Company, Insolvency and Bankruptcy

Insolvency, Restructuring and Cross-border Recognition and Assistance

• Re USUM Investment Group Ltd (渝商投資集團股份有限公司) [2026] 3 HKC 528 (led by Mr José-Antonio Maurellet SC, with Mr Michael Lok) – Recognition of administrators appointed by the Chongqing No. 5 Intermediate People’s Court in a Mainland bankruptcy restructuring
• Re DaFa Properties Group Ltd (大發地產集團有限公司); Re YinYi Holdings (Hong Kong) Ltd (垠壹香港有限公司) [2026] HKCFI 3257 (with Mr Michael Lok) – Letters of request to the Shanghai No. 3 Intermediate People’s Court under the Cooperation Mechanism
• Re RZ3262019 Ltd (In Provisional Liquidation in the British Virgin Islands) [2022] HKCFI 3602 (as sole counsel) – Recognition of foreign liquidators
• Re RZ3262019 Ltd (in liquidation) [2025] HKCFI 4350; [2025] HKCFI 6364; [2026] HKCA 1365 (led by Mr Anson Wong SC, with Mr Lai Chun Ho) – ss.266, 266A and 266B CWUMPO; scope of the restorative jurisdiction; issue estoppel arising from a Mainland retrial judgment
• Re Suning International Group Co., Ltd (HCCW 353/2023) – Winding-up petition
• Re Goldstone Investment Group Ltd (金石投資集團有限公司) [2025] HKCFI 5179 (led by Mr Douglas Lam SC) – Retrospective sanction under s.200(3) CWUMPO to commence a HK$103 million claim against former directors, former solicitors and an asset manager
• Lau Wing Yan & Ors v Joint Silver Ltd (in liquidation) & Ors [2025] HKCFI 2203 (as sole counsel) – Resisting conversion of OS proceedings to a writ action and cross-examination of liquidators; assignment of a cause of action on an undertaking as to damages
• Re Target Insurance Company, Ltd [2022] HKCFI 3036 (led by Mr Abraham Chan SC, with Mr Michael Lok) – Winding-up petition
• Re Redsun Properties Group Ltd (HCCW 92/2024); Re LVGEM (China) Real Estate Investment Company Ltd (HCCW 60/2025); Re Sino Oil and Gas Holdings Ltd (HCCW 281/2022); Re TFI Digital Media Ltd (HCCW 466/2024); Re Jig Apex Academy Ltd (HCCW 14/2025); Re Differ Group Auto Ltd (HCCW 266/2023); Re Space Group Holdings Ltd (HCCW 388/2023); Re KF Group Management Ltd (HCCW 521/2024); Re Meta Art Group Ltd (HCCW 286/2024); Re Good Fortune (China) Investment Holdings Ltd (HCCW 443/2023); Re Peterson Engineering Ltd (HCCW 463/2023); Re Personality Ltd (HCCW 184/2023) (as sole counsel) – Winding-up petitions
• Re So Lai Sin [2025] HKCA 299; [2024] HKCFI 1241 – Bankruptcy petition
• Re Yeung Wing Yan (HCB 812/2019) (as sole counsel) – Suspension of discharge from bankruptcy
• Re Liu Jiangyuan [2023] HKCFI 2326; [2023] HKCFI 3002 (as sole counsel) – Bankruptcy petition; annulment of bankruptcy order
• Re Lau Wang Chi, Barry (HCB 1018/2024) – Bankruptcy petition, stay pending appeal

Shareholders Disputes

• Oriental Textile Products Ltd v Asia Television Holdings Ltd [2025] HKCFI 5387; [2026] HKCFI 1238 (led by Dr William Wong SC, with Ms Valerie Kwok) – ss.728–730 Companies Ordinance; validity of a requisitioned EGM removing five directors of a listed company; construction of “proceed to convene”
• Re Victory Trenchless Engineering Co. Ltd (偉達利工程有限公司) [2025] HKCFI 4949 (led by Dr William Wong SC) – Striking out winding-up relief in a contributory’s petition against a solvent and profitable company where a buyout order was the appropriate remedy
• Re Huafang Group Inc (花房集团公司) [2026] HKCFI 3577 (as sole counsel) – Unfair prejudice and just and equitable petition concerning a delisted Cayman issuer; locus under s.724 where shares remained registered in HKSCC’s name
• Mike Ghias & Anor v Sirnaomics Ltd & Dr Yang Lu [2025] HKCFI 4284 (as sole counsel) – Stay of an unfair prejudice petition in favour of HKIAC arbitration under s.20 Arbitration Ordinance
• Re Cornwall Agency Co Ltd (HCCW 262/2020) (led by Mr Jenkin Suen SC, with Mr Michael Lok) – Trial – Just and equitable winding-up, unfair prejudice
• Re Onex Ltd (HCMP 721/2023) (as sole counsel) – Leave for statutory derivative action

