Lexxicord
Legal reference library
Legal Glossary & Reference Platform

A Reference Work Maintained for Practitioners

Lexicord is a curated legal glossary and reference platform, structured as an editorial publication rather than a search index. Each headword is defined with care, cross-referenced where appropriate, and reviewed on a regular update cadence by members of our editorial board.

The platform is suited to in-house legal teams, academic departments, independent researchers, and practitioners who want a stable reference work to draw on — not a real-time news feed.

+852 2530 8147 [email protected] Central, Hong Kong
From the Glossary

Specimen Entries

The following entries are drawn from the current edition of the Lexicord glossary. Each headword is accompanied by a concise definition and one or more citation references pointing to primary sources or authoritative commentary.

Audi Alteram Partem

procedure

The rule that a party must be given a fair opportunity to be heard before an adverse decision is made. One of the foundational principles of natural justice, widely applied in administrative and judicial proceedings throughout common-law jurisdictions.

Ref: Ridge v Baldwin [1964] AC 40 (HL); Cap. 1, Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance (HK)

Estoppel by Representation

equity

A doctrine precluding a party from asserting a position inconsistent with a clear and unambiguous representation made to another party who has relied upon it to their detriment. Distinguished from promissory estoppel in that it concerns existing facts rather than future conduct.

Ref: Moorgate Mercantile Co Ltd v Twitchings [1977] AC 890; Amalgamated Investment [1982] QB 84

Lex Fori

private int'l law

The law of the forum — the domestic law of the jurisdiction in which proceedings are brought. Generally governs procedural matters in cross-border disputes, including rules of evidence and enforcement of judgments, while substantive issues may be determined by a different applicable law.

Ref: Cheshire, North & Fawcett, Private International Law, 15th ed.; Huber v Steiner (1835) 2 Bing NC 202

Nemo Dat Quod Non Habet

property

No one can transfer a better title than they themselves possess. A foundational rule of property law, subject to established statutory and equitable exceptions including market overt, estoppel, and sale under voidable title.

Ref: Sale of Goods Ordinance (Cap. 26) s.25; Cundy v Lindsay (1878) 3 App Cas 459 (HL)

Ultra Vires

corporate / admin

Beyond the powers. Used in both corporate law — to describe acts of a company that fall outside its objects or the authority of its directors — and in administrative law, to describe acts of a public body that exceed the scope of its statutory authority.

Ref: Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622); Attorney General v Fulham Corporation [1921] 1 Ch 440

Res Judicata

procedure

A matter already judged. The doctrine operates to prevent the same issue from being relitigated between the same parties once a final judgment on the merits has been given by a competent court. Encompasses both cause of action estoppel and issue estoppel as distinct branches.

Ref: Arnold v National Westminster Bank plc [1991] 2 AC 93; RHC Ord. 18 r.19
Access Options

Subscription Plans

Lexicord is available under three subscription arrangements, each suited to a different reader profile. All plans include access to the curated glossary and quarterly editorial updates.

Institutional subscription
Institutional

Annual Institutional Subscription

Platform access across a named team — the curated glossary, longer reference essays, citation tooling, and quarterly editorial updates. Suitable for in-house teams, knowledge-management functions, and academic departments.

  • Full glossary access for named team members
  • Citation tooling and export functions
  • Quarterly editorial bulletin
  • Longer reference essays included

HKD 6,800 / year

Enquire About This Plan
Editorial customization
Bespoke

Editorial Customization Engagement

A focused engagement to extend the reference platform with the buyer's internal terminology — headwords, definitions, citations, and cross-references specific to the buyer's domain — integrated into the buyer's internal knowledge environment.

  • Custom headwords and definitions
  • Domain-specific citations and cross-references
  • Integration into internal knowledge environment
  • Written editorial-handover memo

HKD 2,100 / engagement

Enquire About This Plan
Individual subscription
Individual

Individual Reader Subscription

An annual reader subscription for a single individual, providing access to the curated glossary, longer reference essays, and the quarterly editorial bulletin. Intended for academics, researchers, and independent practitioners.

  • Full glossary and reference essay access
  • Quarterly editorial bulletin
  • Single-reader licence
  • Entry suggestion submissions

HKD 780 / year

Subscribe Now
Why Practitioners Choose Lexicord

Editorial Discipline over Volume

The value of a reference work lies not in the quantity of entries but in their accuracy, consistency, and scholarly grounding. Lexicord is built on those principles.

Editorially Reviewed Content

Every entry in the Lexicord glossary is reviewed by the editorial board before publication. Definitions are tested against primary sources and, where relevant, current Hong Kong and common-law authority.

Quarterly Update Cadence

The glossary is updated on a published quarterly schedule. Subscribers receive the editorial bulletin noting revised, added, and retired entries, with reasoning where significant changes are made.

Citation-Ready References

Entries are accompanied by citation references to primary sources, enabling readers to follow the chain of authority rather than relying on the glossary definition alone.

Cross-Referenced Structure

Related headwords are linked within the glossary, enabling readers to trace conceptual connections across doctrines and subject areas without losing the thread of enquiry.

Customisable for Internal Use

The editorial customisation engagement allows organisations to extend the platform with terminology specific to their practice area, producing a reference work aligned with internal style and usage conventions.

Team and Institutional Access

The institutional subscription covers a named team, making the reference work available across a department or practice group under a single annual arrangement — suitable for knowledge management functions and academic units.

Begin Your Subscription

A Reference Work Worth Returning To

Whether you are part of an in-house team, an independent researcher, or looking to extend an existing knowledge resource with your own internal terminology, Lexicord offers a structured, editorial approach to legal reference.

+852 2530 8147 [email protected]
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Lexicord glossary cover?

The glossary covers terminology drawn primarily from common-law doctrine, with particular attention to concepts relevant to practitioners working within or alongside Hong Kong law. Subject areas include contract, equity, property, company law, administrative law, civil procedure, and private international law. Coverage is extended with each quarterly update cycle.

How does the editorial review process work?

Each proposed entry is prepared by a member of the editorial team, cross-checked against primary sources, and reviewed by at least one additional editorial board member before publication. Entries that touch on contested doctrinal points include a note acknowledging the relevant debate rather than presenting a single authoritative position.

Can subscribers suggest new entries?

Yes. All subscribers are able to submit entry suggestions through the platform. Submissions are reviewed editorially; not every suggestion results in a published entry, but all are considered. The editorial team notes recurring or well-supported suggestions in its quarterly planning cycle.

What does the institutional subscription include for teams?

The institutional subscription at HKD 6,800 per year covers access for a named team — the number of named users is agreed at the time of subscription. It includes the full curated glossary, reference essays, citation tooling, and the quarterly editorial bulletin. Renewal terms are confirmed by notice before the end of each annual period.

How does the Editorial Customization Engagement work?

We work with the buyer to identify the terminology — headwords, definitions, citations, and cross-references — specific to their domain or internal usage. The engagement produces a standalone extended glossary and an editorial-handover memo explaining the approach taken and how the content can be maintained going forward. Integration into the buyer's knowledge environment is agreed in scope before the engagement begins.

Is the platform available for academic institutions?

Yes. The institutional subscription is well suited to law faculty departments and research centres. Individual reader subscriptions at HKD 780 per year are also available for academics who prefer personal access. We are open to discussing arrangements appropriate to academic department structures — please contact us directly to discuss.

Our Location

Find Lexicord in Central, Hong Kong

9/F, 12 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong

Get in Touch

Subscription Enquiries

Whether you have questions about a subscription tier, a customisation engagement, or access arrangements for your team, we are glad to correspond directly.

Contact Details

Telephone

+852 2530 8147

Address

9/F, 12 Stanley Street
Central, Hong Kong

Office Hours

Monday – Friday: 9:00 – 18:00 HKT
Saturday: 10:00 – 13:00 HKT

Send an Enquiry

By submitting this form, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.