Posted on: 30 March 2020
Edward Liu of Hill Dickinson Hong Kong appointed as a member of the Advisory Committee on Promotion of Arbitration
Edward Liu, legal director with Hill Dickinson Hong Kong, has been appointed as a member of the region’s Advisory Committee on Promotion of Arbitration.
The appointment was made on 25 March by Teresa Cheng, secretary for justice at the Department of Justice of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
Mr Liu’s appointment recognises Hill Dickinson’s capability and expertise in arbitration as a form of dispute resolution.
The timing of Mr Liu’s appointment is particularly significant as the current COVID-19 outbreak highlights the importance of arbitration and its flexibility as a dispute resolution forum.
The Committee was set up by the secretary for justice to further promote Hong Kong as a leading centre for international arbitration services in the Asia-Pacific region. It comprises representatives from the Department of Justice and the legal, arbitration and relevant sectors in Hong Kong. The current term of the Committee commenced in March 2018 with appointed members serving for a period of three years.
Teresa Cheng acknowledged Mr Liu’s wide-ranging involvement in the legal, arbitration and business sector, as well as his connection with the International Chamber of Shipping (as the principal representative of ICS (China) Liaison Office).
Speaking of his appointment, Ms Cheng said: ‘I am confident [Edward] will be able to contribute in, among other ways, bringing new ideas into and reflecting stakeholders’ perspectives to the Advisory Committee with a view to allowing it to best achieve the objectives set out in the terms of reference’.
Damien Laracy, Managing Partner of Hill Dickinson’s Hong Kong office and a fellow arbitrator, commented : We have an enviable reputation globally for commercial and maritime arbitration. Edward’s skills and recognition will continue to be an important part of our offering in Hong Kong on the disputes side of our practice. His experience and skills also pair well with our insolvency and capital markets practices and my partners in those areas will continue to benefit hugely from Edward’s tireless efforts.”
Mr Liu said: ‘I’m pleased to be appointed as a member of the Committee and to advise and assist the DOJ in respect of the promotion of arbitration in Hong Kong. International arbitration is fast becoming the favoured method of resolving high-value, cross-border disputes, particularly when dealing with issues in challenging jurisdictions.
‘Hong Kong is a popular seat for arbitration due to it being a common law jurisdiction and its incorporation of clauses and ideas in both of the UNCITRAL Model Law and the English Arbitration Act 1996 to ensure international recognition and reinforcement of its global status as an international legal hub.’
In addition, Mr Liu has also been appointed as an arbitrator fellow of the International Dispute Resolution and Risk Management Institute [18 October 2019], an editorial member of Lloyd’s Shipping and Trade Law [January 2020], and a council member of the Hong Kong International Mediation Centre [10 March 2020].
