Hugill & Ip is recognised for its work in dispute resolution and the firm has a distinct focus on employment and private client litigation. The firm is also increasingly involved in general commercial disputes. Key names in the dispute resolution team include partners Alfred Ip and Adam Hugill, who led most of the cases worked on during the research period.
One commercial dispute saw the firm acting for Hong Kong hedge fund BFAM Partners to obtain an injunction against its former chief technology officer to restrict his ability to work for a key competitor for the duration of his non-competition covenant. This is a rare example of the High Court upholding and enforcing a non-competition restriction. In another case, the firm is acting for a Hong Kong-based hedge fund in defending claims brought by the former head of compliance for deferred compensation and discretionary bonuses.
In labour and employment, the firm represented AEON Credit Services in defending claims initiated by a former senior executive for disability discrimination. Another employment dispute has the firm acting for Charles Taylor and nine individuals in connection with ongoing claims by their former employer, McLarens, for breach of contract, fiduciary duties, procurement to breach and unlawful conspiracy arising from the transfer of their employment in 2019.
The firm lost partner Carmen Tang to Chak & Co in July 2022.
Some of the firm’s recent clients are Cornwall Agency and Eternal Wealth Holdings.
“Hugill & Ip provides expert advice to clients in labour and employment law. They have a significant amount of experience in anti-discrimination law in an employment context and have assisted employees as well as employers in disputes concerning sexual harassment, sex/family status discrimination, race discrimination and disability discrimination. They have assisted their clients throughout the litigation process with involvement in drafting the pleadings at the outset all the way to trial and appeals (where necessary).” – Labour and employment
“They provide a professional, efficient and reliable service. They get straight to the point and do not waste client money. Their advice is clear and strategic. They are excellent at solving seemingly intractable problems.” – Private client
“It is a great team overall, with impressive knowledge of the practice areas they focus on and amazing client service, efficient turnaround time and really good value for money.” – Private client
“Adam is very good at providing practical solutions to clients, as he is very innovative in his thinking. He has extensive knowledge in employment matters.”
“Alfred is stellar in every way. His advice and delivery are tailored to the client. He is knowledgeable, experienced, insightful and reassuring in conference. He is not afraid to take on difficult opponents or complex cases. He is always the one you want if you are going into a fight.”
“He is a great listener and he takes a very innovative approach, providing valuable and practical solutions in his core practice areas.”
“He has good communication skills.”
“Alfred Ip is very creative. We have benefited from his responsive attitude throughout our retainer with him. He achieved our mandate phenomenally and I have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone with a similar issue. He has a stellar reputation in trust and estate, and this reputation is well deserved. He is one of the smartest lawyers I have ever met, and he has turned things around since he was on board. I would call him ‘Prince of Trust’, not only because of his practice area but also because he has my trust!”