Profile
Profile
After obtaining First Class honours in both architecture and law from the University of Hong Kong and the Bachelor of Civil Law from the University of Oxford, Calvin joined Des Voeux Chambers in 2006.
Calvin has since developed a broad practice with special emphasis on construction disputes. He is regularly instructed in disputes relating to large infrastructure and construction projects in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and the PRC, including crossharbour tunnel, casinos, coal mines, commercial complexes, hotels and residential developments.
Calvin has appeared in various levels of the courts, including the Court of Final Appeal. Calvin is also regularly instructed to appear in arbitrations. He was appointed as a Deputy District Judge in 2018.
He was counsel to the Commission of Inquiry into the Construction Works at and near the Hung Hom Station Extension, the final report of which was recently published in April 2020. Currently, he is also the Chairman of the Society of Construction Law Hong Kong and the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Construction Law of the Hong Kong Bar Association.
Calvin is accredited in the Preeminent Junior Counsel category in Doyles Guide for “Leading Construction & Infrastructure Barristers – Hong Kong” 2021 and recognised in Who’s Who Legal Construction: Future Leaders 2020.
- Chairman of the Society of Construction Law Hong Kong (2020)
- Vice Chairman of the Committee on Construction Law of the Hong Kong Bar Association (since 2019)
- Deputy District Judge (2018)
- Member of the Standing Committee on Barristers Qualification Examination of the Hong Kong Bar Association (since 2016)
- Member of the Committee on Arbitration of the Hong Kong Bar Association (since 2014)
- Panel arbitrator of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre
- Panel arbitrator of Shenzhen International Court of Arbitration
Litigation:
- The Commission of Inquiry into the Construction Works at and near the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link Project (“The MTR Inquiry”)
- Re Hsin Chong Construction Co Ltd [2019] HKCFI 1531
- Unistress Building Construction Ltd v Top Dollars Development Ltd [2018] 1 HKLRD 237
- De Monsa Investments Ltd v Richly Bright International Ltd (2015) 18 HKCFAR 232
- Beacon Hill (IO) v Match Power Investment Ltd [2011] 5 HKLRD 107
- Gao Haiyan & Anor v Keeneye Holdings Ltd [2011] 3 HKC 157
- Marcus Praetorius v Head Architecture and Design Ltd HCA 1057/2013
- Unitress v The Pressure Piling Co. (Hong Kong) Limited and others ESS 21671-21676/2009 28 February 2011
- HKSAR v The Pressure Piling Co. (Hong Kong) Limited and others ESS 21671-21676/2009 28 February 2011
- Successfully defended the Defendants against charges brought under section 40(2B)(b) of the Buildings Ordinance, Cap 123 after a 22-day trial involving the tilting of a building in Hong Kong.
- Chow Fu Hsien v K Vision International Investment (HK) Ltd HCA 2884/2004 17 November 2009
- Represented the Plaintiff (and was led by Ms Lisa Wong SC) and successfully enforced a trust deed relating to a large scale property development in Beijing against the defendant company.
- BSC Interior Contract and Engineering Company Ltd v Shinta CACV 325/2008 23 October 2009
- Represented the Defendant (and was led by John Scott SC) in a dispute which concerned the existence of an oral collateral agreement during construction.
- The Official Receiver v Lui Fu Sing and another HCMP 1922/2008 8 June 2010
- Represented the Official Receiver and successfully obtained a disqualification order against the former directors of a company in liquidation.
- Sun Focus Investment Ltd v Tang Shing Bor & another HCA 538/2007 22 October 2009
- Represented the Defendants and successfully struck out the Plaintiff’s statement of claim relating to a property development in Shanghai, the PRC.
- Paul Y Management Ltd v Eternal Unity Development and Others HCA 571/2007 1 June 2009
- Represented the Defendants and successfully resisted the Plaintiff’s strike-out application relating to a property development in the PRC.
- Clare, Baroness Baillieu v The Foreign Correspondent’s Club, Hong Kong HCMP 1567/2006 7 November 2008
- Represented the Plaintiff and successfully obtained a declaration against the Foreign Correspondent’s Club, Hong Kong after a 4-day trial.
Arbitration:
- Represented an employer to resist a contractor’s claims relating to, inter alia, extension of time, variations and direct loss and expenses.
- Represented a contractor in an arbitration principally concerning the claim for loss of profits arising from construction defects brought by an employer.
- Represented a Hong Kong property developer (and was led by Philip Boulding QC and Anthony Houghton SC) in arbitration proceedings against its main contractor of a large scale property development comprising a hotel, offices and service apartments.
- Bar Scholarship (2004)
- Charles Ching Memorial Scholarship (2003)
- Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowship for Overseas Studies (2003)
- Johnson, Stokes and Master Scholarship in Law (2002)
- C V Starr Scholarship (2001)
- Ho Fook Prize in Architecture (1999)
- Co-Author of ‘Commissions of Inquiry in Hong Kong’ 2021
This book is now available from Sweet & Maxwell, please click [Order Link] for more - Consultant Editor of the Hong Kong Law Reports and Digest from June 2011.
