Image of Timothy Tai

Timothy Tai

Senior Associate

Email

timothy.tai@aoshearman.com

Phone

+852 2974 6972

Offices

Hong Kong SAR

V-CARD
Timothy acts for and advises clients in international commercial arbitrations and investment treaty arbitrations in a wide range of sectors and jurisdictions.

He has experience in arbitrations under the ICC, HKIAC, SIAC, LCIA, DIAC and UNCITRAL rules and in disputes governed by both common law and civil law systems. In addition to his counsel practice, Timothy has also served as tribunal secretary in ICC and HKIAC arbitrations.

Timothy has practised international arbitration at the firm’s Hong Kong and London offices.

Expertise

Experience

Representative matters

  • A Southeast Asian State-owned telecommunications company on a Singapore-seated SIAC arbitration arising out of an investment in a Francophone African country worth over US$400 million.
  • A Chinese pharmaceutical company in a London-seated LCIA arbitration against an Indian counterparty concerning the commercialization and distribution of a medical product in the US.
  • An Indian subcontractor in a DIAC construction arbitration against a UAE contractor for its unlawful termination of the subcontract.
  • A US private equity firm on an HKIAC arbitration claim arising out of an aborted M&A transaction in the real estate sector. The claims against our client were dismissed and our client was awarded its full counterclaim of US$90 million together with legal costs.
  • A Chinese technology company on a US$100 million HKIAC claim by a US entity concerning a technology transfer agreement and alleged patent infringement. The claim settled without payment by our client.
  • Two oil & gas clients on a dispute arising out of the termination of production sharing contracts in an offshore project in Southeast Asia. Following the commencement of two commercial arbitrations and an investment treaty claim, the claims were settled for payment of US$800 million to our clients in 2021. This is one of the largest known settlements by a State or State-owned enterprise.
  • A leading Chinese State-owned company on a London-seated ICC arbitration with a foreign joint venture partner in relation to a US$1.2 billion project in a Central American country.

Pro bono

  • Advising a Hong Kong charity on the civil remedies available to victims of image-based sexual violence under Hong Kong law and delivering trainings to counsellors and social workers.

Published Work

  • Vakil, B., Limond, K., Tai, T. and Fox, J. (2023) “The why and how of IP arbitration”, London: Managing IP
  • Li, H. and Tai, T. (2023) “Hong Kong Court stays proceedings for arbitration, demonstrating pro-arbitration stance (Sesderma v Seeky)”, London: LexisNexis
  • Tai, T. and Chung, H. (2022) “Hong Kong Arbitration Week Recap: Examining the Creditor’s Toolkit in International Arbitration, Cross-Border Insolvency and Enforcement”, Kluwer Arbitration Blog

Qualifications

Admissions

Hong Kong, 2020

England and Wales, 2023

Academic

BBA (Law) (1st), University of Hong Kong, 2014

LLB (1st), University of Hong Kong, 2016

PCLL (Distinction), University of Hong Kong, 2017

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.