Prince's Chambers

Edward Alder is regularly instructed in international arbitrations as counsel and arbitrator. His High Court practice involves commercial trials, injunctions, asset freezing and arbitration-related applications, jurisdictional challenges and ship arrests, often in the trade and transport and insurance sectors, including a growing aviation and luxury yacht practice.

Edward is also regularly instructed in international insolvency, financial services, shareholder, directorship and senior executive employment disputes.

In the IT / IP space, Edward acts in software / IT project, confidential information and trade mark and copyright disputes. He has been instructed in three recent IT project disputes and a lengthy telecoms network trial. He previously appeared in several telecom related competition cases as sole advocate and led by London competition silk.

From 2000 to 2006 he was a partner of Bird & Bird Hong Kong and from 1997 to 2000 a partner of Holman Fenwick Willan Hong Kong. The first five years of his career were at (what is now) Allens Linklaters in Sydney, Australia.

Authorship and memberships

•  Author, 145,000-word commentary to O.11 (service out of the jurisdiction, forum non conveniens, anti-suit injunctions), Hong Kong Civil Procedure 2024

•  Author, 200-page chapter on IT and software contracts law, Chitty on Contracts, Hong Kong Specific Contracts (revised November 2022)

•  Chapter Author, Maritime Law and Practice in Hong Kong, 2nd Ed (pollution)

•  Fellow, CIArb and HKIArb

•  CMAC Panel Arbitrator, HKIAC Panel Arbitrator, LMAA Supporting Member, SCMA Panel Arbitrator, THAC Distinguished Panel Arbitrator, SIAC Panel Arbitrator

•  Founding Full Member and Committee Member, Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group (HKMAG)

•  Deputy Chairman, Hong Kong Maritime Law Association (CMI affiliate)

•  Lecturer, HK Bar Association Arbitration Course, Peking University

Arbitration work

Many commercial arbitrations (including emergency proceedings) as counsel or arbitrator involving:

•  Corporate / commercial: China M&A / JV, Vietnam M&A / JV, Hong Kong share sale, share pledge, telecommunications, agency & distribution, co-marketing, employee fraud, CO2 emissions trading, company warranties (tax, Series A funding), cryptocurrency JV investment, settlement agreement disputes, professional and other insurance and horseracing

•  Trade & transport: air cargo, international sale of goods (steel, scrap metal, iron ore, concrete pipes, oil, coal, coke, chemicals, timber, nickel ore), charterparties, carriage of goods by sea, dangerous cargo, ship management, mining (technical), mining (finance), shipbuilding (technical, delay, finance, offshore), bareboat charters, mining and ships cranes, heavy equipment carriage

Arbitration related judgments:

 Haller AG v China Meheco Corp [2022] HKCFI 652 (stay resisted, Model Law approach where arbitration agreement said to be forged) Changfeng Shipping Hldgs Ltd v Sinoriches Enterprises Co Ltd [2021] HKLRD 117 (establishes HK law on examination of officers of award debtors out of the jurisdiction) Noor Maritime Ltd v Calandra Shipping Co Ltd [2018] 2 HKLRD 328 (Arbitration Ordinance s.20(6) power confined to stays of in rem Admiralty proceedings) Dana Shipping & Trading SA v Sino Channel Asia Ltd [2017] 1 HKC 329 (CA) (no security for costs in enforcement appeals) Dana Shipping & Trading SA v Sino Channel Asia Ltd [2017] 1 HKC 281 (enforcement of LMAA award, condition as to security) and [2016] 4 HKLRD 345 (effect of setting aside in court of seat) Chimbusco Int’l Petroleum (Singapore) Pte Ltd v Fully Best Trading Ltd [2016] 1 HKLRD 582 (establishes HK law on indemnity costs on stay to arbitration) “ALAS” [2014] 4 HKLRD 160, [2015] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 211 and [2015] 6 HKC 557 (CA) (establishes HK law on Admiralty jurisdiction following arbitral award) Parakou Shipping Pte Ltd v Jinhui Shipping & Transportation Ltd [2010] HKCA 330 (res judicata from arbitral award in court, adjustment of security)

