The rule of law plays a crucial role in the success of Hong Kong and its concept is central to the teaching and research conducted by the University’s Faculty. As one of the most prestigious Law faculties in Asia its reputation extends across a broad range of disciplines to include commercial and corporate law.

The convergence of Hong Kong’s economy with that of the Mainland has provided the Faculty’s corporate and commercial researchers with unique opportunities to inform debate and influence legal developments on both sides of the border.

Professor Philip St J Smart joined the Faculty of Law in 1985, and has since established a worldwide reputation as a leading international corporate law scholar.  He specialises in international corporate insolvency and restructuring law and has published extensively in this area in leading international journals.

His ground-breaking book, Cross Border Insolvency, was first published in 1991, when the full impact of globalisation on both commerce and law was yet to be fully-appreciated by many legal practitioners and academics.  Since that time, regional and international initiatives in cross border insolvency and restructuring law have continued apace; and the importance of this area of research with reference to theGreater China region will only increase as the Mainland’s economy matures.

Professor Smart’s published works have been cited in the judgments of courts in a number of common law jurisdictions, in addition to Hong Kong, including the House of Lords, the Court of Appeal and the High Court in England, as well as in several other Commonwealth countries. They have also been relied on by law reform bodiesin a number of countries, and been widely cited in academic literature.

Professor Smart has occupied a key position in, and been a major driving force behind, the establishment of an accredited training programme for insolvency and restructuring professionals in Hong Kong.  The programme, developed under the auspices of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, is not only a first for Hong Kong but has also been seen as a model for training and development on the Mainland.  Professor Smart is a founding member of the International Insolvency Institute and has served on the boards of a number of international law journals.

Remark: Previously known as Harold Hsiao-Wo Lee Professor in Corporate Law