Dispute Resolution

Clinical Negligence & Healthcare

Insurance

Shipping and International Trade

"Chris is one of the most able and astute lawyers in Hong Kong."  Client testimonial in Chambers and Partners 2024

"Chris is a very capable and savvy lawyer. He is also very pleasant to work with."  Client testimonial in Chambers and Partners 2024

Chris was admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 1981 after being seconded by the London office of a city law firm, Richards Butler, to build up its Hong Kong office. He was the Senior Partner and Managing Partner of the Hong Kong office of Richards Butler until December 2011. Following the takeover of Richards Butler Hong Kong by an American law firm he set up Howse Williams on 1 January 2012 with a large number of partners and solicitors from the Hong Kong office of Richards Butler. The firm is now one of the largest independent law firms in Hong Kong.

Chris is experienced in a wide range of commercial litigation. He has extensive insurance experience, particularly in relation to the defence of professional negligence claims. Chris is the head of the firm's medico-legal team. He started to undertake medico-legal work in 1985. He has been providing professional advice and assistance to doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals and to the private hospitals of Hong Kong on a wide range of medico-legal issues for over 30 years. His firm have been panel lawyers for the Medical Protection Society and Dental Protection Ltd. since the mid-1980s.

Chris is also experienced in international trade disputes. He advises ship-owners, charterers and various property and liability insurers.

2012 Howse Williams
2011 Reed Smith Richards Butler
2008 Richards Butler in Association with Reed Smith LLP
1983 Richards Butler, Hong Kong
1975 Richards Butler, London

1975 College of Law
1973 University of Bristol, BA (Hons)
1970 University of Geneva

1978 England and Wales
1981 Hong Kong
1988 Australia

Arbitration:
Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Hong Kong)
Fellow, Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators Ltd
Supporting Member, London Maritime Arbitrators Association
Arbitrator, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre
Arbitrator, China Maritime Arbitration Commission
Arbitrator, Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group
Arbitrator, Korean Commercial Arbitration Board
Member, Hong Kong Arbitrations Law Review Committee (1996-2000)

Professional Indemnity Insurance:
Chairman, Hong Kong Law Society Professional Indemnity Claims Committee (2004-2007)
Deputy Chairman, Hong Kong Law Society Professional Indemnity Claims Committee (1999-2004)
Member, Hong Kong Law Society Professional Indemnity Insurance Claims Committee (1989-1999)
Member, Hong Kong Law Society Professional Indemnity Advisory Committee (1999-2006)
Member, Hong Kong Law Society Working Party on Professional Indemnity Insurance Scheme (1996-2004)
Chairman, Hong Kong Professional Indemnity Review Committee (2002)