With ‘plenty of very high-quality barristers’, Des Voeux Chambers ‘is regarded as one of the leading sets in commercial disputes’. At the senior end, insolvency experts José-Antonio Maurellet SC and Rachel Lam SC led on the landmark case of Citicorp International Limited v Tsinghua Unigroup Co., Ltd, which concerned the nature and extent of the obligations that keepwell providers have to bondholders, as well as novel issues of Greater China insolvency. Charles Sussex SC led Tom Ng in PT Asuransi Tugu v Citibank NA, which assessed bankers’ Quincecare duty, which dictates that a bank should not, in certain circumstances, take a payment from a customer’s account which is fraudulent. Catrina Lam‘s practice encompasses a wide range of contentious commercial matters, and she is also highly adept at handling domestic and international arbitrations, representing clients from the banking and finance, technology, real estate, media and entertainment, education, aviation, and gambling sectors. Benny Lo has also been increasingly active in international commercial arbitration proceedings, while a significant proportion of Frances Lok‘s practice involves acting for listed companies, their shareholders, and directors across a range of mandates, including winding up proceedings and unfair prejudice petition matters. Christopher Chain SC made Silk in the 2023 round.
Commercial disputes in Hong Kong Bar
Des Voeux Chambers
Les références
‘Des Voeux Chambers is well-known for having the best advocates in general commercial litigation. It leads the market and has generated a number of young senior counsels. You can feel confident entrusting cases to their barristers.’
‘Des Voeux Chambers is one of Hong Kong’s largest commercial sets and a leading chambers. It has great strength in depth, availability of counsel, and rigorous training for pupil barristers.’
‘Des Voeux Chambers is regarded as one of the leading sets in commercial disputes. They have plenty of very high-quality barristers and can be available on short notice.’
Temple Chambers
Temple Chambers garners praise as ‘the pre-eminent set of barristers’ chambers in Hong Kong, with unrivalled strength in commercial law’. Amongst the silks of the set, Charles Manzoni SC (who is a silk both in Hong Kong and in England and Wales, where he is also a member of 39 Essex Chambers ) has a strong reputation for handling international litigation, arbitration, and mediation proceedings in commercial disputes concerning the construction and technology sectors. Alexander Stock SC is another notable senior counsel, and his commercial practice encompasses disputes concerning banking matters, company law, insurance cases, professional negligence, and shareholders disputes. Abraham Chan SC is acting in the case of Xu Hongbiao v. Oasis Investment Group Ltd and Others, a complex multi-jurisdictional dispute between former partners of a large property joint venture. Also of note is Charles Hollander KC, who has a dual tenancy at Brick Court Chambers in London. Anthony Chan SC took Silk in 2023, and the set also houses a number of impressive juniors, including Elizabeth Cheung, who is instructed in the case of Xiamen Xinjingdi Group Co Ltd v Eton Properties Ltd, which concerned a dispute regarding an agreement surrounding the right to develop land in Xiamen. Queenie Lau is another key name, and she is fluent in Mandarin. Tim Parker joined the set in November 2023 from Denis Chang’s Chambers - he remains a dual tenant with Blackstone Chambers in London.
Les références
‘Temple Chambers is definitely among the very top sets for commercial disputes. They have a huge range of expertise in this area and are featured in many of the biggest cases, sometimes even on both sides of the aisle.’
‘Temple Chambers is the number one chambers in Hong Kong with well-recognised and experienced members who possess professional expertise in a wide range of practice areas. The members are always able to provide out-of-the-box yet commercially practical solutions to complex legal issues.’
‘Temple Chambers is undisputedly the set of chambers in Hong Kong with the most depth of quality at all levels.’
Denis Chang’s Chambers
Denis Chang’s Chambers is ‘one of the strongest chambers in Hong Kong’ and it ‘houses many great commercial litigators’. Head of chambers Denis Chang SC has a notable record of high-profile and complex commercial disputes, and he continues to act in the case of Xu Ying v China Gas Co, which concerns the inter-relationship between contractual rights and duties and different economic torts and directors' duties. Simon Wong is a reputable senior junior who frequently handles high-value shareholder, banking, and contractual disputes with cross-border elements, while Richard Yip specialises in commercial litigation, with particular expertise in disputes concerning listed companies. Yip acted in the case of ZS Capital Fund SPC & Ors v Astor Asset Management and Zundiao Securities Limited, which concerned an injunction following the defendants' alleged selling of pledged shares on the market without the required authorisation from the plaintiffs.
Les références
‘Denis Chang’s Chambers includes various seniority of barristers who practice in a wide range of areas of law. Also, they organise seminars for practitioners which are helpful to the legal profession.’
‘A wide range of competent counsel available. Many high flyers and rising stars.’
‘Denis Chang’s Chambers is a legendary set for its civil rights practice, with its barristers frequently appearing in high-profile disputes before the Court of Final Appeal.’
Parkside Chambers
Parkside Chambers is praised as ‘an excellent set of chambers with a number of outstanding barristers and senior counsel’ who appear before all levels of court in complex and high-value commercial disputes. Mark Strachan SC frequently acts for large corporations, banks, and financial institutions, as well as for various governmental departments. Toby Brown acted for the plaintiff in Toyota Boshoku Europe N.V. v Hong Kong Longshenyuan International Trade Ltd and 47 others, a high-value international fraud case regarding Toyota’s attempts to recover funds. The set is also home to Nigel Kat SC, Vincent Lung, Martin Wong, and Jeffrey Chau.
Les références
‘Parkside Chambers is very good in different areas of law, including commercial dispute litigation. The junior barristers with a few years’ experience are already capable of handling complex legal issues and cases on their own, which makes their chambers accessible to most lay clients.’
‘Parkside Chambers places excellence and client satisfaction as their utmost priority. This set has decades of rich history in providing a wide range of comprehensive legal services. Their team consists of well-respected barristers whose outstanding track record and impeccable reputation have earned them a reputable standing in the legal field.’
‘An excellent set of chambers with a number of outstanding barristers and senior counsel.’
Prince's Chambers
Prince's Chambers is praised as a ‘well-established set’ with its barristers handling a range of commercial disputes, including company law and shareholder disputes, insolvency matters, and commercial arbitration proceedings. Jeremy Bartlett SC is particularly skilled in insolvency matters, while barrister and arbitrator Eugene Kwok specialises in commercial matters concerning contract and transaction disputes, insolvencies and restructuring cases, shareholder disputes, bankruptcies, and private equity cases. Kevin Lee is another notable junior - he is acting in Han Jaejoon v Lee Sang Young, which concerns a large overseas shareholder dispute arising from Korea. The set is also home to Sebastian Hughes, who is an arbitrator and mediator.
Les références
‘A well-established set with counsel of different expertise and well-rounded areas coverage.’
‘The barristers at this set make good use of their past experience. Their vast experience exposed to handling different types of cases gives them a unique skillset in finding practical solutions and going straight to the heart of the matter.’
‘Their past experience as solicitors makes this set of barristers extremely user friendly for instructing solicitors, whose points are always taken on board.’
Rede Chambers
Rede Chambers is praised as ‘an up-and-coming set of chambers’ that boasts ‘a wealth of experience in commercial disputes’. Ambrose Ho SC and Norman Nip SC are notable senior members of the team, and Clark Wang is skilled in cross-border litigation and arbitration proceedings, especially regarding contractual and shareholder disputes, company-related issues, and securities law mandates. Horace Wong SC is leading Wang in the case of Daimler AG v Leiduck and Anor, which concerned a multi-jurisdictional dispute regarding an international sale of goods contract for 10,000 Mercedes cars. Thomas Lee was appointed in the case of China Insurance Group Finance Co. Ltd v Kingston, which involved a cross-border dispute following a fintech start-up company defaulting on an interest payment.
Les références
‘Despite being a new set in the scene, the members of Rede Chambers possess a wealth of experience in commercial disputes and continue to excel in providing innovative and efficacious client-focused advice and solutions.’
‘Excellent chambers with barristers of various seniorities.’
‘Despite being a relatively new set, the barristers themselves have garnered good experience over the years. They are proactive and consistently endeavour to meet the needs of their clients. They are well aware that the current society has evolved, and collectively work towards the common goal to improve their set’s status as a whole.’
Sir Oswald Cheung's Chambers
Sir Oswald Cheung's Chambers garners praise as a ‘truly leading set‘ and ‘commercial litigation is a clear strength of its members’. Andrew Mak has appeared before a range of courts in Hong Kong, including in the Court of Final Appeal and the Court of Appeal. Carol Wong is also a key member of the set, and her commercial practice encompasses disputes concerning contracts and sale of goods, partnership disputes, and allegations of fraud.
Les références
‘Sir Oswald Cheung’s Chambers has some of the most reputable and resourceful advocates in commercial litigation and arbitration, playing an active part in Hong Kong and the region.’
‘The Chambers is evolving with the local legal market, calling for more use of information and communication technology in offering its services.’
‘Sir Oswald Cheung’s Chambers is the oldest and most well-established civil and commercial set of chambers. Its members are well-known and it is a truly leading set.’