Donald is a partner in the Litigation Department of the Hong Kong office. He joined the firm as a trainee in 2010, qualified as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 2012, and was promoted to partner in 2021.
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.
Experience
Representative matters
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 HK land developer in relation to disputes arising from the construction of a commercial building in HK 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 HK land developer in relation to disputes arising from the construction of a commercial building in HK 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
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 HK Listco in relation to disputes arising out of a high-value tenancy agreement in an UNCITRAL arbitration
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 HK law governed sale of goods contract
Acting for a subsidiary of a PRC state-owned trading company in a CIETAC HK 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 183 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance, requiring the company to provide certain documents and information regarding its listing project.
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
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
Professional admissions & qualifications
- Hong Kong
Professional affiliations
Professional affiliations
- Member of The Law Society of Hong Kong
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
- Committee Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (East Asia Branch)
- Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators
- Member of the List of Arbitrators, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre
- Member and Arbitrator of the Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group
- Member of the List of Arbitrators, China Maritime Arbitration Commission
- Member and Panel Arbitrator of the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration
- Member and Panel Arbitrator of the Asian International Arbitration Centre
- Executive Committee Member and Former Secretary of the Hong Kong Maritime Law Association
- Former Member of the Maritime Services Training Board, Vocational Training Council, Education Bureau, HKSAR Government
- Member and Panel Arbitrator of the 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)
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