Selected judgments – commercial / company & officers / procedure / jurisdiction

Securities and Futures Commission v Subotic [2021] 3 HKLRD 777 (CFI) and [2023] HKLRD 983 (CA) and [2023] HKCFA 32 (CFA) (service out of HK of SFC enforcement action, nature of regulatory claim as ‘tort’) Faidi v Qantex Capital Markets Ltd [2022] HKCFI 1362, [2023] HKCFI 2184 (termination of derivatives broker, sign-on bonus) Cunnington v Qantex Capital Markets Ltd [2023] HKCFI 1374 (termination of derivatives broker) Han Jaejoon v Lee Sang Young [2023] HKCFI 348 (injunction to restrain director from holding out) Wan Tai Investments Ltd v Li Hiu Yan [2022] HKCFI 3702 (specific performance ordered of HK$116m put-option) China Medical Technologies, Inc v Samson Tsang [2019] HKCFI 1266 and [2022] HKCA 41 (grounds for Mareva injunction based on merits in fraud cases) Thinking Group Ltd v Dialectic PR LLC [2021] HKCFI 312 (sale of PPE, discharge of injunction restraining winding up petition) Xu Yi Jun v GF Capital (Hong Kong) Ltd [2020] HKCA 663 (executive guaranteed bonus, establishes HK and commonwealth law on exclusion of employer set-off) China Medical Technologies, Inc v Samson Tsang [2018] 2 HKLRD 1202 (CA) and (2020) 23 HKCFAR 145 (private examination by liquidators, statutory interpretation) China Medical Technologies, Inc v Samson Tsang [2020] 1 HKLRD 342 (striking out misfeasance proceedings) “CF CRYSTAL c/w SANCHI” (Bright Shipping Ltd v Changhong Group (HK) Ltd) [2019] 2 HKLRD 220 (CA) (leave to appeal requirement for forum determination) Galsworthy Ltd v Liu Por [2019] HKCFI 2830 (asset stripping, ex parte Mareva injunction upheld) Haitong Int’l Securities Co Ltd v ADS Securities LLC [2018] 3 HKLRD 13 (service out of the jurisdiction) Greater China Capital Inc v Gbtimes Ltd [2018] 1 HKLRD 210 (CA) (O.14 principles) Wong SM Samuel v Wong KP Wilson [2017] 4 HKLRD 542 (directorships, s.740 document access) Xiao v Asia Equity Value Ltd [2017] HKCFI 1309 (money lending, fixed/floating charge over shares) Chu Kong v Up Profit Ltd [2016] HKCFI 2184 (permission for derivative action) GFI (HK) Securities LLC v ICAP Equities Asia Ltd [2015] HKCFI 1058 (executive restrictive covenants) MF Global Hong Kong Ltd [2015] HKCFI 972 (Berkeley Applegate principles) JSC BTA Bank v Ablyazov [2014] 5 HKC 209 (receivership in support of Mareva injunction, appeared for UK/HK liquidators) Skillsoft Asia Pacific Ltd v Ambow Education Holding Ltd [2014] 1 HKLRD 520 (cross border insolvency, stay of enforcement) Champion Concord Ltd v Lau Koon Foo (2011) 14 HKCFAR 837 (jurisdiction of two-judge Court of Appeal) Champion Concord Ltd v Lau Koon Foo (2011) 14 HKCFAR 534 (admissibility of evidence of events at mediation for rectification) Choi Chung Bun Vincent v Australia China Holdings Ltd [2011] 3 HKLRD 622 (service out of the jurisdiction, directors’ contracts) Canavan v Battenfeld [2010] 4 HKLRD 513 (forum conveniens, stay to Thailand granted) Hotung v Ho Yuen Ki [2010] 2 HKLRD 304 (reflective loss) New China Hong Kong Group Ltd v Ng Kwai Kai Kenneth [2010] HKCFI 2179 and [2011] HKCFI 78 (transactions defrauding creditors) New China Hong Kong Group Ltd v Ng Kwai Kai Kenneth [2010] HKCFI 995 (private examination by liquidators) Pacific Electric Wire & Cable Co Ltd v Texan Management Ltd [2009] 3 HKLRD 94 (CA) (O.14 fraud exception)

