William Chan

William has substantial experience acting in high-value commercial and civil proceedings, including those involving complex jurisdiction issues and foreign law. He also has extensive experience acting for and advising clients (both as applicant or respondent) in relation to interim court applications including jurisdiction disputes, security for costs, default judgment, requests for further information and collateral use applications.

William has Higher Rights of Audience (Civil) and has acted as a sole advocate in Commercial Circuit Court proceedings.

William is a pro-bono volunteer for the Court of Appeal Advocacy Scheme and also advises charities in relation to contractual disputes.

Work highlights

Recent experience includes:

• advising the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) on its consultation and review of the jurisdiction and governing law provisions in the 1992 and 2002 ISDA Master Agreements. Instructed by ISDA to draft (with Dr Peter Werner and Patrick Robinson) the 2018 ISDA Choice of Court and Governing Law Guide
• successfully defending a global custodian bank in Commercial Court and Court of Appeal proceedings commenced by a foreign central bank and State in relation to assets of circa US$22bn
• successfully defending an investment bank in respect of complex swap misselling claims in excess of £100m
• successfully acting for creditors in relation to complex multi-jurisdictional debt claims, including enforcement proceedings
• acting for leading investment banks in relation to multi-jurisdictional civil fraud litigation
• acting for a global bank in relation to negligence claims involving complex conflict of laws issues
• advising the administrators of Lehman Brothers International Europe with regard to banking and financial litigation following the bank’s collapse
• advising clients on a multitude of contractual and non-contractual claims including in relation to SPA, agency and joint venture agreements
• acting for a multinational energy conglomerate in LCIA arbitration in relation to a unfair prejudice claim arising from a joint venture (circa US$250m)
• advising clients on statutory and contractual interpretation issues
• advising major global accounting firms and investment banks on privilege issues, including those with cross-border aspects
• advising clients on jurisdiction, governing law and arbitration clauses

William read Law at the University of Cambridge (Trinity College).