practitioners who conduct civil litigation.

This manual will help guide readers through the entire litigation process from the initial instructions from the client through to trial, appeals and the enforcement of judgments. First published in 1993, the seventh edition continues to give practical assistance on how to deal with a matter that is or is likely to become litigious. The content has been brought completely up-to-date on the latest changes to dispute resolution. Its checklists, diagrams, and sample documents are a valuable source of knowledge to any student who aims to learn more about civil litigation.