Ambrose Ho, S.C. has a broad civil and commercial practice in the areas of securities, bankruptcy, insolvency, commercial, land, trust, probate and public law. He has particular experience in enforcement actions under the Securities and Futures Ordinance, both for the Securities and Futures Commission and private respondents. He is regularly instructed in probate related litigations and also shareholders disputes. In his public law practice, he has acted for the Department of Justice in judicial reviews on building and town planning matters. He has sat as a Recorder of the Court of First Instance, and has been appointed on various statutory appeal boards and statutory authorities as part of his commitment to public service.
Ambrose Ho, S.C. has been quoted as “a very experienced senior counsel” and “a very solid and deep-thinking practitioner” whose court manner is much appreciated by the Bench.
Horace Wong, S.C. has a broad civil practice, with a particular focus on commercial, banking and property disputes. He has extensive experience in substantial and complex litigation, having been involved in a number of long-running cases with multi-jurisdictional elements, including the ongoing dispute in Daimler AG v Leiduck. He also regularly acts for regulators and public bodies including the Securities and Futures Commission and the Employees Compensation Assistance Fund Board.
Besides his practice in the courts, Horace Wong, S.C. frequently sits as an arbitrator (both in Hong Kong and abroad), being a panel member of various international arbitral institutions. He also mediates complex commercial disputes and is a specially appointed mediator of the Hong Kong Mediation Council in respect of the Investment Agreement under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).
He has been recognised by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific Hong Kong Bar (2021) as a leading silk in commercial disputes and an “accomplished S.C.”.
Norman Nip, S.C. has a broad civil practice with an emphasis on commercial and securities litigation. He has been described as “incredibly clever and hard-working” (Chambers & Partners 2023), “one of the lead commercial silks in the Hong Kong market” and “at the top of his game” (The Legal 500 2024).
He has acted for the Securities and Futures Commission and parties under investigation in a number of cases before the courts and the specialist tribunals (Market Misconduct Tribunal and Securities and Futures Appeals Tribunal) and is “regularly singled out for his expertise in securities-related cases” (Chambers & Partners 2024). He has also testified as an expert witness on securities laws in offshore proceedings.
His expertise also spans other practice areas, including banking, company and shareholder disputes, competition, insurance, professional liability, land, trusts, employment, matrimonial, bankruptcy, PRC and international cross-border disputes, public law as well as white-collar crime.
In the arbitration sphere, Norman is currently serving as the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Arbitration of the Hong Kong Bar Association. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a member of the HKIAC List of Arbitrators and has sat as an arbitrator in a number of commercial disputes. As counsel, Norman has acted in a number of domestic and cross-border commercial disputes. He has also acted in court proceedings in aid of arbitration proceedings as well as applications to set aside the enforcement of arbitral awards.
As a mediator, Norman has conducted a number of mediations involving a wide variety of civil disputes (using English, Cantonese and/or Mandarin). He qualified as a CEDR accredited mediator in 2010.
Prior to joining the Bar, Norman had served as the tipstaff to the Honourable Justice Sperling of the New South Wales Supreme Court and practised as a solicitor with Clayton Utz in Sydney and Linklaters in Hong Kong.
As Arbitrator
As Counsel
Norman is ranked by the legal directories for:
Chambers & Partners
The Legal 500
Who’s Who Legal
“Norman Nip SC – Rede Chambers ‘Norman is at the top of his game and even though only being promoted to silk a few years ago, he is already one of the lead commercial silks in the Hong Kong market. He is always over the detail, leaving no stone unturned in preparing for hearings and trials, and he has the ear of the HK judiciary.’“(Commercial Disputes)
“Norman Nip SC – Rede Chambers ‘Norman is easy to work with and has very thorough knowledge of the law. He is always well prepared for the questions from the court and has very good cross-examination skills.’” (Regulatory, Investigations and Crime)
“Norman Nip SC – Rede Chambers ‘Norman brings to the competition field his substantial experience as both a solicitor and counsel in commercial and regulatory disputes. He is very clever and great with clients.’” (Competition)
The Legal 500 (2024)
“Norman Nip SC of Rede Chambers is regularly singled out for his expertise in securities-related cases and frequent representation of the Securities and Futures Commission, but his extensive practice also embraces company law and shareholder disputes, professional negligence and insolvency-related matters.
