Haldanes Law Matters

In our final episode of the conversation, Jonathan Midgley and José-Antonio Maurellet SC look toward the horizon. From the influx of international talent to the rise of Artificial Intelligence, they discuss what the future holds for the next generation of practitioners. Jose remains optimistic, describing law not just as a job, but as a "calling" to help people at their most vulnerable moments. Th...

In the latest episode of our "Haldanes Law Matters" podcast series, the conversation between  Jonathan Midgley and  José-Antonio Maurellet SC turns towards the structural foundations of Hong Kong’s legal system, where they discuss the often-debated concept of an "executive-led" government and its relationship with the judiciary. Jose highlights Article 85 of the Basic Law, which guarantees that co...

In the latest episode of our "Haldanes Law Matters" podcast series, our Partner  Jonathan Midgley sits down with  José-Antonio Maurellet SC , Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association. They kick off the conversation by "demystifying" one of the most misunderstood areas of our legal system: Judicial Review . Jose provides a clear, layman’s guide to how citizens and companies can challenge the legal...

Geoffrey Ma Tao-li GBM KC SC, former Chief Justice of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, has joined our Jonathan Midgley in episode 28 of the Haldane's Law Matters series, reflecting on decades of legal experience navigating some of Hong Kong’s most pivotal moments.    From Geoffrey’s early days contemplating a career in history to his distinguished tenure as Chief Justice during turbulent times...

In episode 27 of Haldane's Law Matters, Jonathan Midgley speaks to Aaron Pang, founder of the Purpose Club. This episode intriguingly touches on the stress that everyday life so often involves.   Undoubtedly, part of the challenge of a modern legal office is managing the expectations and the inevitable tension that the client and the solicitor will experience in navigating the client’s case.

In Episode 26 of Law Matters, Jonathan Midgley speaks with Allan Zeman, the "father of Lan Kwai Fong". This Episode touches on our guest’s views regarding Hong Kong's dynamic landscape and its promising future through adaptability and innovation. His thoughts on personal growth, entrepreneurial spirit, and societal changes offer valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahea...

Join Jonathan Midgley and Mahesh Harilela for part two of their ongoing conversation on “Haldanes Law Matters,” diving deeper into Hong Kong’s ongoing evolution and future direction.   With decades of combined experience across law, hospitality, technology, and civic leadership, Jonathan and Mahesh shift the discussion from tradition to transformation, with a special look at how Hong Kong can stay...

Join Jonathan Midgley and his guest Mahesh Harilela on the latest episode of “Haldanes Law Matters” for a candid exploration of what keeps Hong Kong dynamic and unique, especially amid changing economic and political landscapes. Mahesh, a senior figure in one of the city’s best-known business families and a lifelong Hongkonger, shares his perspective on everything from Hong Kong’s journey - coloni...

After discussing everything from geopolitics, to education, via US-China relations, and explaining why you should think horizontally and diagonally, not just vertically, Jonathan Midgley and his guest Dr. Brian Wong turn their attention to law, Hong Kong and personal integrity on the latest episode of “Haldanes Law Matters.”   The two examine the significance of common law to Hong Kong and the sur...

Join Jonathan Midgley and his guest Dr. Brian Wong on the latest episode of “Haldanes Law Matters” as they explore why geopolitics is really a craft, why it pays to think horizontally and diagonally, not just vertically, and why a feature TIME interview with President Trump could make your toes curl. They also tackle the next decade of US-China rivalry and ask if Hong Kong is underselling itself a...

Can you remember why a lot of people freaked out in Hong Kong in 2012?   Or in 2019?   What was behind it all?   Why did China react the way it did?   And what does the year 2047 actually mean? If anything.  In Part One of a groundbreaking interview for Haldanes Law Matters , Jonathan Midgley spoke with Bernard Chan, politician, businessman, and civic leader, on a range of important issues related...

In the latest episode of Haldanes Law Matters, discover the complexities of leadership in one of the world's most dynamic cities. Is being Hong Kong’s chief executive perhaps “the worst job you can imagine” in today’s rapidly changing climate? How do figures like Trump, DOGE, and the Hong Kong civil service shape the landscape of governance? What are the hurdles of balancing stakeholder interests,...

