Operating from Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s arbitration practice routinely acts alongside specialist arbitration lawyers from the firm’s PRC joint operation partner Kewei Law Firm (Kewei). The practice assists throughout the lifecycle of China-related disputes, including pre-action advice, obtaining interim measures, defending set-aside applications, and enforcing awards in the Hong Kong and PRC courts. The team regularly acts in joint venture disputes containing PRC features; and it is increasingly involved in set-aside cases, private equity disputes and put option-related conflicts. On the mainland, Weina Ye from Keiwei specialises in international arbitration and cross-border commercial dispute resolution; and Michelle Li’s practice also encompasses arbitration work. Simon Chapman KC heads the Greater China Arbitration practice from Hong Kong.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The advantage lies in its sound global layout, which enables it to undertake cases from major arbitration institutions.’
‘Understands the actual situations of Chinese clients and has rich experience.’
Key clients
- Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corporation
- Addax Petroleum UK
Work highlights
- Acted for SIPC and Addax (subsidiaries of the Sinopec Group) in the (reportedly) largest claim ever filed with the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (valued at over $5.5bn), the claim arising from the purchase of a 49% stake in the UK North Sea joint venture.
- Acted for Andes Petroleum Ecuador (Andes) in an arbitration, in which Andes sought to recover its 40% share of a $1.06bn arbitral award from Occidental Exploration and Production Company.