Strengths
“Norman Nip SC is top-quality and user-friendly. He is my top choice for cross-border complex commercial disputes and regulatory investigations.”
“Norman is my first choice in Hong Kong.”
“Norman is sharp and always careful.”
Chambers & Partners (2024)
Michael Yin has a broad civil practice covering both litigation and advisory work. His special expertise lies in traditional chancery work, including all aspects of land-related matters, trusts and estates, and tax. He also has wide experience in Chinese law and custom, insolvency law, charity law, mental health proceedings, professional negligence, partnership and company disputes.
Thomas Lee is a highly regarded advocate, arbitrator and adviser. He works across a broad range of commercial disputes, principally in construction, fraud and asset tracing, professional negligence and employment.
He is usually sole advocate in difficult matters. He is also comfortable as a senior junior working in a team on heavy cases. He is highly accessible for formal and informal advice as well as representation.
He is a Chartered Arbitrator. He has been appointed (solely and as panel member) in several ad hoc references and in appointments under the HKIAC and ICC rules (domestic and international). He practises as a commercial mediator and has sat as a Deputy District Judge.
Having been a partner in the HK office of a London law firm, he is highly attuned to the needs and demands of solicitors as well as their clients.
He was born in Kuala Lumpur, educated in Australia, and has lived and worked in HK for over 30 years.
He serves extensively on professional bodies: the Arbitration Committee of the HK Bar Association; the Construction Committee of the HKBA; and the Council of the Society of Construction Law Hong Kong, since 2003 (Chairman in 2007). He is a panel member of the Barristers’ Disciplinary Tribunal.
Thomas is ranked as a leading commercial disputes junior (Tier 1) by Legal 500 (2022, 2023, 2024) and by Chambers & Partners (2024). He is also ranked as leading construction junior (Tier 1) by Legal 500 (2022, 2023, 2024) and is recommended by Doyle’s Guide in construction (2017, 2020, 2021, 2022).
Recent or notable assignments:
As tribunal
As other neutral
As counsel
Selected cases:
In the construction sector:
Recent or notable construction engagements:
Selected cases:
Recent or notable assignments:
Selected cases:
In employment disputes:
Selected cases:
Joyce is one of the most accomplished senior junior counsel in corporate civil litigations in town. She specializes in litigations relating to corporate disputes covering a broad range of areas, ranging from commercial contractual disputes to the more intricate private company shareholders disputes that are prevalent in Hong Kong, from tax, insurance matters to intellectual property rights, as well as land related disputes on titles and ownership. Joyce is recognized as a Leading Junior in the ‘Commercial Disputes’, ‘Intellectual Property’, as well as ‘Family and Private Client’ sections of The Legal 500, demonstrating her all-roundedness and capability in advising clients over multiple areas.
According to the Legal 500 testimonials, Joyce is described as:-
“reliable” and “focused on strategy”
able to “establish good rapport with clients and gain their confidence”, and
having the ability to “steer cases with a firm eye on the goal”.
Joyce is experienced in handling complex cases for both domestic and multinational clients requiring strong technical expertise and up-to-date legal knowledge. Her commerce background and knowledge in accounting / finance allows her to better understand her client’s position relative to her counterparts. She is a strong and natural advocate and is known for her attention to details, agility in handling difficult dispute situations, and her ability to quickly react to challenging opposing evidence and formulate concise arguments. On top of her legal skill set, Joyce is described as being relatable and empathetic while rendering professional advice; she holds long-standing relationships with clients and those instructing her.
Joyce speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Joyce is experienced in both bringing and resisting fraud claims, including cross-jurisdictional claim. She is regularly instructed to obtain injunctions and ancillary disclosure order and preservation of assets order.
Joyce is a specialist in commercial disputes and has extensive experience in dealing with different camps of shareholders. She is regularly instructed in various interim applications such as striking out, summary judgment, different types of enforcement applications and trial work.
Advised Sun Life Insurance and China Taiping Insurance in reviewing their contractual terms and advising in compliance issues with regulators on a range of their insurance products
Joyce is regularly instructed to advise on probate related matters and/or mental incapacity issues and apply for orders regulating the property and affairs of the mentally incapacitated persons, administrator pendente lite, ad colligenda bona grant, etc.
