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Practice Areas

Arbitration

Out-of-court dispute settlement has become an increasingly popular choice for clients for a multitude of reasons, including confidentiality, cost-efficiency and effectiveness in resolving disputes. Hong Kong enjoys a geographical advantage as well as a well-established system which renders it an internationally attractive place for ADR to take place.

In 2017, the Arbitration and Mediation Legislation (Third Party Funding) (Amendment) Ordinance Order No. 6 of 2017 (the ‘Amendment Ordinance’) was passed to legalise third-party funding of arbitration, mediation and related proceedings in Hong Kong. The Amendment Ordinance clarifies that third-party funding for arbitration and mediation is not prohibited by the common law doctrines of maintenance and champerty and provides for related safeguards.

DVC members have extensive experience acting as counsel or arbitrator in international and domestic arbitrations governed by various institutional rules, including HKIAC, CIETAC, SIAC, LMAA, ICC and UNCITRAL. Our members are also panel arbitrators at various arbitral institutions, as well as fellow members of renowned institutes of arbitrators.

Members are equally well-versed in ad hoc arbitrations, and can flexibly adapt to the characteristics of each dispute and the needs of each client.

Specific Areas of Expertise

  • Arbitration as counsel
  • Arbitration as arbitrator
  • Enforcement of Arbitral Award
  • Adjudication
  • Expert Determination

Des Voeux Chambers Members’ Contributions to Arbitration

Since its establishment in 1984, DVC members have been instrumental in promoting the use and development of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Hong Kong and worldwide, and have played an immensely important role in Hong Kong’s transformation into an international arbitration centre in particular.

Neil Kaplan, CBE KS SBS, KC, the first Chairman of Des Voeux and distinguished former member, was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Hong Kong in 1990, and has served as a longstanding Presiding Judge of Construction and Arbitration matters. DVC members have also held important positions in the field of arbitration, such as Chairman of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre.

The present members of Des Voeux Chambers remain active in the area of international arbitration and have worked diligently for the development of the profession.

Accolades

for Arbitration at DVC

This “very knowledgeable junior barrister punches well above his weight” and has “excellent research skills and equally strong written submissions.” He maintains a very versatile practice across corporate and commercial litigation and arbitration, with expertise in handling insolvency, intellectual property and company law disputes. He is considered  a “very clever and detail-oriented” advocate and “one of the standout juniors at DVC,” and recognised by  “many big firms now; [given that]  his practice has sky-rocketed and he’s been continuously on the rise.”

This silk is “very sought after as a construction silk and arbitrator.” He is singled out for “his expert handling of professional negligence claims and employment-related claims, in addition to his construction litigation and arbitration practice.”

— Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2021)

This junior is variously described as “a diligent and thorough junior, fully capable of doing his own advocacy” and “a leading, outstanding junior member of the Hong Kong Bar.” Notably active in the company law, insolvency, intellectual property, regulatory and commercial arbitration spheres.

— Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2020)

DVC’s members are variously noted for being “formidable opponents” who are “effective at identifying and dealing with points that win a case.” One stand out member is “an extremely good all-rounder and very persuasive advocate,” particularly respected for his “good, always patient leadership.” And another is particularly known for being “one of the region’s best-known practitioners in the arbitration sphere” acting as “both counsel and arbitrator.”

— Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2018)

One of our members is a “household name who combines frequent appearances on the litigation scene with a busy career as an international arbitrator and arbitration counsel appearing in cases with a technological angle. She is described as “absolutely fantastic, so quick and asking the right questions and nailing you down.”

— Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2017)

News & Events

on Arbitration at DVC

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