Andy Lau is a Special Counsel of Karas So LLP. He specialises in the investigation, litigation and resolution of corporate insolvency disputes often related to mismanagement and misconduct. He is experienced in and focuses on advising and acting for liquidators on large-scale claims of fraud and negligence against directors and professional advisers.
Andy has represented corporate and individual clients in cases involving fraud, dishonest assistance, conspiracy, breach of trust and fiduciary duties, shareholder disputes, defamation and estate claims. He has also acted for several governmental bodies and has experience in regulatory investigations involving the Securities and Futures Commission and the Independent Commission against Corruption. With his experience and expertise, he is valued by clients and well-versed in both the prosecution and defence of claims.
Andy’s practice also includes arbitration and he has conducted proceedings under the procedural rules of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration.
Andy Lau has been granted higher rights of audience for civil proceedings to appear for clients before the Court of First Instance, Court of Appeal and Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong.
Andy was admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 2014 and is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Key Experience
Offshore companies listed in Hong Kong
Advising and acting for the liquidators in various high profile collapses concerning offshore companies listed in Hong Kong with operations and business in the Mainland. The projects involve a range of purported businesses including dairy production, food and beverage trading, fashion design and retail, paper products trading, financial investments and money lending.
Pacific Andes Group
Representing the directors of a Hong Kong and Singapore-listed fish trading and processing group in defending against a claim alleging fraud and other misconduct and seeking damages of almost US$1 billion.
Sino Forest Corporation
Representing the trustee of a litigation trust created following the collapse and reorganisation of a former Canadian-listed company that purported to own forest assets in Mainland China, resulting in litigation in various jurisdictions against former directors, auditors and valuers.
New Royal Adelaide Hospital
Represented the South Australia State Government in proceedings concerning defaults, delays and disputes arising out of the AU$2.5 billion public-private partnership arrangements.
Rennie Produce
Represented Australian liquidators in an application for examination and production of documents against individuals in Hong Kong.
Former Hong Kong-listed company
Confidential financial services company group – Represented a former Hong Kong-listed company in claims against directors, auditors and other parties.
Represented clients in the recovery of funds obtained through fraud.
Career History
Admissions
- Solicitor Advocate, Hong Kong (2023)
- High Court of Hong Kong (2014)
Articles and Publications
- “The insolvency and arbitration intersection – a review of recent regional approaches to the question of arbitrability”, The Arbitrator & Mediator Journal (Resolution Institute), Volume 40 Issue No. 1 (June 2021)
- “Updates on the Cooperation Mechanism with the Mainland on mutual recognition and assistance of insolvency proceedings” (2021)
- INSOL World Bank Hong Kong Chapter and Updates “Global Guide: Measures Adopted to Support Distressed Businesses through Covid-19 – Finance Related Interventions” (April 2020 and updates thereafter)
- “Petitioning to wind-up in the presence of a binding arbitration agreement – is the protection worth the risk?” (2020)
- “Case Management in Virtual Hearings” (2020)
- Life-cycle of the arbitration process published by the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (2020)
- “Trust but verify: Foreign trustee’s liability under English Agreement limited by foreign law” (2018)