Chicken On The Run;  “Mister Softee” is dead; something new at McDonald’s in Admiralty Centre and when is a bar not a bar, the ICAC; the police and the Hong Kong countryside.   Confused?   Then you need to listen to the latest episode of Haldanes Law Matters as Jonathan Midgley interviews, Adrian Halkes, police inspector, solicitor, barrister, law firm owner, social commentator, “king of the Hong...

In this episode of Haldanes Law Matters, Jonathan Midgley talks with Thomas Elliott, executive producer and creative director Casual Films HK, who specializes in visual content storytelling for clients Coca-Cola, Disney, and Rolls Royce and more.   There is a discussion around the impact of social media and the impact of President Trump and Elon Musk on social media.   The discussion embraces how...

In this episode of Haldane's Law Matters, Jonathan Midgley talks with Sanjeev Aaron Williams, a commercial lawyer and writer on geopolitical risk and the digital economy, whose journey spans colonial Hong Kong, the UK, Canada and the modern global stage. Describing himself as “different from the average lawyer,” Sanjeev draws on his experiences growing up in the city during the colonial era to dis...

It may not at first be obvious what music, aviation, Hong Kong’s future and Puccini have in common with a major novel like “Gone With The Wind,” but bear with us as Jonathan Midgley speaks with Patrick Yeung, CEO of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, in the latest episode of “Haldanes’ Law Matters.” In a long, and by any definition, spectacularly successful career at Swire, Patrick brings...

He’s not a lawyer, or a doctor, or an accountant. But Jay Chen is “the quintessential person who came to Hong Kong and made good.” Join us for another episode of “Haldanes Law Matters,” as Jonathan Midgley follows Jay on a journey from Beijing, the Cultural Revolution, through New York in the 1970s, Cornell University and back to Hong Kong, with stops along the way to discuss unpleasant smells in...

French and humanitarian at heart, a citizen of the world, a meeting at a wedding. What does it all mean? Listen in as Senior Partner Jonathan Midgley chats with guest Anais Barclay, Founder and CEO of BubblyStarzs Access N1, about divorce, survival, reinvention, British manners, erotic French literature, and so much more … Sacré bleu!

Bring together a bit of law. Add a few rogues, adventurers and playboys. Mix well with a commission in the Gurkhas, adventures in Nepal and a side trip to the foreign office. And you might think you’ve got the ideal ingredients for a good novel. But if you add a heartfelt memoir, a trilogy of successful spy thrillers, some jazz and a battle to save children from slavery, then you’re ready to serve...

Between them, they have nearly a century of legal practice in Hong Kong. They’re both highly respected and have made their mark on Hong Kong’s legal landscape. Listen in as Haldanes Senior Partner Jonathan Midgley talks with Colin Cohen from Boase Cohen & Collins about their personal lives, legal experiences, sports, travel and most things in between, including a fascinating look back on their...

In the latest episode of Haldanes Law Matters, Jonathan Midgley takes a look at the development of antitrust enforcement in Hong Kong and future directions with guests fellow Haldanes Partner Felix Ng and Jindrich Kloub, the former executive director of operations at the Hong Kong Competition Commission and now based in the Brussels office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.

In the latest episode, Jonathan Midgley speaks with Amelie Dionne-Charest, the co-founder and Managing Director of the health group Alea, about personal health insurance and what everyone should watch out for. Oh, and a little bit about French-Canadian pronunciation.

Welcome to the latest episode of Haldanes Law Matters. Jonathan Midgley hosts Tim Owen KC in a discussion which covers a Spanish kiss, populist leaders, failures of democracy, LGBTQ rights, elephants in the room, podcast rivalries…… and, last but not least, love in Hong Kong or love of Hong Kong, you get both at no extra charge. Oh, and there’s a bit about politics in the UK. So tune in and take a...

In the latest episode of Haldanes Law Matters, Partner Jonathan Midgley speaks with fellow Haldanes' Partner and Solicitor Advocate Geoffrey Booth. With combined careers spanning something like 90 years to a time when the world was probably still in black and white, the two veterans discuss how they got there, what got them there, why they went there in the first place, and what “there” means exac...

"We’re prepared to accept that lawyers aren’t magicians. But what is it that keeps attracting talented young individuals to a career in law? And how is their experience these days different from before? Or is it? In the latest episode of Haldanes Law Matters, Senior Partner Jonathan Midgley talks with newly promoted Haldanes Partner and ALB Rising Star, Timothy Wan about the legal profession, how...