Why Your Fund Needs the Right Independent Director

Independent directors are essential for fund governance. But not all are equal. Discover what separates genuine board-level judgment from checkbox compliance.

The Three Hats of a Founder: Owning v Running a Company

In the eyes of the law, "The Boss" doesn't exist. There are only Shareholders, Directors, and Employees. While a founder often wears all three hats, mixing them up can lead to frozen bank facilities and "sweat equity" disputes. Here is why you need to separate your equity from your management.

February Reflections: One Year Later and Building Momentum

One year after being made redundant, February marks a distinct shift from "messy" to "momentum." Reflections on the progress of Rupen 2.0, the joy of a Hong Kong CNY, and the ongoing battle with digital habits.

From Term Sheet to Drawdown: What 20 Years of Bank-Side Lending Taught Me About Borrowing in Asia

Signing a term sheet is just the starting gun. From certified true copies to strict statutory perfection windows, discover the five internal bank guardrails that can freeze your facility—and how to navigate them smoothly.

From Pond to Ocean: Finding the Legal Signal at Consensus HK

Stepping into Consensus HK with 15,000 attendees was a shock to the system. From the rise of Real World Assets (RWA) to overcoming networking jitters, here are my key takeaways on finding commercial value—and regulatory clarity—amidst the Web3 noise.

From Bank-Side to Borrower-Side: Consensus, Crypto and De-Fi

I’m at Consensus HK today—not as a crypto native, but as an ex-bank lawyer on a mission. The "New World" of DeFi needs "Old World" plumbing to scale. I’m here to listen to founders about their governance, structuring, and banking pain points. Let's bridge the gap between code and compliance.

Return to the Arena: Trust, Learning and Growth

After a year away, I’m returning to the arena. This post explores the learning again, the shift to individual accountability, and field notes on the tech stack driving "Rupen 2.0."

The Case for Hong Kong Redomiciliation

Is your offshore structure costing you a "Legacy Tax"? I explain why the default corporate setting in Asia has changed and why it is now often cheaper and easier to re-domicile to Hong Kong.

January 2026: The Messy Start of Rupen 2.0

January 2026 marks the official start of "Rupen 2.0." It feels like a mess, but the evidence says otherwise: two new clients, a 15-year loop closed in HK, and a total digital revamp. Here are my raw reflections on the anxiety, the freedom, and the discipline of starting over.

Offshore Beware: Hong Kong’s Re-domiciliation Regime is Real

14 companies, including AXA, have now moved to Hong Kong. As an ex-offshore lawyer, I break down why the "Offshore Advantage" is dead, the cost of the "Legacy Tax," and how to avoid the "35-Day Trap."

Managing the Reality of Career Change

Week two of my new career and the doubts are creeping in. I’m learning that resilience is about recognising the wobble and doing the work anyway.

AI drafted my contract. It cost thousands to fix

reviewed a contract drafted by ChatGPT last week. It looked polished. Then I found internal inconsistencies, missing risk allocation, and no IP protection. The rework cost more than hiring a professional from the start. Here’s why AI-drafted contracts are a false economy.

From Offshore Partner to Boutique Operator: The Reboot

After 20 years in offshore firms, I’ve moved to a boutique Hong Kong practice. Here’s why I traded safety for autonomy and what it means for clients.

New Year, New Start: From Offshore to Hong Kong Law

After a year away from law, I’ve joined GPS Legal LLP. But this isn’t a return to offshore practice. I’m shifting to Hong Kong law, working with SMEs and funds, and building something new.

Switching Off: How Rest Prevents Burnout and Boosts Performance

This Christmas, I switched off completely. But Christmas 2024 was different—multiple deals closing, constant emails, mentally still in the office. Here’s what I learned: rest isn’t a luxury, it’s a performance multiplier. Vacations increase performance by 80%.