Hong Kong > Construction
Construction
Mallesons Stephen Jaques’s ‘good operator’ David Bateson and the very experienced Paul Starr are key to the great reputation of the practice, and clients are impressed with how the lawyers ‘defuse tense encounters and conduct hearings with a deft touch’. The team represented a Japanese contractor in an international arbitration relating to the second Bangkok International Airport and managed to develop Dubai related work as a new area of focus, where the team acted for a contractor in various disputes with the Dubai Government regarding a road interchange construction in Dubai. In another significant deal, Paul Starr advised Leighton regarding a mining agreement negotiation for the operation of a coal mine in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia. Clients note the team produces an ‘excellently drafted and well thought-out report’.
Pinsent Masons can rely on a very loyal client base from across the region, where clients value team members as ‘suitable middlemen in regard of culture interface problems’. The diligent Vincent Connor, Mark Raymont and Peter Borg have the ‘desire to go the extra mile’ and ‘translate legal advice into client action’. In a high profile case, the team advised the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau on the $5.6bn Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge infrastructure project. A Japanese consortium relied on the team in their bidding for the construction of the third set of locks at the Panama Canal, where the team demonstrated experience in advising on risk assessment, bidding strategies and anticipatory supply chain arrangements. Long standing clients appreciate the ‘extremely low staff turnover’.
Baker & McKenzie boasts a very strong non-contentious practice, with David Smith advising the authorities in a high value project on the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) development. Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation instructed the team on the planning and design of the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link. The non-contentious practice is complemented by a steady flow of contentious work, with Andrew Aglionby frequently advising employers in arbitration proceedings. Disputes arising from energy sector projects is another focus of the broad practice.
The team at Deacons delivers an ‘excellent service’ and clients appreciate the ‘no-nonsense practical advice given’. The group successfully extended its client base beyond Hong Kong and China to markets such as the Middle East, the Philippines, Vietnam and Mongolia. Work highlights include advising a Hong Kong contractor in an international infrastructure project arbitration in the Philippines, and the team also acted for architectural practice Aedas regarding projects in Hong Kong, Vietnam and the UAE. Clients describe Geoffrey Shaw as ‘experienced and efficient in his advice and follow up action’ and the team boasts additional senior expertise in the highly rated KK Cheung.
Mayer Brown JSM enjoys a steady flow of clients instructing the practice on contentious and non-contentious matters, giving credit to the ‘first class’ team of lawyers who impress with a ‘range and breadth of capabilities’. Kevin Owen continues to act for Cathay Pacific Airways regarding its third cargo terminal at Hong Kong International Airport, and advised the Hong Kong Trade Development Council on the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre extension. Geoffrey Chan and the ‘experienced’ David Boyle focus on contentious construction work in the region, where the team acted for the civil engineering and development department of the Hong Kong government in an arbitration relating to claims arising out of the Pak Shek Kok infrastructure project.
Minter Ellison continues to be reputable for Macau-related work and for representing public sector bodies in disputes, where the team acted for the Hong Kong government in a High Court action against Hong Kong and Yaumati Ferry, seeking compensation regarding the construction of ferry piers. Ian Cocking and Steven Yip advised Matsunichi Communication on the project documentation for its multi-billion dollar hotel, commercial and residential development project in China. The team suffered the loss of partner Brian Downie, but strengthened the group with new arrivals Hilary Cordell and Fiona Connell, who join as consultants. The team was appointed to the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority panel.
Lovells operate a very solid practice under Timothy Hill and are well known in the market for their expertise in construction disputes. The team acted for the Construction Industry Council on the dismissal of an appeal against it by a construction company regarding a levy payable, advised on some pilot projects in Hong Kong, and acted for clients relating to matters in Hong Kong, Macau, Indonesia and the Middle East. The team renders ‘efficient and high quality advice’ to contractors and developers alike and is experienced on the contentious as well as the non-contentious side. Chartered civil and structural engineer and lawyer Damon So was appointed partner in 2009.
Fried, Frank, Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP in association with Huen Wong & Co is known for the impressive Philip Nunn, with clients ‘treasuring his service’. The experienced disputes lawyer boasts established relationships in the region and focuses on construction and infrastructure advice. Recently, infrastructure projects and contract documentation for new projects were a source of work. However, with Philip Nunn being the only partner of the team, the major part of the workload ‘rests on him’.
Jones Day receives praise for the China-related work and the group’s US client base makes use of a team that is centred on the oil and gas industry. The energy sector has been a constant source of work, and clients rate Beijing-based Ashley Howlett for his ‘timeliness and efficiency’. Howlett represented Chevron in the $1bn gas project in Sichuan, and the team acts for contractors in construction arbitration cases, with the representation of Chun Wo in $12m High Court proceedings a highlight.