Jason Yu > Des Voeux Chambers > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Lawyer Profile

Jason Yu

Career

Jason graduated from the University of Oxford in 2009 with First Class Honours, ranking first in his class in Contract Law and ninth overall. In 2011, he obtained a Distinction in his BCL degree at Oxford and was awarded the Bar Scholarship. He joined Chambers in the following year.

Since joining Chambers, Jason has developed a broad practice with a particular focus on commercial, company, insolvency and intellectual property litigation. He is also regularly instructed to act as counsel in arbitrations and related court applications.

Jason is an experienced advocate in his own right, including in trials, appeals and arbitration hearings. He has been instructed by professionals and financial institutions to act as sole counsel in a range of disputes, from securing the discharge of an injunction against a global investment bank to obtaining a disclosure order for one of the largest Chinese insurance companies in a passing-off case.

He has also been led as a junior in notable high value disputes, such as the Bank of East Asia litigation (on behalf of Elliott Advisors), the China Forestry litigation (on behalf of KPMG), the Nan Fung probate litigation (on behalf of a beneficiary), the Convoy Global litigation (on behalf of directors), the China Shanshui litigation (on behalf of a state-owned enterprise) and the Ablyazov litigation (on behalf of BTA Bank).

Jason is often involved in cases with a cross-border or conflict of laws element. Of particular note is the Court of Final Appeal case of Ryder v Timely, where Lord Collins NPJ delivered one of the leading judgments in the common law on foreign illegality.

He was recognised by Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific as “a complete star at his level” and “a leading, outstanding junior member of the Hong Kong Bar”, and was noted for his “talent and extensive experience”, “very powerful advocacy” and “really unrivalled knowledge of the law“. Who’s Who Legal has also highlighted “his superb litigation practice and strong expertise in company law, insolvency and IP”.

Year of call

• 2012

Notable Cases

Company and insolvency:

Re Silver Base Group [2022] HKCLC 981 – issues on ancillary winding up (as sole counsel)

Re Everwin Enterprise [2022] HKCLC 735 – winding-up based on bond-linked notes and issues of illegality (led by José Maurellet SC)

Re Apastron Capital [2022] HKCLC 715 – on court’s power to appoint liquidators (as sole counsel)

Re First Ocean Financial [2022] 1 HKLRD 798, [2022] 2 HKC 474, [2022] HKCLC 129 – on jurisdiction to set aside winding-up orders (led by Rachel Lam SC)

Re Convoy Global [2021] 1 HKLRD 997, [2021] 4 HKC 1, [2021] HKCLC 107 – appeal on common law derivative actions; [2021] HKCLC 563, [2018] HKCLC 181 – discharge of interlocutory injunctions; [2021] HKCLC 449 – statutory derivative action; [2021] 4 HKC 167, [2020] 3 HKC 403, [2018] 6 HKC 394 – finality of chairman’s decision in general meeting (led by José Maurellet SC)

Re Bank of East Asia [2020] HKCFI 310, [2019] HKCFI 1555, [2018] 4 HKLRD 396, [2018] 4 HKLRD 427, [2018] HKCLC 321, [2018] HKCLC 211 – acted for hedge fund Elliott Advisors in unfair prejudice dispute on share placements (led by Charles Sussex SC and José Maurellet SC)

Re Fortune King [2020] 3 HKC 429, [2020] HKCLC 475, [2020] HKCLC 205 – rejection of proof of debt; unjust enrichment and subrogation (as sole counsel)

Re Cornwall Agency [2020] HKCLC 1425 – on power to issue replacement share certificates (as sole counsel)

Re ACE International [2020] 2 HKLRD 508, [2020] HKCLC 427 – striking-out winding up relief (led by José Maurellet SC)

Re Khingan Resources [2020] HKCLC 1419 – on compliance with r.32 of the Winding-Up Rules (as sole counsel)

Re Hsin Kuang Restaurant [2020] HKCLC 975 – on statutory derivative actions and proof of actionable loss (led by José Maurellet SC)

Re Mongolian Mining [2018] 5 HKLRD 48, [2018] HKCLC 349 – scheme of arrangement (led by José Maurellet SC)

Re Ting Wai Monastery [2018] 1 HKLRD 346, [2018] 2 HKC 6, [2017] HKCLC 283 – provisional liquidation of charitable company (as sole counsel)

Re Winasia Industries [2018] HKCLC 11 – costs of application to rectify information on Companies Register (as sole counsel)

Re AGI Logistics [2016] 5 HKLRD 737, [2016] HKCLC 503, [2015] 4 HKLRD 300 – appeal on post-petition dispositions (led by José Maurellet SC)

