Call: 2013
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)
CEDR Accredited Mediator
Education
- PCLL, Chinese University of Hong Kong (Distinction)
- LLM, Harvard Law School
- BCL, University of Oxford (Distinction)
- JD, Chinese University of Hong Kong (Top Graduate, 1st in Class)
- Ranked first overall in class during each year of study
- Ranked first in class in Company Law & Equity and Trusts
- BA (Political Science & International Relations), Tufts University (Cum Laude Honours)
Contact
| Email: | justinho@templechambers.com |
|---|---|
| Tel: | (+852) 2523 2003 |
Secretary
| Name: | Marian Lau |
|---|---|
| Email: | marian@templechambers.com |
| Tel: | (+852) 2248 1873 |
mentions
languages
English, Putonghua, CantonesePractice Areas
Appointments And Public Office
Publications And Articles
Books and Book Chapters
Scholarship And Prizes
Profile
Justin Ho commenced full practice in 2013 after completing his pupillage with Mr Ashley Burns SC, Mr Bernard Man (now Bernard Man SC), Mr Jose-Antonio Maurellet (now Jose-Antonio Maurellet SC), Mr Abraham Chan (now Abraham Chan SC) and Mr Derek Chan (now Derek Chan SC). He specialises in complex and high stakes litigation in the field of commercial disputes and company / insolvency matters (including applications under the Companies Ordinance, shareholders’ disputes and liquidators’ actions). He is also well regarded for his practice in arbitration, professional negligence and banking matters. His cases frequently touch upon multi-jurisdictional issues and cross-border elements. He is also developing a practice in the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency sphere.
Justin is ranked as a leading junior for commercial disputes in various legal directories. He has been described as "the kind of person you could put into an infinite number of scenarios and he would flourish"; "very intelligent and meticulous counsel" and "switched-on and able to accommodate tight deadlines" (Chambers & Partners, 2021). Others have described him as "definitely one of the busiest juniors and one of the safest pair of hands in Hong Kong"; "very on the ball"; and "always ahead of the game" (Chambers & Partners, 2022). He is also lauded for his "first rate analytical abilities and attention to detail, coupled with strong drafting skills" (Legal 500, 2022). More recently, he has been described as “extremely bright and able … a joy to work with, and has exceptional talent, meaning he is destined to become a leading senior counsel in the future. Building an enviable reputation as a go-to mid rank senior junior on the cusp of promotion to SC” (Legal 500, 2026).
Justin regularly appears as an advocate (either in his own right or as a led junior) in the Court of First Instance, the Court of Appeal and the Court of Final Appeal. He also has experience appearing in other statutory tribunals. He is a CEDR accredited mediator and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He also regularly appears in arbitrations as counsel, and accepts appointments to act as arbitrator.
Justin completed his JD degree at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, ranking first overall in his class and receiving prizes for best performance in Company Law as well as in Equity and Trusts. He subsequently obtained his Bachelor of Civil Law degree with Distinction at the University of Oxford, and a further Master of Laws degree at Harvard Law School.
In 2021, Justin served as a Judicial Associate in the Court of Appeal of Hong Kong.
Experience
CFA appeal on grounds of forgery and want of authority in share dispute involving listed company. Led by Benjamin Yu SC and with Bernard Man (now Bernard Man SC).
Application before Appeal Committee to vary order for grant of final leave to appeal to CFA under s.25 of the Court of Final Appeal Ordinance (Cap. 484). Led by Jose-Antonio Maurellet (now Jose-Antonio Maurellet SC).
Application before Appeal Committee for leave to appeal concerning interpretation of PRC foreign exchange control legislation. Led by Wong Yan Lung SC and Victor Dawes SC.
Application for disclosure of documents under s.740 of the Companies Ordinance in relation to placement of shares by bank to another financial institution. Led by Charles Sussex SC and Jose-Antonio Maurellet (now Jose-Antonio Maurellet SC).
Striking out of misfeasance claim under s.276 of the Companies Ordinance and common law derivative action against liquidator of licensed money lender. Consideration of correct test in striking out s.276 claims. Led by Charles Manzoni SC.
Application for a regulating order to reconstitute the board of a company on an interim basis. Concerned inter alia Court’s jurisdiction to reconstitute the board at interlocutory stage. Led by Victor Joffe QC.
The first case in Hong Kong where the court held that cryptocurrencies satisfied the classic definition of “property” and should be treated as such under Hong Kong law (sole counsel).
Successful CFA appeal concerning jurisdiction to grant relief under s.168A and s.327(3)(c) of the Companies Ordinance on just and equitable ground. Consideration of 1st Core Requirement. Led by Jat Sew-Tong SC and Linda Chan SC.
Jurisdiction to wind-up unregistered company on insolvency grounds. Consideration of 3rd Core Requirement. Led by William Wong SC and Jose-Antonio Maurellet (now Jose-Antonio Maurellet SC) (before Companies Court); Led by John Bleach SC (successfully resisting the application to strike out the Notice of Appeal before the Court of Appeal); Led by Anson Wong SC (on the substantive appeal before the Court of Appeal).
Professional negligence claim against auditors for breach of duties arising from failure to identify material misstatements in the accounts of a group of companies engaged in the design and manufacture of consumer audio and video technologies, leading to trading losses of nearly HK$1 billion.
Action to enforce CIETAC arbitral award in commercial property dispute. Issues involving jurisdiction of Hong Kong courts to enforce arbitral awards, conflict of laws, constructive trusts and economic torts. Led by David Joseph QC, Edward Chan SC and Anson Wong SC and with Lee Tung Ming, Bernard Man (now Bernard Man SC) and Keith Lam.
Application to extend time to set aside HK$1 billion arbitral award in circumstances where court of place of arbitration declined to enforce award. Currently on appeal to the Court of Final Appeal. Led by David Joseph QC and with Bernard Man (now Bernard Man SC).
Constitutionality of s.81(4) and 84(3) of Arbitration Ordinance which exclude role of CA to hear challenges to arbitral awards unless CFI judge first grants leave. Led by Lord Pannick QC and Johnny Mok SC.
Judicial review challenge to decisions to broadcast announcements relating to Government’s reform proposals on selection of Chief Executive. Led by Johnny Mok SC and with Eva Sit (on the injunction application); led by Johnny Mok SC and with Johnny Ma (on the substantive judicial review).
Challenge to constitutionality of s.29 of the Bankruptcy Ordinance on grounds of infringement of the right to freedom of travel. Led by Abraham Chan (now Abraham Chan SC).
Acted for majority lenders in dispute arising out of US$588 million syndicated loan facility. Consideration of locus of minority lenders to take unilateral action to enforce syndicated loan. Led by Paul Shieh SC and Jose-Antonio Maurellet (now Jose-Antonio Maurellet SC).
Summary judgment application in respect of claim against bank concerning construction of banking documents. Led by Warren Chan SC and Bernard Man SC.
