Michael Liu, who was co-head of Latham & Watkins‘ Greater China practice and was formerly managing partner of its Hong Kong office, has led a seven lawyer move over to US rival Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft.
Continue reading “Asia-Pacific: Cadwalader raids Latham’s Hong Kong office for seven lawyer team”
MARKET VIEW – ARBITRATION
Following a high-profile internal squabble, the CIETAC is going global. Yu Jianlong, the institution’s secretary general, tells Clyde & Co partner Patrick Zheng why Hong Kong was its first port of call
Patrick Zheng, Clyde & Co: With a growing number of arbitral institutions around the world, why should a party use the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC)?
Yu Jianlong, CIETAC: Founded in 1956, CIETAC is the oldest international arbitration institution in China. With more than half a century’s development, it is also among the busiest arbitral centres in the world. We recommend that a party uses CIETAC arbitration due to the fact that it offers a number of advantages. Firstly, the CIETAC rules are similar to those of all the major arbitration institutions, thereby offering parties the most autonomy possible. In addition, we have over 300 foreign arbitrators from more than 40 jurisdictions; in international or foreign-related cases, parties may agree on the nationality of the arbitrators. Secondly, CIETAC is independent of any government agencies in China, and CIETAC arbitrators do not represent any parties. Thirdly, most CIETAC cases are concluded within six months after the tribunal is constituted, meaning that our arbitration fees are relatively low compared to other major international arbitration institutions. Finally, CIETAC offers the unique combination of arbitration with mediation – a combination which not only resolves disputes, but also renews positive business and personal relations between parties.
Ambrose Lam, president of the Hong Kong Law Society since May last year, was forced to resign on 19 August after a vote of no confidence was issued in response to his recent support of a Beijing white paper that raised issues over Hong Kong’s judicial independence. Hong Kong lawyers turned out in force on 14 August to an extraordinary general meeting (EGM), where 2,392 lawyers cast a vote of no confidence in the president. Just 1,478 lawyers voted against the motion, despite law firms reporting pressure from clients on the mainland not to pass the motion.
Hong Kong lawyers turned out in force last night (14 August) to cast a vote of no confidence in local law society president Ambrose Lam, following his recent support of a Beijing white paper perceived to raise issues over Hong Kong’s judicial independence. Continue reading “Asia: Fears over Hong Kong’s judicial autonomy see vote of no confidence passed in local law society head”
Linklaters former finance partner Nigel Pridmore has joined Ashurst in Hong Kong, following in the footsteps of London debt capital markets (DCM) colleague Francis Kucera, who left the Magic Circle firm for Ashurst in December 2013. Continue reading “Linklaters former DCM partner Nigel Pridmore joins Ashurst Hong Kong”
As Hong Kong becomes gateway to the world’s biggest trader in goods after China overtook the US for the first time in 2013, the region continues to see high profile lateral moves, most recently from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer to Hogan Lovells, which has hired the Magic Circle firm’s regional head of intellectual property (IP), IT and technology media and telecoms (TMT), Mark Parsons.
In his new role, Parsons will focus on complex commercial transactions and regulatory matters in the TMT sector and is expected to join his new 2,527-lawyer firm at the end of January 2014.
