2025-08-19
Haiwen Edward Liu Authors Hong Kong Lawyer Feature on Hong Kong Law’s Legal Resilience Amid Global Fragmentation
海问律师事务所欣然宣布，香港办公室合伙人刘洋律师撰写的专题文章《经得起时代考验：香港法律作为碎片化世界中的韧性典范》已刊登于2025年8月的《香港律师》杂志。文章深入探讨了香港法律如何通过契约自由、司法清晰性及强有力的执行机制，帮助企业应对规管分歧、地缘政治动荡及复杂的跨境争议。
Haiwen & Partners LLP is pleased to announce that Edward Liu, Partner, has authored a feature article, “Battle-Tested: Hong Kong Law as a Model of Legal Resilience in a Fragmented World,” published in the August 2025 issue of Hong Kong Lawyer. The article examines how Hong Kong law equips businesses to navigate regulatory divergence, geopolitical volatility and complex cross border disputes by combining contractual freedom, judicial clarity and robust enforcement mechanisms.
刘洋律师在文中指出，在当前分化的贸易环境中（如2025年4月美国出台的全面性关税措施），合同需要成为一种动态工具，用以分配风险、保障商业连续性并应对突发性中断。他结合丰富的跨境业务实践经验，深入阐明了香港普通法框架如何支持合同条款的精准起草，以及不可抗力、重大不利变化和法律变更条款在商业化语境中的严格适用。同时，他强调了对寻求救济一方设定适当证据要求的重要性，以确保条款的实际执行力和法律效用。
In the piece, Mr Liu explains that in today’s fragmented trading environment, exemplified by measures such as the sweeping U.S. tariffs introduced in April 2025, contracts must function as dynamic instruments for allocating risk, preserving continuity and responding to disruption. Drawing on practical cross border experience, he outlines how Hong Kong’s common law framework supports precise drafting and strict, commercially realistic application of force majeure, material adverse change and change of law provisions, while placing appropriate evidentiary discipline on parties seeking relief.
谈及此次文章发表，刘洋律师表示：“在如今充满不确定性的时代，法律韧性已成为战略必需。香港法律对当事人意思自治的尊重、可预测且严谨的判例法，以及与中国内地独特的执行联动机制，使企业能够主动管理波动风险，而非被动应对。从精心设计的风险分配条款，到具备紧急救济及可执行性的世界级仲裁，香港为跨境商业提供了值得信赖的平台。”
Commenting on the publication, Edward Liu said: “Legal resilience is now a strategic imperative. Hong Kong law’s respect for party autonomy, its predictable and rigorous jurisprudence, and its unique enforcement linkages with Mainland of China enable businesses to manage volatility rather than be managed by it. From the careful construction of risk allocation clauses to world class arbitration backed by emergency relief and enforceability, Hong Kong offers a trusted platform for cross border commerce.”
文章特别强调，香港法院在合同中明确约定的情况下尊重当事人的协议，严格解读风险分配条款，并要求当事人遵守通知、因果关系及减损义务。文章提到普通法中的“合同受阻”原则门槛较高，且在未明确约定的情况下不采纳一般的“困难理论”，这进一步凸显了主动起草合同条款及同时保留相关证据记录的重要性。此外，文章还探讨了在证明监管事件(如关税或制裁)与履约中断之间存在因果关系时，所需满足的证据标准，以及香港相关法定框架的作用，包括《免责条款管制条例》和《服务提供(默示条款)条例》。
The article highlights that Hong Kong courts uphold contractual bargains where thresholds are clearly met, interpreting risk allocation clauses narrowly and requiring compliance with notice, causation and mitigation obligations. It notes the high bar for common law frustration and the absence of a general hardship doctrine absent express terms, reinforcing the importance of proactive drafting and contemporaneous documentation. Mr Liu also addresses the evidentiary burden in establishing causal links between regulatory events, such as tariffs or sanctions, and performance disruption, and the relevance of Hong Kong’s statutory framework, including the Control of Exemption Clauses Ordinance and the Supply of Services (Implied Terms) Ordinance.
