Areas of Practice
Mrs. Barbara Chiu specialises in commercial litigation, international arbitration, regulatory investigation/litigation, white collar crimes, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property-related disputes, judicial review and employment laws with over 25 years’ experience in Hong Kong.
In relation to commercial litigation and international arbitration, Mrs. Barbara Chiu has extensive experience in shareholder and director’s disputes, minority shareholder protection, derivative action, breach of fiduciary duty and duty of care, and joint venture disputes, many of which involve publicly listed companies. She also advises on contractual disputes, trust-related claims, matrimonial disputes and judicial review matters.
In relation to regulatory investigation and litigation, Mrs. Barbara Chiu frequently advises on contentious regulatory matters, and represents clients in relation to actions taken by regulators such as the Securities and Futures Commission and the Insurance Authority, as well as Market Misconduct Tribunal, Insurance Appeals Tribunal and related court proceedings.
In relation to white collar crimes, Mrs. Chiu advises on issues arising out of possible criminal conduct by directors or employees of private and listed companies, and represents clients in defending criminal prosecution on charges such as corruption, misconduct in public office, fraud and money-laundering.
In relation to insolvency and restructuring, Mrs. Chiu’s practice benefits greatly from her extensive experience in cross-border commercial litigation and arbitration. She advises on companies winding-up, bankruptcy, receivership, asset investigation and recovery proceedings.
Mrs. Chiu has been recognised as “Female of the Year: Asia Pacific” by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards in 2020. For her extensive experience in commercial litigation and arbitration, she has been ranked as a “Leading Individual in Dispute Resolution: Litigation” by Legal 500 Asia-Pacific and listed in the Legal 500 “Private Practice Powerlist Hong Kong: Arbitration”. She has also been recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a “Leading Estates, Probate & Succession Litigation Lawyer” in Hong Kong in 2021 and a “Leading White Collar Crime, Corporate Crime & Regulatory Investigations Lawyer” in Hong Kong in 2019. Her representation in an SFC case was awarded “Deal of the Year” by China Business Law Awards 2017, and “Matter of the Year: Novel criminal case in Hong Kong” by asialaw and Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Awards 2018. She has previously been shortlisted as finalist in individual recognitions including: “International Arbitration Lawyer of the Year” by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Awards 2019; “White-Collar Crime Lawyer of the Year” by Euromoney Legal Media Group Asia Women in Business Law Awards 2019; and “Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year” by ALB Hong Kong Law Awards 2017.
Work Experience
Mrs. Chiu received her LL.B. and LL.M. from City University of Hong Kong in 1996 and 1998 respectively and is admitted as Solicitor of the High Court of Hong Kong since 1998.
Before joining King & Wood Mallesons, Mrs. Chiu was a solicitor with a well-established local firm for 15 years including 7 years as a partner.
Her working languages are Chinese Mandarin, Cantonese and English.