Since joining the Bar, Verna has had a broad civil practice, mainly in the traditional Chancery areas of the law. Verna regularly advises and acts for clients in conveyancing matters and disputes, including building management issues; compulsory sale applications under the Land (Compulsory Sale for Redevelopment) Ordinance, Cap.545; professional negligence claims; maintenance applications under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Ordinance, Cap.481; matters relating to wills and probate, and applications under the Mental Health Ordinance, Cap.136. Verna has also represented clients in general commercial, labour and family disputes.
Verna has been listed as one of the Leading Juniors in commercial disputes in the Legal 500.
As a CEDR accredited mediator, Verna has also regularly acted as such.
Clark Wang is one of the first batch of talents recruited by the University of Hong Kong from top PRC universities under the Jockey Club Scholarship Programme following the handover of Hong Kong in 1997.
Clark is a Tier-1 Leading Junior specialising in Commercial Disputes of the Hong Kong Bar according to the Legal 500 2024.
As a native Mandarin speaker with dual education and qualifications in both mainland PRC and Hong Kong, Clark possesses the perfect skill set to solve disputes with PRC elements and has for that reason developed a substantial practice in cross-border litigation and arbitration in areas such as contractual disputes, corporate shareholders’ disputes, company matters, securities law and family matters. Clark understands the legal and commercial reality of both jurisdictions and is able to identify and present the cases of his PRC clients to Hong Kong Courts and Tribunals in the proper PRC context and background. Conversely, he is also able to explain Hong Kong law to his PRC clients as well as the PRC Courts and Tribunals in a simple and straightforward manner.
Due to his skills and expertise, he has had the honour to be invited to act as an amicus curiae to advise the Court of Appeal, to represent and advise the Hong Kong government and public bodies including the Securities and Futures Commission in PRC-related cases, and to act as a Deputy District Court Judge.
Clark is also experienced in other areas such as trust, insurance, land, and probate matters.
Isaac’s practice focuses on commercial and financial disputes, financial regulatory proceedings, banking disputes, trust and property disputes. He is often instructed for cases involving complex elements which require a multi-disciplinary analysis.
In addition to his advocacy work in the courts, Isaac regularly acts both for and against regulators in professional disciplinary and regulatory proceedings, including those in specialist tribunals such as the Market Misconduct Tribunal and the Competition Tribunal. Isaac also advises regularly on matters in relation to inquiries by the Listing Division or proceedings before the Listing Committee and the Listing Review Committee of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Besides his civil practice, Isaac is also experienced in white-collar criminal defence work, having been involved in the trials of the former Chief Secretary of Hong Kong for corruption and of the former chairman of the Hong Kong General Chambers of Commerce for conspiracy to defraud.
Isaac has been ranked by The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific (2024) in Regulatory, Investigations and Crime and by Chambers and Partners’ Greater China Region Guide (2024) in Commercial Dispute Resolution, reflecting his reputation as “one of the very few barristers in this jurisdiction that has an extensive practice in both civil and criminal law”.
He is described as "a counsel that you cannot afford to miss" and “a very strong advocate, which is demonstrated by his ability to explain complex matters of jurisprudence in simple layman terms that is easy to understand and follow”. He is also recognised for his “strong commercial acumen”, “clinical analytical skills” and his “practical, user-friendly, and carefully thought out” advice.
Prior to joining the Bar, Isaac obtained his BSocSc (Government & Laws), LLB and PCLL from the University of Hong Kong, and his LLM from the London School of Economics. He has further obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in EU Competition Law from King’s College London.
Isaac was a recipient of the Bar Scholarship and the Charles Ching Memorial Scholarship.
Kim M Rooney is a barrister, international arbitrator and mediator. Her practice focuses on serving as an arbitrator in complex and high value disputes in the aviation, commercial, construction energy, finance, infrastructure, IPR investment Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) sectors. She is regularly appointed as an emergency arbitrator and as an arbitrator in expedited proceedings.
