The Legal 500

The ’excellent’, ’well-prepared’ and ’value-for-money’ team at Allen & Overy leads the way on arbitrations involving financial institutions. Energy, natural resources, infrastructure and projects are also key areas for the team, which has a notably strong record in India and South-East Asia. ’Excellent’ leading figure Matthew Gearing recently represented India’s Reliance Industries in connection with an UNCITRAL $500m arbitration involving BG Group and the Indian government. Consultant Frances van Eupen is another leading name.

Clifford Chance has developed one of the most active arbitration practices in Hong Kong. It has a strong focus on representing banks and private equity houses, and has also had considerable success in representing PRC corporates, including cases relating to outbound investments. Cameron Hassall ’quickly grasps complex situations’, and is now principally focused on arbitration.

Herbert Smith Freehills is the ’top game in town, with both the depth and breadth of experience’, and is developing a superb reputation for PRC disputes. The eminent Justin D’Agostino recently acted for Grand Pacific Holdings in a successful appeal against the Hong Kong Court of First Instance’s decision to set aside an ICC arbitral award.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s leading global reputation was brought to Hong Kong in 2012, when department co-head Lucy Reed transferred to Hong Kong from New York. She has extensive experience in investor-state arbitration, and has an impressive record in Korea cases, as well as disputes throughout the region.

King & Wood Mallesons remains a leader in construction and infrastructure cases, and the practice has matured into a genuinely rounded arbitration practice, with senior figures David Bateson and Paul Starr continuing to earn accolades. Renowned arbitrator Neil Kaplan is recommended, as is the multi-talented Denis Brock.

O’Melveny & Myers LLP’s ’rapid’, ’thorough’, ’experienced’, and ’practical’ practice includes the experienced Friven Yeoh. Much of the practice relates to the PRC, India and South-East Asia, with foreign direct investment, shareholder and M&A disputes accounting for a significant portion of the work.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP’s Robert Pé has emerged as a premier figure in the arbitration sphere, both as counsel and as arbitrator. In 2012 he represented a consortium of private equity investors in claims against a Chinese real estate developer.

The ’professional’ and ’knowledgeable’ Sidley Austin’s Yang Ing Loong and Allen Kim lead the firm’s arbitration practice, particularly in relation to PRC and Korea disputes respectively. The former recently represented Malaysia’s Proton in a case concerning the dissolution of its joint venture with a PRC company in Guangdong.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP’s Paul Mitchard QC has ’a very big profile’, and is building a leading practice in Hong Kong. Investment cases and PRC joint venture disputes are key areas.

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has had considerable success in India disputes, as well as in representing a number of Chinese SOEs, with a strong focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors. The ’outstanding’ Christopher Walker is ’the go-to-guy’ for cross-border disputes.

Baker & McKenzie is heavily focused on PRC disputes, with particular prominence in property, projects and post-M&A cases. The firm represents both foreign multinationals and Chinese corporations, and has a particularly strong record in CIETAC arbitrations. James Kwan has certainly made an impression since joining the firm in 2011. Gary Seib provides further senior-level expertise.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP established a fine arbitration practice in 2011, with Christopher Tahbaz relocating from the firm’s New York office. He receives support from Lord Goldsmith QC in London.

With extensive dispute resolution expertise in Hong Kong and throughout the region, Hogan Lovells boasts a broad practice that covers key areas such as construction and engineering, commodities, energy and BIT cases. The firm’s work on the Shandong Hongri case, involving Hong Kong enforcement proceedings of a CIETAC award, is worthy of note. Timothy Hill, Mark Lin and Damon So are the principal partners.

Latham & Watkins LLP’s dispute resolution practice has a strong weighting towards international arbitration, and in Simon Powell it has a practitioner of genuine strength. While much of the practice centres on PRC disputes, the department is gaining exposure to cases throughout Asia.

Linklaters has made a concerted effort to develop its arbitration status in Hong Kong, and the promotion of Jelita Pandjaitan to partner in 2012 is part of that process. Cases emanating from South-East Asia have been a key area of growth.