Chris Howse
Chris is the head of the medico-legal team of the Hong Kong office of Richards Butler. He advises doctors, dentists and their indemnity providers, the Medical Protection Society and Dental Protection Ltd., and other health care professionals on a wide range of medico-legal issues. He also advises private hospitals, corporate health care providers and pharmaceutical companies on issues relating to the importation and distribution of drugs and pharmaceutical products; drug liability claims and other regulatory matters.
Chris is a qualified arbitrator in Hong Kong and in Korea and China. He has acted as an arbitrator for many years.
Representative Matters
Responsible for setting up and developing the medico-legal team within the Hong Kong office of Richards Butler.
Involved in a large number of medico-legal cases in Hong Kong including the two largest cases of alleged obstetric negligence which came before the Hong Kong Courts.
Appears before the Medical and Dental Councils of Hong Kong on a regular basis representing doctors and dentists in disciplinary hearings.
Publications
- Chris has published a number of articles relating to medico-legal issues in Hong Kong and England.
Speeches / Presentations
- Pitfalls in Medical Practice; medical records, consent and chaperons.
- Understanding medical insurance.
- Medical legal aspects of indecent assault.
- Why are doctors sued and why did they face more complaints?
- The increasing cost of medico-legal claims - are we facing an indemnity crisis?
- The increasing risk of medical litigation in Hong Kong and the importance of professional indemnity cover for doctors and other health care professionals.
- Dissemination of professional information and advertising - a fine balance?
- The Patient Complaints Mediation Committee - The Hong Kong Dental Association experience.
- Common medico-legal problems - a practical guide for clinicians.
- Medical tourism; development and future trends.
- Understanding medical insurance - why do doctors need lawyers?
- Medical and Dental Council inquiries explained.
Experience
| 2008 | Richards Butler in Association with Reed Smith LLP, Senior Partner |
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| 1983 | Richards Butler Hong Kong, Senior Partner |
| 1975 | Richards Butler London 1975-1978 Trainee solicitor 1978-1982 Solicitor 1982 Partner |
Legal Education
| 1975 | College of Law |
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Undergraduate Education
| 1973 | University of Bristol, B.A., Hons |
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| 1970 | University of Geneva |
Professional Admissions / Qualifications
- Australia
- England and Wales
- Hong Kong
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court - England and Wales
- Supreme Court - Hong Kong
- High Court - Australia
Professional Affiliations
- Honorary Legal Adviser to Hong Kong Dental Association
- Honorary Legal Adviser to Patient Complaints Mediation Committee of the Hong Kong Dental Association
- Honorary Legal Adviser to Patient Complaints Mediation Committee of the Hong Kong Medical Association
- Honorary Legal Adviser to Hong Kong Association of Speech Therapists
- Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Hong Kong)
- Fellow of The Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators Ltd.
- Supporting Member of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association
- Hong Kong Arbitration Law Review Committee 1996 – 2000
- Listed on the panel of arbitrators of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre
- Listed on Panel of Arbitrators of China Maritime Arbitration Commission
- Listed on Panel of Arbitrators of Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group
- Listed on the panel of Korean Commercial Arbitration Board
- Hong Kong Law Society Working Party on Professional Indemnity Insurance Scheme 1996 - 2004
- Hong Kong Law Society Professional Indemnity Advisory Committee 1999 – 2006
- Hong Kong Law Society Professional Indemnity Insurance Claims Committee 1997 – 1999
- Deputy Chairman of Law Society Professional Indemnity Claims Committee - 1999 - 2004
- Chairman of Law Society Professional Indemnity Claims Committee 2004 - 2007
- Chairman - Professional Indemnity Review Committee 2002