An ICC International Court of Arbitration member, Kim chaired the Hong Kong Law Reform Commission’s Subcommittee on Third Party Funding for Arbitration, co-drafting Part 10A of the Arbitration Ordinance Cap 609 and the Hong Kong Code of Conduct for Third Party Funding for Arbitration which implemented third party funding of arbitration in Hong Kong. Before moving to become a Hong Kong barrister in late 2009, Kim was a partner of White & Case LLP, heading its Asian dispute resolution practice. She has been practicing in Hong Kong since July 1990 when she worked on contentious insolvency at Baker & McKenzie. Kim is also admitted as a Western Australia Barrister and Solicitor and a Solicitor in England and Wales.
Kim’s work as an arbitrator is regularly recognized in international directories. Who’s Who Legal Arbitration 2023 includes the following quotes:
“As arbitrator you are left with total confidence that Ms Rooney has got to grips with the case right down to the minutiae”
“She has a rigorous intellect, which is carried lightly and coupled with a very diligent approach”
“Ms Rooney is incredibly organised and thorough”
Kim is also a board member of eBRAM Online International Online Dispute Resolution Centre (serving on its executive committee), a member of the Rules Steering Committee of the Hague Court of Arbitration for Aviation, a member of the Council of the Hong Kong Bar Association and chair of its Arbitration Committee. She is the editor of the IBA’s “Dispute Resolution International”, co-author of “ ICCA’S Guide to the Interpretation of the 1958 New York Convention: A Handbook for Judges” (2012) and ADR Contributing Editor for “Hong Kong Civil Procedure”. Kim led an arbitration law reform project in Laos in 1998 (World Bank funded) and a project in the Indonesian public sector reviewing alternatives to litigation and arbitration for investor state disputes from 2013 to 2016 (EU funded).
Kim Rooney is regularly appointed as chair/presiding arbitrator, co-arbitrator, sole arbitrator, and emergency arbitrator in arbitrations governed by the laws of both civil and common law jurisdictions, and by international conventions, involving aviation, banking and finance, carbon credit, commercial, construction and infrastructure, distribution, energy and power, investment and trade, ITC, joint venture and shareholder, and pharmaceutical disputes, among others. Kim Rooney has sat as an arbitrator under the rules of AIAC, ACICA, HKIAC, ICC, JCAA, ICDR/AAA, LCIA (India), and SIAC, and in ad hoc arbitrations including under the UNCITRAL Rules, governed by the laws of Hong Kong, mainland China and various other Asian, Caribbean, European, Latin American, Russian, South American and North American jurisdictions and by international conventions. She has sat as an emergency arbitrator under various institutional arbitration rules including those of the HKIAC, ICDR/AAA and JCAA.
Kim Rooney’s concluded cases as an arbitrator include arbitrations of:
Kim’s litigation cases while a partner at White & Case LLP included successfully representing Chime Corporation, the Chinachem Group holding company, in Hong Kong litigation commenced by the Joint Liquidators against Mrs. Nina Wang, Chime Corporation and others.
In the early 1990’s Kim was a member of the Baker & McKenzie team in Hong Kong that represented the Joint Liquidators of Carrian Investment Limited in various Hong Kong and cross border litigation arising from the liquidation of various Carrian group members.
Kim is regularly included in various legal directories including Who’s Who Legal Arbitration 2024, Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders China & Hong Kong 2023 and Who’s Who Legal Mainland China & Hong Kong 2023.
Who’s Who Legal Arbitration 2023:
“As arbitrator you are left with total confidence that Ms Rooney has got to grips with the case right down to the minutiae”
“She has a rigorous intellect, which is carried lightly and coupled with a very diligent approach”
“Ms Rooney is incredibly organised and thorough”.
Kim is the editor of the International Bar Association’s “Dispute Resolution International.” She is an ADR Contributing Editor for “Hong Kong Civil Procedure”. She was member of the group that drafted “ICCA’S Guide to the Interpretation of the 1958 New York Convention: A Handbook for Judges” (2012). Her other publications include:
Ms. Rooney regularly lectures on international arbitration, advocacy, and international dispute resolution, including at the Peking University School of Law. Kim was one of the moderators of the ICC’s Asia Advanced Arbitrators Academy (2018-2020) and regularly teaches various programmes conducted by arbitral institutions and various lawyers’ associations, among others on arbitration law and practice.
