JSM’s fireside chat, “Arbitration in Hong Kong: From foundations to frontiers”, held on 23 October as part of the 2025 Hong Kong Arbitration Week was a resounding success, with a full house of over 110 in-person attendees.
Our esteemed panellist enlightened us with stories and reflections from the early days of arbitration in Hong Kong to the modern era, illustrating how the robust early foundations paved the way for the city’s modern arbitration success story.
We are especially proud of JSM’s significant role in this journey, highlighting the impactful contributions of two highly-regarded figures in shaping Hong Kong’s arbitration history: Brian Tisdall and the late Robin Peard JP, both former partners of JSM.
Special thank you to The Hon. Geoffrey Ma GBM KC SC (Former Chief Justice of Hong Kong, Arbitrator & Mediator of Temple Chambers), Neil Kaplan CBE KC SBS (Independent Arbitrator), Ian Pennicott SC KC (Arbitrator & Counsel of Des Voeux Chambers & Keating Chambers), Dr. Thomas So JP (Arbitrator & Managing Partner of Grandall Zimmern), Queenie Lau SC (Arbitrator & Counsel of Temple Chambers and Member of HKIAC Appointments Committee), Joanne Lau (Secretary General of the HKIAC) – for delivering such an engaging and insightful panel discussion. We also extend our gratitude to our senior partner Terence Tung for delivering the opening remarks about JSM and the HKIAC’s shared heritage in the early history of institutional arbitration in Hong Kong, and to senior associate Jessica van der Kamp for her outstanding moderation of the session.
