Tanner De Witt

Restructuring and Insolvency

Partner, Head of Restructuring and Insolvency

Robin has been practising as a lawyer in Hong Kong since 1995, and has been a partner and head of our Restructuring and Insolvency team since 2005. Robin is recognised as one of the ‘most prominent’ insolvency and restructuring lawyers in Hong Kong and as having ‘great all-round experience’ by Chambers Asia Pacific. He is also recognised in Legal 500 Asia Pacific’s Hall of Fame for Restructuring and Insolvency in Hong Kong.

Robin has advised on some of Asia’s highest profile insolvencies and restructurings over the past two decades (for example Moulin Eyewear, Akai, Lehman Brothers, MF Global, OW Bunker, Kaisa, projects for China Cinda). Robin advises insolvency practitioners, private equity and distressed funds, asset managers and debtors on a range of issues with an emphasis on restructuring and insolvency matters. His experience includes acting in domestic and cross-border winding-up proceedings; bond restructurings; schemes of arrangement; bankruptcy matters; appointments of provisional liquidators; cross-border recognition proceedings; claims against directors and auditors; fraud and asset tracing; enforcement of security; and debt recovery. Robin advises across a range of sectors including retail, natural resources, construction, real estate and financial services.

Robin also advises in relation to general commercial litigation including shareholders’ disputes and disputes relating to international sales of goods and commodities. Robin has also throughout his career advised on shipping, aviation and marine insurance related disputes.

Robin has extensive experience acting in banking litigation matters with a focus on financial transactions disputes. This includes debt recovery; enforcement of securities; guarantees; and contentious matters relating to trade and securities finance, such as disputes concerning Letters of Credit and Bills of Exchange.

A significant proportion of Robin’s matters involve offshore considerations where he makes regular use of his strong and well established relationships with offshore qualified lawyers, particularly those from Cayman, BVI, Channel Islands and Bermuda. Many of Robin’s matters also involve cross-border elements in Mainland China where he works closely with Mandarin speaking members of the team.

Robin is consistently recognised as a ‘Leading Lawyer’ for restructuring and insolvency in Hong Kong by various industry publications including the Asia Pacific rankings of Chambers and Legal 500, IFLR, Lawdragon, Who’s Who Legal and the Global Restructuring Review. Robin lives with his family in Clearwater Bay, has a keen interest in all sports, in particular football, and enjoys exploring the country parks near his home.

Professional Memberships

American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) Banking Litigation Network Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants Restructuring and Insolvency Faculty (RIF) International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals (INSOL International) International Insolvency Institute International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC) Turnaround Management Association (TMA) of Hong Kong (past President) The Law Society of England and Wales Law Society of Hong Kong The Company and Insolvency Law Society (COINS) ThoughtLeaders 4 Fraud, Insolvency, Recovery, Enforcement (FIRE)

Other Memberships

Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong (FCC) The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC)