Hong Kong SAR Market
Although GR Law do not have a local office our international team of consultants have over a decade of experience recruiting within the Asian markets leveraging off the strong relationships we have locally within Australia and the United Kingdom we recruit for the majority of US, international law firms and within the in-house market.
The Asian market is relatively buoyant at the moment there are several key areas that are in demand corporate M&A, banking and finance, capital markets and securitization. While demand is strong clients are being particular with their requirements favouring candidates with Chinese language capabilities with some exposure or recent experience within Asia.
The Region
GR Law recruits lawyers and paralegals into Hong Kong/China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Living and working in Asia can provide lawyers and paralegals with exciting opportunities and international exposure in some of the world's most highly regarded law firms and corporates. The majority of these locations have strong expat communities enabling you to assimilate into the local market with relative ease.
Hong Kong
Lawyers working in Hong Kong are rewarded with some of the most exciting and challenging work on offer. It’s a vibrant, exciting city with a very well established expat community – you will never be short on finding things to do to keep you amused. We have experience assisting Chinese nationals looking to re-locate back to Asia or foreign qualified lawyers looking at broadening their experience on an international level.
China - Beijing & Shanghai
China's fastest growing cities - Beijing and Shanghai, are growing at an exceptional rate with high demand for lawyers. Many Australian top tier firms and top UK and US firms are opening branch offices in either one or both of these cities. Generally clients prefer to see candidates that have previously worked within Asia and are Chinese nationals looking to re-locate back to China.
Japan
Japan is a high energy, vibrant, cultural mecca. With it's enticing cities, amazing transport systems and large ex pat communities, Japan is a fantastic destination to live and work for foreign lawyers. Language skills are not a necessity, but certainly an advantage for lawyers wishing to relocate to Japan.
Singapore
One of the most buoyant of the Asian markets. Singapore offers an easy transition to foreign qualified lawyers as English is widely spoken. Singapore recognises four official languages, these being English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil, with English being the language of administration. The majority of international firms operate a large proportion of their Indian-related work out of their Singapore offices which has assisted in making this city one of the busiest!!
Current Situation
There are several practice areas that candidates are in very short supply such as capital markets, US securities and M&A. However, clients are opting to leave these roles ‘unfilled’ unless prospective candidates are meeting their selection criteria – preferring to wait until the ‘perfect’ candidate knocks on their door.
In relation to Singapore clients are recruiting across the majority of practice areas. There is a high level of demand for high quality finance lawyers. International firms are particularly interested in talking to lawyers who are locally qualified. However, they will look at foreign qualified lawyers (ideally who are already on the ground) in Singapore.
The recruitment ‘hotspots’ at the moment in international practices are within energy, projects, project finance and asset finance.
Other Requirements
Admission requirements vary for each country but generally you need to be currently admitted as a solicitor within your current jurisdiction and possess at least 2 years post qualification experience.
You may be required to take a requalification examination to become admitted in the local jurisdiction, however, in some Asian countries you do not need to requalify and can simply practice as a foreign lawyer upon registration.
Although not always a requirement, lawyers and paralegals seeking to live and work in Asia will definitely be looked upon favourably if they speak, read and write an Asian language. Mandarin and/or Cantonese fluency are increasingly required for candidates wishing to work in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai specifically.
Hong Kong
To work as an lawyer in Hong Kong you must have at least 2 years’ experience and pass the overseas lawyers qualification examination and intend to reside in Hong Kong for at least 3 months following your admission.
The OLQE (overseas lawyers qualification examination) includes four open book written exams on conveyancing, civil and criminal procedure, commercial and company law and accounts and professional conduct along with an oral exam on the principles of common law.
Litigation Lawyers are required to re-qualify.
Beijing or Shanghai
Foreign lawyers are not able to formally advise on Chinese law, however foreign lawyers are able to work in China without the need to requalify when working with a foreign or Magic Circle firm.
Japan
Foreign lawyers are unable to advise on Japanese Law, unless they are qualified in Japan. Foreign lawyers are usually retained by international firms and are able to work as a foreign legal consultant. Foreign qualified lawyers are not required to be admitted to practice and are eligible to qualify as a foreign legal consultant if they satisfy the following criteria: you are qualified as a lawyer in your own country, have 3 years post admission experience and have a residence and financial basis to perform legal services.
Singapore
International firms do not require foreign lawyers to requalify to the Singapore bar as they are not able to advise on Singapore law.
Salaries & Packages
Salaries and Packages for foreign qualified lawyers across Asia vary greatly and are dependent on various factors. These factors include cost of living, competitiveness of the local legal market and whether a firm considers a location to be a ‘hardship’ destination.
The basic components of an expat package often includes:
Base salary: Base salaries are usually on par with the firms headquartered offices. So a 4PQE UK qualified lawyer moving into a UK firm would be offered a comparable base salary as if that candidate was being employed in London.
Performance Bonus: The majority of firms offer discretionary bonuses.
Expat benefits: Firms also generally offer a range of additional benefits for foreign nationals working in Asia. These benefits often include - housing allowance and/or offset, cost of living adjustments, home leave, school tuition, social Clubs, relocation allowances and sign-on bonuses.
Other Considerations
HONG KONG
Housing Allowances: Given the high cost of housing in Hong Kong, residential allowances are common and usually quite high. There is however a cap on housing allowances at 40% of salary.
Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF): The MPF is a basic retirement fund scheme which is compulsory. Employers will deduct MPF contributions from a person's pay, and most firms make matching contributions. The minimum contribution for both individuals and firms is 5% of salary.
MAINLAND CHINA
Social Security Fund: Expatriates in China will likely have to make a contribution to a social security fund, which will be deducted from their paycheck. In China these funds are administered on a municipal basis, and the level of contribution will vary based on location.
TOKYO
Housing Expenses: Most international firms usually pay the large deposits, real estate agents fee and customary utility costs (electricity and gas).
Foreign Exchange Offsets: due to the current falling U.S. dollar, many international firms have been offering a foreign exchange adjustment, which is currently set at around US$1,500 per month.
