Chambers Asia

Chambers Asia is published by Chambers & Partners. It is independently researched by Chambers' legal researchers and audited by the British Market Research Bureau.

Chambers Asia 2009 ranks Tanner De Witt for Dispute Resolution and Restructuring/Insolvency and makes the following editorial comments:

What this six-partner firm lacks in size it makes up for in its tenacious representation of a first-class client base. The team is especially visible on business disputes and restructurings, with high-profile work including the insolvency of Oasis Hong Kong Airlines. This is an impressive progression considering the firm's origins as a small two-lawyer operation back in 1999.

Dispute Resolution

This well-respected firm has grown quickly since it was set up in 1999, establishing itself as a notable player in the general commercial and contentious insolvency areas. Given its compact size and good reputation, it enjoys a substantial amount of conflict referral work. It is also distinguished for having long-term practitioners in Hong Kong, rather than lawyers on temporary assignments. It recently defended the travel association IATA in an action brought by some of the association’s members, and it is also currently acting on the Oasis Airlines liquidation. Other clients include corporate clients and financial services firms. The “smart and hard-working” Ian De Witt is recommended for his “deep knowledge of insolvency and his meticulous preparation.” His multi-jurisdictional experience encompasses England and Wales, Australia and Hong Kong. He acts as the retained counsel for IATA. Mark Side handles high-profile work for a number of professional disciplinary bodies, including those of the Hong Kong Law Society and the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Clients say he is “conscientious, hard-working and reliable,” whilst peers respect him as “a tough opponent.”

Restructuring/Insolvency

This insolvency and restructuring team is renowned for its “broad knowledge of insolvency and great strength in dealing with local matters,” according to commentators. The lawyers offer an admirable mix of skill sets and experiences and the team continues to expand, having recently welcomed Anthony Hill from Minter Ellison to its ranks. Its flexible fee structure and attentive client-handling skills are causes for the long-term relationships the group has established with a number of major clients. The team is acknowledged for its strength on the contentious side of insolvency matters but also attracts praise for its non-contentious work, where co-head Robin Darton is considered to truly shine. Darton focuses on corporate insolvency and is popular among clients on account of “his solid knowledge of and wide experience in non-contentious issues.” Although widely recognised as a commercial litigator, Ian De Witt joins Darton at the head of the insolvency and restructuring team, adding to the mix his in-depth experience in the sector. According to clients, “he is a results-oriented adviser who is able to provide practical solutions clearly.”