Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Controls definition

What does Controls mean? In practice, controls are the user-facing settings (eg a cookie banner, preference centre or consent management platform) that let individuals accept, reject or later withdraw consent to cookies and similar tracking technologies. The term is descriptive rather than defined in statute, but requirements flow from PECR (UK) and the ePrivacy Regulations 2011 (Ireland), read with the UK GDPR/GDPR standard for consent and regulator guidance (ICO, DPC, EDPB). Key features: - No non-essential cookies before consent; essential cookies only for a service the user requests. - Granular choices by purpose/vendor, with “accept all” and “reject all” presented with equal prominence; no...

Doing business in Hong Kong: 2026 legal guide for UK lawyers on incorporation, tax, employment, immigration, financial markets, virtual assets, compliance, competition, data protection, IP and family offices

Published by a LexisNexis Commercial expert

Practice notes

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March 2026 Introduction

Hong Kong stands as a leading international financial centre, regularly cited among the easiest places in the world for doing business. Its clear tax regime, established legal framework, solid financial markets, open flow of information, skilled workforce and the government’s enduring capitalist laissez-faire approach have encouraged thousands of multinational companies to set up a presence in the city. By the fourth quarter of 2025, Hong Kong demonstrated resilience, with real GDP for the quarter forecast to grow by 3.8% despite global economic headwinds. Today, the People’s Republic of China (China) is the world’s second largest economy after the United States and remains one of the fastest-growing major economies. China is progressively shifting from “the world’s factory” towards a substantial consumer and financial market, supported by a more affluent population. Hong Kong’s geographic and cultural closeness to China, combined with its international business environment and world-class infrastructure, has made it the preferred gateway for overseas investors entering this vast market. China’s accession to the World Trade Organisation in 2001 and the subsequent Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) with Hong Kong...

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Felix K.H. Ng

Haldanes

Felix K.H. Ng is a partner in Haldanes Solicitors & Notaries in Hong Kong, specialising in commercial litigation, complex 'white collar' crimes and financial regulatory work. His notable experience includes:- ' Defending listed company directors in a high-profile fraud trial and instructing a leading UK Queen's Counsel on stay applications, judicial review & appeal; ' Defending a listed company chairman in the first Securities & Futures Commission (SFC) prosecution in Hong Kong on Price Rigging; ' Handling a multi-jurisdictional corporate civil claim of over HK$300 million involving Hong Kong, Mainland China, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Singapore and the United States; ' Representing a listed company chairman in Mutual Legal Assistance proceedings at the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court in the United Kingdom and in Germany concerning a corporate fraud case; ' Acting for bankers in the Lehman Brothers mini-bonds &...

Timothy Wan

Haldanes

Timothy specialises in criminal defence with a focus on commercial and regulatory investigations initiated by various law enforcement agencies, including the Independent Commission Against Corruption, Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force, the Securities & Futures Commission and the Customs and Excise Department.Timothy regularly provides legal advice in relation to criminal defence and regulatory compliance to listed companies, international conglomerates across a range of sectors, including healthcare, fast food, luxury fashion, aviation, engineering and construction, real estate, transportation, technology platforms, and cryptocurrency exchanges.Timothy has acted for local and overseas clients in all levels of courts in Hong Kong for a board range of criminal defence matters, including complex commercial crime, money laundering, bribery, fraud, traffic offences, sexual offences, violence-related offences, dangerous drugs-related offences and immigration offences. He frequently represents clients before the Magistrates’ Courts and the District Court for...

Christina Ma

Haldanes

Having joined the Criminal Defence Department at Haldanes as a paralegal in 2012, Christina completed her training at Haldanes as a trainee solicitor and became a qualified solicitor in 2019.Christina has expertise at all levels of criminal defence work and has been involved in a number of high-profile cases in Hong Kong. She has particular expertise in handling complex white-collar crimes, such as corruption, fraud, and money laundering cases as well as matters dealing with issues of restraint. She has also developed a practice in securities and regulatory matters and competition law.With her years of experience in the Criminal Defence Department, Christina has solid experiences in dealing with different authorities on behalf of her clients, including the Hong Kong Police Force, Commercial Crime Bureau, the Customs & Excise Department, the Department of Justice, the Immigration Department, the Independent Commission Against...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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