AREAS OF PRACTICE

INTRODUCTION

Robinsons (AU) Pty Ltd offers a broad range of legal services with particular depth in matters that cross international borders. Whether you are a business expanding from Hong Kong or Mainland China into Australia, an individual navigating an Australian immigration pathway, a financial institution managing regulatory compliance, or an established enterprise dealing with a commercial dispute on either side of the Pacific — we have the experience, qualifications and network to assist.

What We Are Expert At​

Legal Practice Areas​

CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL LAW
CROSS-BORDER INVESTMENT & MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY LAW
SECURITIES, FINANCE & REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
MIGRATION & IMMIGRATION LAW
DISPUTE RESOLUTION — LITIGATION, ARBITRATION & MEDIATION
FOOD & BEVERAGE / FRANCHISE & DISTRIBUTION LAW
PROBATE, WILLS & ESTATE PLANNING
FAMILY LAW & MATRIMONIAL
TECHNOLOGY LAW & CYBERSECURITY

CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL LAW

We advise companies, investors and individuals on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters under Australian, Hong Kong and New Zealand law. Our lawyers have particular depth in the F&B/hospitality sector, real estate investment, and holding company structures used by Asia-based investors entering the Australian market.

Services include:

  • Company incorporation and corporate governance (NSW, Australia-wide, NZ)
  • Shareholders’ agreements and joint venture structures
  • Sale and purchase of businesses and assets
  • Commercial contracts — supply, distribution, licensing, services
  • Directors’ and officers’ duties and governance advisory
  • Share capital restructuring and reorganisation
  • Franchise agreements (franchisor and franchisee)
  • Employment contracts and executive services agreements

CROSS-BORDER INVESTMENT & MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

Our founding partners and consultants have been involved in cross-border M&A transactions spanning Hong Kong, Mainland China, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Europe and the Americas. We advise both inbound investors — those bringing capital from Greater China or elsewhere into Australia — and Australian outbound investors seeking opportunities in Asia.

Services include:

  • Due diligence for cross-border acquisitions
  • Investment structuring — direct investment, JV, holding company and trust structures
  • Share and asset purchase agreements
  • Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) advice and notification
  • Post-acquisition integration and restructuring
  • Cross-border loan documentation and security arrangements
  • BVI, Cayman and offshore corporate structure advisory

REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY LAW

Mr Alun Pang’s real estate experience spans both private practice and in-house roles at one of Hong Kong’s most established property developers. We assist clients — including foreign investors subject to FIRB notification requirements — in navigating Australian residential and commercial property transactions.

Services include:

  • Residential conveyancing (purchase and sale)
  • Commercial property acquisition, leasing and management
  • Off-the-plan purchases
  • Commercial and retail lease negotiation, review and dispute
  • Foreign Purchaser Surcharge Duty advice
  • FIRB notification and compliance for foreign investors
  • Property development legal advisory

MIGRATION & IMMIGRATION LAW

We provide comprehensive Australian and New Zealand immigration advice, from standard skilled and family visa applications through to investor, business and employer-sponsored streams. We have a particular understanding of the migration pathways available to clients transitioning from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Services include:

  • Skilled Migration visas (Subclass 189, 190, 491)
  • Business Innovation and Investment Programme (BIIP) visas
  • Employer-Sponsored visas (TSS 482, ENS 186)
  • Partner and Family visas
  • Permanent Residency applications
  • Australian Citizenship applications
  • Merits Review (Administrative Appeals Tribunal)
  • New Zealand residency pathways

SECURITIES, FINANCE & REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Through Dr Gary Cheung’s background as a former Head of Compliance at a securities broker and a major bank, we offer financial institutions and regulated entities a level of compliance advisory that combines legal precision with institutional operational experience. We also draw on Dr James Lau’s extensive securities law practice in Hong Kong.

Services include:

  • ASIC licensing and Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) advice
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act (AML/CTF) compliance
  • AUSTRAC reporting obligations
  • SFC (Hong Kong) regulatory compliance and licensing
  • Know-Your-Customer (KYC) and customer due diligence frameworks
  • Internal investigations and regulatory enforcement defence
  • Corporate governance advisory and board compliance
  • Securities and capital markets regulatory advice

DISPUTE RESOLUTION — LITIGATION, ARBITRATION & MEDIATION

Our lawyers have appeared in courts in Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand, and have managed complex multi-jurisdictional disputes involving parties from across Asia, Europe and the Americas. We represent clients in commercial litigation, tenancy disputes, corporate disputes, debt recovery and cross-border enforcement.

Services include:

  • Commercial litigation in NSW courts and Australian tribunals
  • Debt recovery and enforcement of judgments
  • Tenancy and landlord-tenant disputes (commercial and residential)
  • Corporate and shareholder disputes
  • Cross-border arbitration (HKIAC, ICC, ACICA and ad hoc)
  • Mediation and alternative dispute resolution
  • Recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in Australia

FOOD & BEVERAGE / FRANCHISE & DISTRIBUTION LAW

Our firm has genuine, in-depth expertise in F&B and franchise law — earned through years of in-house work at Hong Kong Maxim’s Group, one of Asia’s largest food and beverage operators, and extensive private practice advising both franchisors and franchisees across the Asia-Pacific. We are trusted advisers to F&B operators, investors and brand owners at all stages of growth.

Services include:

  • Franchise agreement drafting and review (franchisor and franchisee)
  • Master franchise and sub-franchise structuring
  • Distribution and licensing agreements
  • Food business establishment advice — regulatory, licensing, leasing
  • Brand protection and trademark strategy across Asia-Pacific jurisdictions
  • Joint venture structures for restaurant and hospitality businesses
  • Cross-border F&B expansion into Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific

PROBATE, WILLS & ESTATE PLANNING

We assist clients in preparing wills, powers of attorney and estate plans that account for assets held across multiple jurisdictions. We also handle probate applications and estate administration, including cross-border estates involving assets in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and beyond.

Services include:

  • Wills and testamentary documentation
  • Enduring Powers of Attorney (NSW)
  • Advance Care Directives
  • Probate applications (NSW)
  • Letters of Administration
  • Cross-border estate administration (Australia + Hong Kong / NZ)
  • Contested probate and estate dispute resolution

FAMILY LAW & MATRIMONIAL

We approach family law matters with sensitivity, discretion and a clear focus on practical outcomes. Mr Pang is also a Civil Celebrant of Marriages in Australia, and is experienced in cross-border matrimonial matters involving assets in Hong Kong and other jurisdictions.

Services include:

  • Divorce proceedings and property settlement
  • Parenting orders and custody arrangements
  • Binding Financial Agreements (pre-nuptial and post-separation)
  • Spousal and de facto partner maintenance
  • Relocation applications
  • Cross-border matrimonial and family matters
  • Marriage ceremonies (Civil Celebrant — Mr Alun Pang)

TECHNOLOGY LAW & CYBERSECURITY

Drawing on Dr James Lau’s extensive technology law practice — including his role as Legal Advisor to the Hong Kong Computer Society and his council membership with the China Scientific Technology Law Association — we advise on the full spectrum of technology-related legal issues, including Australia’s rapidly evolving privacy law framework.

Services include:

  • Technology contracts and SaaS/cloud agreements
  • Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) compliance and data breach response
  • Cybersecurity incident response and regulatory notification
  • Blockchain, virtual assets and digital token legal advice
  • AI governance and responsible AI frameworks
  • Intellectual property protection for technology businesses
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