Clifford Smith SC
Clifford Smith SC appears as counsel of record in 12 reported Hong Kong judgments (1999–2025), most often before the HKCFA. Member of Des Voeux Chambers.
About Clifford Smith SC
Clifford Smith appears as counsel of record in 12 reported Hong Kong judgments (1999–2025). These were heard before HKCFA (7), HKCFI (4) and HKCA (1).
Source: derived from 12 published Hong Kong judgments, most recent decision . Published on HKLII.
Professional record
- Branch
- Barrister
- Chambers
- Des Voeux Chambers
- Year of call (HK)
- 1982
- Inner Bar (SC)
- 2001
- Year of call (UK)
- 1974
Registry facts from the Hong Kong Bar Association roster.
In the court record
Clifford Smith, called to the Hong Kong Bar in 1982 (having been called in England in 1974) and appointed Senior Counsel in 2001, practises from Des Voeux Chambers. His reported matters, spanning 1999 to 2025, concern company and shareholder disputes, arbitration and mediation, and bankruptcy and insolvency, and he appears primarily in the appellate courts. He was instructed as counsel for the respondent in Re Simplicity & Vogue Retailing (HK) Co Ltd [2024] HKCA 299 and as counsel for the respondent in Soka Gakkai International of Hong Kong Ltd v. Lam Kin Chung [2022] HKCFA 21.
In shipping and admiralty proceedings he was instructed as counsel for the plaintiff in Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Pertamina v. Trevaskis Limited [2023] HKCFA 20 and [2023] HKCFA 5, concerning a collision between vessels off Horsburgh Light House. Earlier in his career he appeared as counsel for the appellant in Aktieselskabet Dansk Skibsfinansiering v. Robert John Francis Brothers [2000] HKCFA 49 and the related proceedings reported as [1999] HKCFA 34, [1999] HKCFA 35 and [1999] HKCFA 67. More recent instructions include acting as counsel for the applicant in Chang Wing Ka John v. Chang Wing Dee and Another [2025] HKCFI 6479 and as counsel for the respondent in Leung Yuet Keung v. Harbour Front Ltd and Another [2025] HKCFI 1009 and [2024] HKCFI 1965.
What areas does Clifford Smith practise in?
Clifford Smith's reported matters concern company and shareholder disputes, arbitration and mediation, and bankruptcy and insolvency, with instructions also recorded in shipping and admiralty and fraud-related matters, appearing primarily before the appellate courts between 1999 and 2025.
Which courts does Clifford Smith appear before?
Clifford Smith appears primarily in the appellate courts, including the Court of Final Appeal in Soka Gakkai International of Hong Kong Ltd v. Lam Kin Chung [2022] HKCFA 21 and the Court of Appeal in Re Simplicity & Vogue Retailing (HK) Co Ltd [2024] HKCA 299.
Practice Areas (from the 39-area taxonomy)
Frequently instructed alongside
How many cases has Clifford Smith appeared in?
Clifford Smith appears as counsel of record in 12 reported Hong Kong judgments (1999–2025).
Which courts does Clifford Smith appear in?
Clifford Smith appears before HKCFA (7), HKCFI (4) and HKCA (1).