Chris Howse

Practice Areas

Chris was admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 1981 after being seconded by the London office of a city law firm, Richards Butler, to build up its Hong Kong office. He was the Senior Partner and Managing Partner of the Hong Kong office of Richards Butler until December 2011. Following the takeover of Richards Butler Hong Kong by an American law firm he set up Howse Williams on 1 January 2012 with a large number of partners and solicitors from the Hong Kong office of Richards Butler. The firm is now one of the largest independent law firms in Hong Kong.

Chris is experienced in a wide range of commercial litigation. He has extensive insurance experience, particularly in relation to the defence of professional negligence claims. Chris is the head of the firm's medico-legal team. He started to undertake medico-legal work in 1985. He has been providing professional advice and assistance to doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals and to the private hospitals of Hong Kong on a wide range of medico-legal issues for over 30 years. His firm have been panel lawyers for the Medical Protection Society and Dental Protection Ltd. since the mid-1980s.

Chris is also experienced in international trade disputes. He advises ship-owners, charterers and various property and liability insurers.

Career

2012 Howse Williams

2011 Reed Smith Richards Butler

2008 Richards Butler in Association with Reed Smith LLP

1983 Richards Butler, Hong Kong

1975 Richards Butler, London

Professional Memberships

Arbitration:

Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Hong Kong)

Fellow, Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators Ltd

Supporting Member, London Maritime Arbitrators Association

Arbitrator, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre

Arbitrator, China Maritime Arbitration Commission

Arbitrator, China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission

Arbitrator, Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group

Arbitrator, Korean Commercial Arbitration Board

Member, Hong Kong Arbitrations Law Review Committee (1996-2000)

Professional Indemnity Insurance:

Member, Hong Kong Law Society Professional Indemnity Insurance Claims Committee (1989-1999)

Deputy Chairman, Hong Kong Law Society Professional Indemnity Claims Committee (1999-2004)

Chairman, Hong Kong Law Society Professional Indemnity Claims Committee (2004-2007)

Member, Hong Kong Law Society Working Party on Professional Indemnity Insurance Scheme (1996-2004)

Chairman, Hong Kong Professional Indemnity Review Committee (2002)

Member, Hong Kong Law Society Professional Indemnity Advisory Committee (1999-2006)

Director, Hong Kong Solicitors Indemnity Fund Limited