English, French (reading)
Adrian joined the Bar in 2011 upon completion of his pupillage with Mr. Edwin Choy S.C., HH Judge Andrew SY Li, Mr. Kumar Ramanathan S.C., Mr. Andrew Mak, Mr. Ambrose Ho S.C. and Mr. Paul Shieh S.C.. He has been with chambers since its founding in 2022.
Adrian has a broad civil practice which covers the full range of commercial, banking, companies, trust and probate, land, personal injury and employment disputes, with extensive experience in the insolvency area. He has appeared at most levels of courts as well as arbitrations, conducting trials and appeals both in his own right and as a led junior. He also provides advisory work on the above matters, both locally and for matters in mainland PRC.
Adrian also takes a keen interest in teaching and promoting the rule of law and advocacy. He has been teaching as course lecturer at the Peking University Faculty of Law “Common Law-Public Law Course”. He has also been a Part-time Lecturer in Civil Advocacy, PCLL as well as a moot coach in multiple international moots at the University of Hong Kong.
Alexsander commenced full practice at the Bar in 2013 after successfully completing his pupillage with Mr. Horace Wong S.C., Mr. Daniel Marash S.C., Mr. Law Man Chung (now Law Man Chung S.C.), Mr. Nelson Miu and Mr. Damian Wong. He has developed a broad civil and commercial practice, which includes contractual disputes, trust and property litigation, cross-border commercial disputes, company and insolvency matters as well as shareholders’ disputes, personal injuries and medical negligence litigation. He has also acted in matters in relation to disciplinary proceedings of the Medical Council of Hong Kong.
Prior to joining the Bar, Alexsander practiced as a medical practitioner after having completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees in 2004. He subsequently obtained his Juris Doctor degree at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and a further Master of Laws degree at the University of Cambridge.
Alexsander regularly appears as an advocate in Court either in his own right or as a led junior. He also appears and acts in arbitration.
Nicholas commenced practice in 2014 following the completion of his pupillage and extended pupillage with a number of established civil practitioners, including Mr. Horace Wong S.C., Mr. Andrew Mak, Mr. Thomas Lee and Mr. Tony Ko. He has a broad and predominantly civil practice, and has extensive experience advising on insolvency matters, commercial disputes, employment law, land matters (including landlord and tenant disputes, New Territories land disputes, property management disputes etc.) and arbitrations.
Nicholas has substantive trial and appellate experience both as sole advocate and as a led junior, appearing before the Court of Appeal, the Court of First Instance, the District Court, the Lands Tribunal and various magistracies for trials, interlocutory applications and appeals. Nicholas has also been involved in advisory and drafting work for arbitrations, appeared as arbitration counsel and has been appointed as tribunal secretary and arbitration clerks. He has also been appointed as a mediator on a number of disputes since having been accredited by CEDR in 2013.
He is currently a tutor and an external assessor for the PCLL Civil Advocacy course at the University of Hong Kong. He is a contributor of Emden's Construction Law of Hong Kong (together with Mr. Thomas Lee) and has delivered a number of CPD talks on interlocutory injunctions (together with Mr. Thomas Lee and Mr. Avery Chan), New Territories land matters (together with Mr. David Tang), probate and administration matters (together with Mr. Ken To) and on bankruptcy law (in collaboration with Messrs. Lee & Chow).
Nicholas also accepts instructions from Legal Aid.
Roger practices in commercial law and international arbitration. His commercial practice spans across banking and finance, corporate insolvency, securities, civil fraud, bankruptcy and general commercial litigation. His expertise also extends to land, trusts and contentious probate matters.
Roger is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and is experienced in international arbitration. He is frequently instructed as a junior in high-stakes litigation and arbitrations, and increasingly appears unled in the High Court and the District Court.
Before joining the Bar, Roger qualified as a Solicitor in 2013 following his training at an international law firm. He is recognised as a Leading Junior in Commercial Disputes in the Legal 500 Asia-Pacific Guide on the Hong Kong Bar and as Up and Coming in Commercial Dispute Resolution in the Chambers & Partners Greater China Region Legal Guide 2024.
Roger’s LinkedIn page can be found here.
Brian Chok has a broad civil practice with strong emphasis on corporate, commercial, land, building management and construction disputes. As regards his commercial and corporate practice, Brian has diverse experiences in handling contractual, and investment scheme disputes, as well as shareholders’ disputes involving breaches of directors’ duties and insolvency matters for individuals and corporate clients ranging from local family business to listed companies and conglomerate with strong ties and business portfolio in Mainland China and overseas. With a view to expanding connections and practising in the Greater Bay Area, Brian also passed the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Legal Professional Examination in 2023 and the assessment in 2024.
