Dispute Resolution

Clinical Negligence & Healthcare

Insurance

"David is an extremely intelligent lawyer who is dually qualified. He is very fair and very reasonable when dealing with the settlement."  Client testimonial in Chambers and Partners 2024

David is a dual qualified medical doctor/solicitor and is a Founding Member of the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians (UK).  He "changed horses" to law almost 30 years ago and has specialised in healthcare law since.

Nowadays David and Chris Howse lead a team of healthcare lawyers, which is the largest team of its kind in HK, with extensive experience in defending clinical negligence claims.

As an experienced litigator, David has gained accreditation as a Solicitor Advocate with Higher Rights of Audience in Hong Kong's Court of First Instance, Court of Appeal and CFA.  David has substantial advocacy experience before the Civil Courts, Coroner's Court, Medical and Dental Council and other professional tribunals.  He appreciates the importance of getting involved in a case and managing the evidence and strategies from day 1.

David has a Master's Degree in Medical Law and Ethics which puts him on good stead in providing regulatory advice to healthcare institutions including hospitals, biotechnology companies, medical device manufacturers and specialist group practices.  He has a special interest in advising on mental health law, medical criminal proceedings, clinical trials, and due diligence in corporate transactions.

In 2008, David was appointed as an Honorary Associate Professor by the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong.  He regularly lectures at the University as well as to the Specialist Colleges.  He provides clients with training in clinical risk management. 

David keeps up to date with clinical medicine, especially in general surgery.  He has served on various governing boards including those of a government hospital and a major international school.  He is a qualified coach with the Squash Rackets Association (UK) and he trains almost daily.

2012 Howse Williams
2011 Reed Smith Richards Butler
2008 Richards Butler in Association with Reed Smith LLP
1999 Richards Butler, Hong Kong
1998 Bevan Ashford Solicitors, UK
1996 Lees and Partner Solicitors, UK

University of Hong Kong, Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Adolescent Health
Keele University, Master Degree in Medical Law
Birmingham University, LPC (with commendation)
Birmingham University, CPE
Nottingham University, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
Nottingham University Exhibition Prize for Medicine
Nottingham University, Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Hons)

1999 Hong Kong
1998 England and Wales
MA (Med Law), MBBS, MFFLM, BMed Sci (Hons), PDipCAH

Honorary Legal Advisor of Hong Kong Medical Association, Hong Kong Dental Association, British Medical Association (HK), Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society, Association of Private Eye Surgeons, Federation of Society for the Prevention of Blindness, Association of Private Medical Specialists (HK), The College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Community Psychological Medicine Association (HKCPMA), Hong Kong Doctors Union and Eye Care Charitable Foundation Limited

Others:
Honorary Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
Founding Member, Faculty of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Royal College of Physicians UK
Member, Medico-legal Society of London
Member, International Powerlifting Federation Ethics Commission
Member, Hospital Governing Committee of the Shatin Hospital and Bradbury Hospice
Member, Ethics Committee for the Hong Kong College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Previously Panel Member, Guardianship Board of Hong Kong
Previously Vice-chairman, New Medico-Legal Society of Hong Kong
Member, Hong Kong Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry
Member, Law Society of England and Wales
Member, Law Society of Hong Kong