A trust is a noble and legally robust legal arrangement, rooted in English Common Law and Equity principles. Established through a Trust Deed, it carries substantially stronger legal enforceability compared to ordinary contracts.
A trust is not a corporate entity (Non-Corporate Entity); rather it is a private arrangement between the Settlor and the Trustee. Upon the establishment of a trust, the Settlor transfers the legal title of the assets to the Trustee, who is typically a professional licensed trust institution. The Trustee is legally bound to act in accordance with the Trust Deed and the provisions of Hong Kong’s Trustee Ordinance (Cap. 29). Guided by the principles of Fiduciary Duty and Duty of Prudence, the Trustee must manage and dispose of the trust assets independently, always prioritizing the best interests of the Beneficiaries.
In addition, as a critical component of the trustee’s legal responsibilities, the trustee must strictly comply with the regulatory requirements set out under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (AMLO), Cap. 615. This includes conducting Know Your Customer (KYC) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) procedures, identifying and verifying the identities of both the Settlor and the Beneficiaries, performing ongoing risk assessments, and monitoring for any Suspicious Transactions (STRs). These measures help prevent trusts from being misused as channels for illicit fund flows and uphold the integrity and legitimacy of the financial system.
Under Hong Kong’s trust law framework, trust assets hold an independent legal status, strictly segregated from the personal assets of the settlor, trustee, and beneficiaries, forming an effective legal shield. Once a trust is validly established, its assets are removed from the settlor’s estate, rendering them immune to the settlor’s debts or bankruptcy. The trustee, acting solely as a nominal holder, is prohibited from commingling trust assets with personal assets. Trusts also enable strategic tax planning, leveraging Hong Kong’s lack of capital gains tax and inheritance tax. Finally, through perpetual trust designs, trusts can bypass restrictive inheritance laws, ensuring orderly, multigenerational wealth succession.
UniTrust is a publicly licensed global private trust specialist in Hong Kong, dedicated to delivering premier asset protection and delivering premier asset protection and privacy to the Settlor. With a paid-up capital 100 million, UniTrust boasts robust financial strength, the coverage amount is dozens of times higher than the statutory requirement. UniTrust is guided by the principles of legal integrity, technological innovation, and client-centric care. We design compliant and innovative trust solutions that precisely meet individual and corporate needs.
UniTrust comprises over 200 professional talents with a distinguished global professional background, encompassing extensive expertise in trust law, legal frameworks, fintech, taxation, and wealth management. This multi-jurisdictional proficiency enables UniTrust to deliver sophisticated solutions for global wealth management, progressive trust structuring, and digital asset management. Our experts bring decades of experience navigating complex global legal and financial systems, ensuring seamless compliance and operational efficiency for worldwide clients. With a robust foundation in global trust and wealth management practices, UniTrust delivers tailored, transformative trust services with precision and innovation.
UniTrust is committed to delivering the highest level of protection through a strategic partnership with Berkshire Hathaway—the world’s leading insurance titan. This partnership aims to provide a comprehensive institutional insurance suite, including but not limited to professional indemnity, crime insurance, cyber liability, directors’ and officers’ (D&O) liability, and custodial risk coverage. This legal framework is meticulously designed to safeguard client assets against all coverage under (Trustee Ordinance (Cap. 29)) professional liability failure, ensuring operational resilience and legal integrity. The strength of this prestigious partnership elevates UniTrust’s trust services to the highest tier of reliability and long-term wealth security.
UniTrust has established strategic partnerships with global industry leaders, including BlackRock, JP Morgan, DBS, Mastercard, earning international acclaim. We seamlessly integrate trust services with cutting-edge fintech, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology to enhance asset management efficiency and transparency while enabling robust cross-border wealth management. This approach not only bolsters our competitiveness in asset management and trust services but also expands our global presence and recognition, delivering flexible and efficient asset allocation solutions to clients worldwide.
For many, establishing a trust is often perceived as costly, complex, and time-consuming. To make trust creation more accessible and user-friendly, UniTrust has pioneered a progressive trust framework. Under Hong Kong’s Trustee Ordinance (Cap. 29), UniTrust adheres to the common law principle of prioritizing the settlor’s intent. Client may choose revocable trust for flexibility to adjust their arrangements across different life stages. When asset protection becomes a primary concern and look for an effective tax planning, the trust can convert from revocable to irrevocable trust.
UniTrust’s diverse trust services offer escalating levels of asset protection, with increasing efficacy as the trust framework evolves. Our tailored trust solutions precisely meet your needs at every stage, evolving with you while preserving your capital. From preparatory trusts to multigenerational legacy planning, UniTrust delivers flexible, progressive trust services that ensure lasting security and growth.
The structure and clauses of a trust can be imitated—but true trust is earned through strength, compliance, and professionalism. As a publicly licensed and government-bonded trust institution, UniTrust goes beyond traditional asset management. We are committed to integrating legal safeguards, fintech innovation, and advanced privacy protection to deliver a fully comprehensive wealth protection experience.
Powered by AI and blockchain technology, the UniTrust one-stop digital trust platform ensures efficiency, high security and seamless execution across every asset transaction—enabling 24/7 global wealth management and tax optimization with unmatched efficiency.
Whether you are establishing a trust for the first time or refining an existing wealth structure, UniTrust provides tailor-made solutions to meet your needs. We sincerely invite you to begin your trust journey with us today, and let us safeguard and grow your family’s wealth for generations to come.
Contact UniTrust today to unlock your infinite financial possibilities!
