eDiscovery · Hong Kong & Asia‑Pacific

Forensic-grade
electronic discovery.

Independent eDiscovery services for law firms, listed corporations and regulatory bodies across Hong Kong and Asia‑Pacific. Forensic collection, managed review, TAR and expert witness services — structured for proceedings, aligned with PDPO.

INSTRUCT US OUR SERVICES

Instructed by

  • International Law Firms
  • Listed Corporations
  • Financial Institutions
  • Regulatory Bodies
  • Arbitral Tribunals
  • In-House Counsel

Our Services

The complete
eDiscovery lifecycle.

From initial legal hold through to production and expert testimony, we manage every stage of the electronic discovery process with forensic rigour and procedural discipline.

01

Legal Hold & Preservation Advisory

Litigation hold notices, custodian identification and preservation oversight designed to prevent spoliation and satisfy regulatory obligations. We advise on scope, timing and documentation to ensure defensible preservation from the outset.

PRESERVATION

02

Forensic Collection

Forensically sound acquisition from enterprise systems, cloud platforms, mobile devices and remote endpoints. Every collection is accompanied by cryptographic hash verification and a documented chain of custody record suitable for proceedings.

COLLECTION

03

Early Case Assessment

Rapid data profiling, volume analysis and targeted culling to define the reviewable universe before full processing begins. ECA reduces cost, identifies key custodians and informs litigation strategy at the earliest stage.

ECA & CULLING

04

Processing & Ingestion

Deduplication, de-NIST filtering, OCR, foreign language identification (including Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Japanese and Korean), metadata extraction and format normalisation. Data is processed to a consistent, review-ready standard.

PROCESSING

05

Managed Document Review

First-pass responsiveness review, privilege identification and redaction, issue coding and quality control. Our review workflows are structured for defensibility, with documented protocols and audit trails maintained throughout.

MANAGED REVIEW

06

Technology-Assisted Review

Predictive coding and TAR workflows deployed through our in-house secure platform to reduce review volume while maintaining statistical defensibility. TAR protocols are documented and validated for use in proceedings where methodology may be challenged.

TAR / PREDICTIVE CODING

07

Production & Delivery

Bates stamping, redaction, load file generation and production in formats required by the receiving party or tribunal. We manage productions to HKIAC, SIAC, ICC and court specifications, including confidentiality designation and privilege logs.

PRODUCTION

08

Expert Witness Services

Expert reports prepared in compliance with Order 38 of the Rules of the High Court and Rule 31 of the Arbitration Ordinance. Our experts provide independent, impartial opinions and are available for cross-examination before the courts and arbitral tribunals.

O.38 · R.31 · EXPERT

09

Regulatory Response Support

eDiscovery support for regulatory inquiries and investigations by the SFC, HKMA, ICAC and the Department of Justice. We assist organisations and their counsel in responding to information requests with structured, auditable document productions.

SFC · HKMA · ICAC · DOJ

10

Cross-Border Data Governance

Compliance advisory and operational support for cross-border data transfers involving the PDPO, GDPR and PIPL. We structure collections and review workflows to satisfy applicable data governance obligations without compromising evidentiary integrity.

PDPO · GDPR · PIPL
In-House Secure Platform

Technology

Powered by
Intella Connect.

Our eDiscovery workflow is built on Intella Connect — a proven, enterprise-grade platform deployed within our own secure infrastructure. Your data never leaves our controlled environment.

Secure In-House Infrastructure

Intella Connect is deployed on our own controlled servers — no third-party cloud hosting, no data sovereignty concerns. Your data remains within a defined, auditable environment throughout the engagement.

Advanced Search & Analytics

Full-text search, faceted filtering, email threading, near-duplicate detection and visual analytics enable rapid identification of key documents across large and complex datasets.

Multilingual Processing

Native support for Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean and other APAC languages — essential for matters involving regional entities and cross-border communications.

Collaborative Review Environment

Controlled access for instructing solicitors and review teams, with granular permissions, audit logging and real-time progress reporting. Counsel can review documents directly within the platform under defined access protocols.

Platform Capabilities

Enterprise eDiscovery.
Institutional standards.

Intella Connect provides a complete, end-to-end eDiscovery environment — from ingestion and processing through to review, analysis and production — within a single, auditable platform.

Email threading and conversation reconstruction
Near-duplicate identification and clustering
Predictive coding and TAR workflow support
Custodian-level data segregation and access control
Privilege review and redaction toolset
Bates stamping and production export
Full audit trail and chain of custody logging
Multilingual OCR and language detection
Counsel access portal with granular permissions
Reporting and analytics dashboard
All data processed within our controlled, access-restricted infrastructure. No third-party cloud exposure.

Our Methodology

A structured,
defensible process.

Our eDiscovery methodology is designed for complex, multi-jurisdictional matters where process integrity, regulatory compliance and evidentiary defensibility are non-negotiable. Every phase is documented, reproducible and aligned with applicable procedural rules.

01

Engagement & Scoping

A confidential, privilege-sensitive engagement structured to align eDiscovery strategy with legal, regulatory and commercial objectives before any collection commences.

