Dr Siu Yung Alan
Dr Alan Ma is professionally qualified in IT, Engineering, and Law. Before he joined BCU in 2019 as a Lecturer in Law, Dr Ma worked as a chartered engineer, contracts manager, in-house counsel, and solicitor in private practice. He was the Resident Partner of a City Law Firm in Hong Kong operating its branch office in Hong Kong after 14 years of running his firm in London, Edinburgh, and Hong Kong.
Dr Ma practised English law in private practice in three jurisdictions, England, Scotland, and Hong Kong, for some 20 years. He trained 15 English solicitors, who are practising in England and Hong Kong. One of them is now a barrister and international arbitrator practising in the City of London. Dr Ma carries a practising certificate as an English solicitor and he is a fellow member of the Chartered Institution of Arbitrators (CIArb).
Dr Ma’s practice experience involves representatives in various tribunals and courts. The highest level was the Court of Appeal and the areas of reported cases were commercial, property, construction law, personal injury, immigration and human rights, and employment. The case on construction law was a landmark case on the court’s interpretation of a new statute. He was awarded a certificate of excellence by the United Nations affiliate in 2013 in recognition of his contribution towards upholding the UN’s refugee policy. On the non-contentious side, he frequently advised clients on the sale and purchase of businesses, conveyancing and cross-border acquisitions.
Legal Practice Highlights
- Construction law. Reported case: Staveley Industries Plc, Trading as EI.WHS v Odebrecht Oil & Gas Services Limited [2001] WLUK 792, the first court’s decision on the applicability of the Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 in respect of onshore construction work for EPIC offshore contracts.
- Acted for Hong Kong companies in English cases: In Great Wealth Telecom Limited v Simtel Communications Limited [2007] EWHC 95 (Ch)successfully persuaded the judge to do a U-turn on his judgment resulting in a favourable decision for the client. Area of law: Commercial.
- Personal Injury reported case: Hau v Jim and another [2007] EWHC 3358 (QB), High Court,Successful in representing client,Areas of law:Damages — Personal injury — Amount of damages — Aggravated damages — Assessment — Claimant suffering personal injuries as a result of an assault by the defendant — Quantum.
- Commercial Property reported case, Commercial Property, Landlord and Tenant dispute, Court of Appeal, reported case, Zafiris v Liu, Court of Appeal (Civil Division) [2005] EWCA Civ 1698 27 Jan 2005. Areas of law: Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 s.30(1)(g).
- Immigration, Human Rights, Court of Appeal, reported case, LC (China) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, Court of Appeal (Civil Division) [2014] EWCA Civ 1310 9 Oct 2014, successful appeal. Areas of law: Deportation orders; Error of law; Jurisdiction; Right to respect for private and family life; Robbery
- Conducted many successful appeal cases for rejected visa applications. Recipient of a certificate of excellence awarded by the United Nations affiliate in 2013 in recognition of my contribution towards upholding the UN’s refugee policy.
- Employment Appeal Tribunal, San Ling Chinese Medicine Centre v Lian Wei Ji,Employment Appeal Tribunal [2010] 1 WLUK 464 25 Jan 2010. Areas of law: Contracts of employment; False statements; Illegality; Remuneration; Students; Visas; Work permits
- Advised on merger and acquisition cases following the introduction of China's ‘Go Out Policy' encouraging foreign investments from mainland-based enterprises.
- Advised on the acquisition of Cadac Electronics by Soundking Group, a Ningbo-based audio manufacturer, was reported in The Law Gazette.
- Scottish practice. Acted for a Chinese enterprise in purchasing a privately owned island on the west coast of Scotland. The purchase included a luxury spa hotel and all facilities.