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Charles Sussex, SC

LL.B. (Hons) King’s College London
Charles Sussex, SC

Profile

Profile

A former solicitor, Charles transferred to the Bar in England in 1982 and in Hong Kong in 1983. Whilst still appearing in the Hong Kong Courts, he practised in England from 1989 to 1999 at 2 Essex Court (the London chambers now known as Quadrant Chambers).

Charles has a broad commercial and corporate practice, which includes “complex insurance and finance-related disputes” (Chambers Asia 2011), as well as shipping, banking, securities and company litigation and arbitration.

Specific Areas of Expertise

Arbitration as counsel, Enforcement of Arbitral Award, Bankers’ Duties, Credit Financing, Financial Mis-selling, Moneylenders’ Actions, Securities Law, SFC Enforcement Actions, Contract, Conflict of Laws, Equity, Tort, Unjust Enrichment, Insurance Law, Negotiable Instruments, Partnerships, Sale of Goods, Corporate Governance, Compliance with Listing and Other Regulatory Rules, Derivative Action, Unfair Prejudice Petition, Divorce and Dissolution, Matrimonial Finance, Bankruptcy, Restructuring, Winding-Up, Aviation, Letters of Credit, Sale and Carriage of Goods, Shipping, Auditors’ Negligence, Disciplinary Proceedings, Medical Negligence, Solicitors’ Negligence, Surveyors’ Negligence, Anton Piller Relief, Asset Tracing, Bankers’ Books Orders, Discovery, Injunction, Norwich Pharmacal Orders

Accolades

for Charles Sussex, SC

Charles Sussex SC has been recognised as a Tier 1 Leading Silk for Commercial disputes by Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025 – Hong Kong Bar.

— Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Hong Kong Bar (2025)

Charles Sussex SC ranked by Chamber & Partners Greater China Region 2024 as Band 1 Silks in the field of Commercial Dispute Resolution.

Chambers Review shared that “Charles Sussex SC maintains a wide-ranging commercial litigation practice spanning shipping, securities and financial services-related disputes“.

 

— Chambers & Partners: Greater China Region (2024)

Charles Sussex SC is recognised as a Leading Silk in the fields of Commercial Disputes and Shipping and Aviation.

— Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Hong Kong Bar (2024)

Charles Sussex SC has been ranked Band 1 for Commercial Dispute Resolution: The Bar.

Charles Sussex SC of Des Voeux Chambers maintains a wide-ranging commercial litigation practice spanning shipping, securities and financial services-related disputes. Source Commend “Charles is an all-round star performer who has seen and done it all. He’s sage and a very good operator and strong advocate who is respected by the judiciary.” “Charles is a great advocate and also very intelligent.”

— Chambers & Partners: Greater China Region (2023)

Charles Sussex SC is recognised as a Leading Silk in the fields of Commercial Disputes and Shipping and Aviation.

— Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Hong Kong Bar (2023)

“Charles Sussex is brilliant.” He is acclaimed as an “excellent advocate and cross-examiner,” He maintains a wide-ranging commercial litigation practice spanning shipping, securities and financial services-related disputes.

— Chambers and Partners Greater China Region (2022)

‘An excellent advocate and cross-examiner.’ 

‘The pre-eminent SC in shipping in Hong Kong.’ 

Charles Sussex SC is recognised as a Leading Silk for Commercial Disputes and Shipping.

— Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Hong Kong Bar (2022)

Charles Sussex SC (Band 1, Leading Silks)  wins plaudits as “a supreme advocate” and “one of the best all-round silks in Hong Kong.” His advocacy skills receive widespread praise from instructing solicitors and peers, and his wide-ranging commercial litigation practice spans shipping, securities and financial services-related disputes. He acted for the plaintiff in Bright Shipping Ltd v Changhong Group (HK) Ltd, a case concerning a maritime collision between a Hong Kong flag cargo vessel and a Panamanian flag tanker in international waters in the East China Sea.

— Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2021)

“An outstanding senior counsel. One of the best all-round Silks in Hong Kong. He has a pedigree of practicing for a decade in London in what is now known as Quadrant Chambers.” Charles Sussex is recognised as a Leading Silk for Commercial Disputes and Shipping.

— Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Hong Kong Bar (2021)

Charles Sussex SC is referenced as a Preeminent Senior Counsel in the Doyles Guide 2021 for Maritime, Shipping & Transport Law for Barristers in Hong Kong

— Doyles Guide (2021)

Few interviewees speak of Charles Sussex SC of Des Voeux Chambers without endorsing the view that he is “a natural advocate and brilliant on his feet,” sources variously emphasising his “very smooth style,” his ability to “steer away from the bad points” while at the same time coming up with “inventive arguments that wouldn’t occur to everybody.” His broad commercial litigation skills are often applied to financial services-related cases.

— Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2020)

Charles Sussex SC is referenced as a Leading Senior Counsel in the Doyles Guide 2020 for Maritime, Shipping & Transport Law for Barristers  in Hong Kong

— Doyles Guide (2020)

Charles Sussex SC of Des Voeux Chambers continues to be characterised by more than one commentator, both as “one of the best advocates in Hong Kong” and as one of the city’s most versatile silks. Interviewees also concur in emphasising his presentational skills, one source observing: “He can explain certain concepts, including novel concepts, in a clear, succinct way, going straight to the point expressively and persuasively.” His broad frame of reference includes significant activity on financial services, securities and shipping cases and he represented hedge fund Elliott Management in a prominently reported High Court action against Bank of East Asia.

— Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2019)

“viewed by solicitors as “one of the best all-round silks in Hong Kong,” while peers recognise him as a “tenacious advocate” who “takes on the hard cases” and can be “recommended for turning a losing case into a winning one.” Further admired for his impressive ability to master the intricacies of several discrete branches of the law,…”

— Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2018)

“acclaimed by sources as being “incredibly good in all respects,” two key qualities being his “very strong commercial brain” and “formidable” courtroom skills. Notably active in, among others, the financial services, securities and shipping sectors,”

— Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2017)

“Peers respect Charles Sussex SC of Des Voeux Chambers as a “very well-prepared and very active” barrister, one source characterising him as “one of the quickest thinkers on his feet that I have ever seen.” His areas of expertise include shipping, insurance and finance disputes.”

— Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2016)

“Charles Sussex SC of Des Voeux Chambers is well known for acting as counsel in a variety of commercial disputes, including banking, shipping and securities matters. He is seen as “a very solid performer: he’s very experienced, has seen it all and has lots of energy to devote to cases.”

— Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2016)

“A lawyer who should be taken very seriously”.

— Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2012)

“Noted for his excellent and effective presentation in court”.

— Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2011)

“Charles Sussex S.C. has a distinguished reputation in shipping. He has also successfuly turned his hand to a range of commercial work including banking and shareholder disputes. Commentators note: ’His pure advocacy skills make him one of the market’s standout performers.”

— Chambers Global (2011)

“A first-class advocate and excellent on his feet”.

— Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2010)

“An accomplished warrior who is fantastic in the courtroom”

— Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific (2009)

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