Social News
Written by: Deng Yinglin
2021-01-26 16:12
Last update date: 2021-01-26 16:12
Huang Fung Law Firm was involved in violation of the Lawyer’s Accounts Rules and a former clerk was suspected of dishonest misappropriation of client funds. On December 24 last year, the Law Society of Hong Kong stepped in to take over. The business ceased immediately, bank accounts and client funds were frozen, and client properties were bought and sold. Transactions are also affected.
The Legislative Council Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Affairs will hold a meeting tomorrow (27) on the closure of Wong Fung Law Firm. The Law Society of Hong Kong today (26) issued an opinion on the incident, reiterating that it understands that intervention will bring serious impacts, describing intervention as " Action taken as a last resort", and the investigation revealed that the bank had a risk of misappropriating client funds, so it decided to take over the bank.
The Law Society revealed that as of the 22nd of this month, more than 2,700 files have been returned to the bank's clients, and three of the four offices have been vacated and returned to the owners.
The Law Society also stated that since the investigation revealed that the bank was dishonest and criminal, it had reported it to the police.
One month after the incident, some banks have not responded to the total amount of money from the law firm.
Huang Feng Law Firm was taken over last month, and the accounts were immediately frozen, affecting a large number of clients.
(Profile picture/Photo by Huang Shuhui)
The document issued by the Law Society of Hong Kong mentions that because investigation data and details may involve confidential client information and the content of future legal procedures, the contents of practice ethics investigations are kept confidential. Generally speaking, when the council handles most intervention cases, The main concern is the risk of further misappropriation of client funds and whether there is an urgent need to take action to save the funds controlled by the law firm.
The Law Society reiterated that the findings of the investigation showed that "the bank will pose a great danger to its clients and the public, especially considering the risk of a large amount of client funds being misappropriated." The takeover of Huang Fung Law Firm is "a last resort." In view of the findings of the investigation of the bank that revealed dishonesty and criminal elements, the Law Society has reported it to the police.
The Law Society of Hong Kong reiterated that the findings of the investigation showed that "the bank (Wong Fung Law Firm) will pose great danger to its clients and the public, especially considering the risk of misappropriation of large amounts of client funds."
(File screenshot)
Notify in advance or someone will take the customer's money without authorization to escape and destroy documents
When there are public doubts why no prior notice is given, the lawyer will explain that if it has been widely known before the intervention, or the person who controls the law firm has also been informed of the matter, and then communicated in advance to take actions that may harm the interests of the client, such as unauthorized collection of client money Absconding, destroying documents or records, so the Law Society shall not notify anyone of the intervention decision in advance, and those involved in the decision must also keep confidential.
It is provided in the document that it was decided to intervene in the bank on the 23rd of last month, and the intervention was launched on the 24 to terminate the business. The two partners were notified on the same day. The Law Society has notified the bank with an account to transfer all the funds of the bank to the Law Society for preservation. Customer payments.
The bank’s files are messy and it takes time to organize to 1.22 and more than 2,700 files are returned to customers
The Law Society stated that after taking over the law firm, it has begun to close the business in an orderly manner, including looking for bank statements, checks, receipts, etc., assessing the urgency of files, prioritizing the sorting of files and property deeds, and contacting former clients of the firm and its new representatives Lawyers return files and apply to the court for client payments.
The Law Society urges the government to assist the guests of Huang Fung Law Firm
The lawyers’ association described the bank’s files as confusing and incomplete. Most of the property deeds and related files are stored separately. The sorting process is time-consuming, and the decision to return the client’s money must be in a reasonable and fair proportion. It is expected that the intermediary involved will eventually have to Request the court to make decisions and instructions on the refund of the client's money to the claimant, and urge the government to provide assistance to the clients of the law firm.
As of January 22, more than 2,700 files have been returned to the bank's customers, and three of the four offices have been vacated and returned to the owners.
The Law Society also revealed that since the beginning of the intervention, some banks have still not responded to the total amount of money from the law firm.
Wong Fung Law Firm was requested to complete client transaction by the takeover partner and was refused to review the decision of the Law Society
Lawyers will take over the frozen funds of Huang Feng Law Firm Zhang Guojun: It may take 2 years to process one by one
Delayed repossession of the property for a year and a half, and then encountered lawyer Huang Feng’s insurance and was frozen in danger.
Wong Fung Law Firm seizes labor unions: 43 employees who are delayed in salary of 4.34 million will be reported to the Labour Tribunal
Huang Feng Lawyer's Seizure｜Zhang Guojun Meets with the Sufferer Will Convene the Judicial Committee to Follow Up
Wong Fung Solicitor's seizure|No timetable for unfreezing certified funds, Stamp Office reduces overdue fines
01News
The Law Society of Hong Kong
