Established in 1851, Deacons is Hong Kong’s oldest and largest law firm with 300 lawyers and further offices in Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai. The firm has connections with independent law firms across the world through its membership of legal networks such as Lex Mundi, Interlex, World Services Group and Employment Law Alliance.

Focusses / specialisms

Deacons has the largest investment funds team in Hong Kong and dominates in retail funds. It covers PRC-related funds and mandatory provident funds (MPF), which are unique to Hong Kong. The firm also has strong capital markets, corporate and regulatory practices.

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include Manulife, Kerry Logistics Network, Bank of China, BNP Paribas Securities, Mirae Asset Global Investments, Janus Henderson Management and The Bank of East Asia. 

Research period review: 30th edition (2019/2020)

The firm’s capital markets team kept busy advising on Hong Kong IPOs, PRC sovereign bond issues and programme updates. 

The firm’s funds team were preoccupied advising on ETFs, ESG funds and SFC authorised funds alongside money market funds, ICITS funds and private equity strategy.  

The corporate practice acted on take-privates, disposals, investments, corporate restructuring mandates and acquisitions in logistics, technology, retail, healthcare and financial services, while the regulatory team provided compliance, corporate governance and SFC-related advice.  

In 2019 the firm brought in regulatory partner Stephen Tisdall from the Securities and Futures commission.

Deal highlights: 30th edition (2019/2020)

-Horizon Global Sustainable Equity Fund

-Huijing Holdings Company HKSE IPO

-JY Grandmark Holdings HKSE IPO

-Mirae Asset Horizons China Biotech ETF

-Manfield Chemical HK$790 million acquisition of 51% stake in Mao Hong Information Technology Holding

-Ministry of Finance of the PRC Rmb9.5 billion sovereign bond issue

-Wharf Real Estate Investment Company $300 million 2.50% bond issue

-Wheelock and Company HK$47.5 take-private  

Client feedback: 30th edition (2019/2020)

Banking

“Sharp and right to the point advice.”

Investment funds 

“Good understanding of regulations and trends, market practice.”

“Deacons are very familiar with the regulatory requirements, development and market practice. Their team of professionals are very supportive and can provide useful advice to assist us in fulfilling the necessary regulatory requirements while being able to accommodate commercial needs.”

“Timely and practical advice, client-focused, awareness of market practice and solid understanding of regulator's expectations.”

“Deacons was able to indicate the gap between the market practice and the already outdated regulatory requirements. Deacons was very practical and has strong knowledge in operation of the fund industry.”

“Responsive, multidisciplinary, well connected to the regulator and on top of recent regulatory changes.”

“The firm knows our business well and their advice is based on this intimate knowledge of what we need and what works and what does not work for us.”