Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms) | Greater China Region

Clifford Chance has a highly regarded team known for successful, commercially focused advocacy, with key partners located in the firm's Hong Kong and Shanghai offices. The firm represents clients in disputes relating to joint ventures, shareholder agreements and M&A transactions and is experienced in handling arbitration in a range of sectors, including technology, banking and finance and energy. The firm is active in the representation of private equity firms and other financial institutions in commercial arbitrations, with additional experience representing SOEs. It is also able to assist clients with investor-state arbitrations.

Sidley Austin has a robust Hong Kong-based team advising clients on a broad spectrum of cross-border commercial disputes, with particular experience in matters involving Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia. The firm acts for a roster of private equity funds and offers notable experience in handling work from a range of other sectors including construction, engineering, tech and real estate. It offers clients expertise across the full spectrum of major arbitral institutions, as well as experience acting as both counsel and arbitrator.

A&O Shearman is well regarded for offering deep expertise in disputes arising from the energy and resources sector, including in the areas of oil and gas, power and nuclear energy. The team advises on investor-state arbitration, including matters relating to investment treaties and projects in relation to China's Belt and Road Initiative. It is experienced in representing a full range of private companies, SOEs and sovereign states, including high-profile US and European clients. The firm offers clients arbitration expertise from both its Hong Kong and Mainland China offices, while drawing on the strengths and resources of its regional and global offices to offer a truly international service. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Freshfields' Hong Kong team is experienced in acting for both privately and state-owned Chinese businesses and international corporations in high-value arbitration proceedings. It regularly advises on cross-border disputes and offers notable expertise in arbitrations relating to bilateral investment treaties. The team often acts for major private equity firms, as well as SOEs, renewable energy companies, and banking and finance clients, including crypto exchanges.

King & Wood Mallesons fields a sizeable Hong Kong team, augmented by the firm's significant presence in Mainland China, to enable clients to benefit from a comprehensive China arbitration offering. It is best known for its considerable acumen and experience handling construction cases, with additional experience across the mining, energy, pharmaceutical and technology sectors. The firm advises international clients as well as Chinese private companies and SOEs. It is regularly active on commercial cases arising out of shareholder disputes.

Dentons' well-established arbitration team is regularly sought out by both domestic and international clients for advice and advocacy in ICC and HKIAC arbitrations. The team handles a range of commercial disputes arising out of the breach of purchase, supply and manufacturing contracts, as well as shareholder disagreements.

DLA Piper's solid Hong Kong-based arbitration practice has a strong track record of advising Chinese companies on disputes relating to their outbound investments, leveraging the firm's extensive global network effectively in cross-border cases. It is able to handle cross-border mandates on behalf of companies headquartered in other Asia-Pacific jurisdictions, including Japan and Australia, drawing on its overseas offices to offer regionally coordinated service. The team has broad experience across multiple sectors including construction, industrial manufacturing, energy, tech and shipping.

Fangda Partners offers an established practice with offices across Mainland China and a growing presence in Hong Kong. It services PRC-based entities as well as foreign multinationals on high-value cross-border disputes, including investment treaty disputes. The team provides a broad scope of sector expertise and acts for clients in the pharmaceutical, transport and technology industries.

Hogan Lovells fields a capable team representing clients in arbitrations across Asia from its base in Hong Kong. The firm is highly experienced in cross-border disputes, often teaming up with its regional offices to assist with mandates spanning the Asia-Pacific region. It regularly acts as counsel in energy and construction disputes concerning joint ventures and projects. The team also represents private equity firms and other investors in disputes spanning across a range of industries such as telecommunications and technology.

Reed Smith's Hong Kong-based arbitration team is regularly called on to handle matters for clients from the Greater China region across a diverse spectrum of sectors. The team is experienced in advising clients across the real estate, renewables, pharmaceutical, shipping and transport sectors. It regularly cooperates with its offices in Shanghai and Beijing, in addition to drawing on its global presence to advise on complex cross-border matters.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom offers a well-reputed team that acts on a wide range of high-value commercial arbitrations. The Hong Kong and Beijing teams coordinate with offices across Asia-Pacific to provide complete regional coverage, supported by the firm's wider global network. The firm demonstrates significant experience advising banks, financial institutions and private equity firms. It is additionally experienced in construction arbitrations.

Withers' arbitration offering in Hong Kong is known for acting for a broad clientele of domestic and international players across a range of industry sectors. The team is well equipped to handle a spectrum of commercial arbitrations, including investment treaty claims. It regularly represents clients in the ICC, HKIAC, CIETAC and SIAC.