Profile
Profile
A former solicitor, Charles transferred to the Bar in England in 1982 and in Hong Kong in 1983. Whilst still appearing in the Hong Kong Courts, he practised in England from 1989 to 1999 at 2 Essex Court (the London chambers now known as Quadrant Chambers).
Charles has a broad commercial and corporate practice, which includes “complex insurance and finance-related disputes” (Chambers Asia 2011), as well as shipping, banking, securities and company litigation and arbitration.
- David Subotic & ors v Securities and Futures Commission (2023) 26 HKCFAR 488. Service out of the jurisdiction of proceedings under s.213 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance.
- The “Star Centurion” (2023) 26 HKCFAR 297. Ship collision. Claim for wreck removal not subject to limitation of liability.
- PT Asuransi Tugu Pratama Indonesia TBK v Citibank NA (2023) 26 HKCFAR 1. Claim for breach of bank’s Quincecare Wrongful debits claimable as debt not damages.
- Haller AG v Vestey International Group Ltd [2023] 1 HKLRD 39. Civil procedure – service out of jurisdiction – necessary or proper party. Arbitration – appeal from refusal to stay – Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction to grant leave to appeal.
- The “Milano Bridge” [2022] 1 HKLRD 1151. Application to stay for forum non conveniens – substantial justice could be done in alternative jurisdiction which had not updated tonnage limits eroded by inflation.
- Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Ltd v Lau & anor [2021] 2 HKLRD 425 (CA). Civil evidence – refusal of defendant’s application to give evidence at trial via video conferencing – application for leave to appeal refused.
- Eminent Investments (Asia Pacific) Ltd v DIO Corportion (2020) 23 HKCFAR 487. Financial advisory agreement – construction – claim for transaction fee in respect of fundraising entered into after termination of agreement.
- Bright Shipping Ltd v Changhong Group (HK) Ltd [2019] 5 HKLRD 30. Application to stay ship collision action on ground of forum non conveniens. Collision in international waters, but in PRC Exclusive Economic Zone – stay to PRC dismissed.
- Dymocks Franchise Systems (China) Ltd v Norton Rose Fulbright Hong Kong [2019] 3 HKLRD 742 Professional negligence – failure to advise franchise transferee of potential application of Transfer of Businesses (Protection of Creditors) Ordinance (Cap.49) – within scope of retainer.
- Chu Kong v Lau Wing Yan & ors [2019] 1 HKLRD 589. Arbitration – stay of proceedings – multiple derivative action – whether arbitration agreement incapable of being performed.
- Elliot International LP v. Bank of East Asia Ltd. [2018] 5 HKLRD 319; [2018] 4 HKLRD 427; [2018] 4 HKLRD 396. Unfair prejudice petition – share placement – share dilution.
- T v A [2018] 3 HKLRD 730. Arbitration – authority to commence arbitration – whether subrogated insurer had authority to arbitrate using assured’s name.
- The “TS Singapore” and “Xin Nan Tai 77” [2018] 4 HKLRD 1 (CA). Ship collision – duty of give-way vessel to take early and substantial action to keep well clear – approach to apportionment on appeal.
- Brave Venture Ltd. v Xinhua New Media Holdings & anor [2017] 5 HKLRD 153. Company law – injunctions under ss.728-730 of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.622) – whether Cayman company is breach of articles of association.
- Ho Wai Ping v Ho Ka Man Carmen [2017] 2 HKLRD 158 (CA). Probate – whether informal will conditional – whether testator had testamentary intent for will to have immediate dispositive effect upon execution.
- Allen & Overy & anor v Beijing Tong Gang Da Sheng Trade Co Ltd (2016) 19 HKCFAR 705.
- Newocean Petroleum Co Ltd v OW Bunker China Ltd [2016] 3 HKLRD 892
- Sea Powerful II Special Maritime Enterprises (ENE) v Bank of China Ltd [2016] 3 HKLRD 352 (CA).
- Brink’s Hong Kong Ltd v KBC Bank NV (2016) 19 HKCFAR 272. Carriage by air – plaintiff bank entitled to bring claim as pledgee for conversion by misdelivery
- SFC v Young Bik Fung [2016] 1 HKLRD 1249.
- Leung Wing Yi Asther v Kwok Yu Wah (2015) HKCFAR 605.
- The “Almojil 61” [2015] 3 HKLRD 598 (CA).
- LWYA v KYW [2015] 2 HKLRD 1029 (CA).
- The “Ruby Star” [2015] 1 HKLRD 543 (CA).
- Luck Continent Ltd v Cheng Chee Tock Theodore (2014) 17 HKCFAR 863
- Excel Courage Holdings Ltd v Wong Sin Lai [2014] 3 HKLRD 642 (CA).
