Melody Chan
Partner
Hong Kong
Melody Chan
Partner
Hong Kong
Contact details
Melody Chan is a partner in A&O’s Litigation Group, based in Hong Kong. Her practice focuses on cross-border arbitration and multijurisdictional litigation with a particular focus on disputes in the financial services, oil and gas, power, and technology sectors, as well as on matters in connection with joint ventures and insolvency proceedings.
She also handles contentious and non-contentious regulatory and employment matters. Melody also sits as an arbitrator in Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre proceedings.
Melody is admitted in Hong Kong, England & Wales and New South Wales. She speaks Mandarin, Cantonese and English.
Melody has been ranked as the leading lawyer in dispute resolution: Litigation (International Firms) - China, Chambers Asia-Pacific for many years and in 2021 was named Woman Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)" by ALB Hong Kong Law Awards 2021 as well as Financial Services Disputes Expert of the Year, Hong Kong at The Lawyer Network Annual Awards 2021.
Qualifications
Professional
Admitted as solicitor, New South Wales, 1999
Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 2003
Admitted as solicitor, Hong Kong, 2003
Academic
College of Law Sydney (LL.B. (Hons), 1998)
University of Sydney (B.Com., 1996)
Experience highlights
Advising an ad hoc group of creditors on claims and enforcement action following a bond default by the subsidiary of a major Chinese real estate company, with the value of the bonds being USD260m.
A group of major Chinese lenders in connection with a payment default under various facility agreements, including advising on an insolvency application and restricting the existing indebtedness of an India-based mobile network provider, as well as on English court proceeding against a guarantor of the loans.
Advising a social media giant on injunctive relief and damages for unlawful interference and harassment arising from the unauthorized, illegitimate and wrongful use of its platform by a Hong Kong-based online game company.
The Chinese subsidiary of a leading European gas company in an ICC arbitration seated in Hong Kong. The dispute concerned a PRC law governed shareholders agreement with a China-based joint venture partner.
Related articles
Publications: 05 March 2024
Navigating the challenges in arbitrating competition law issues
Once considered non-arbitrable, competition law disputes between private parties are increasingly being resolved by arbitration. Even where competition law issues are not at the heart of the dispute,…
Publications: 10 January 2024
Investigations update: Hong Kong authorities ramp up enforcement in virtual assets and other sectors
Publications: 20 December 2023
The implication of the Foreign State Immunity Law on cross-border disputes in the PRC and Hong Kong
Qualifications
Professional
Admitted as solicitor, New South Wales, 1999
Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 2003
Admitted as solicitor, Hong Kong, 2003
Academic
College of Law Sydney (LL.B. (Hons), 1998)
University of Sydney (B.Com., 1996)
Pro bono
- Working with Hagar on a submission report on measures to protect vulnerable victims in criminal proceedings, surveying measures put in place by courts and governments in various Asian jurisdictions.
- Working with the Judiciary of Bhutan in providing and delivering a training course on civil procedures to judges from different courts within Bhutan.
Recognition
Melody Chan leads matters ranging from cross-border debt recovery actions to regulatory litigation for major technology clients. A market source remarks: ‘She's someone I think is very good.’
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021 China – Disputes Resolution: Litigation – International Firms
A client appreciates that ‘you can count on her to provide to-the-point advice and solutions.'
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021 China – Disputes Resolution: Litigation – International Firms
Melody Chan has very strong ties with many local IPs and Chinese financial institutions, and leveraging her broader commercial litigation skills, is noted for her expertise at handling pan-Asian enforcement matters.
Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021 Hong Kong Restructuring and Insolvency
She offers notable expertise in cases arising out of insolvency, fraud, shareholder and joint venture disputes. An appreciative client notes: ‘She can give very valuable insight and advice at any time.
Chambers Asia Pacific 2020 China – Disputes Resolution: Litigation – International Firms
Awards & accolades
Woman Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)
ALB Hong Kong Law Awards 2021
Financial Services Disputes Expert of the Year, Hong Kong
The Lawyer Network Annual Awards 2021
