- A Notable Practitioner for 'Insurance Non-Contentious (International Firms) (China)'
"Richard Bates is well placed to advise on regulatory matters within the insurance sphere, with particular experience assisting with international insurer security matters. In addition to handling corporate insurance mandates, he is also accustomed to handling general corporate and commercial matters."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021 - A Notable Practitioner for 'Employment (International Firms) (China)'
"Senior practitioner Richard Bates draws on over two decades of legal practice in Hong Kong. He handles employment matters as part of a broader commercial law practice, often advising on contract drafting, immigration issues, hirings and redundancies."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021 - A Recommended Lawyer for 'TMT (Hong Kong)'
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021 - A Notable Practitioner for 'Insurance Non-Contentious (International Firms) (China)'
"Richard Bates is known for his expertise on the non-contentious front, frequently engaged by general and life insurers on various regulatory compliance and licensing matters. A client describes him as a 'very smart lawyer with quick turnaround time.'"
Chambers Asia Pacific 2020 - A Notable Practitioner for 'Insurance Non-Contentious (International Firms) (China)'
"He is also able to advise on licensing and product development within the sector and is popular among his clients, with one noting: 'He is my go-to for insurance regulatory work. He is very approachable and offers practical knowledge, strong relationships with regulators and a good breadth of experience in this market.'"
Chambers Asia Pacific 2019 - A Notable Practitioner for 'Employment (International Firms) (China)'
"Richard Bates is a long-standing adviser to both employers and employees, most notably in the banking and insurance sectors. He handles everything from drafting employment contracts to negotiating settlements to advising on discrimination claims."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2019 - A Recommended Lawyer for 'Labour & Employment (Hong Kong)'
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2018 - 2019, 2021 - A Recommended Lawyer for 'Insurance (Hong Kong)'
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2018 - 2021
Richard Bates is the Head of Kennedys’ Corporate & Commercial Group in Hong Kong and Managing Partner of the Hong Kong office. He qualified in England and Wales in 1989 and in Hong Kong in 1995.
Richard has over 30 years’ experience advising on a wide range of corporate and commercial work, principally for a large number of life, health and general insurers and insurance intermediaries. This includes advising on the sale and purchase of companies, businesses and assets, corporate insurance, regulatory and compliance issues, licensing and registration, agency and distribution, product development, employment, information technology contracts, general commercial agreements, joint venture, shareholder and strategic alliance agreements, procurement and supply and the giving and taking of security.
Richard is consistently recommended by the legal directories; he is A Recommended Lawyer (Corporate, Insurance and Employment) - The Legal 500 Asia Pacific and a Leading Individual (Insurance – Non-contentious) - Chambers Asia Pacific. He has a particular interest in the plain language drafting of contracts and other legal documents to ensure these are clear, concise and understandable.
Richard is author of Insurance and Reinsurance in Hong Kong, Thomson Reuters Practical Law.
He is an Associate External Academic Advisor for the Post Graduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) at both City University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is also a member of the Hong Kong Insurers Club and British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.
