Donald Sham

Donald is a disputes resolution partner based in the Hong Kong office. He is dual-qualified as a solicitor in Hong Kong and England & Wales. He is trilingual (English, Mandarin and Cantonese) and has been handling matters in both Chinese and English on a daily basis for over 15 years. He joined the firm as a trainee in 2010 and was promoted to partner in 2021.

Donald is consistently ranked by both Chambers (2024-2026) and The Legal 500 (2021-2026) and has won multiple awards and accolades for his legal work.

Lauded as a “superb litigator” by The Legal 500 (2025), Donald’s experience spans a broad range of contentious matters, including court litigation, international arbitration, insolvency proceedings, regulatory enquiries and fraud investigations. Donald recently appeared as sole advocate in a 46-day bilingual death inquest hearing relating to a ferry collision off Lamma Island in Hong Kong. He also regularly sits as arbitrator in international arbitration proceedings. He has extensive experience in handling cross-border matters involving multiple jurisdictions and applicable laws.

Donald serves clients from a wide range of sectors and has been commended by The Legal 500 for his “broad range of sector expertise that spans pharmaceuticals, financial services, transport, energy and technology”. He also has experience in disputes relating to other sectors, including construction, data, garments, precious metals, logistics, insurance, cryptocurrency, and consumer goods.

Donald’s clients and peers laud him as “knowledgeable and pragmatic”, “very impressive, very professional, and very responsive”, “very on the ball and a good operator”, “very familiar with arbitration and litigation procedure”, and a provider of “clear and commercial advice” with “rich practical experience in the field of international arbitration”.

Donald is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) and the Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators (FHKIArb). He is on the list of arbitrators of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA), Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group (HKMAG), China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC), Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA), and South China International Arbitration Center (HK). He is a Committee Member of the CIArb East Asia Branch (EAB) and the Hong Kong Maritime Law Association (HKMLA).

Donald was a lecturer in the Master of Laws (Arbitration and Dispute Resolution) programme of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) in 2017-2020. He acts as guest lecturer from time to time and regularly publishes bilingual articles on the development of arbitration law in Hong Kong.

Experience

Representative matters

Appearing as sole advocate in a 46-day bilingual death inquest hearing relating to a ferry collision off Lamma Island in Hong Kong

Acting for a Hong Kong land developer in relation to disputes arising from the construction of a commercial building in Hong Kong and related civil, criminal and regulatory investigations and proceedings

Acting for a global bank against another bank in relation to a high-stake trade finance dispute over US$ 170 million

Court Litigation

Appearing as sole advocate in a 46-day bilingual death inquest hearing relating to a ferry collision off Lamma Island in Hong Kong

Acting for a global bank against another bank in relation to a high-stake trade finance dispute over US$ 170 million

Acting for a shipowner against a sanctioned entity in relation to disputes arising out of a series of time charterparties, plus ancillary interim measure applications before the Hong Kong court

Acting for an investment company in recovering debts before the Hong Kong court with a successful Mareva injunction application, plus ancillary Norwich Pharmacal application in the BVI

Acting for a Hong Kong lender in recovering debts under a ship finance agreement

Acting for banks in Hong Kong to defend Norwich Pharmacal applications

Acting in the various Hong Kong court proceedings arising out of the collision between “SANCHI” and “CF CRYSTAL”

Acting in the various Hong Kong court proceedings arising out of the collision between “STAR CENTURION” and “ANTEA” that led to the Court of Appeal decision in [2022] HKCA 1089 relating to the interpretation of the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976

Acting in the various Hong Kong court proceedings arising out of the collision between “LAMMA IV” and “SEA SMOOTH” on 1 October 2012, including acting for Capt. Chow Chi Wai, skipper of the “LAMMA IV”, in his acquittal of 39 counts of alleged manslaughter charges following a 60-day jury trial (HCCC 458/2013)

Giorgio Armani SpA v Elan Clothes Co Ltd [2019] 2 HKLRD 313, [2019] HKCFI 530 (Anti-suit injunction in aid of arbitration proceedings)

Chu Kong v Lau Wing Yan [2019] 1 HKLRD 58; [2018] HKCA 1010 (Successful appeal: stay of proceedings in favour of arbitration)

T v A & V [2018] 3 HKLRD 730, [2018] HKCFI 1756 (Review of tribunal’s jurisdiction: effect of assignment and subrogation under PRC law)

NewOcean Petroleum Company Limited v OW Bunker China Limited and Cosco Petroleum Pte Limited (unrep., HCA 381/2015, 18 March 2016) (CFI); (unrep., CACV 156/2016, 29 December 2016) (CA) (First appellate decision in Hong Kong in relation to disputes arising from the OW Bunker liquidation)

W v P (unrep., HCCT 55/2015, 19 January 2016) (Striking-out application to set aside an arbitral award)

Cargill International Trading Pte Limited v Loyal Base Development Limited (unrep., HCCL 12/2015, 24 November 2015) - appearing with Jason Toms (Solicitor Advocate) (Injunction proceedings in relation to disputes under a letter of undertaking)

Representing Shagang South-Asia (Hong Kong) Trading Co. Ltd. in successfully setting aside a London tribunal’s award as to jurisdiction. See Shagang South-Asia (Hong Kong) Trading Co. Ltd v. Daewoo Logistics [2015] EWHC 194 (Comm). The judgment is notable because it praises Hong Kong as “a well known and respected arbitration forum with a reputation for neutrality, not least because of its supervising courts”.

