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Steve is an experienced litigator with an emphasis on commercial litigation and arbitration. He represents clients in complex and high-stakes disputes, often with a cross-border element, ranging from shareholder and contractual disputes to debt collection and insolvency matters. He has acted for clients at all levels of court in Hong Kong and various arbitration institutions, including HKIAC, ICC, SIAC, CIETAC, and LCIA.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Acting for China Merchants Port Holdings in defending multiple claims brought by DP World for procuring breach of concession agreements in relation to port facilities in Djibouti, Africa ([2025] HKCFI 3861); [2025] HKCFI 6320, [2025] HKCFI 6332)
Acting for CCMD Overseas, a subsidiary of a Chinese state-owned mining enterprise, in its successful claim and enforcement action against a mining project partner for repayment of a substantial loan of over US$600 million, with all appeals dismissed ([2025] 5 HKC 657 (Court of Appeal); [2024] 3 HKLRD 579 (Court of First Instance))
Acting for the majority shareholder of a Hong Kong financial institution in contesting an unfair prejudice petition filed by a minority shareholder in Hong Kong
Commercial litigation
Acting for China Merchants Port Holdings in defending multiple claims brought by DP World for procuring breach of concession agreements in relation to port facilities in Djibouti, Africa ([2025] HKCFI 3861); [2025] HKCFI 6320, [2025] HKCFI 6332)
Acting for CCMD Overseas, a subsidiary of a Chinese state-owned mining enterprise, in its successful claim and enforcement action against a mining project partner for repayment of a substantial loan of over US$600 million, with all appeals dismissed ([2025] 5 HKC 657 (Court of Appeal); [2024] 3 HKLRD 579 (Court of First Instance))
Acting for the majority shareholder of a Hong Kong financial institution in contesting an unfair prejudice petition filed by a minority shareholder in Hong Kong
Advised a leading investment group in China in its successful recovery of substantial assets for repayment of a debt arising from various notes exceeding US$230 million
Advised an investment group in Hong Kong in the appointment of provisional liquidators on an urgent basis over a listed company in Hong Kong
Applying for urgent injunctions and freezing orders from Hong Kong courts in aid of court and arbitration proceedings (e.g., Top Gains Minerals v. TL Resources [2016] 3 HKC 44)
Advising various banks on significant debt claims, enforcement of security, receivership, and disposal of defaulted loans
Advising and acting for shareholders and directors of listed and private companies in complex boardroom and shareholder disputes, including derivative actions in Hong Kong and offshore jurisdictions
Arbitration
Acting for a syndicate of offshore lenders in arbitration proceedings against an oil refiner based in China for repayment of debts of over USD$1 billion (HKIAC)
Acting for a multinational investment firm in a damages claim of over US$60 million for breach of a warrant agreement (HKIAC)
Acting for a PRC state-owned company listed in Hong Kong in defending a commodities claim involving over US$10 million (ICC)
Acted for a leading property developer in a substantial dispute with the seller of a piece of land in Shanghai involving over US$2 billion (HKIAC)
Acted for a private enterprise and its China-based owners in defending a claim by a pre-IPO investor for redemption of shares involving more than US$40 million (HKIAC)
Employment
Acting for a Hong Kong-listed company in a High Court action against a former director for breach of fiduciary duties and related employment disputes
Acting for a cryptocurrency exchange in seeking an injunction and damages against a former employee for breach of non-compete and non-solicitation covenants and duty of confidentiality
Acting for a wealth management group in defending claims by a former senior staff member and seeking an injunction and damages for breach of non-compete and non-solicitation covenants and confidentiality provisions at the High Court
Assisting corporate clients in dealing with discrimination complaints made by employees and investigations conducted by the Equal Opportunities Commission
Advising corporate clients on labour disputes (such as termination of employment for misconduct and breach of restrictive covenants) and non-contentious employment matters (from review of employment terms and staff handbook to formulation of redundancy and reorganisation plan)
Insolvency
Acted for an investor in winding-up proceedings against a Hong Kong-listed company, with its Chinese subsidiaries being subject to reorganisation plan in China
Advised the shareholders of a leading travel agency group in Hong Kong on voluntary liquidation involving hundreds of creditors and employees
Advising on a broad range of insolvency matters, including winding-up and bankruptcy petitions, voluntary liquidation, insolvency set-off and clawbacks, appointment of provisional liquidators, schemes of arrangement, reciprocal arrangement between the Mainland and Hong Kong, and recognition and assistance of foreign liquidators in cross-border insolvencies
Credentials
Education
Education
- University of Hong Kong, 2002, Bachelor of Law, (1st Class Honours), (Hons)
- University of Hong Kong, 2003, Postgraduate Certificate in Laws, (Distinction)
Court admissions
Court admissions
- High Court - Hong Kong
Professional affiliations
Professional affiliations
- Member of The Law Society of Hong Kong
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