Temple Chambers is one of Hong Kong’s leading barristers’ chambers. With a tradition of legal excellence spanning over 40 years, it currently has over 60 members who advise and act in a broad range of litigation, arbitration and non-contentious matters.
Members of Temple Chambers have been involved in numerous landmark cases over the years.
Barristers within Chambers can be instructed individually or in a team in accordance with the needs of the case.
As well as participating in litigation and arbitration as counsel, members of Chambers also regularly act as Recorders or Deputy Judges in the Courts, as chairmen or members of statutory bodies and tribunals and as arbitrators. A number of members are also qualified mediators.
Temple Chambers is situated in Pacific Place, Hong Kong, near the High Court.
Temple Chambers was formed in 1977. Its first head of chambers was Richard Mills-Owens, who was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1979 and conferred with the title of Honorary Life Member of the Hong Kong Bar Association in 2009.
Chambers has a strong tradition of judicial and public service, the ability and integrity of members having been recognised in appointments to all three branches of government – judiciary, legislature, executive – and international legal bodies. Key appointments include:
In addition to judicial and public service, members have played active roles in the administration of the Bar. Many have been members of the Bar Council (or its predecessor the Bar Committee). Ronny Tong SC was Chairman of the Bar in 1999 and 2000, Rimsky Yuen SC held the same position in 2007 and 2008, Russell Coleman SC (now Mr Justice Coleman) was Chairman in 2009 and 2010 and Paul Shieh SC was Chairman in 2013 and 2014. Victor Dawes SC was elected Chairman in January 2022 and continues to serve in that role.