Hilary Lau

Practice Areas

Hilary is a corporate and commercial lawyer specialising in the energy and natural resources sector, and advises a wide range of matters, including acquisitions, developments, and disposals of energy projects worldwide. He possesses extensive knowledge in key areas such as LNG, mining, oil and gas, and power and has played a vital role in facilitating successful multimillion-dollar transactions for major projects across diverse locations.

He recognises the importance of energy transition and the evolving energy requirements faced by companies today. As part of Herbert Smith Freehills' Band 1 ranked global ESG team, he helps businesses to adapt to new energy standards and assists his clients in navigating this changing landscape.

Career

Hilary has a general commercial background and was admitted as a solicitor in Australia in 1999. He has worked as general counsel in Japan for a Japanese Drilling Company and also as legal counsel in Singapore for the energy and offshore division of Keppel.

Work Highlights

- Zhaojin Capital (Hong Kong) Limited, a subsidiary of Zhaojin Mining Industry Limited (Zhaojin), on its successful all-cash takeover bid for ASX-listed gold miner Tietto Minerals Limited (Tietto).

- Mitsubishi Corporation and Diamond Generating Asia on its investment for a 600MW onshore wind power project in Laos (being the first in Laos and largest in SEA) with a dedicated power transmission line to Vietnam, power from the wind farm is planned to be sold to Vietnam Electricity.

- CNOOC on its purchase of 5 mtpa of LNG from BG's global portfolio and the acquisition of additional equity in Queensland Curtis LNG project and new exploration acreage in the Bowen Basin including in different parts of the value chain and concluding revised project agreements including shareholder agreements, services agreements, gas supply agreements, a long term gas transportation agreement and pipeline system rules

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Western Australia, New South Wales, Hong Kong

Languages Spoken

English, Cantonese, Mandarin

Education

Awards