Hua Tyan Development Ltd v Zurich Insurance Co Ltd (2014) 17 HKCFAR 493 (CFA); [2013] 4 HKLRD 107 (CA); [2012] 4 HKLRD 827 (CFI) (Court of Final Appeal decision on a marine insurance dispute)

X Chartering v. Y (unreported, 3 March 2014, HCCT 20/2013) (Successful enforcement of a London arbitral award)

The ORIENTAL DRAGON [2014] 1 HKLRD 649 (Ship manager’s right of arrest)

The KING COAL [2013] 2 HKLRD 620 (Assignee’s right of arrest)

International Arbitration

Acting for a Hong Kong Listco in relation to disputes arising out of a high-value tenancy agreement in an UNCITRAL arbitration

Acting for a PRC stated-owned enterprise in a HKIAC administered UNCITRAL arbitration in relation to air carriage disputes with value exceeding US$ 170 million

Acting for a wholly owned subsidiary of PRC company in defending a claim brought by and pursuing a counterclaim against an Italian supplier/fashion house arising out of an agreement for the retailing of garments and other accessories in the PRC in an ad hoc arbitration seated in Hong Kong pursuant to the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules

Acting for a US brand owner to oppose an HKIAC emergency arbitration commenced by distributor in mainland China, leading to the full denial of the emergency relief sought

Acting for a subsidiary of a PRC Listco in an UNCITRAL arbitration in relation to the retail of garment and fashion products

Acting for a US pharmaceutical company in a bilingual HKIAC arbitration

Acting for a subsidiary of a PRC state-owned trading company in its successful defence in an HKIAC arbitration in Hong Kong against a claim from a buyer in relation to the quality of steel billets supplied under a Hong Kong law governed sale of goods contract

Acting for a subsidiary of a PRC state-owned trading company in a CIETAC Hong Kong arbitration in Hong Kong in relation to a PRC law governed sale of goods contract

Acting for a subsidiary of a PRC state-owned trading company in an LCIA arbitration in London in relation to a PRC law governed sale of goods contract

Acting for an Indian technology company in a SIAC arbitration

Acting for a Hong Kong lender in recovering debts in a HKIAC arbitration pursuant to the Expedited Procedure

Acting for shipping companies and P&I Clubs in many maritime disputes arbitrated under HKMAG and LMAA rules

Arbitrator Appointments

Acting as a sole arbitrator in a HKIAC arbitration in relation to disputes arising out of a capital repayment agreement

Acting as a sole arbitrator in an ad hoc arbitration seated in Hong Kong in relation to disputes arising out of a voyage charterparty

Acting as a sole arbitrator in a HKIAC arbitration conducted under the Expedited Procedure in relation to disputes arising out of a cooperation agreement

Acting as party-appointed co-arbitrator in an HKMAG arbitration seated in Hong Kong in relation to a charterparty dispute

Acting as sole arbitrator in an ad hoc arbitration seated in Hong Kong in relation to disputes arising out of a loan agreement

Acting as sole arbitrator in an ad hoc arbitration seated in Hong Kong in relation to disputes arising out of a voyage charterparty

Acting as party-appointed co-arbitrator in an HKIAC arbitration seated in Hong Kong in relation to disputes arising out of a voyage charterparty

Regulatory Investigations

Assisted a licensed individual in handling a written notice issued by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) under Section 183 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance, requiring the individual to attend an interview and provide certain documents and information regarding suspected insider trading.

Assisted a Hong Kong-listed company in responding to a written notice issued by the SFC under Section 183 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance, requiring the company to provide certain documents and information related to a series of contracts signed by its former subsidiary.

Assisted a Hong Kong-listed company in responding to a written notice issued by the SFC under Section 179 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance, requiring the company to provide certain documents and information concerning a series of prepayment arrangements for goods transactions.

Assisted a Hong Kong-listed company in taking a series of actions to meet the resumption conditions set by the Stock Exchange, after the company was suspended due to inadequate due diligence on certain loan transactions.

Collaborated with the New York office to assist a former U.S.-listed company in handling legal proceedings initiated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and in resolving disputes with its directors and senior management liability insurer regarding the terms of the insurance contract.

Recognitions

Ranked in China (including Hong Kong) Shipping: Litigation (International Firms) – Chambers Greater China Region, 2026
Recognised as Up and Coming in China (including Hong Kong) International Arbitration (International Firms) – Chambers Greater China Region, 2026
Winner of “Deals of the Year” (cross-border dispute resolution) - China Business Law Journal, 2024-2025

Credentials

Education

University of Hong Kong, 2017, LL.M., Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (Distinction)
University of Hong Kong, 2010, Postgraduate Certificate in Laws
University of Hong Kong, 2009, Bachelor of Laws, (LLB), Hons

Professional admissions & qualifications

Hong Kong

Professional affiliations

Member, The Law Society of Hong Kong
Fellow, The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Committee Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (East Asia Branch)
Fellow, Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators
Member, List of Arbitrators, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre
Member, List of Arbitrators, Singapore International Arbitration Centre
Member and Arbitrator, Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group
Member, List of Arbitrators, China Maritime Arbitration Commission
Member and Panel Arbitrator, Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration
Executive Committee Member and Former Secretary, Hong Kong Maritime Law Association
Former Member of the Maritime Services Training Board, Vocational Training Council, Education Bureau, HKSAR Government
Member and Panel Arbitrator, South China International Arbitration Center (HK)
Former lecturer in the Master of Laws (Arbitration and Dispute Resolution) programme of The University of Hong Kong (HKU)