Soo Khim Keoy is the Head of Commercial Litigation in Hong Kong and a seasoned litigator with almost three decades of experience. He has represented listed companies, financial institutions and HNW individuals in complex cross border disputes with favourable outcomes.
Soo Khim’s practice focuses primarily on corporate/commercial, shareholders/joint venture and M&A disputes, contentious insolvency proceedings, competition, financial/banking litigation and property related disputes.
- Defending a Hong Kong listed gas company in various claims brought by its former director, involving issues on the validity of share options worth over HK$2 billion and damages of over HK$130 million for allegations of wrongful dismissal/ termination of the director.
- Acting for the Competition Commission in the first enforcement action in Hong Kong of the Second Conduct Rule under the Competition Ordinance, involving potential abuse of substantial market power by a medical gas supplier.
- Successfully defended Nomura International (Hong Kong) Limited in a high-profile 7 years’ court case involving claims for incentives, bonuses and share options brought by its former senior executive who was made redundant. All claims were dismissed.
- Advised one of the largest banks on the recovery of over HK$3 billion debt from an associated company of the collapsed Goldin Group which held a real estate development project in HK. Acting as the lead adviser on strategy in contentious proceedings including appointment of receivers, insolvency proceedings before the BVI Courts, proceedings in HK to gain control of the subsidiary, to recover assets dissipated by management, and to seek recognition and ancillary winding up order.
- Advised a HNW individual on litigation in 4 jurisdictions (HK, BVI, Ontario and PRC) arising from a dispute over matrimonial assets worth over HK$3 billion. Injunctions were successfully obtained and receivers were appointed over the investment holding SPV. The matter ended with an amicable settlement between the parties.*
- Acted for one of the leading PRC cement companies China Shanshui Cement Group Limited in its disputes with the majority shareholder and the former management, including multiple ongoing court proceedings: (in Hong Kong) conspiracy to defraud/breach of fiduciary duties claims, petition analogous to derivative action, claims for unpaid remuneration by former INEDs; (in the Cayman Islands) just and equitable winding up proceedings and a writ action seeking declarative relief to set aside convertible bonds issued by the Company; (in the US) s. 1782 discovery proceedings; and (in the UK) appeals to the Privy Council.*
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, Hong Kong
- +852 2825 8831
- Email me
- Speaks English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Hokkien/Fukien
- Practice area Litigation, dispute resolution & risk management
Career & qualifications
- Queen Mary University of London (LLB)
- London School of Economics and Political Science (Graduate Diploma in Business Studies)
- Admitted as a Barrister-at-Law (Gray's Inn) (non-practicing), England & Wales 1997
- Admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor in Singapore 1998
- Admitted as a Solicitor in England & Wales 2001
- Admitted as a Solicitor in Hong Kong 2002
- Joined Clifford Chance 2021
Awards and citations
- Leading Individual
Chambers Greater China Region, Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms), 2026 Leading Partner
Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Dispute Resolution: Litigation – Hong Kong, 2026- "Soo Khim is a very experienced and seasoned litigation lawyer in Hong Kong and the Asia region."
"He's an absolute class act who is an extremely knowledgable and thoughtful commercial litigator. He gives clear, simple advice and is a master stratgeist."
"He is good at building a rapport with the client and responds very well. He works to ensure different teams from different jurisdictions work in concert with each other to present a common front."
Chambers Greater China Region, Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms), 2025 - ‘Soo Khim Keoy is a brilliant partner, devises clever and down-to-earth strategies with excellent common and commercial sense. He always makes himself available and is extremely reliable for urgent matters.’
‘Soo Khim Keoy is at the very top of the field - every client wants him in their corner.'
Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Dispute Resolution: Litigation, Hong Kong, 2025 - "Soo Khim Keoy is a solutions-focused litigator who is extremely diligent and trusted by clients for his well-rounded insight into legal strategy, litigation tools and high-stakes multi-jurisdictional shareholder disputes."
Chambers Greater China Region, Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms), 2023 - "Soo Khim is a very dedicated and experienced lawyer for dispute resolution. He provided much valuable advice to us and brought positive results and protected the interests of our company."
"He's very approachable, very down-to-earth, very strong on technicals and has a great eye for detail. He takes time to understand the client and relate to them."
Chambers Greater China Region, Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms), 2023 - "Soo Khim Keoy adopts a realistic and pragmatic approach to dispute resolution."
"Soo Khim Keoy is an excellent litigator with a wealth of experience.’"
Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms) – Hong Kong, 2023 - "He always gives prompt responses when we need assistance, advising us on the right approach and preparation work to handle all dispute matters. Furthermore, he is willing to listen and understand the client's points of view and help the client to communicate these to the regulators or the counterparties."
Chambers Asia Pacific, Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms) – China, 2021