He has also frequently advised owners, Incorporated Owners, management companies and tenants on land matters such as tenancy and property ownership disputes including New Territories land, water seepage claims and procedural requirements and liabilities under the DMC and BMO.
As regards his construction practice, Brian has represented employers, main contractors and sub-contractors in disputes concerning prolongation costs, late payments, sub-standard works as well as personal injuries sustained at construction sites. In light of his commitment to his construction practice, Brian has been pursuing a part-time degree in surveying specialised in quantity surveying since 2022.
English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
K.K. Lau is recognised as one of the leading juniors at the Hong Kong Bar.
“KK is knowledgeable and very easy to work with. He has a strong commercial sense and delivers high-quality work at reasonable prices. He stands out among his peers” (Chambers and Partners (2024)).
“K.K. is a very popular junior counsel in Hong Kong and is a highly intelligent counsel who understands the law well. He is always practical and has an abundance of common sense, and he has always been able to win the trust of the lay clients and his instructing solicitor” (The Legal 500 (2024)).
K.K. has a broad commercial and civil practice. He is routinely instructed for complex and heavy disputes.
K.K. has considerable experience in stock markets, private equity, venture capital and debt. He regularly appears for regulators, financial institutions, listed companies as well as their shareholders and directors, and other ultra-high net worth individuals at trials and appeals.
Alongside his practice as counsel in arbitration and related court proceedings, K.K. has been appointed as an arbitrator.
Before coming to the Bar, K.K. practised as a litigation and arbitration solicitor from 2009 to 2015, following his training from 2007 to 2009. He was recognised by The Legal 500 (2015) as a “helpful and knowledgeable associate”.
Justin is developing a broad practice spanning all of Chambers’ main practice areas, with particular interests in company, insolvency and commercial disputes, property matters encompassing land, building, building management, town planning and landlord and tenant disputes, trusts, charities, and civil fraud.
Justin regularly appears across all levels of the High Court, including as sole counsel in the Court of Appeal. He has also appeared as led junior in the Court of Final Appeal on a number of occasions. He appears frequently in the Lands Tribunal and has conducted appeals in his own right in the Buildings Appeal Tribunal and the Town Planning Appeal Board. His practice also involves a wide range of advisory work.
Justin has been recognised as a “Rising Star” in the area of commercial disputes by The Legal 500 (Asia-Pacific) 2024. He is described as having “time and again proven himself to be a strong, articulate, natural and eloquent advocate in court” who is able to “hold his own as a sole advocate” and is “effective when making submissions in court, especially when compared with other barristers of similar seniority”. Justin’s written legal submissions have also been described as being “of high quality”.
Highlights of Justin’s recent or notable work include:
Justin read law at the University of Oxford and went on to receive his postgraduate degrees from the University of Hong Kong. He took a Distinction in the Master of Laws and was awarded the Woo Po Shing Medal in Law for civil and criminal advocacy. He later received the Middle Temple Advocacy Scholarship.
Prior to joining the Bar, Justin worked for a top silk at a top-tier chambers in London. On his return to Hong Kong, he successfully completed his pupillage under the supervision of Ambrose Ho S.C., Abraham Chan (now Abraham Chan S.C.), Edwin Choy (now Edwin Choy S.C.) and Andrew Mak. He commenced full practice in 2017 and has served as a part-time civil advocacy tutor at HKU since 2021.
Jeff is developing a broad civil practice with a focus on commercial, property and trusts disputes. He is a Charles Ching Scholar and served pupillage with Mr Ambrose Ho SC, Mr Derek Chan SC, Mr Norman Nip SC, Mr Eugene Yim and Mr Isaac Chan.
In 2015-2016, Jeff worked as a Judicial Assistant in the Court of Final Appeal and assisted judges in substantive appeals, leave applications and other speaking engagements. In 2021-2024, he served as a part-time Judicial Associate in the Court of Appeal.
Jeff has published in law journals. One of his articles on company law has been cited by the High Court of Singapore.
