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Dispute Resolution Hong Kong: Litigation, Arbitration, Mediation

“There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.”
– George Washington

When everybody, especially your opponent, has read and digested Sun Tzu, Machiavelli, and every other word on the art of war and when there’s a good chance that he may even have a lot more human or financial resources, it’s never been more important to be well prepared to face the enemy.

Going to war or getting into disputes is never desirable but in the business environment in which the world currently operates such disputes are inevitable. As someone once remarked: In business, when two people are always in agreement – one becomes unnecessary.

It is perhaps wishful thinking to think that justice will prevail in the end or that the result of a dispute will necessarily fall in favour of the party that has the best merits or indeed that is “morally” in the right.

Battles are often won by the party with most foresight and who is best prepared.

At OLN we take a strategic approach to litigation and dispute resolution and concentrate on outcomes rather than simply follow the well-worn process-driven exercise that sees both parties heading down a lengthy and expensive path to a courtroom trial. No one wants to be involved in disputes and our approach not only strives to avoid disputes from becoming expensive and protracted but ensures the minimum disruption to the client’s business and existing business relationships – even those with the opposition.

Outcome-driven

We concentrate on winning the case by getting the best results for our clients. We excel not only in traditional dispute resolution and litigation but in developing an all-encompassing strategy that will bring to bear all of the legal and commercial advantages that the client may have in order to secure a successful resolution of the dispute.

Needs might require urgent action to be taken to protect the client’s interests by securing assets, evidence or otherwise obtaining a strategic advantage. However, if there is a genuine prospect of a resolution, we are happy to work with our clients through negotiation and mediation to facilitate the resolution of disputes.

Dispute Resolution

Team Members

John Z.H. Zeng

Registered Foreign Lawyer (People's Republic of China)

Our Services

OLN’s mantra “Practical Legal Solutions - On Time - No Excuses” instills this innovative and strategic approach to resolving disputes such as:

  • Banking and financial litigation
  • Corporate and commercial litigation
  • Debt collection
  • Defamation
  • Employment disputes
  • Enforcement of foreign judgment
  • Injunction
  • Insolvency
  • Insurance claims and disputes
  • Intellectual Property
  • International Trade
  • Landlord and tenant
  • Personal injury claims
  • Professional negligence
  • Property disputes
  • Regulatory and disciplinary proceedings
  • Rent Review
  • Shareholder disputes
  • achievements

    Awards & Recognitions

    • 2026
    • |
    • 2025
    • |
    • 2024
    • |
    • 2023
    • |
    • 2022
    • |
    • 2021
    • |
    • 2020

    The Legal 500 Asia Pacific

    Dispute Resolution: Litigation – Tier 5

    Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026 - Leading firm

    Asialaw Profiles

    Dispute Resolution – Highly recommended

    The Legal 500 Asia Pacific

    Dispute Resolution: Litigation – Firm to Watch

    Asialaw Profiles

    Dispute Resolution – Highly recommended

    Doyle’s Guide

    Leading Estates, Probate & Succession Litigation Law Firm – Hong Kong

    Legal Media 360 Market Sentiment Index

    Dispute Resolution (General) – Band 2

    Legal Media 360 Ranked Firm

    Asialaw Profiles

    Dispute Resolution – Highly recommended

    Legal Media 360 Brand Sentiment Index

    Dispute Resolution (General) – Band 3

    LegalMedia360 Ranked Law Firm Hong Kong

    Asialaw Profiles

    Dispute Resolution – Highly recommended

    Asialaw Profiles

    Dispute Resolution – Highly Recommended

    Chambers Global

    Dispute Resolution: Litigation – Recognised Practitioner

    Chambers Asia Pacific

    Dispute Resolution: Litigation – Recognised Practitioner

    Chambers Global

    Dispute Resolution: Litigation – Recognised Practitioner

    Asialaw Profiles

    Dispute Resolution – Outstanding

    TESTIMONIALS

    What Our
    Clients Say

    LATEST FROM Dispute Resolution

    Articles & News

    Dispute Resolution

    What are the available methods of dispute resolution in Hong Kong? +

    Hong Kong offers several ways to resolve disputes, including:

    • Negotiation
    • Mediation
    • Arbitration (often under HKIAC rules),
    • Expert determination
    • Adjudication
    • Court litigation (court proceedings before the High Court or District Court)

    The most suitable option depends on various factors including the nature of the dispute, the parties involved, the claim amount involved, the commercial need of the parties, the remedies sought and whether confidentiality or international enforceability is important. Hong Kong is recognised as a leading dispute resolution hub in Asia, with a strong legal framework supporting both litigation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

    When should I choose arbitration rather than litigation in Hong Kong? +

    Arbitration is often preferred when:

    • The dispute involves parties from different countries
    • Confidentiality is important
    • The parties want to appoint a decision-maker with specialist industry expertise
    • International enforcement of the outcome is likely to be required
    • The parties want greater flexibility over procedure and timetable

    Hong Kong arbitration awards are widely enforceable internationally, making arbitration in Hong Kong particularly attractive for cross-border commercial disputes.

    What is mediation and is it mandatory before going to court in Hong Kong? +

    No. Mediation is not a legal requirement before commencing litigation.

    However, Hong Kong courts strongly encourage parties to consider mediation. A party who unreasonably refuses to participate in mediation may face adverse costs consequences, even if they ultimately succeed in the litigation.

    For this reason, mediation is often advisable at an early stage of a dispute.

    How long does commercial litigation take in Hong Kong? +

    The timeframe depends on the complexity of the dispute, the number of parties involved, and whether settlement is possible.

    Hong Kong courts actively manage cases to promote efficient resolution. Many disputes are resolved through negotiation or mediation before trial, while more complex commercial cases may take considerably longer. Where appropriate, early settlement discussions and mediation can significantly reduce both time and legal costs.

    OLN’s approach focuses on early settlement through negotiation and mediation where genuine prospects exist, to avoid protracted litigation wherever possible.

    What is a Mareva (freezing) injunction and when is it used in commercial disputes? +

    A Mareva injunction, also known as a freezing injunction, is a court order that prevents a defendant from disposing of or transferring assets before a judgment is obtained.

     

    The purpose is to preserve assets so that they remain available to satisfy a future court’s favourable judgment.

     

    Mareva injunctions are commonly used in commercial disputes involving:

    • Fraud
    • Asset dissipation
    • Debt recovery
    • Breach of contract claims
    • Shareholder disputes

    They are one of the most powerful interim remedies available under Hong Kong law.

    How quickly can a Mareva injunction be obtained in Hong Kong? +

    In urgent circumstances, a Mareva injunction can be obtained within days and sometimes even within hours.

    Applications are often made without notice to the defendant to prevent assets from being moved before the court can intervene.

    Because speed is critical, parties should seek legal advice immediately if they suspect assets are at risk of dissipation.

    Can Hong Kong arbitration awards be enforced in mainland China? +

    Yes. Hong Kong and Mainland China have a special reciprocal arrangement that allows arbitration awards made in Hong Kong to be recognised and enforced in Mainland China.

     

    This is one of Hong Kong’s key advantages as an international arbitration hub and provides businesses with greater certainty when dealing with cross-border disputes involving counterparties of Mainland China.

    Is Hong Kong a good choice for international commercial arbitration? +

    Yes. Hong Kong is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading hubs for international commercial arbitration.

     

    Key advantages include:

    • An independent judiciary and strong rule of law
    • Modern arbitration legislation based on international standards
    • A neutral venue for international parties
    • Confidential proceedings
    • Highly experienced arbitrators
    • Strong enforcement mechanisms internationally and in Mainland China

    These features make Hong Kong a popular choice for international business disputes, joint ventures and cross-border commercial disputes.

    How are legal costs handled in Hong Kong dispute resolution? +

    The general rule in Hong Kong litigation is usually that the winner would get the costs, i.e., the losing party would pay the costs of the winning party.

    However, the court has discretion when deciding who bears the costs and how much and may take into account factors such as:

    • The conduct of the parties
    • Whether settlement offers were made
    • Whether mediation was unreasonably refused
    • The complexity of the case

    In practice, a successful party typically recovers some part of its actual legal costs but not all.