- Speaker on “Construction and Arbitration: A Practical Guide”
- Speaker (together with Mr Barrie Barlow SC and Mr Yang-Wahn Hew) on “Issues arising from Companies Winding-up proceedings of which (former) Directors should be aware”
- Speaker (together with Mr Jose Maurellet) on Minority Shareholders’ Remedies.
Accolades
Calvin Cheuk was ranked by Chambers and Partners Greater China Region 2024 in the field of Commercial Dispute Resolution.
Chambers Review shared that “Calvin Cheuk is well regarded for his practice focusing on construction disputes, often advising on contentious issues arising from complex cross-border projects.”
Clients commented that “Not many Hong Kong barristers can actually arbitrate in Chinese, especially not Putonghua, but he did it very well; throughout the process he was always very responsive and helpful.” and “Calvin is a consummate professional; he is able to effectively distil complex issues into advice that is palatable to clients.“.
- Chambers & Partners: Greater China Region Guide (2024)
Calvin Cheuk is recognised as Leading Junior for both Construction and Property and Regional International Arbitration: Arbitration Counsel
Legal 500 says: Amongst the set’s juniors, Calvin Cheuk stands out for his expertise in handling construction-related disputes spanning across Hong Kong, Mainland China and beyond.
In the field of arbitration, Legal 500 says that Calvin Cheuk is another key figure in the team, who is well-known for his expertise in handling construction arbitrations concerning projects in Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan and Macau.
Source commented that ‘Calvin is meticulous in his work. His expertise in construction law is impressive, his advocacy is good, and he can deal with difficult questions from the judge skilfully.” and ‘An analytical junior with a logical approach to cases.’
- Legal 500 Asia Pacific HK Bar (2024)
Calvin Cheuk is recognised by Who’s Who Legal 2024 as Recommended Barrister in the field of Construction.
WWL Says, “I was impressed most by his efficiency, responsiveness and ability to distil information effectively for the client’s benefit”, “Calvin’s advocacy skills are excellent” and “With his architectural background, he is able to grasp the technical aspects of the case quickly”.
- Who's Who Legal (2024)
Calvin Cheuk has been ranked as Preeminent Junior Counsel under the category of Leading Construction & Infrastructure Litigation Barristers – Hong Kong.
- Doyle's Guide (2024)
Calvin Cheuk is recognised as Tier 1 Leading Junior for Construction and Property.
Legal 500 says that Calvin Cheuk has similarly maintained his strong reputation in construction disputes; 2023 saw him undertake numerous challenging matters.
Source commented that Calvin is “a sought-after junior practitioner in the construction space.”
- Legal 500 Asia Pacific: HK Bar (2023)
Calvin Cheuk received the following recognition from Who’s Who Legal 2023 in the field of Construction:
– Recommended Leader – Mainland China, Hong Kong & Macao 2023 – Construction
– Recommended Leader – Construction 2023
WWL says, “Calvin Cheuk impresses peers and clients alike with his ‘in-depth knowledge of construction law” and his ability to “get up to speed with issues quickly’. ‘Calvin is hard working and has an attention to detail’. ‘He is very thorough and thinks outside the box’, and ‘He a pleasure to work with’. ”
- Who's Who Legal (2023)
Calvin Cheuk has been kept busy handling high-value, complex construction disputes arising from prominent projects in Hong Kong. ‘A sought-after junior practitioner in the construction space.’ Calvin Cheuk is recognised as a Leading Junior for Construction and Property Law.
- Legal 500 Asia Pacific HK Bar (2022)
Calvin Cheuk has been recognized by Who’s Who Legal as a “Future Leader” in the field of Construction.
WWL Says: “Calvin is one of the top barristers specialised in construction in Hong Kong” “He understands the details of a case quickly” “Not many counsels in Hong Kong have an architectural degree under their belt like Calvin”
WWL: Global Leaders 2022
Calvin Cheuk has been recognized by Who’s Who Legal as a “National Leader” in the field of Construction.
WWL Says: “Calvin Cheuk is commended by market respondents for his ‘excellence in understanding and presenting complicated technical issues’ in multibillion-dollar construction disputes.”
WWL: Mainland China & Hong Kong SAR 2022
- Who's Who Legal (2022)
A busy practitioner, with a strong practice, and a great guy, too. Calvin Cheuk has been elected as the Chairman of the Society of Construction Law Hong Kong. Calvin Cheuk is singled out as a Leading Junior for Construction Law.
- Legal 500 Asia Pacific HK Bar (2021)
Calvin Cheuk has been recognised in the Preeminent Junior Counsel category by the Doyles Guide for Leading Construction & Infrastructure Litigation Barristers – Hong Kong, 2021
- Doyles Guide (2021)
Calvin Cheuk is accredited in the Leading Junior Counsel category by the Doyles Guide for Leading Construction & Infrastracture Litigation Barristers – Hong Kong, 2020
- Doyles Guide (2020)
Calvin is recognised in Who’s Who Legal Construction: Future Leaders 2020.
WWL says: Calvin Cheuk is commended for his “excellent technical background” and “great eye for detail”
- Who's Who Legal (2020)
Calvin is a Recommended Junior Counsel in Doyle’s Guide for “Leading Construction & Infrastructure Barristers – Hong Kong” 2017 and recognised in Who’s Who Legal Construction: Future Leaders 2019.