Practice Profile
Cecilia's practice has an international aspect and often relates to foreign jurisdictions such as China, the Caribbean, Isle of Man, Europe, Africa and New York. In dispute resolution, she has extensive experience in litigation, arbitration and ADR, including litigation at all stages in the County Courts, High Court, Court of Appeal and Senior Courts Costs Office. Clients comment highly on her being “always on top of the proceedings “. In advisory work, she is regarded by clients as being “very thorough and diligent”. Cecilia also acts as Counsel for buyers/investors or sellers in M&A transactions.
Cecilia brings a unique contribution to clients’ legal matters, particularly regarding China and the Asia-Pacific region thanks to her extensive knowledge and connection with this region and her Chinese Mandarin language and cultural skills. Before joining the independent Bar of England and Wales, she worked for several years in city law firms in London and Shanghai, predominantly in a wide range of Commercial Litigation and Arbitration. Prior to her legal career, she developed more than ten years’ experience in commerce and international development in the UK and China.
- Regularly representing clients in trials and arbitral proceedings, and making applications for interim remedies and enforcement of foreign judgment and arbitral award;
- Acting for clients of a wide range of sectors such as energy, banking, professional services (including insurance activities), logistics, import and export, arts, culture, fashion and jewellery, media and entertainment including game design, e-commerce, technology (cryptocurrency, blockchain and digital economy) and sports;
- Frequently advising clients on shareholders’ disputes, directors’ duties and services, conduct of the board, partnerships, cross-border transactions including mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and joint adventures (JV), financial services (including regulations of FSMA, FCA, PRA, non-admitted business and captive insurance), letter of credit (including UCP 600), international trade and commodities, international sale of goods and investment-related matters such as sovereign lending, performance bond, investor protection and investment treaty related matters;
- Very experienced in drafting a wide range of commercial agreements including: shareholders, agreement, share purchase agreement (SPA), deed of variation, loan facility agreement, JV agreement, distribution agreement, settlement agreement, refund guarantee, etc.;
- Successfully represented clients in summary judgment proceedings and insolvency/bankruptcy proceedings.
- Successfully defended clients in trials for matters arising from breach of contract, in statutory demand proceedings and responding to interim applications;
- Acting as Arbitrator (having been appointed by LCIA on disputes arising from financial services and loan agreements) in adjudicating commercial disputes.
Appointments & Memberships
- LCIA - Member and Arbitrator
- ICC International Court of Arbitration - Member and Arbitrator
- CIArb - Fellow, Arbitrator
- CEITAC - Arbitrator
- CMAC - Arbitrator
- China Qingdao Arbitration Commission - Arbitrator
- China Weihai Arbitration Commission - Arbitrator
- China Belt and Road International Commercial Mediation Centre - Mediator (international)
- China Law Ascertainment Centre for Belt and Road Services - Expert in English Law
- University of Nottingham Asia Board and Ningbo China Advisory Board - Board Member
- Visiting Professor, Shandong University of Science and Technology School of Law, China
- LLM in International Commercial Law, 1998, Nottingham
- BA (Hons) in International Trade, 1996, Beijing