Selected judgments – international trade and transport

Ethiopian Airlines v Jietong Overseas Trade Co Ltd [2023] HKCFI 1896 (fire in air cargo, service out of the jurisdiction) “ANTEA” c/w “STAR CENTURION” [2021] HKLRD 4, [2021] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 637 (CFI) and [2022] 4 HKLRD 37, [2023] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 493 (CA), (2023) HKCFAR 297 (limitation of liability for wreck removal under LLMC) “MILANO BRIDGE” [2022] 1 HKLRD 1151, [2022] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 441 (CA), [2021] 2 HKLRD 994 (CFI) (forum non conveniens stay of US$90m claim for damage done by ship in Busan, Korea) Perfect Best Asset Management Inc v ADL Express Ltd [2021] HKCFI 2310, [2022] 1 Lloyd’s Rep Plus 15 (misdelivery) “KEN BREEZE” c/w “PACIFIC GRACE” [2021] HKCFI 2832 (forum non conveniens stay to Hainan Court, costs on transfer of security) “CF CRYSTAL c/w SANCHI” (Bright Shipping Ltd v Changhong Group (HK) Ltd), [2019] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 437 (CFI), [2019] 5 HKLRD 30, [2020] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 1 (CA), [2020] HKCFA 24 (collision, limitation fund, forum non conveniens) Calm Ocean Shipping SA v Win Goal Trading Ltd [2020] HKCFI 801, [2020] 3 HKLRD G1, [2021] 1 Lloyd’s Rep Plus 54 (novel order to add ‘Persons Unknown’ defendants to Admiralty litigation) Mozard (HK) Co Ltd v Dachser HK Ltd [2018] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 590 (carriage by air, Montreal Convention, limitation clauses) Noor Maritime Ltd v Calandra Shipping Co Ltd [2018] 2 HKLRD 1408, [2019] Lloyd’s Rep Plus 10 (collision, separate legal representation for H&M and P&I insurers permitted) “MOL COMFORT” [2017] 3 HKLRD 112 (case management stay pending Tokyo action), [2019] HKCFI 826, [2020] Lloyd’s Rep Plus 15 (jurisdiction clause stay to Tokyo limitation action) Morpol SA v Blue Anchor Line [2017] HKLRD 501, [2017] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 593 (jurisdiction of the District Court in Hague Visby Rules cases) “APELLIS” [2017] HKCFI 1785, [2018] 1 Lloyd’s Rep Plus 11 (overturns previous law requiring service of Motion for judgment in default in in rem cases) “ELENI” c/w “HEUNG-A DRAGON” [2017] 3 HKLRD 176, [2017] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 263 (2-year time bar for collision damage in claims against limitation funds) “KAPPA SEA” [2017] HKCFI 1572, [2017] 1 Lloyd’s Rep Plus 102 and [2018] HKCA 77 (in rem action, forum conveniens, first ever stay to Myanmar granted) “JIN HUI 588” [2016] HKCFI 480 (twin Bs/L, stay upon PRC jurisdiction clause) “MAGGIE” [2016] HKCFI 849, [2018] HKCA 228 and 636 (pleasure craft construction trial and appeal, contract interpretation) and [2013] HKCFI 1401 (video-link evidence) “FLOATA 97” [2016] 2 HKLRD 1091, (2017) 980 Lloyd’s MLN 3 (breaking limitation under 1976 Convention) Calm Ocean Shipping SA v Win Goal Trading Ltd [2016] 1 HKLRD 149 (passing of rights under Bills of Lading [etc] Ordinance, mandatory injunctions) “BO SHI JI 393” [2015] 3 HKLRD 424 (Admiralty jurisdiction, trusts behind PRC ship register) Arko Ship Leasing Ltd v Sinokor Merchant Marine Co., Ltd [2015] HKCFI 1897, Lloyd’s Law Reporter, 02.11.2015 and [2016] HKCA 706 (sinking / total loss, statements in Bs/L) Ask Re Ltd v Grain Mineral Resources Pte Ltd [2015] HKCFI 1232 (L/C trial) “ORIENTAL DRAGON” [2014] 1 HKLRD 649 (Admiralty jurisdiction established for management fees) “PRINCESS ROWENA”, Sealegend Hldgs Ltd v China Taiping Ins. (HK) Co Ltd [2013] 4 HKLRD 508 (extension of Admiralty writ) “KING COAL” [2013] 2 HKLRD 620, [2013] Lloyd’s Rep Plus 55 (Admiralty jurisdiction, non-disclosure) AO Smith Electrical Products (Changzhou) Co Ltd v Blue Anchor Line [2012] 1 HKLRD 301 (application of PRC Maritime Code and US COGSA) “JIMRISE” [2012] HKCFI 41 (Admiralty jurisdiction, demise charter) “JIN LONG 381” [2011] HKCFI 640 (collision with mooring dolphin) Astec Industries Inc v Blue Anchor Line [2011] 3 HKLRD 529 (US COGSA) “BLUE BRIDGE” [2010] 2 HKLRD 285 (fire in cargo) Charmax Trading Ltd v WT Sea Air Asia Ltd (2010) 787 Lloyd’s MLN 1 (misdelivery, Bs/L not endorsed to consignee) Gourlay v Clipper Motor Yachts Ltd [2010] HKCFI 1044 (pleasure craft construction) Italia Marittima SpA v Translink Shipping (HK) Ltd [2010] 1 HKLRD 98 (dangerous cargo, forwarder as carrier) Maintek Computer (Suzhou) Co Ltd v Blue Anchor Line [2010] HKCFI 184 & 168 (service out, bailment on terms, exclusion clauses, stay to arbitration) Nanjing Iron & Steel Group Intl Trade Co Ltd v STX Pan Ocean Co Ltd [2009] HKCFI 826 (want of prosecution in Admiralty cases under CJR)

