Profile
Profile
Cherry obtained her LLB degree from the University of Hong Kong with First Class Honours, ranking top of her year. She was elected the Rhodes Scholar for Hong Kong in 2013 and proceeded to read BCL at Oxford University. She graduated from the BCL degree with a distinction in competition law. In addition to the distinguished Rhodes Scholarship, she has been awarded various scholarships including the Charles Ching Memorial Scholarship in 2016.
Prior to joining Chambers as a tenant in 2016, Cherry undertook pupillage with William Wong SC, Johnny Ma SC, Rachel Lam SC and Derek CL Chan SC.
Cherry has a broad civil and commercial practice with particular strengths in international arbitration, complex asset recovery and fraud, company and insolvency disputes, disciplinary and regulatory proceedings, and maritime matters.
Cherry is regularly instructed as counsel in arbitrations and arbitration-related court proceedings. Her experience spans ICC, HKIAC, SIAC, LCIA and CIETAC arbitrations, as well as ad hoc proceedings. She is also an arbitrator on the HKIAC List of Arbitrators, the Tianjin Arbitration Commission List of Arbitrators, the SCIA Jiangmen Panel of Arbitrators and the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre Logistics / Maritime / Transportation Roster of Arbitrators.
Cherry has substantial experience in high-value, cross-border asset recovery. She acts in the China Medical line of cases, a multi-jurisdictional recovery project arising from the diversion of more than US$500 million through numerous entities and bank accounts, and has appeared in the resulting proceedings against the fraudulent directors as well as various professional parties. She also acts in the China Evergrande litigation, including proceedings against PwC and against former directors and their affiliates.
Cherry is a native Mandarin speaker and is fluent in English and Cantonese. Her unique background enables her to work seamlessly with PRC clients, witnesses and experts, navigate Chinese-language evidence, and bridge Mainland and Hong Kong litigation and arbitration strategy. She is regularly instructed in China-related disputes in both court and arbitral proceedings.
Cherry has an established disciplinary and public-law practice. She has acted in proceedings involving the Medical Council, the Social Workers Registration Board and the Buildings Department / Building Authority, and in judicial review matters. She sits on the Estate Agents Authority Disciplinary Committee and regularly conducts disciplinary hearings, including as chairlady. Her wider practice also includes tax matters.
Besides acting as an advocate, Cherry has served as a guest lecturer in the International Commercial Arbitration/International Commercial Dispute Resolution course for LLM students at Peking University since 2016. She has also been teaching the Common Law Course jointly provided by the Hong Kong Bar Association and Peking University / East China University of Political Science and Law. She has sat as a Deputy Adjudicator at the Small Claims Tribunal and served as a Judicial Associate to the judges of the Court of Appeal of Hong Kong. She is also a member of the Committee on Competition Law and the deputy secretary of the Standing Committee on Mainland Affairs of the Hong Kong Bar Association.
Cherry was ranked by Chambers & Partner’s Greater China Region Guide 2026 in the “Up and Coming: Commercial Dispute Resolution: The Bar”:
“Cherry Xu wins recognition from market sources for her work on a variety of commercial disputes, with her experience in mainland China-related arbitration a key point of focus.”
“Her ability is top notch and she’s well regarded for PRC arbitrations.”
“Cherry is very stable and has a calm style; she’s fluent in Mandarin as well and her language skills come as a great help with Chinese clients.”
She was recognised by Legal 500 as a Rising Star in commercial dispute resolution in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, as well as Leading Junior (Band 3) for 2025:
“Cherry is extremely responsive, efficient and hard-working in her high-quality work. In particular, as one of the relatively few HK barristers with native Mandarin capabilities both spoken and written, she is in a unique position to act for Mainland clients in cross-border arbitration and litigation cases.”
“Cherry‘s judgement and output is far superior to her year of call and she is incredibly bright, really thinks around the case, and fights hard to achieve the best outcome for the client. She is a very good team player with great tactical awareness, and as one of the few barristers with native Mandarin abilities, she is in pole position to deliver effective results in cases involving Mainland elements.”
“Cherry is analytical , thorough and adopts a practical approach. She is very industrious, and her advocacy is persuasive.”
- Rhodes Scholar for Hong Kong 2013
- Charles Ching Memorial Scholarship 2016
- Over 16 other scholarships and awards during undergraduate and/or post-graduate studies
- “Copyright Protection in the Digital Age: A Tripartite Balance”, Hong Kong Law Journal, Vol. 42, Part 3 of 2012 (Autumn 2012).
