Hong Kong positioned to help US businesses navigate these issues
Hand-in-hand with the opportunities presented in rapidly growing overseas markets comes the reality of business disputes. To help United States-based businesses navigate the complexities of international expansion in Asia, many of the latest views and insights related to the issue of business disputes will be addressed at the “Think Asia, Think Hong Kong (TATHK)” Symposium, to be held on September 20 at the JW Marriott in downtown Los Angeles.
The symposium, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and expected to attract more than 1,500 attendees, will address these and related trends and opportunities for US companies looking to expand in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region, providing not only valuable insights, but also a frank and enlightening dialogue on the resolution of business disputes at a dedicated thematic breakout session.
Disputes related to cross-border transactions involving construction, development and, most significantly, intellectual property, cannot be ignored as a factor in the kind of dramatic business growth that characterizes Asia. At the symposium, speakers will share their experiences in leveraging Hong Kong’s dynamic business environment as a neutral venue for resolving cross-border trade and investment disputes, offering viewpoints into ways US enterprises can more confidently tap into the Asian market with the support of Hong Kong’s growing legal services platform.
Among other endeavors, for example, Hong Kong is promoting the evolution of lawtech with the development of an efficient, cost-effective and secure online platform for the resolution of disputes, together with an interface for cross-border dealmaking.
A panel discussion, “Hong Kong as a Deal Maker and Dispute Resolver”, will address, among related topics, navigation of the legal intricacies of major pan-Asian developments such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Plan. The session will be moderated by Dr. James Ding, Commissioner of the Inclusive Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Office at the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and will feature Mabel Lui, Head of the Greater China Commercial practice at Withers law firm in Hong Kong; Paul Starr, Partner and Practice Leader of HK DR/Infrastructure and Joint Coordinator of the International Arbitration Team at King & Wood Mallesons Hong Kong; and Prof. Jack J. Coe, Jr., Professor of Law and Faculty Director at the Pepperdine Law School in Los Angeles.
A subsequent panel discussion, “Online Dispute Resolution and Deal-making Platform – New Developments in Hong Kong and How They Benefit Your Intellectual Property Rights”, will feature legal experts offering insights into technological innovations that are reshaping the landscape for dealmaking and dispute resolution, and avenues for US enterprises to benefit from pioneering developments, particularly relating to intellectual property rights protection.
This panel, moderated by Peter Caldwell, Director of Caldwell Limited, a consulting engineering practice specializing in procurement strategy, project management, contractual claims and dispute management, will include Amirali Nasir, Vice President of the Law Society of Hong Kong and Founder of Nasirs Solicitors; Adrian Lai, Attorney with Des Voeux Chambers and Deputy Secretary General of the Asian Academy of International Law Limited; and Nick Chan, Chairman of eBRAM Centre Limited, a Hong Kong-based international online dispute resolution platform.