  • Custodian and data source identification
  • Jurisdictional and regulatory landscape assessment
  • PDPO and cross-border transfer obligations review
  • Litigation hold advisory and notice drafting
  • Proportionality and cost analysis
Deliverable: Scoping memorandum and eDiscovery project plan aligned with legal strategy.
02

Forensic Collection & Preservation

Forensically sound acquisition from all identified data sources, with cryptographic verification and unbroken chain of custody documentation.

  • Enterprise system and server acquisition
  • Cloud platform collection (M365, Google Workspace, SaaS)
  • Mobile device and messaging application extraction
  • Remote and cross-border collection protocols
  • SHA-256 hash verification at point of collection
Deliverable: Verified forensic image set with documented chain of custody and collection log.
03

Early Case Assessment & Processing

Rapid data profiling followed by structured processing to define and refine the reviewable universe before managed review begins.

  • Data volume and custodian-level profiling
  • Date range, keyword and domain culling
  • Deduplication and de-NIST filtering
  • OCR and multilingual language detection
  • Email threading and near-duplicate clustering
Deliverable: ECA report with reviewable universe definition and processing statistics.
04

Review & Analysis

Structured document review conducted within our secure Intella Connect environment, with documented protocols and quality control throughout.

  • First-pass responsiveness and relevance review
  • Privilege identification, logging and redaction
  • Issue coding and key document identification
  • TAR / predictive coding deployment where appropriate
  • Quality control sampling and validation
Deliverable: Reviewed and coded document set with privilege log and QC report.
05

Production & Expert Reporting

Structured production to tribunal or court specifications, together with expert reports and testimony support where required.

  • Bates stamping, redaction and load file generation
  • Production to HKIAC, SIAC, ICC and court specifications
  • Privilege log and confidentiality designation management
  • Expert reports compliant with O.38 RHC and R.31 Arbitration Ordinance
  • Rebuttal expert analysis and cross-examination support
Deliverable: Production set, privilege log and expert documentation suitable for proceedings.

Data Governance

PDPO-aligned.
Cross-border compliant.

eDiscovery in Hong Kong and across Asia-Pacific raises complex data governance obligations. We structure every engagement to satisfy applicable privacy and data protection frameworks without compromising evidentiary integrity.

Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance

All collections and review workflows are structured to comply with the PDPO, including the data protection principles governing collection, use, retention and transfer of personal data. We advise on proportionality, purpose limitation and data subject rights in the context of litigation and regulatory proceedings.

PDPO · CAP 486

Cross-Border Transfer Compliance

Cross-border eDiscovery engagements involving data originating from or transferred to jurisdictions with applicable data protection regimes require careful structuring. We advise on transfer mechanisms, adequacy assessments and contractual safeguards to ensure compliance throughout the eDiscovery process.

CROSS-BORDER · APAC

Regulatory Framework Alignment

eDiscovery engagements arising from regulatory investigations by the SFC, HKMA, ICAC or DOJ require careful alignment between evidentiary obligations and applicable regulatory frameworks. We work with instructing counsel to structure productions that satisfy regulatory requirements without unnecessary data exposure.

SFC · HKMA · ICAC

Data Minimisation & Proportionality

Proportionality is a core principle of both eDiscovery practice and data protection law. Our ECA and culling workflows are designed to minimise the volume of personal data processed while ensuring the reviewable universe is sufficient to meet evidentiary obligations.

PROPORTIONALITY

Privilege & Confidentiality Protection

Legal professional privilege and confidentiality obligations are maintained throughout the eDiscovery process. We implement technical and procedural safeguards to prevent inadvertent disclosure, and advise on claw-back protocols and protective order applications where appropriate.

PRIVILEGE · LPP

Defensible Deletion & Retention

At the conclusion of an engagement, data is disposed of in accordance with agreed protocols, applicable data protection obligations and any court or tribunal orders. We provide documented certification of deletion and maintain retention records in accordance with professional obligations.

RETENTION · DELETION

We do not provide legal advice on data protection matters. Our governance advisory is operational and technical in nature, and is provided in support of and in conjunction with instructing legal counsel. Clients should obtain independent legal advice on applicable data protection obligations.

Engagement Standards

How we
work with you.

A Note on Confidentiality

The nature of eDiscovery engagements means our clients do not publicise their matters. We do not publish case studies, client names or attributed references. Proceedings before the courts, arbitral tribunals and regulatory bodies demand absolute discretion — and we extend that discretion unconditionally to every engagement.

References are available upon request to qualified legal counsel and institutional clients, subject to the express consent of the referring party and applicable confidentiality obligations.

Independent & Impartial

Objective analysis, including adverse findings

Documented Methodology

Contemporaneous records, fully reproducible

Secure Data Custody

Controlled infrastructure, no third-party exposure

Prepared for Scrutiny

Judicial, arbitral & regulatory contexts

Privilege-Sensitive

Engagements structured to preserve LPP

Cross-Border Capable

Multi-jurisdictional & APAC experience

Our objective is not simply to process documents — but to present evidence in a manner that is analytically rigorous, legally sound and aligned with the demands of your matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions from
instructing counsel.

