Herbert Smith Freehills partner Simon Chapman appointed Queen's Counsel

Hong Kong-based arbitration partner Simon Chapman, 39, has been appointed Queen's Counsel (QC) in England and Wales.

Simon is one of only four solicitor-advocates amongst the 114 QCs appointed this year.

Once he takes silk on 16 March 2020, he will be one of a handful of solicitor QCs in Asia, and the fourth QC currently practising at Herbert Smith Freehills.

"Simon is an extremely talented advocate, and we are very proud of this richly deserved appointment," said Paula Hodges QC, Global Head of the International Arbitration practice at Herbert Smith Freehills. "It reflects Simon's legal excellence and demonstrates the high esteem in which he is held by his peers, colleagues and clients."

"With Simon's appointment, Herbert Smith Freehills joins a very small group of firms that can offer its clients in-house access to senior advocacy through a practising QC based in Asia" said Executive Partner and CEO Elect Justin D'Agostino. "The appointment highlights the high calibre of talent and the bench strength of the firm's market-leading disputes practice in the region and across our global disputes practice."

The prestigious appointment of QC is made by Her Majesty The Queen on the advice of the UK Lord Chancellor, following consideration by an independent Queen's Counsel Selection Panel. The appointment is given to distinguished practitioners based on merit, and in recognition of their professional ability, reputation and integrity.

About Simon Chapman

Simon is an international arbitration specialist focusing on cross-border disputes in Asia.  He leads the Herbert Smith Freehills practice in Greater China and appears regularly as lead counsel before arbitral tribunals all over the world.

His practice covers both investment treaty and commercial arbitration and he has particular expertise in claims in fraud and breach of warranty, as well as post-M&A, joint venture and shareholder disputes.  Simon's clients have included governments, state-owned entities, sovereign wealth funds and corporations across a range of industries, including the energy, private equity, finance, hospitality and TMT sectors. 

Simon graduated from the University of Oxford and is dual-qualified in Hong Kong and England and Wales, with higher rights of audience in both jurisdictions. He joined then Herbert Smith in 2004 and worked in the firm's London and Paris offices before relocating to Hong Kong in 2011. He was elected partner in 2013.