About the authors
Written by Mathilde Chator · Solicitor at Slotine. Mathilde advises on corporate liability, shareholder protection, and complex corporate disputes.
Reviewed by Maeva Slotine · Founder and Solicitor at Slotine. Maeva oversees the firm’s corporate and commercial litigation practice.
As a common law jurisdiction, Hong Kong strongly upholds the doctrine of separate corporate legal personality, treating a company as a legal entity distinct from its shareholders. However, in exceptional circumstances, courts may pierce the corporate veil to prevent abuse for fraudulent purposes or to evade legal obligations.
Our guide for Legalmondo details the key principles and practical applications of the doctrine of corporate veil piercing in Hong Kong. It covers the judicial criteria for lifting the veil, scenarios such as insolvency and phoenix companies, the implications for shadow and de facto directors, and how the doctrine applies within corporate groups.