Band 3
Provided by Thomas Lee
Thomas Lee is a highly regarded advocate, arbitrator and adviser. He works across a broad range of commercial disputes, principally in construction, fraud and asset tracing, professional negligence and employment.
He is usually sole advocate in difficult matters. He is also comfortable as a senior junior working in a team on heavy cases. He is highly accessible for formal and informal advice as well as representation.
He is a Chartered Arbitrator. He has been appointed (solely and as panel member) in several ad hoc references and in appointments under the HKIAC and ICC rules (domestic and international). He practises as a commercial mediator and has sat as a Deputy District Judge.
Having been a partner in the HK office of a London law firm, he is highly attuned to the needs and demands of solicitors as well as their clients.
Directory Quotations
“A highly-regarded senior junior, he is a good advocate and always very well-prepared.” “He is great with clients” and “very personable”.
“Thomas is a responsive and seasoned arbitrator with extensive experience in construction disputes.” Thomas is “a thoughtful and considered arbitrator”.
“Bright, practical and user-friendly, he rolls his sleeves up and gets stuck into, and masters, the detail. A pleasure to work with, and good with clients.”
“Thomas is an able and impressive advocate as well as a hardworking and knowledgeable junior counsel.”
“His vast experience is what sets him apart; he is an ideal “one-stop shop” for sizeable construction companies.”
“An excellent and determined advocate, who presents his case in measured yet very clear terms.”
“Thomas is very client focused, modern, and approachable.”
“Thomas conducts meticulous oral advocacy and will not miss any points.”
“In terms of client service and delivery rates, he’s extremely strong. With his modern service and ability to get on with clients and tribunals, he does very well.”
“Thomas is versatile and intelligent: our go-to advocate in both complex commercial disputes and large- scale construction cases.”
“He has the respect of the court here. He’s very good, very steady, very polished and very pragmatic on fees”.
Call 1999
He serves extensively on professional bodies: the Appointments Committee of the HK International Arbitration Centre; the Arbitration Committee of the HK Bar Association; the Construction Committee of the HKBA; and the Council of the Society of Construction Law Hong Kong, since 2003. He is a panel member of the Barristers’ Disciplinary Tribunal.
Thomas edited the chapter on contractors’ completion obligations in Emden’s Construction Law (HK ed.) and wrote the chapter on progress and completion obligations in Construction Law Essentials (HKU Press).
Thomas often speaks on international arbitration. Recently presented on hybrid med-arb procedures (LawAsia Bengaluru 2023); reconsidering factual witness evidence (SCLHK International Conference); presentation of expert evidence (CIOB Masterclass); reciprocal enforcement of judgments and awards between Hong Kong and the Mainland PRC (several forums, including APBA and HKIAC). Forthcoming presentation on recent HK and Singapore decisions setting aside arbitral awards. Forthcoming paper on rethinking the duties of party-appointed tribunal members.
Thomas has delivered lectures or tutorials on construction law for the HKBA; the CIArb EAB; and the CUHK Architecture Faculty.
He was born in Kuala Lumpur, educated in Australia, and has lived and worked in HK for over 30 years.
Provided by Chambers
Thomas Lee offers clients over two decades' experience in commercial dispute resolution, most frequently acting on construction disputes, as well as on regulatory investigations and fraud and asset tracing matters.
Provided by Chambers
He is a solid, well-rounded operator.
Thomas is very efficient and effective.
He is a solid, well-rounded operator.
Thomas is very efficient and effective.
