Hong Kong could overtake London as top arbitration hub in decade: Bar Association head
Hong Kong could dethrone London as the top choice for arbitration within the next decade given the Asian city’s status as a global fundraising capital for businesses in mainland China and beyond, the head of the Bar Association has said. Jose-Antonio Maurellet, chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, told the South China Morning Post on Friday that the city had enjoyed rapid growth in…
The head of the Hong Kong Bar Association anticipates the city could surpass London as the leading arbitration hub within the next ten years. Jose-Antonio Maurellet, chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, made this assertion to the South China Morning Post. He cited Hong Kong's burgeoning status as a global fundraising center for Chinese and international businesses as a key driver.
The city ranked second globally in arbitration preference, trailing only London, according to a survey by Queen Mary University of London. The total dispute value in arbitration cases handled by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre last year amounted to HK$117.7 billion (US$15 billion). Maurellet noted that elite international legal talent is increasingly drawn to Hong Kong's high-stakes arbitration cases.
He attributed the growth to Hong Kong's role as an international capital-raising hub and the city's increasing appeal for resolving significant disputes. One-third of the city's arbitrators hail from common law jurisdictions like England, Australia, and New Zealand, which adds to its international allure. Maurellet emphasized the need to highlight Hong Kong's broader international arbitration caseload to build global confidence.
The city's expanding market presence in regions like Brazil, Indonesia, and the UAE is also contributing to its growing appeal among international lawyers.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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