Simon has significant expertise in insurance and reinsurance matters, particularly in trade-credit cover, professional indemnity, directors and officers claims, financial institutions blanket bond cover, and fraud cases.  Simon's practice extends across the Asia Pacific region.

 

Simon has extensive experience in commercial litigation disputes, particularly in the financial services industry and real estate sector.  Apart from contractual disputes, fraud and shareholder disputes, he specialises in regulatory matters and investigations, and currently acts for a number of financial and securities industry clients in confidential regulatory matters in Hong Kong and regionally.  This includes acting in regulatory and employment matters for regulated entities, and handling contentious 'team moves' and restrictive covenants, enforcement and injunctive relief.

Simon's real estate expertise focuses on acting for commercial and retail tenants for a variety of corporates, financial institutions and retailers in the Hong Kong property market.

 

Simon is ranked in Chambers (Hong Kong) in Band 1 of contentious insurance lawyers.  Chambers states: "Simon McConnell's top-tier ranking is acknowledged by many sources, with one enthusing: 'He's head and shoulders above the rest for complex claims'".  Simon is also ranked by The Legal 500 (Asia Pacific) as a leading insurance practitioner.  It notes that "Clyde & Co has a growing reputation for regulatory matters and investigations.  Simon McConnell has a fine reputation".

 

Experience 

 

• Acting for multiple insurers in handling a significant number of US securities class actions against Chinese companies, involving very large exposures, regulatory investigations and cross-border issues
• Acting for international banks the subject of fraud and employee dishonesty, including tracing of assets; recovery actions; regulatory investigations; and litigation
• Litigating HK and PRC joint venture disputes, including to the HK Court of Final Appeal
• Representing insurers in the context of Lehman Minibonds, regulatory investigation and litigation
• Advising participants of the financial services industry on 'team moves', employment laws, regulatory issues, restrictive covenants and injunctive relief
• Advising corporates and retailers on commercial leases, terms, and disputes in the Hong Kong property market