- Falcon Private Bank Ltd v Borry Bernard Edouard Charles Ltd (2014) 17 HKCFAR 281.
- Pony HK World Ltd v Vand Petrochemicals (BVI) Co Ltd (2013) 16 HKCFAR 937.
- Re The Grande Holdings Ltd [2013] 4 HKLRD 353.
- SFC v Tiger Asia Management LLC (2013) 16 HKCFAR 324.
- The “Decurion” [2013] 2 HKLRD 930 (CA).
- PCCW-HKT Telephone Ltd v Aitken (2009) 12 HKCFAR 114. Employment – restraint of trade – confidential and privileged information acquired by solicitor employee during employment – whether ex-employer could restrain former employee from being employed where such information might be relevant.
- Ming An Insurance Co (HK) Ltd v Ritz-Carlton Ltd (No 2) (2009) 12 HKCFAR 158. Judgment and pre-judgment interest – employer found vicariously liable on appeal – ss.48 and 49 of Cap.4.
- The “Hua Tian Long” [2008] 4 HKLRD 745 (CA). Admiralty arrest – security for plaintiff’s reasonably arguable best case – amount of security increased on appeal.
- Kelso Enterprises v Liu Yiu Keung [2007] 3 HKLRD 266 (CA). Company law – whether dissolution should be deferred – s.249(4) Cap.32
- Total Energy Asia Ltd v Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Ltd [2007] 1 HKLRD 871. Letter of credit – UCP art.14(d) – whether notice of rejection valid.
- PCCW Global Ltd v Interactive Communications Service Ltd [2007] 1 HKLRD 309 (CA). Arbitration agreement – whether prima facie case that billing dispute was within the scope of arbitration agreement.
- The “Convenience Container” [2006] 3 HKLRD 610; [2007] 3 HKLRD 575 (CA). Admiralty jurisdiction – writ issued after judicial sale of vessel – meaning of “beneficial owner” in s.12B(4)(b)(i) of Cap.4 – whether winding up order divested company of beneficial ownership.
- Far East Drug (BVI) Co Ltd v First Pacific Co Ltd (2006) 9 HKCFAR 224. Contract – construction – clause required claim to be brought “before the date which falls 18 months after the date of this agreement” – corresponding date rule.
- Ericcson Ltd v KLM Royal Dutch Airlines [2006] 1 HKLRD 584. Carriage by air – liability of carrier – Amended Warsaw Convention art.18 – Guadalajara Convention.
- Jae Hoon Oh v Richdale [2005] 2 HKLRD 285 (CA); [2006] HKEC 743 (CA); (2006) 9 HKCFAR 649 (CFA). Tort of malicious prosecution – application to strike out.
- BC Enterprise Sdn Bhd v Bank of China Group Insurance Co Ltd [2004] 1 HKLRD 20. Marine insurance – construction – inception of insurance on shipment – warranty that carrying vessel be ISM Code compliant.
- Secretary for Justice v Hon Kam Wing [2003] 1 HKLRD 524. Constructive trust – whether within class of trust to which limitation did not apply – whether constructive trust was real trust of only a basis for equitable relief.
- Guang Xin Enterprises Ltd. v Kwan Wong Tan & Fong [2002] 2 HKLRD 319; [2003] 3 HKLRD 527 (CA). Professional negligence – auditors – whether liable for trading losses.
- Trafigura v China Navigation Co. [2001] 1 HKLRD 17. Bill of lading – misdelivery – conversion – whether pledgor of cargo had locus to sue.
- The “Sparti” [2000] HKLRD561. Transferability of maritime lien – seafarers’ wages.
- The “Resource 1” (2000) 3 HKCFAR 187. Admiralty action in rem – meaning of “owner” in s.12B(4)(b) of Cap.4 – challenge to jurisdiction.
Arbitration as counsel, Enforcement of Arbitral Award, Bankers’ Duties, Credit Financing, Financial Mis-selling, Moneylenders’ Actions, Securities Law, SFC Enforcement Actions, Contract, Conflict of Laws, Equity, Tort, Unjust Enrichment, Insurance Law, Negotiable Instruments, Partnerships, Sale of Goods, Corporate Governance, Compliance with Listing and Other Regulatory Rules, Derivative Action, Unfair Prejudice Petition, Divorce and Dissolution, Matrimonial Finance, Bankruptcy, Restructuring, Winding-Up, Aviation, Letters of Credit, Sale and Carriage of Goods, Shipping, Auditors’ Negligence, Disciplinary Proceedings, Medical Negligence, Solicitors’ Negligence, Surveyors’ Negligence, Anton Piller Relief, Asset Tracing, Bankers’ Books Orders, Discovery, Injunction, Norwich Pharmacal Orders