Department profile
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms)

Greater China Region Guide 2026 : China


Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

We advise clients on arbitrations under a broad spectrum of civil and common laws as well as public international law. We are experienced in arbitrating under the rules of all major arbitration institutions, as well as having conducted numerous ad hoc arbitrations. Our genuine sector knowledge, commercial awareness and regional sensitivity are unrivalled. We advise clients and conduct arbitrations in a number of languages. Once you have an arbitral award, we can help you to enforce it around the world.

Our long standing experience of acting in investor-state and state-to-state arbitrations and in-depth knowledge of the nuances of these focus areas means we can help you to best meet your objectives. We provide advice on the best possible investment and treaty protection.

Conducting our own advocacy means our skilled advocates play a critical role in the strategy of the case from the outset. It also minimises the cost and time involved for our clients in instructing external counsel.

Choosing arbitrators and expert witnesses can be highly significant in achieving a successful outcome and we offer our clients in-depth knowledge of both. Members of the arbitration group regularly sit as arbitrators and this valuable insight into the arbitral process from a different perspective helps us to identify winning strategies.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms) - China

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has a respected team in Mainland China as well as Hong Kong, with a strong track record of advising blue-chip clients from sectors including banking, hospitality and TMT on complex multi-jurisdictional arbitration. It is noted for its tremendous capabilities in advocacy in both commercial agreement and international treaty arbitrations, as well as its advocacy capabilities in both English and Chinese. It is also well equipped to handle interim relief measures, as well as challenges to and enforcement of arbitral awards. The firm leverages broad international energy, construction and infrastructure expertise, with additional strengths acting for private equity clients.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team's fluency in Chinese was a major asset. It saved significant time under tight deadlines and enabled HSF to work with first-hand client input rather than filtered translations.

    Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
  • Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer have strong cross-regional teamwork ability and are able to efficiently complete challenging tasks in a short period of time.

    Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
  • The fact that all the partners had deep Asian arbitration experience and were intimately involved gave us a distinct advantage on a day-to-day level, but more importantly, in our strategic approach.

    Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Eminent PractitionersJustin D'Agostino
    Eminent PractitionersJustin D'Agostino

    Justin D'Agostino

    Justin D'Agostino is Herbert Smith Freehills' global chief executive officer and renowned for his work on high-profile investment treaty arbitrations across the Asia-Pacific region.

  • Band 1Kathryn Sanger
    Band 1Kathryn Sanger

    Kathryn Sanger

    Kathryn Sanger has a wealth of experience in HKIAC arbitration cases. She serves a diverse clientele, with high-profile clients spanning a broad spectrum of sectors and notable experience advising private equity firms and tech companies.

    • She's very strong, has a strong commercial understanding of deals and is very detail-oriented. She can get to the bottom of things and see the bigger picture of complex fact patterns.

      Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
    • Kathryn provides us with thoughtful, round-the-clock service. She understands our particular (and atypical) interests and provides tailored, actionable advice.

      Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
    • She's a very capable partner with a strong personal style who is very neat in her work.

      Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
  • Band 1Simon Chapman
    Band 1Simon Chapman

    Simon Chapman

    Simon Chapman KC is co-head of Herbert Smith Freehills' global arbitration team and is active in global arbitrations for clients in the financial services, private equity and TMT spaces.

    • He's a recognised market leader in the Asia arbitration community with a deserved reputation.

      Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
    • Simon is great and does his own advocacy as well.

      Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
    • Simon is fantastic.

      Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
  • Band 4Helen Tang
    Band 4Helen Tang

    Helen Tang

    Helen Tang garners recognition for her broad disputes practice, which often involves Mainland Chinese parties. She is based in Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer's Hong Kong office.

    • Helen is doing some big work for PRC clients.

      Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

Ranked Individuals at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP (4)

China

  • Profile image of Justin D'Agostino

    Justin D'Agostino

    Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Kathryn Sanger

    Kathryn Sanger

    Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Simon Chapman KC

    Simon Chapman KC

    Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Helen Tang

    Helen Tang

    Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms)

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Members

Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

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