Francis has developed a broad commercial practice, with particular emphasis on securities and regulatory, insurance, employment, land, trust and probate, charities and international arbitration. Ranked as a “Rising Star” by The Legal 500 (Asia Pacific), he has been recognised as an advocate who is “exceptionally knowledgeable, even in complex insurance issues”.
Qualified as an associate at the Chartered Governance Institute, Francis has acted for both the Securities and Futures Commission and senior management of Hong Kong and Nasdaq-listed companies in complex fraud, securities, cryptocurrency and commercial crime cases.
On the regulatory side, Francis has experience in suspension and resumption of trading of shares of listed companies, and also in proceedings under sections 213 and 214 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571). He is also involved in professional negligence cases concerning auditors, solicitors and/or financial advisers.
As a Fellow at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), Francis has experience in arbitration proceedings under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules and the HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules. He is also an HKIAC Accredited Tribunal Secretary and a member of the ACICA Tribunal Secretary Panel.
Francis has experience in different insurance litigation involving fatal accident, catastrophic injuries, third-party motor, public liability, product liability and policy dispute claims (including double insurance, reinsurance, indemnity and contribution). He has been regularly instructed by insurers including AIG, Allied World, Asia, AXA, Berkshire Hathaway, BOCG, Chubb, FWD, Liberty, PingAn, PICC, Tokio Marine & Fire, XL Insurance and Zurich.
Francis is also a qualified Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP). He is actively involved in some recent high profile high net worth and charities disputes.
Kelly commenced full practice in 2018 following the successful completion of her pupillage with Mr Horace Wong SC, Mr MC Law (now Mr MC Law SC), Mr Norman Nip (now Mr Norman Nip SC) and Ms Catherine Wong. She has a wide spectrum of practice encompassing company disputes, insurance, bankruptcy and regulatory law.
Kelly is frequently instructed together with lead counsel or alone. Kelly also has experience in different levels of Court, including having appeared as sole advocate in the Court of First Instance, District Court and Coroner’s Court and having been led in the Court of First Instance and the Court of Appeal. Kelly is also conversant with arbitration, including those administered under the HKIAC rules, the UNCITRAL rules and the ICC Rules, and has appeared as arbitration counsel and appointed as tribunal secretary in a number of arbitrations.
Kelly has been recognised as a “Rising Star” by the Legal 500 (Asia-Pacific) 2024 in the areas of regulatory and private client and family.
Since October 2023, Kelly also has been serving as a part-time Judicial Associate.
Kelly has a professional command in Cantonese, Putonghua and English, and is capable of delivering written work in Chinese and English.
Cantonese, English, Mandarin
Julia served pupillage under Ambrose Ho S.C., Andrew Mak, Wilson Leung, and Benson Tsoi. She has a broad civil litigation and advisory practice.
Julia's commercial work includes shareholders’ disputes, derivative actions, unfair prejudice proceedings, insolvency matters, and general contractual disputes. She has acted in land and property matters such as building management disputes, rights of way, Building (Planning) Regulations, and resumption and compensation cases. She has been instructed in judicial review applications, administration and probate actions, and proceedings involving trusts and vesting orders.
Julia’s advisory practice spans personal injury, employment issues, adverse possession and Chinese customary law. She authored the latest update of the Annotated Ordinances of Hong Kong: Trustee Ordinance (Cap. 29).
Candice is a Charles Ching Scholar. Candice has a broad civil practice and has been involved (both as a sole advocate and as led junior) in cases concerning commercial, company, securities and regulatory, professional negligence, trusts, and employment matters.
Prior to joining the Bar, Candice read business and law at The University of Hong Kong, graduating with an LLB with first-class honours. Thereafter, she obtained her Master of Law (Commercial Law) from the University of Cambridge.
Candice has been recognised as a Recommended Junior Counsel by the 2024 Doyle’s Guide on Leading Employment & Labour Law Barristers in Hong Kong.
Candice is a part-time tutor at the University of Hong Kong, and the contributing author of various publications, including the latest update of the Annotated Ordinances of Hong Kong: Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap 571). Candice has also since 2021 served on the Young Barristers Committee of the Hong Kong Bar Association, and is responsible for overseeing its Street Law outreach program.