Re Joint Silver [2016] HKCLC 595, [2016] HKCLC 595 – compulsory winding up ordered in voluntary winding up (led by José Maurellet SC)

Re Dayuan International HCCW103/2015 – unfair prejudice; members’ inspection (led by Johnny Mok SC, William Wong SC, Victor Joffe SC)

Re Lam Ying Ho [2015] 2 HKC 162 – appeal on suspended bankruptcy discharge (as sole counsel)

Re David Ho [2015] 2 HKLRD 603 – examination orders; legal professional privilege (as sole counsel)

Re STX Pan Ocean [2014] 5 HKLRD 581 – conversion of voluntary winding up (with Richard Zimmern)

Re High Fashion HCA1724/2014 – shareholders’ agreement injunction (led by Russell Coleman SC, as he then was)

Re Sheng Da Investment [2013] 3 HKLRD 559 – shareholders’ agreement dispute (led by Jonathan Chang SC)

Acted for liquidators and trustees in restructuring listed companies and in trust, void disposition and unfair preference disputes: e.g. Re China Solar Energy HCCW108/2015; Re Anxin-China HCCW317/2015; Re Lucky Ford HCA1357/2012; Re Red Personnel HCA213/2013

 

Commercial:

Haller v Vestey  [2023] 1 HKLRD 39 – appeal on scope of necessary or proper party gateway under RHC O.11 r.1(1)(c) (led by Charles Sussex SC)

Perusahaan v Trevaskis [2023] HKCFA 5, [2022] 4 HKLRD 37, [2021] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 637, [2021] 2 HKLRD 4 – appeal on whether wreck removal claims limitable under the LLMC 1976 (led by Charles Sussex SC)

China Metal Recycling v Deloitte [2022] HKCFI 2344 – represented auditor in defending audit negligence claim; obtaining order permitting use of technology-assisted review in e-discovery (as sole counsel)

China Forestry v KPMG [2021] HKCFI 1519, [2020] HKCFI 2614, [2020] HKCFI 2615 – represented auditor in disclosure and expert directions hearings (as sole counsel); instructed to appear in 50-day audit negligence trial (led by Justin Fenwick QC and Douglas Lam SC)

Pusan v Milano Bridge [2022] 1 HKLRD 1151 – forum non conveniens stay; meaning of forum shopping and substantial justice (led by Charles Sussex SC)

Bright Shipping v Changhong [2019] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 437, [2019] 5 HKLRD 30 – appeal on forum non conveniens (led by Charles Sussex SC)

Ryder v Timely (2015) 18 HKCFAR 544 – leading common law decision on foreign illegality; [2015] 2 HKC 582, [2013] 6 HKC 584, [2013] 5 HKLRD 343 – on sanctioned offers (with Richard Zimmern)

Excel Courage v Wong [2014] 3 HKLRD 642 – appeal on material non-disclosure; ex parte injunctions (led by Rachel Lam SC)

Pacific Electric Wire v Willi HCCL18/2009 – non-party cost orders (led by Clifford Smith SC)

 

Banking and finance:

China Construction Bank v Zhang Kangyang [2022] HKCFI 2135 – acted for bank in obtaining US$255 million summary judgment in multi-jurisdictional dispute involving Suning Group (led by Rachel Lam SC)

Wang v JP Morgan [2021] 4 HKLRD 770 – acted for bank (in written submissions) to strike-out sponsor liability claim (led by Bernard Man SC)

BFAM v Segantii [2021] HKCFI 2904 – acted for hedge fund in employment dispute (as sole counsel)

Banco de Chile v Boruida [2019] 1 HKLRD 1290, [2018] 5 HKLRD 154 – acted for bank in injunction applications (as sole counsel)

Cheung v Hang Seng Bank [2019] HKCFI 2874 – acted for bank in defending claim and obtaining third party injunctions (as sole counsel)

China Baoli v Orient HCA1399/2016 – defended lender in multi-party injunction on repo agreements (led by Charles Sussex SC)

JSC BTA Bank v Ablyazov [2014] 5 HKC 209 – acted for bank in obtaining Mareva, Chabra and receivership orders under s.21M of the High Court Ordinance in aid of UK claims for up to US$6 billion (led by José Maurellet SC)

Toyota Tsusho v Chimei Innolux HCA1173/2011 – trial on letter of credit fraud (led by Jonathan Chang SC)

 

Probate:

Re Estate of Chen Din Hwa [2020] 1 HKLRD 194, [2020] 4 HKC 31 – appeal on scope of statutory power of advancement pending administration and after beneficiary is absolutely entitled (led by Shân Warnock-Smith KC and Jeremy Bartlett SC)