- The Art of Resolving Global Disputes: Navigating International Commercial Arbitration, co-author
- Perspectives on Interim Measures for Commercial Disputes in Hong Kong and Mainland China, co-author
- The Annotated HKIAC Rules 2024, co-author
- Member, Manpower Development Committee under the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board
- Member, Disciplinary Committee of the Estate Agents Authority; regularly sits on disciplinary hearings, including as chairlady
- Deputy Adjudicator, Small Claims Tribunal
- Judicial Assistant to the Court of Appeal of Hong Kong
- Member, Committee on Competition Law of the Hong Kong Bar Association
- Deputy Secretary, Standing Committee on Mainland Affairs of the Hong Kong Bar Association
- Arbitrator, HKIAC List of Arbitrators
- Arbitrator, Tianjin Arbitration Commission’s List of Arbitrators
- Arbitrator, SCIA Jiangmen (Jiangmen Arbitration Commission) Panel of Arbitrators
- Arbitrator, Tashkent International Arbitration Centre’s Logistics / Maritime / Transportation Roster of Arbitrators
- Tutor, Contract Law, University of Hong Kong (2016-2017)
- Guest Lecturer, International Commercial Arbitration / International Commercial Dispute Resolution course, Peking University (2016, 2017, 2021to 2026)
- Guest Lecturer, Common Law Course, East China University of Political Science and Law (2023)
- Guest Lecturer, Common Law Course, Peking University (2024 to 2026)
- Guest Lecturer, Commercial Rules, Shenzhen University (2024, 2025)
Arbitration Related
- Acted as arbitrator in HKIAC arbitration involving insurance dispute
- Represented clients in an extensive numbers of HKIAC, ICC, SIAC, LCIA and CIETAC arbitrations involving, inter alia, contract, investment, share redemption, shareholders’ disputes, insurance, shipping and other commercial disputes, including both Chinese and English arbitrations, acting as leading or junior counsel.
- CI v IU [2026] 1 HKLRD 4397, acting as sole counsel for charterers in an application for leave to appeal an HKMAG award arising from a voyage charterparty for carriage of bulk cargo from Egypt to South China.
- E v N [2026] HKCFI 3293, leading junior counsel for the successful award creditor in resisting an application to set aside an HKIAC award involving a PRC court decision, issue estoppel and alleged failure to deal with issues; the application was dismissed with indemnity costs.
- S v G[2020] HKCFI 2201, represented in the respondent in an application to stay proceedings to enforce a CIETAC arbitration award in Hong Kong.
- Sesderma, S.L. v Seeky International Ltd & Another[2023] HKCFI 1619 — led by Rachel Lam SC for the successful second defendant in obtaining a mandatory stay to CIETAC arbitration of Hong Kong proceedings concerning alleged trademark squatting and tortious interference, with issues of PRC law, issue estoppel and the scope of the arbitration agreement.
Asset Recovery and Fraud
- China Evergrande Group (in liquidation) v Hui Ka Yan & Ors [2024] HKCFI 3523, acting as sole counsel for the liquidated company in proceedings concerning proprietary and worldwide Mareva relief and Cayman-law expert evidence; obtained the costs of the interlocutory application.
- China Medical Technologies, Inc (in liquidation) & Ors v Wu Xiaodong & Ors [2026] HKCFI 276, led by Charles Manzoni SC for the plaintiffs in the trial of consolidated fraud and asset-recovery actions; obtained judgment on claims including breach of fiduciary duty, conspiracy, fraudulent trading, dishonest assistance and knowing receipt, with liability tied to US$521.8 million.
- China Medical Technologies, Inc (in liquidation) & Ors v The Bank of East Asia Ltd [2024] HKCFI 1180, acting as sole counsel for the plaintiffs in the China Medical banking litigation concerning dishonest assistance and knowing receipt; obtained 85% of the plaintiffs’ costs of the strike-out application.
- China Medical Technologies, Inc (in liquidation) & Ors v Wu Xiaodong & Ors[2024] HKCA 310 — acting as sole counsel for the plaintiffs in successfully resisting a renewed application for leave to appeal against indemnity-costs orders arising from an unsuccessful joinder application in the China Medical asset-recovery litigation.
- China Medical Technologies, Inc (in liquidation) & Ors v Wu Xiaodong & Ors[2023] HKCFI 2735 — acting as sole counsel for the plaintiffs in successfully resisting an application for leave to appeal against indemnity-costs orders concerning an unsuccessful attempt to join two banks to the consolidated China Medical proceedings.
Commercial, Company and Insolvency
- Golong Co., Ltd v Sesderma, S.L.[2021] HKCFI 568, representing the plaintiff in an application for injunction restraining the defendant from presenting any winding up petition against the plaintiff; successfully obtained the final injunction against the defendant.
- Chen Lingxia v 中国金谷国际信托有限责任公司 & Others[2019] HKCFI 379; (unreported, HCA 2012/2018, 15.2.2019), interlocutory applications concerning disputes over the title to the shares of a Hong Kong company, involving charge / mortgage over the shares executed in the PRC and purported auctions of the underlying debt and/or the charge / mortgage on Taobao in the PRC.