Adrian commenced practice in 2020. He has a broad civil practice, having appeared as sole counsel or a led junior in various levels of the Hong Kong courts and other specialist regulatory tribunals. As a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, he is also developing an international arbitration practice, and is an HKIAC-accredited Tribunal Secretary.
Prior to joining the Bar, Adrian qualified as a solicitor after training with an international law firm. He obtained his LLB and PCLL from the University of Hong Kong, and further obtained his LLM with first class honours from the University of Cambridge.
Adrian is a recipient of the Middle Temple Advocacy Scholarship.
Adrian’s LinkedIn page can be accessed here.
Leon Guo possesses dual legal education and professional qualifications in both Mainland China and Hong Kong. Prior to his practice as a barrister in Hong Kong, he served as in-house counsel in the Legal & Internal Control Department of a state-owned enterprise in Beijing.
He specializes in international arbitration and commercial litigation, focusing particularly on financial and equity investment disputes, company and shareholder disputes, securities regulations, and white-collar crime.
In the area of international arbitration, Leon has extensive experience, both as sole advocate and as led junior, in cases involving complex issues. He also has experience in arbitration-related court proceedings, including application to set aside arbitral awards and to challenges to the jurisdiction of arbitral tribunals under sections 34 and 81 of the Hong Kong Arbitration Ordinance (Cap.609).
In commercial litigation, Leon frequently represents clients from both Mainland China and Hong Kong, with a specialization in cross-border disputes. He is also adept at providing advice and expert opinions to courts and arbitral tribunals in Mainland China on complex Hong Kong law issues.
Leon’s expertise also extends to other practice areas, including winding-up/bankruptcy, land, trusts, probate, employment, family, and injunction.
Leon is a native Mandarin speaker and is fluent in speaking English and Cantonese.
He is currently a member of the Standing Committee of Mainland Affairs as well as a member of the Committee on Arbitration of the Hong Kong Bar Association.
Samantha graduated from the University of Hong Kong with double first-class degrees in law and government, before attending Harvard Law School for postgraduate studies, where she graduated with a top prize for her graduation thesis. She later served as a judicial assistant of the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong, before being awarded the Hong Kong Bar Scholarship. She is also called to the Bar in New York.
Samantha has a wide civil practice with an emphasis on civil and commercial litigation and international arbitration. She has experience handling arbitration proceedings conducted in HKIAC, LCIA and SIAC.
Samantha is able to provide legal advice and conduct hearings in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Samantha’s LinkedIn page can be found here.
Johnathan joined Chambers having completed his pupillage with Mr. Ambrose Ho SC, Mr. Jonathan Ah-weng, Ms. Joyce Leung and Mr. Herbert Leung. He is developing a broad practice with experience in handling matters involving commercial, company, arbitration, land, probate, personal injury, employment and family.
Johnathan obtained his LLB from the University of Warwick and his LLM with Distinction from the London School of Economics. He further obtained his PCLL from the University of Hong Kong, where he was awarded the Henry Wai & Co. Litigation Prize.
Kelvin joined Chambers after completing his pupillage with Mr Horace Wong SC, Ms Catherine Wong, Mr Isaac Chan and Mr Roger Phang.
Prior to joining Chambers, Kelvin graduated top of his class in both his undergraduate degree, and his JD degree at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. After completing his PCLL with distinction, Kelvin went on to obtain his BCL at the University of Oxford. During his studies, Kelvin received multiple scholarships and prizes in recognition of his academic achievements. In addition, Kelvin published in peer-reviewed journals, and delivered a CPD seminar on service out of jurisdiction during his pupillage.
Kelvin is developing a broad civil and commercial practice, with a particular emphasis on company, insolvency, securities, and fraud related matters. He also accepts instructions in matters involving applications for injunctive relief (e.g. freezing orders, anti-suit injunctions, etc.). Apart from litigation, Kelvin is also developing a practice in arbitration.
Peer-reviewed publications
CPD Seminars
As a group, our advantage stems from our drive and willingness to give our all. Our broad range of specialisms means that we can tackle a multitude of commercial challenges for clients. We also pay close attention to new legal trends and practice areas, ranging from financial regulations and competition law to international commercial arbitrations. If you are a practitioner looking to join a progressive and like-minded set, or seeking pupillage, this could be a unique place for you to build your career.