A v C [2020] HKCFI 2628 – acted for administrators in obtaining vesting order over foreign assets (led by José Maurellet SC)

Nativivat v Nativivat [2013] 3 HKLRD 340, [2014] 1 HKC 350 – appeal on foreign executors’ locus before grant (led by Chua Guan-Hock SC)

Tao Shen Jong v Yung HCAP10/2010 – acted in interlocutory hearings in probate dispute (led by Victor Joffe SC)

 

Arbitration:

Haller v Vestey [2023] 1 HKLRD 39 – jurisdiction to grant leave to appeal under s.20(9) of the Arbitration Ordinance (led by Charles Sussex SC)

Excel Jumbo v Cybernaut [2022] HKCFI 3555 – anti-arbitration injunction, statutory derivative action (as sole counsel)

Paloma v Capxon [2020] HKCFI 3050 – appointment of receivers in aid of enforcing award (led by Jonathan Chang SC); [2020] 2 HKLRD 1306, [2018] 2 HKLRD 1424 – leave to enforce award, post-award discovery (as sole counsel); [2020] 2 HKLRD F1, [2020] HKCLC 703 – recognition of foreign voluntary winding up, charging orders (led by Victor Joffe SC)

T v A [2018] 3 HKLRD 730 – jurisdiction challenge under Art. 16 Model Law; subrogation, conflicts of laws issues (led by Clifford Smith SC)

Chimbusco v Fully Best [2016] 1 HKLRD 582, [2016] 1 HKC 149 – indemnity costs; arbitration stay (as sole counsel)

Commercial arbitration, HKIAC – acted for state-owned investment fund in claim arising from de-SPAC transaction (as sole counsel)

Patent licensing arbitration, HKIAC – acted against leading Chinese manufacturer at trial (as sole counsel)

Commercial arbitration, HKIAC – acted for leading cryptocurrency firm in dispute with customer (as sole counsel)

Commercial arbitration, UNCITRAL rules – dispute with state-owned enterprise on oil field investment with claims over US$1 billion (led by William Wong SC); appeared in procedural hearing (as sole counsel)

Commercial arbitration, HKIAC – acted for North American pension fund in trial concerning distressed PRC private equity investment of US$200 million (led by Douglas Lam SC)

Commercial arbitration, ICC – acted for American footwear retailer in jurisdiction challenge against distributor (led by José Maurellet SC)

 

Intellectual property:

Biozeal v Nature’s Story [2022] 1 HKLRD 191 – leave to appeal granted on novel point as to non-justiciability of foreign trade marks (led by Winnie Tam SC)

Interactive Media v Just Media [2018] HKCFI 1114 – resisted passing-off injunction (as sole counsel)

Nagravision v Gotech [2018] HKCFI 1330 – injunctions to enforce US copyright infringement default judgment (led by José Maurellet SC)

Oriental v Sze Hing Loong HCA2094/2011 – goodwill ownership dispute (led by Winnie Tam SC)

 

Regulatory, public law and others:

Chantal v Leung [2017] 4 HKC 538 – deduction of wages under Employment Ordinance (as sole counsel)

Uber Drivers Prosecution KCCC274-277&279/2016 – constiutionality of offence charged against Uber drivers (led by Adrian Huggins SC and Derek Chan SC)

Trustees of Union Church v Senior Missionary  HCMP1579/2016 – statutory interpretation of reverter clause in Union Church Incorporation Ordinance (led by José Maurellet SC)

Lee v HK Automobile Association [2015] 3 HKLRD 689 – resisted stay pending review of disqualification decision by sporting authority (led by José Maurellet SC on appeal)

Hong Lee v Law Society CACV155/2014 – Law Society’s duty of care in intervening a firm (as sole counsel)

SFC v Wang Jian Hua HCMP745/2013 – orders to commence action under s.214 of Securities and Futures Ordinance (as sole counsel)

Audit Investigation Board v KM Choi HCMP1703/2013 – obtained first enforcement order for Financial Reporting Council (as sole counsel)

Re Robin Dicker QC [2013] 2 HKLRD 245, [2013] 5 HKC 512 – CFA factor in overseas admissions (led by the late Gerard McCoy SC)

Memberships

• Member, Committee on International Law, Hong Kong Bar Association
• Coach (IP Moot Team), Faculty of Law, University of Hong Kong (up to 2019)

Education

• BA in Jurisprudence, University of Oxford (First Class)
• BCL, University of Oxford (Distinction)
• CEDR Accredited Mediator