The Legal 500

Within Corporate (including M&A), tier 6

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert has an impressive list of blue-chip clients, for which is normally advises on mid-cap transactions. Despite the firm’s insurance emphasis, the department led by Pádraig Walsh is notable for the amount of non-insurance-related instructions.

Within Dispute resolution, tier 4

Despite the firm’s insurance focus, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert does have a genuinely broad commercial litigation practice. Financial institutions disputes (including mis-selling cases), fraud and contentious regulatory issues are a burgeoning segment of the practice. The firm is also well known for its strong connections to the major and mid-tier accounting firms. Tom Fyfe is ‘smart’, and ‘quick to pick up on the issues’, as is Richard Keady, while David Smyth is a leading figure in insurance litigation.

Within Dispute resolution International arbitration Other recommended firms

Within Employment, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP is a third tier firm,

Producing ‘a consistently high standard of work’, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert advises BT Hong Kong on employment issues relating to restructuring projects across the Asia Pacific region. Practice head Pádraig Walsh is a ‘great communicator, who is able to explain complex issues in a clear and easy-to-understand manner’.

Within Insurance, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP is a first tier firm,

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert has a superb name as a market leader for insurance work, which is a mainstay practice for the firm. The team handles professional indemnity, D&O claims, financial lines and product liability work. Litigator David Smyth has a notable depth of expertise, and Richard Keady is also recommended on the disputes side. The team is currently advising Essar on two solicitor negligence claims, and clients include ACE, CV Starr and QBE. Antony Sassi made partner in May 2011. Andrew Horton handles marine insurance work.

Within Intellectual property, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP is a third tier firm,

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert ‘offers a more personalised level of service, while always delivering timely responses and high-quality advice’. Led by the ‘approachable and helpful’ Richard Keady, the team is acting for Philips Electronics in four different patent infringement cases involving public listed companies in Hong Kong.

Within Legal market overview,

At the time of going to press, Clyde & Co and Barlow Lyde & Gilbert were due to merge, and the success of the merger will be assessed in the 2013 edition.

Within Regulatory, tier 4

Pádraig Walsh at Barlow Lyde & Gilbert recently provided advice on the regulatory obligations of investment-linked products within the life assurance sector. He also advised Noho Capital Management on licensing and regulatory issues regarding the establishment of a fund. Richard Keady provides support on the contentious side.

Within Shipping, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP is a third tier firm,

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert’s shipping practice is hinged off the reputation of Andrew Horton, who joined from Reed Smith Richards Butler in 2010. Horton is well known locally, and for some is ‘the best lawyer in Hong Kong for marine cargo recovery cases’. Senior solicitor and ex-DLA Piper lawyer Gary Yin is ‘very proactive’ and focuses on transport liability and cargo claims.

Within TMT Other recommended firms