Our Team
Lawrence Lau is a dispute resolution senior associate of Eric Chow & Co. in Association with Commerce and Finance Law Offices.
Lawrence’s practice focuses on commercial litigation, construction disputes, international arbitration, regulatory, investigations and insolvency. Lawrence handles a wide spectrum of disputes including Mareva injunctions, bank disclosure orders, asset tracing, shareholders disputes, joint venture disputes, public inquiry, restructuring and insolvency, disciplinary proceedings, construction, employment, discrimination, shipping, etc.
Proactively resolving disputes through litigation, arbitration and mediation, Lawrence is engaged by and works closely with a broad range of international, PRC and Hong Kong clients. These include banks, financial institutions, listed companies, multi-national corporations, PRC state-owned enterprises, construction infrastructure and engineering companies, insurance companies, shipping companies, high net-worth individuals, senior officers and professionals, and industrial regulators, etc.
Prior to joining Eric Chow & Co. in Association with Commerce & Finance Law Offices, Lawrence worked in the Dispute Resolution departments of two reputable international firms in Hong Kong – King & Wood Mallesons and MinterEllison LLP.
- Experience
- Education
- Admissions and Qualifications
- Languages
Injunctive and other Interim Relief
- A Taiwan-based market-leading shipping company in a Hong Kong winding up petition against a wholly-owned subsidiary of a PRC state-owned enterprise on a debt, and a worldwide freezing order in aid of an arbitration in London for a related claim in millions of US$.
- A director and shareholder of a clothing manufacturer in a High Court derivative action on issues of breach of fiduciary duties, dishonest assistance and knowing receipt, and a proprietary injunction against five defendants for the diversion of accounts receivables in millions of US$.
- PRC companies in High Court actions recovering funds paid pursuant to investment agreements, obtaining Mareva injunction and bank disclosure orders.
Banking, commercial and debt recovery
- A Hong Kong registered top tier Taiwanese bank in legal action against the largest PRC bank to recover over RMB 60 million pursuant to non-compliance of a letter of credit.
- PRC and Taiwanese high net worth individuals in misstatement claims of millions of USD against investment companies.
- A PRC food additives manufacturer in an arbitration regarding multiple breaches of the joint venture agreement against its UK listed joint venture partner.
- A PRC-based multinational power generation and electrical equipment manufacturing company in recovering over 10 million of USD investment funds from a PRC investment company within 2 months.
- A Luxembourg bank in a Hong Kong winding up proceedings as opposing creditor claiming a debt of millions of USD.
Investigations, Disciplinary and Criminal
- The audit committee of PRC based Hong Kong listed company in a compliance investigation regarding misappropriation of funds in billions of RMB and connected transactions, resulting in a successful resumption of trading of its shares after a long period of suspension.
- Senior officers of PRC based Hong Kong listed companies in Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission investigations regarding insider dealing.
- A registered structural engineer of a multi-national infrastructure consulting firm in a Buildings Department disciplinary hearing concerning a structural defect of a footbridge.
- A construction regulatory body in criminal prosecutions against various contractors for violations of legislations.
Restructuring and Insolvency
- The largest PRC property developer in its insolvency and restructuring process.
Public Inquiry
- Shatin-Central Link Commission of Inquiry, representing and advising a government measurement and verification consultant which was a party in such public inquiry.
Construction, Infrastructure and Engineering
- A reputable PRC contractor in a Singaporean arbitration in relation to enforcement of performance bonds, multiple claims of delay, variation, disruption made by its subcontractor in a Saudi Arabian residential construction and fitting out project.
- A reputable Hong Kong contractor in a Hong Kong arbitration in relation to multiple claims of delay, variation, disruption made by its piling subcontractor in a residential construction project.
- A reputable Hong Kong sub-contractor in a High Court action in relation to multiple claims of delay, variation, prolongation, disruption, time at large made against a Hong Kong developer’s subsidiary in a residential construction project.
- A reputable Hong Kong contractor in a High Court action applying for preliminary determination pursuant to a settlement agreement with its sub-contractor in an infrastructure construction project.
- A reputable Hong Kong contractor in an arbitration in relation to re-measurement quantum issues against its subcontractor in a Macanese hotel extra low voltage installation project.
Employment and Discrimination
- A reputable multi-national construction company in defending allegations by former employee of termination on race discrimination grounds, obtaining favourable judgment and landmark decision on costs.
- A senior officer employed in a Hong Kong listed company in defending allegations made and avoiding injunction application by its former employer in relation to his non-compete obligations.
- A senior officer employed in a leading multi-national innovation company in an internal investigation pending potential summary dismissal.
City University of Hong Kong, 2014, PCLL