Clifford Chance posseses a market leading international arbitration team, acting in the full range of disputes, with a particularly strong commercial focus. Joint practice head Thomas Walsh is recognised for his expertise in private equity, TMT and cryptocurrency, pharmaceutical disputes and aviation sectors. Walsh regularly acts in highly complex and multi-jurisdictional disputes, and sits as an arbitrator under major rules including HKIAC, ICC, SIAC, LCIA and SIAC. Co-head Lei Shi acts in high-value, cross-border matters concerning private equity and TMT. Cameron Hassall is an active player in the Hong Kong arbitration space, regularly sitting as an arbitrator under the HKIAC rules. Jonathan Wong specialises in acting for financial institutions, investors and large multinationals on a range of contentious matters. Yvonne Shek excels in private equity, shareholder and joint venture disputes, as does Irene Ding who also handles insolvency disputes. Dianna Shao is also a key contact.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘One of the top arbitration firms in Hong Kong.'

  • 'Tom Walsh is one of the best in the business and a great champion of diversity and inclusion. He's the real deal.’

  • ‘Best IA team with a China practice.’

  • ‘Very responsive team, led by business minded partners offering sensible, workable, practical solutions. They always help make the life of their clients easier and is great to work with.'

Work highlights

  • Acted for a leading Chinese smartphone maker (as Respondent) in a tech related Hong Kongseated HKIAC arbitration for over US$160 million brought by a prior joint venture partner related to encryption, and successfully dismissed the claimant's claims.
  • Acting for a company in a Mexican subsidiary of a leading Chinese telecom group (as Respondent) in a Hong Kong seated UNCITRAL arbitration administered by HKIAC.
  • Acting for one of the largest multinational retail corporations (primarily as Claimant, although also as Respondent across the various sets of proceedings) in multiple Hong Kong seated HKIAC arbitration under different procedures.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Thomas Walsh, Lei Shi

Other key lawyers

Cameron Hassall, Jonathon Wong, Soo Khim, Keoy, Ling Ho, Yvonne Shek, Tania Tse, Feifei Yu, Dominique Yong, Haoyang Zhang, Irene Ding, Dianna Shao