Selected judgments – IP / telecom / competition / confidentiality

Black Bear Asset Management Ltd v Luxotico HK Ltd [2020] HKCFI 414 (one-person company conspiracy, PRC marks, cross – border jurisdiction) Skillsoft Asia Pacific Ltd v Ambow Education Holding Ltd [2016] 1 HKLRD 1052 (enforcement of audit rights in software distribution) Paul’s Model Art Gmbh v UT Ltd [2013] HKCFI 1425 (distributorship trial, contractual interpretation, restraint of trade) Chinaplus Wines Ltd v Berry Bros & Rudd Ltd [2012] HKCFI 1980 (injunction, use of business database) PCCW-HKT Telephone Ltd v TA [2012] 2 HKLRD 396 (CA) (intervention in competition appeals) “HOST HOTELS & RESORTS” [2010] 1 HKLRD 541 (descriptive mark) I-Cable Webserve Ltd v TA [2009] 6 HKC 275 (CA) (financial penalties, standard of proof and rules of attribution in competition cases) “NAKED” [2009] 2 HKLRD 96 (descriptive mark) Nintendo Co Ltd v Supreme Factory Ltd [2008] 2 HKC 129 (CA) (Anton Pillar order, discovery principles in IP cases) PCCW-HKT Telephone Ltd v TA [2007] HKCFI 551 (judicial review, interconnection) Hong Kong Broadband Ltd v TA (Appeal 23, TCPAB) (misleading advertising, bundling) Hutchison Telephone Co Ltd v TA (Appeals 27 & 28, TCPAB) (interim stay of provisional competition clearance) I-Cable v TA (Appeal 26, TCPAB) (oral misrepresentations regarding telecommunications services, jurisdiction) PCCW-HKT Telephone Ltd v TA (Appeal 25, TCPAB), [2009] HKCA 138 (any-to- any interconnection, jurisdiction) PCCW-HKT Telephone Ltd v TA (Appeal 24, TCPAB) (interconnection, jurisdiction) SmarTone Mobile Communications Ltd v TA (Appeal 29, TCPAB) (discovery, intervention in competition cases)

English

Author, 145,000-word commentary to O.11 (service out of the jurisdiction, forum non conveniens, anti-suit injunctions), Hong Kong Civil Procedure 2024

Author, 200-page chapter on IT and software contracts law, Chitty on Contracts, Hong Kong Specific Contracts (revised November 2022)

Chapter Author, Maritime Law and Practice in Hong Kong, 2nd Ed (pollution)

Fellow, CIArb and HKIArb

CMAC Panel Arbitrator, HKIAC Panel Arbitrator, LMAA Supporting Member, SCMA Panel Arbitrator, THAC Distinguished Panel Arbitrator , SIAC Panel Arbitrator

Founding Full Member and Committee Member, Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group (HKMAG)

Deputy Chairman, Hong Kong Maritime Law Association (CMI affiliate)

Lecturer, HK Bar Association Arbitration Course, Peking University

2006 Barrister, Hong Kong

1994 Solicitor, Hong Kong, England & Wales

1992 Solicitor, New South Wales (Australia)

Academic

1988 Master of Arts (Law), University of Cambridge

1986 Bachelor of Science (Mathematics), University of Auckland Final Year Senior University Prize in Mathematics