Schemes of Arrangement

• Re Helenbergh China Ltd [2024] HKCFI 2628 (as sole counsel)
• Re China U-Ton Future Space Industrial Group Holdings Ltd (HCMP 171/2023) (with Mr Michael Lok)
• Re Bay Area Gold Group Ltd (HCMP 1682/2023) (with Mr Terrence Tai)

Enforcement, Cross-border Recognition and Interim Relief

• Jacky Zong v Kelly Fuli Zong [2026] HKCA 1292; [2025] HKCFI 3355 (led by Dr William Wong SC, with Ms Sharon Yuen) – s.21M injunction in aid of Mainland proceedings; leave to appeal refused by the Court of Appeal
• AMP Resources Ltd v Indagro SA [2026] HKCFI 784 (as sole counsel) – Injunction restraining presentation of a winding-up petition founded on a CIETAC award; whether a valid arbitration agreement was formed under Art 490 of the PRC Civil Code
• E v N [2026] HKCFI 3293 (with Ms Cherry Xu) – Resisting an application under s.81 Arbitration Ordinance to set aside an HKIAC final award; issue estoppel arising from a Mainland decision held to go to admissibility rather than jurisdiction
• Beijing Songxianghu Architectural Decoration Engineering Co., Ltd v Kitty Kam [2026] HKCFI 2449 (led by Dr William Wong SC) – Anti-suit relief restraining English freezing injunction and Singapore discovery proceedings said to be in breach of the undertaking given on a HK$253 million domestic Mareva injunction
• Tianshi Capital (Tianjin) Investment Management LP v Ji Changqun [2024] HKCFI 1003 (with Mr John Hui) –Mareva injunction in aid of Mainland proceedings
• Minting Dome Holdings LLC v Deng Jie [2024] HKCFI 1558; [2024] HKCFI 2074 (as sole counsel) – Permanent stay based on exclusive jurisdiction clause
• 信达澳亚基金管理有限公司 v 宜华生活科技股份有限公司 [2024] HKCFI 1957 (as sole counsel) – Setting aside registration of Mainland judgment in Hong Kong
• Nishimatsu Construction Ltd v Kingfield Inc Engineering Ltd (HCCT 5/2023) (as sole counsel) – Examination of judgment debtor
• New Era Group (China) Ltd v Sky Crown International Ltd (HCA 221/2024) (as sole counsel) – Examination of judgment debtor

Commercial / Property

• Citicorp International Ltd v Shenzhen SEZ Construction and Development Group Co., Ltd [2026] HKCFI 4665 – Keepwell deeds; claim by the trustee for holders of US$1.33 billion of defaulted notes issued by China South City Holdings Ltd
• Kaiser Financeing Company Ltd v Chen Jiarong [2026] HKCFI 851 (led by Mr José-Antonio Maurellet SC, with Mr Yip Chi Ho) – Resisting appeal against unconditional leave to defend a HK$148 million money lending claim; sham and s.18(1) Money Lenders Ordinance
• Chan Pui Sze & Mak Hau Yin (Joint Trustees of the Property of Qin Jun) v Wang Jue [2024] HKCFI 2491 (with Mr Jason Yu) – Five-day trial – Successfully resisted a claim under s.49 Bankruptcy Ordinance to set aside interspousal transfers of two US properties as transactions at an undervalue; common intention constructive trust
• Great Pacific Investments Ltd v Zhang Huarong [2025] HKCA 266; [2024] HKCA 1147; [2023] HKCFI 1539 (with Mr Jason Yu) – Force majeure and estoppel, summary judgment
• Fang Yue & Ors v Shing Yim Ping [2026] HKCFI 3540 (with Ms Ellen Pang) – Stay of execution pending appeal following trial
• Chu Kong v Lau Wing Yan [2025] HKCFI 532 (led by Dr William Wong SC) – Trial – Joint venture dispute
• Wong Hong Gay Patrick Jonathan v Siew Yew Khuen [2025] HKCFI 2585 (led by Mr Christopher Chain SC) – Trial – Dispute on loan agreement
• China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation Ltd v Zhang Kangyang [2022] HKCFI 2135 (led by Ms Audrey Eu SC, with Mr Alan Kwong and Mr Michael Lok) – Multi-jurisdictional dispute, summary judgment
• Mantra Dao Inc v John Mullin [2024] 4 HKLRD 215 (led by Mr Douglas Lam SC) – Disclosure order of books and records in partnership dispute over decentralised autonomous organisation (DAO)
• Rocsky International Ltd v The Government of the HKSAR (HCA 360/2021) (with Mr Michael Lok) – Trial – Dispute on government lease
• Kerryford Holdings Ltd v Winrise Corporation Ltd [2025] HKLdT 46 (led by Mr Jenkin Suen SC) – Trial – Compulsory sale application
• China Zenith Chemical Group Ltd v Li Yizhou [2024] HKCFI 2616 (as sole counsel) – Stay of execution pending appeal

