A corporate tale of two cities : a comparison of the regulatory regimes of Australian and Hong Kong companies

As companies in Australia and Hong Kong (HK) regularly conduct business with one another, it may be constructive to examine the significant differences between these two jurisdictions in terms of corporate regulation. Often contracts between companies from these jurisdictions include a clause stating that the parties agree that any disputes will be governed, for example, by the law of HK or Australia. Further, where an Australian company or a HK company seeks recognition as a foreign company in the other jurisdiction, or alternatively to incorporate a company within the other jurisdiction, this again has important legal implications for commercial practice. Accordingly a comparison of the two jurisdictions in terms of corporate regulation, the methods of enforcement and the available remedies will be briefly discussed.