Answers to questions commonly raised by solicitors, in-house counsel and compliance officers considering an eDiscovery engagement.

Digital forensics focuses on the forensically sound acquisition, preservation and examination of digital evidence — typically in the context of a specific incident, device or investigation. eDiscovery encompasses the broader process of identifying, collecting, processing, reviewing and producing electronically stored information (ESI) in response to litigation, arbitration or regulatory obligations. The two disciplines are complementary: forensic-grade collection underpins defensible eDiscovery, and our practice integrates both. For matters requiring standalone digital forensic investigation, our affiliate practice at digitalforensics.com.hk provides those services.
Every collection is conducted using validated forensic tools and documented methodologies. We generate cryptographic hash values (SHA-256) at the point of collection to verify data integrity, maintain a contemporaneous chain of custody record from acquisition through to production, and document all collection decisions and parameters. Our collection protocols are designed to withstand challenge in proceedings, and our examiners are available to provide expert evidence on methodology if required.
Intella Connect is deployed on our own controlled, access-restricted infrastructure — not on third-party cloud services. Data is encrypted at rest and in transit, access is controlled at the custodian and matter level, and all platform activity is logged in a full audit trail. We do not share infrastructure between matters, and data is segregated at the matter level throughout the engagement. At conclusion, data is disposed of in accordance with agreed protocols and applicable data protection obligations.
The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) applies to the collection, use and transfer of personal data in the context of eDiscovery engagements. We structure collections and review workflows to comply with the data protection principles — in particular, purpose limitation, data minimisation and proportionality. We advise on cross-border transfer mechanisms and work with instructing counsel to ensure that data protection obligations are satisfied without compromising evidentiary integrity. We do not provide legal advice on PDPO compliance; clients should obtain independent legal advice on their specific obligations.
Yes. Our processing and review workflows natively support Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean and other APAC languages. Intella Connect includes multilingual OCR, language detection and full-text search across all supported languages. For review, we work with instructing counsel to identify appropriate language review resources. Multilingual matters are a core part of our APAC practice.
Technology-assisted review (TAR), also known as predictive coding, uses machine learning to prioritise documents for review based on human coding decisions. TAR is most appropriate in matters with large document volumes where linear review would be disproportionate. Our TAR workflows are documented and statistically validated, and we prepare TAR protocol memoranda for agreement between parties or submission to the tribunal where methodology may be challenged. TAR is not appropriate in all matters, and we advise on proportionality and suitability at the ECA stage.
Yes. Our experts prepare independent expert reports in compliance with Order 38 of the Rules of the High Court and Rule 31 of the Arbitration Ordinance. We provide opinions on eDiscovery methodology, process integrity, data authenticity and opposing expert analysis. Our experts are available for cross-examination before the Hong Kong courts, HKIAC, SIAC, ICC and other arbitral tribunals. We adhere strictly to the duties owed to the Court and tribunal as an independent expert.
We accept instructions directly from external solicitors or in-house legal teams, and can structure engagements to operate within the legal professional privilege framework. Where appropriate, we work under the direction of instructing solicitors to ensure that our work product and communications are capable of attracting privilege. We advise on privilege review workflows, claw-back protocols and inadvertent disclosure procedures. Clients should seek independent legal advice on the scope and application of privilege in their specific matter.
We are available to respond to urgent preservation matters, including volatile data capture, litigation hold implementation and emergency collection. For time-sensitive matters, please indicate the urgency in your initial enquiry and we will prioritise accordingly. We can typically commence preservation activities within one business day of instruction, subject to access and logistical considerations. For matters involving injunctive relief or imminent risk of data loss, please contact us directly by telephone or secure messaging.
All professional fees are structured on a project basis, agreed in advance with instructing counsel following scoping. We do not publish standard rate cards or per-gigabyte pricing schedules, as the appropriate fee structure depends on the nature, complexity and volume of the matter. Following a preliminary consultation, we provide a detailed scope of work and fee estimate. Ongoing fees for extended review engagements are agreed at the outset and reviewed as the matter develops.

Instruct Us

Begin your
eDiscovery engagement.

We accept instructions from external solicitors, in-house counsel and institutional clients across Hong Kong and Asia‑Pacific. All enquiries are treated as strictly confidential.

Strictly Confidential

All enquiries treated as confidential. NDA available on request prior to disclosure of matter details.

Privilege-Sensitive Engagement

Engagements structured to preserve legal professional privilege where required.

Response Within One Business Day

Urgent preservation matters accommodated on shorter notice — indicate urgency in your description.

Cross-Border Matters Welcomed

Multi-jurisdictional and international arbitration experience across Hong Kong and Asia‑Pacific.

Secure Messaging

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Preliminary Enquiry

Please complete the form below. All information is treated as strictly confidential.

All enquiries are treated as strictly confidential. We will respond within one business day. For urgent matters, please indicate this in your description.