19 September 2011

Clyde & Co announced today that Gilbert Kwok has joined te firm's Asia construction practice in Hong Kong as partner. Previously a partner at Stephenson Harwood, Gilbert has vast experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters relating to the construction industry. He has advised a number of major Hong Kong developers on projects throughout China and Asia, and has assisted various Hong Kong and international real-estate developers and contractors in relation to the legal aspects of infrastructure, commercial, hotel, casino, industrial and factory developments in the region. He has also counselled them on litigation, arbitration and mediation with respect to construction disputes.

In addition, Gilbert is a qualified quantity surveyor and currently holds the position of Chairman of the Hong Kong Dispute Resolution Professional Group Committee of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Clyde & Co's head of construction for the region, Ian Cocking, said: "As the Chinese government continues to implement its "going global" strategy of encouraging Chinese companies to invest abroad, we are seeing an increasing number of Chinese and Asian contractors investing in infrastructure and construction projects around the world. We work with many Chinese contractors on their investments and disputes overseas and Gilbert's arrival, as one of the most senior Chinese construction lawyers based in Hong Kong, gives us a significant advantage in servicing the needs of these clients. Moreover, I am particularly happy to welcome Gilbert as we have known each other for a long time and worked together closely for over 10 years. This is very much a reunion of an established and successful team and I look forward to working with him in developing Clyde & Co's Asia construction practice."

"I am delighted to be joining and becoming part of the Asia construction team at Clyde & Co," Gilbert commented. "The rapid infrastructure developments now taking place in Asia, particularly in Hong Kong and China, have led to a substantial increase in the size and complexity of the region's construction and infrastructure projects. A lot of my clients are getting busier each day. I believe this is the right moment for me to join a well established team in order to assist my clients to overcome any challenges they may encounter in the course of their expanding business."