关于争议解决，文章深入分析了香港在《仲裁条例》(第609章)框架下的仲裁基础设施。该条例采用《联合国国际贸易法委员会仲裁示范法》，强调当事人自治并尽量减少法院干预。文章还讨论了近期关于管辖权与可受理性挑战的判例、紧急和临时措施的可用性及其法院强制执行力，以及香港与中国内地之间无与伦比的仲裁裁决互认与执行机制。对于诉讼，香港法院公正可信的司法体系及与内地关于民商事判决的相互认可与执行安排进一步增强了跨境执行力。
On dispute resolution, the article underscores Hong Kong’s arbitration infrastructure under the Arbitration Ordinance (Cap. 609), which incorporates the UNCITRAL Model Law and emphasises party autonomy and minimal court intervention. It discusses recent jurisprudence clarifying jurisdiction versus admissibility challenges, the availability and court enforceability of emergency and interim measures, and Hong Kong’s unparalleled enforcement linkages with Mainland of China, including mutual enforcement of arbitral awards and access to interim relief in support of Hong Kong seated arbitrations. In litigation, Hong Kong’s trusted judiciary and reciprocal arrangements for recognition and enforcement of civil and commercial judgments with the Mainland further enhance cross border enforceability.
针对在快速政策变化中运营的跨境企业，刘洋律师的分析提出了切实可行的建议：在合同起草阶段精准分配风险；保留支持救济所需的证据记录；并选择能够提供速度、确定性及跨境可执行性的法律和争议解决机制。他总结道，香港法律仍然是具备韧性的法律典范，能够支持企业在全球分化的环境中实现长期商业成功。
For companies operating across supply chains and markets subject to rapid policy change, Mr Liu’s analysis sets out practical takeaways: allocate risk with precision at the front end; maintain the evidentiary record needed to support relief; and choose governing law and forums that deliver speed, certainty and enforceability across borders. Hong Kong law, he concludes, remains a model of legal resilience capable of supporting long term commercial success in a fragmented world.
You can read the online version of the article by following the link. To request a copy of the full published article, please contact Mr. Edward Liu via edwardliu@haiwen-law.com.
Haiwen Edward Liu Authors Hong Kong Lawyer Feature on Hong Kong Law’s Legal Resilience Amid Global Fragmentation
海问律师事务所欣然宣布，香港办公室合伙人刘洋律师撰写的专题文章《经得起时代考验：香港法律作为碎片化世界中的韧性典范》已刊登于2025年8月的《香港律师》杂志。文章深入探讨了香港法律如何通过契约自由、司法清晰性及强有力的执行机制，帮助企业应对规管分歧、地缘政治动荡及复杂的跨境争议。
Haiwen & Partners LLP is pleased to announce that Edward Liu, Partner, has authored a feature article, “Battle-Tested: Hong Kong Law as a Model of Legal Resilience in a Fragmented World,” published in the August 2025 issue of Hong Kong Lawyer. The article examines how Hong Kong law equips businesses to navigate regulatory divergence, geopolitical volatility and complex cross border disputes by combining contractual freedom, judicial clarity and robust enforcement mechanisms.
刘洋律师在文中指出，在当前分化的贸易环境中（如2025年4月美国出台的全面性关税措施），合同需要成为一种动态工具，用以分配风险、保障商业连续性并应对突发性中断。他结合丰富的跨境业务实践经验，深入阐明了香港普通法框架如何支持合同条款的精准起草，以及不可抗力、重大不利变化和法律变更条款在商业化语境中的严格适用。同时，他强调了对寻求救济一方设定适当证据要求的重要性，以确保条款的实际执行力和法律效用。
In the piece, Mr Liu explains that in today’s fragmented trading environment, exemplified by measures such as the sweeping U.S. tariffs introduced in April 2025, contracts must function as dynamic instruments for allocating risk, preserving continuity and responding to disruption. Drawing on practical cross border experience, he outlines how Hong Kong’s common law framework supports precise drafting and strict, commercially realistic application of force majeure, material adverse change and change of law provisions, while placing appropriate evidentiary discipline on parties seeking relief.
