Adrian’s Insights

Adrian Halkes appointed to the eBRAM Panel of Mediators! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Happy to share my appointment to the eBRAM Panel of Mediators, using its innovative, tech-driven international dispute resolution platform in Hong Kong. eBRAM enjoys strong support from the HKSAR Government, together with funding, policy endorsements, and collaborations such as the […]

Geronimo in Lan Kwai Fong is closing By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Geronimo in Lan Kwai Fong is closing; a 13-year ago leap of faith and courage, when my client, a Tokyo bar operator, opened in Hong Kong, is over. But why is it closing? Is it a slowdown in drinking, the declining attractiveness

Hong Kong has many quirky food and coffee spots for tourists and locals By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Hong Kong has many quirky spots for tourists and locals. Upper Lascar Row is right up there; it is also becoming a bit of a coffee and food street, albeit the outlets are mostly hidden behind

Early bird gets the bun at the Sing Fat bakery in Kam Tin By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law EARLY BIRD GETS THE BUN at the Sing Fat Bakery in Kam Tin, but the place comes with a simple warning: get there early, or you will miss all the good stuff. Before Kam Tin even

Is now the best time in decades for Hong Kong F&B operators to buy their own premises? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Is now the best time in decades for Hong Kong F&B operators to buy their own premises? This means stability, freedom from rent increases and has made people rich before; so why

Bad reviews do not mean bad business By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Bad reviews do not mean bad business. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good food and drink; the successful in the food and beverage industry know this. Failures do not. A client recently pointed out that one of their most commercially

AI already is “way better” than junior human lawyers in many areas By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law This is the harsh truth: “You have law firms that are currently not wanting to hire junior lawyers because, well, the AI is way better than a junior lawyer who has just graduated from law school.” Not

Once in a decade Jiao Festival organised by the indigenous Tang clan By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Hop up to Kam Tin if you have time for the once-in-a-decade Jiao Festival organised by the indigenous Tang clan of Kam Tin over a five-day, six-night span that began today, dating back over 300 years. It’s

Privacy matters a lot if you run bars, restaurants, fitness venues, shops and clubs. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Privacy matters a lot if you run bars, restaurants, fitness venues, shops and clubs. It also matters in shopping malls and buildings. If you have a CCTV system anywhere the public may access, you must

People just don’t care enough about bicycles in Hong Kong By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law People just don’t care enough about bicycles. But they can be recycled by a social enterprise, so why do we just scrap them? We could even raid them for parts. If anyone wants to connect the dots and do

Lucky postbox number eight is a “non functional” part of Hong Kong‘s cultural heritage! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Lucky postbox number eight is a “non-functional” part of Hong Kong‘s cultural heritage; are we now featuring things like this quite enough? Strolling round Sai Ying Poon the other night, I bumped into this heritage

There is a reason why manufacturers pricing products is a good thing; to stop retail gouging. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law We made these crisps ourselves in the 70s.. but why are they £1.76 (30% more) in Hong Kong? There is a reason why manufacturers’ pricing products is a good thing: to stop retail

Why did COYOTE fail or just close, why has it not been snapped up? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law What went on? Why did COYOTE fail or just close? Why has it not been snapped up? Some thoughts as to times, change, and of course the F&B landscape, if you’re interested. Apologies for a

On yer bike or it will be seized! Cycling – New Territories HK By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law On yer bike or it will be seized! The New Territories of Hong Kong has a long history of bicycling; yet I’m seeing notices stating parked bicycles are in unlawful occupation of government land, but why?

A small or big investment in an F&B business in Hong Kong may or may not be a good idea. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law One of the most visible and exciting openings in Hong Kong’s F&B scene (back in the day!) came with an incredible buzz, followed by an equally fascinating decline. The

The decision that allowed me to embark on my first commercial business venture! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law By 1974, I had my first business and almost got thrown out of A-level art by a difficult teacher named Mrs Jessup. She wanted me to focus on drawing bits of wood, cloth, and bottles, yet

Why invest in Hong Kong food and beverage right now .. and perhaps why not .. Part 1 of 3 By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law I’ve seen people invest because they enjoy eating and drinking, loved a restaurant, wanted to back a chef to go solo, or got taken by a fancy spreadsheet, some

Are Hong Kong banks quietly fuelling the decline of our older residential neighbourhoods? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law When homeowners downsize or sell, they often accept lower prices, wanting to move quickly. The same applies to those upgrading. But banks often benchmark entire buildings against isolated low transactions, dragging down valuations for an area.

Why BIG BIG RICE reflects what the market wants, and Pret a Manger is delivering By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Why BIG BIG RICE reflects what the market wants, and Pret a Manger is delivering. A survival strategy for a coffee shop, if ever I saw one. You should take note. Evolution in F&B

Asian Club Managers Conference Hong Kong 2025 By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law I was privileged to speak at the Asian Club Managers Conference on Tuesday. In Hong Kong, a supportive association or club can be invaluable, whether professional, industry-focused focused or interest-based. Private members’ clubs and Hong Kong associations face the ongoing challenge of

Hong Kong is full of car treasures! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law https://hklawyer-ajhalkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Daimler-old-Car-in-HK.mp4 Can you guess what this is before the end of the video reveal? Should I try to buy it? Hong Kong is full of car treasures, and while expanding my gravel bike training, I stumbled upon this project. The question is:

As an established bar operator seeks a new site In Hong Kong an “easy in” Lan Kwai Fong bar opening emerges! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law As an established bar operator seeks a new site in Hong Kong, an “easy in” Lan Kwai Fong bar opening emerges for someone ready to seize a fully

Who says all F&B is struggling in Hong Kong? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law The challenge is not that the market is dead. The challenge is having the right product, the right location, the right people, the right PR, and yes, the right timing. I keep seeing new launches popping up everywhere. Look at

Is it cider if there’s no alcohol ? Or is it a false trade description? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Words have common meanings: beer, wine (and cider) are defined and commonly known. And for centuries, we have understood what beer or cider or wine is. Now, if you look up cider, it is

My mother’s kitchen timer shows time slipping away, you’re overcooked if you ignore it. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law A loud reminder, time passes fast, so make the best of it. If you’ve lost track of time, get a manual kitchen timer, wind it up, and invest manual labour in the process. Connect physically

Negotiating with a Japanese government agency taught me never to assume you know how the other side thinks. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Our logic and approach don’t always translate into effective communication because that demands understanding the recipient deeply. In a negotiation with a Taiwanese-born executive raised in America, treating him as anything

Can You Beat a Prosecution for Damaging a Hong Kong Car Park? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law If it happens, what is your next move? Where is the rabbit? No lawyer gets points for giving away trade secrets. Like magicians, they get paid for rabbits pulled out of hats, preferably with a bit of

Why Doesn’t Hong Kong Have numerous Proper Residential Marina Communities? Have we totally missed the boat? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law It has always confused me that Hong Kong does not have a significant population living on residential “boats”; it’s such a logical thing where you have a lot of water and limited land.

Thailand does it, Japan does it, out of respect and care; can we “fast track” over 70s at our airport and border crossings? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law I’m impressed with the Hong Kong government‘s special lines in places like the transport department, so people who are a little older can enjoy swift services.

Should Hong Kong Create Its Own Mega Diagonal Crossing like Shibuya? Here’s Why It Might Be Time. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law How about a Hong Kong mega-crossing for video shareable iconography and everyday efficiency that rivals Tokyo? Here’s how. For years in Central, we’ve been using an informal diagonal crossing method in at