- China Shanshui Cement Group Ltd & Others v Mi Jingtian & Others[2018] HKCFI 1553 (unreported, HCA 762/2017, 19.07.2018), dispute concerning disputes between shareholders of companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and their subsidiaries, as well as the validity of the appointment of the directors of such companies; representing the defendants in this action and successfully applied to discharge interlocutory injunction against the defendants.
- Sky Joy Investment Ltd v Zheng Dunmu & Another(HCA 385/2016, 16.08.2017), representing the plaintiff in a dispute over the equitable interest in the shares in a listed company, which concerned the creation of equitable mortgage and priority between competing equitable interests.
- Sky Joy Investment Ltd v Zheng Dunmu & Another[2018] HKCA 259 (unreported, CACV 205/2017, 04.05.2018), representing the plaintiff in a dispute over equitable interests in the shares of a listed company; successfully resisted the appellant’s application to file new evidence at the appeal stage.
- Canton Plus Enterprise Ltd & Another v Tong Zhenjun & Others[2018] HKCFI 1402; (HCA227/2017, 15.12.2017), representing the plaintiffs in an interlocutory application for order to preserve and inspect documents, in a dispute over corporate affairs and management.
Disciplinary / Regulatory / Competition / Tax
- Acted in disciplinary and regulatory proceedings involving the Medical Council, the Social Workers Registration Board and the Buildings Department / Building Authority.
- Lee Kwok Wa & Others v The Securities and Futures Commission v Young Bik Fung & Others(2018) 21 HKCFAR 537, the first and landmark case in Hong Kong concerning the application of s.300 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571) to securities transactions conducted on an overseas securities exchange. Cherry appeared on behalf of the appellants in the Court of Appeal (CACV 33/2016, led by Paul Shieh S.C. and Derek Chan S.C.) and in the Court of Final Appeal (led by Gerard McCoy Q.C., S.C. and Derek Chan S.C.).
- Taching Petroleum Co., Ltd v Meyer Aluminium Ltd[2018] HKCFI 2095; (unreported, HCA 1929/2017, 07.09.2018), the first case in Hong Kong where a competition defence was raised in civil proceedings; representing the plaintiff; concerning the transfer of proceedings to the Competition Tribunal and the other case management matters.
- Taching Petroleum Co., Ltd v Meyer Aluminium Ltd[2021] HKCA 294, concerning the defendant’s appeal to the Court of Appeal against the Competition Tribunal’s decision in [2020] HKCT 2 (see above); successfully defended the appeal.
- Taching Petroleum Co., Ltd v Meyer Aluminium Ltd[2021] HKCT 2, concerning the abovementioned competition law disputes; represented the plaintiff in the trial of the matter; the plaintiff’s claim against the defendant was successful.
- Clean Water Ltd v Commissioner of Inland Revenue[2023] HKCFI 744 — acting as sole counsel for the Commissioner in successfully resisting an application for leave to appeal against profits-tax assessments concerning the source of profits, evidential burden and admissibility of late evidence.
Judicial Review
- 丘龍生 v 勞工及福利局局長羅致光 [2020] HKCFI 1499, acted for the Putative Interested Party in the rolled up hearing of the applicant’s application for leave for judicial review; successfully defended the application and no leave was granted.
- Pang Chui Ping v Registrar of the High Court [2025] HKCA 372; [2025] 3 HKLRD 549, led by Johnny Ma SC for the Director of Legal Aid in a judicial-review appeal concerning refusal of legal aid and the scope of remitter; the appeal was allowed and the mandamus order set aside.Cherry also appeared as sole counsel for the Director at the first instance level with two reported decisions in [2024] 5 HKLRD 164, and [2024] 4 HKLRD 393.
Regulatory, Land, Administrative Review, Commercial Judicial Review, Constitutional Review, Statutory Tribunals, Adjudication, Arbitration as counsel, Arbitration as arbitrator, Enforcement of Arbitral Award, Expert Determination, 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, Enforcement, Follow-on Action, Investigation, Leniency, Mergers (Telecommunications), Bankruptcy, Restructuring, Schemes of Arrangement, Winding-Up, Breach of Confidence, Copyright, Patents, Passing Off, Trademarks, Letters of Credit, Sale and Carriage of Goods, Shipping, Town Planning Appeals, Land Resumption, Auditors’ Negligence, Disciplinary Proceedings, Medical Negligence, Solicitors’ Negligence, Surveyors’ Negligence, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Data Technology, Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs), Digital Assets, Anton Piller Relief, Asset Tracing, Bankers’ Books Orders, Discovery, Injunction, Norwich Pharmacal Orders, Adverse Possession, Building Management, Charities, Conveyancing, Easements, Landlord & Tenants Disputes