谈及此次文章发表，刘洋律师表示：“在如今充满不确定性的时代，法律韧性已成为战略必需。香港法律对当事人意思自治的尊重、可预测且严谨的判例法，以及与中国内地独特的执行联动机制，使企业能够主动管理波动风险，而非被动应对。从精心设计的风险分配条款，到具备紧急救济及可执行性的世界级仲裁，香港为跨境商业提供了值得信赖的平台。”
Commenting on the publication, Edward Liu said: “Legal resilience is now a strategic imperative. Hong Kong law’s respect for party autonomy, its predictable and rigorous jurisprudence, and its unique enforcement linkages with Mainland of China enable businesses to manage volatility rather than be managed by it. From the careful construction of risk allocation clauses to world class arbitration backed by emergency relief and enforceability, Hong Kong offers a trusted platform for cross border commerce.”
文章特别强调，香港法院在合同中明确约定的情况下尊重当事人的协议，严格解读风险分配条款，并要求当事人遵守通知、因果关系及减损义务。文章提到普通法中的“合同受阻”原则门槛较高，且在未明确约定的情况下不采纳一般的“困难理论”，这进一步凸显了主动起草合同条款及同时保留相关证据记录的重要性。此外，文章还探讨了在证明监管事件(如关税或制裁)与履约中断之间存在因果关系时，所需满足的证据标准，以及香港相关法定框架的作用，包括《免责条款管制条例》和《服务提供(默示条款)条例》。
The article highlights that Hong Kong courts uphold contractual bargains where thresholds are clearly met, interpreting risk allocation clauses narrowly and requiring compliance with notice, causation and mitigation obligations. It notes the high bar for common law frustration and the absence of a general hardship doctrine absent express terms, reinforcing the importance of proactive drafting and contemporaneous documentation. Mr Liu also addresses the evidentiary burden in establishing causal links between regulatory events, such as tariffs or sanctions, and performance disruption, and the relevance of Hong Kong’s statutory framework, including the Control of Exemption Clauses Ordinance and the Supply of Services (Implied Terms) Ordinance.
关于争议解决，文章深入分析了香港在《仲裁条例》(第609章)框架下的仲裁基础设施。该条例采用《联合国国际贸易法委员会仲裁示范法》，强调当事人自治并尽量减少法院干预。文章还讨论了近期关于管辖权与可受理性挑战的判例、紧急和临时措施的可用性及其法院强制执行力，以及香港与中国内地之间无与伦比的仲裁裁决互认与执行机制。对于诉讼，香港法院公正可信的司法体系及与内地关于民商事判决的相互认可与执行安排进一步增强了跨境执行力。
On dispute resolution, the article underscores Hong Kong’s arbitration infrastructure under the Arbitration Ordinance (Cap. 609), which incorporates the UNCITRAL Model Law and emphasises party autonomy and minimal court intervention. It discusses recent jurisprudence clarifying jurisdiction versus admissibility challenges, the availability and court enforceability of emergency and interim measures, and Hong Kong’s unparalleled enforcement linkages with Mainland of China, including mutual enforcement of arbitral awards and access to interim relief in support of Hong Kong seated arbitrations. In litigation, Hong Kong’s trusted judiciary and reciprocal arrangements for recognition and enforcement of civil and commercial judgments with the Mainland further enhance cross border enforceability.
针对在快速政策变化中运营的跨境企业，刘洋律师的分析提出了切实可行的建议：在合同起草阶段精准分配风险；保留支持救济所需的证据记录；并选择能够提供速度、确定性及跨境可执行性的法律和争议解决机制。他总结道，香港法律仍然是具备韧性的法律典范，能够支持企业在全球分化的环境中实现长期商业成功。
For companies operating across supply chains and markets subject to rapid policy change, Mr Liu’s analysis sets out practical takeaways: allocate risk with precision at the front end; maintain the evidentiary record needed to support relief; and choose governing law and forums that deliver speed, certainty and enforceability across borders. Hong Kong law, he concludes, remains a model of legal resilience capable of supporting long term commercial success in a fragmented world.
You can read the online version of the article by following the link. To request a copy of the full published article, please contact Mr. Edward Liu via edwardliu@haiwen-law.com.
京ICP备05019364号-1 
京公网安备110105011258