Joanne Lau
Partner
Hong Kong
Joanne Lau
Partner
Hong Kong
Contact Details
Joanne Lau is a Partner in Allen & Overy’s Global Arbitration Group based in Hong Kong. She represents clients in international commercial arbitrations and investment treaty arbitrations, including as an advocate.
She has extensive experience acting in arbitrations under major institutional rules, including HKIAC, ICC, SIAC and UNCITRAL Rules, involving various jurisdictions such as Hong Kong SAR, England, India, Singapore and, in particular, Mainland China. She also regularly advises on arbitration-related court matters. She has experience in a range of complex cross-border disputes, including disputes relating to post-M&A matters, joint ventures, private equity, complex financial products, shareholder disputes and disputes in the energy and infrastructure sectors. She also sits as arbitrator.
Joanne publishes and speaks regularly on arbitration-related topics. She served as the co-chair of the HK45, the HKIAC’s young arbitration practitioner body, for its 2020-2022 term and is an Executive Committee Member of the Rising Arbitrators Initiative and a member of the Proceedings Committee of the HKIAC.
Joanne is qualified as a solicitor in Hong Kong and England and Wales, and speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Expertise
Practices
Litigation, Arbitration and Investigations
Public International Law and Investment Disputes
Sectors
Qualifications
Professional
Admitted as a Solicitor, Hong Kong, 2014
Admitted as a Solicitor, England & Wales, 2023
Academic
BA (Hons), Jurisprudence, Oxford University, 2011
PCLL, The University of Hong Kong, 2012
Related articles
Publications: 12 May 2023
Bankruptcy petition vs exclusive jurisdiction clause - Who has the last word?
In this client bulletin, we report on a Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal judgment that clarifies the proper approach in deciding whether to dismiss or stay a creditor’s bankruptcy petition before Hong…
Publications: 03 April 2023
Publications: 07 July 2022
New Hong Kong legislation on outcome-related fee structures for arbitration
Expertise
Practices
Litigation, Arbitration and Investigations
Public International Law and Investment Disputes
Sectors
Qualifications
Professional
Admitted as a Solicitor, Hong Kong, 2014
Admitted as a Solicitor, England & Wales, 2023
Academic
BA (Hons), Jurisprudence, Oxford University, 2011
PCLL, The University of Hong Kong, 2012
Experience highlights
A leading Chinese state-owned company in the energy, oil and gas sector, in an ICC arbitration with a foreign joint venture partner in relation to the failure of a USD1.2 billion project in a Central American country.
An international investment bank in two HKIAC arbitrations, one against a Hong Kong company for an outstanding amount in respect of derivatives trades under the 2002 ISDA Agreement and another against the company’s PRC parent under a guarantee.
Nissan in an investment treaty claim against the Republic of India pursuant to the 2011 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and India, and related court proceedings, in connection to certain outstanding investment incentive sums owed to Nissan by the State Government of Tamil Nadu.
Other noteworthy experience
Advising:
- An investment bank and a Chinese private equity firm in relation to a dispute arising from an investment in a coal processing company in the PRC under HKIAC rules.
- A geo-thermal energy producer on a construction dispute concerning a power plant in the Philippines, with arbitration under the ICC Rules.
- A Japanese multinational company concerning the termination of an exclusive distribution agreement in a large Asian country under the SIAC Rules.
- A Chinese company in two HKIAC arbitrations against a US investment firm in relation to a shareholders dispute in the media and entertainment industry.
- A US technology company in relation to a competition law enforcement action in Hong Kong.
- A US private equity firm in a HKIAC arbitration relating to amounts owed by PRC individuals and offshore entities under multiple transaction documents.
- A group of private equity investors in two HKIAC arbitrations in relation to a shareholders dispute concerning an investment in the energy sector in the PRC.
- An international bank in a post-merger dispute in Taiwan concerning breaches of representations and warranties, with arbitration under the ICC Rules.
Recognition
Joanne Lau offers clients valued support on a range of multi-jurisdictional arbitrations for clients in the telecommunications, banking and private equity spaces.
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021
Very good at communication and very hard-working… You can always find her in case of emergency… Communicates well in Mandarin as well as English.
Chambers Global 2021