Employment

• Ma King Huen v The Sincere Company, Ltd [2024] 1 HKLRD 1292; [2024] 3 HKLRD 217 (led by Mr Norman Nip SC, with Mr Michael Lok) – Trial – Entitlement to wages, contractual interpretation
• Lo Wai Keung v Hannover Ruck SE [2025] HKCFI 262 (as sole counsel) – Labour Tribunal appeal – whether termination by payment in lieu of notice under s.7 Employment Ordinance constitutes termination “without notice” for the purposes of a share award scheme governed by German law
• Represented employers and employees in various post-termination disputes concerning wages and post-termination obligations

Public / Regulatory / Criminal

• Sun Min v Chu Kong (2022) 25 HKCFAR 318; [2022] HKCFA 24; [2022] HKCFA 16 (led by Mr Johnny Mok SC, BBS, JP, with Mr Michael Lok) – Criminal contempt
• Chen Si Ying Cynthia v Securities and Futures Commission & Market Misconduct Tribunal [2026] HKCA 1151 (with Mr S W Lee) – Intended appeal to the Court of Appeal under s.266 SFO from determinations of the Market Misconduct Tribunal
• Re Market Misconduct in relation to the Listed Securities of Asiasec Properties Ltd (with Mr S W Lee) – Market misconduct inquiry before the Market Misconduct Tribunal
• Company A v Registered Contractors’ Disciplinary Board [2026] HKCFI 1342 (led by Ms Catrina Lam SC) – Rolled-up judicial review challenging the Building Authority’s role as prosecutor in disciplinary proceedings; apparent bias and adequacy of particulars in disciplinary charges
• Leelan Rukesh Marasinghe v Director General of Civil Aviation [2025] HKCFI 840; [2025] HKCFI 2291 (led by Ms Catrina Lam SC) – Applications for cross-examination, specific discovery and writ of subpoena ad testificandum to adduce oral evidence in judicial review
• A v B [2025] HKCA 965 (led by Mr Jenkin Suen SC) – Expedited rolled-up application to the Court of Appeal for leave to appeal against refusal of an interlocutory injunction concerning a pupil’s expulsion
• Chung Sze Man v University of Hong Kong [2024] HKCFI 2182 (led by Ms Catrina Lam SC) – Leave to apply for judicial review – costs
• HKSAR v Isabella Kau Leong [2025] HKCFI 187 (led by Mr Joseph Tse SC) – Magistracy appeal – Tax evasion
• Industrial summonses (led by Mr Selwyn Yu SC, with Mr Joseph Lee) – Trial – Material deviation from approved plans

Arbitration

• Charlie has appeared in more than 40 arbitrations. He acts under the HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules, the HKIAC Domestic Arbitration Rules and the HKIAC expedited procedure, as well as under the UNCITRAL, SIAC and CIETAC rules, in arbitrations conducted in both English and Chinese. He appears frequently as sole counsel, including in substantive hearings, and is also instructed as junior counsel.
• A substantial part of his arbitration practice concerns investment and exit arrangements. He acts frequently in disputes over put option agreements, share redemption and share transfer agreements, and in the enforcement of investors’ rights against founders, sponsors and target companies, often where the underlying investment is in the Mainland and the corporate structure is offshore.
• He also acts in joint venture and shareholder disputes, including disputes over control, deadlock and the conduct of joint venture parties.
• His wider commercial arbitration work includes disputes over exclusivity and franchise obligations, sale of goods, supply chain arrangements, and construction and general contractual disputes.

• Inaugural Cambridge Global Conversations Scholarship (2020-2021)
• Hou De Charitable Foundation Scholarship for PCLL (2020)
• Oxford Law Faculty Prize for Advanced Property and Trusts (2020)
• South Square Prize for Comparative Corporate Law (2020)
• Herbert Smith Freehills Oxford Disability Mooting Championship – Best Speaker in the Semi-Finals (2019)
• China Oxford Scholarship (2019)
• DVC Harry Liu Postgraduate Scholarship (2019)
• Lo & Lo Prize in Land Law (2019)
• Dean’s Honours List (2016, 2017, 2019)
• Peter Vine Postgraduate Scholarship (2019)
• DVC Oxford BCL Scholarship (2019)
• Oxford International Intellectual Property Law Moot – Powell Gilbert Runner-up Prize for Best Written Submissions (2018-2019)
• DVC HKU Junior Scholarship (2018)
• Peter Willoughby Memorial Prize for Criminal Law I & II (2017)
• Bloomsbury Book Prize in Law and Society (2016)
• Serena Yang Award (2016)
• HKU Foundation Scholarship (2015-2019)

Mandarin, Cantonese, English and Shanghainese