Profile
Tim's practice spans constitutional and administrative law, public international law, civil and commercial disputes (before the courts and in arbitration), as well as competition and other regulatory matters. He is engaged in complex, high impact matters either as sole advocate or as part of a wider team.
Tim is also qualified in England & Wales, where he is a member of Blackstone Chambers. He has acted in numerous landmark cases before the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, the Privy Council, and courts at all levels in Hong Kong, England & Wales, and other commonwealth jurisdictions.
Tim is a Bar Scholar. He holds an LLM (First Class) from the University of Cambridge, where he was elected to the coveted Whewell Scholarship for International Law, an LLB and PCLL from the University of Hong Kong, and a BA from the University of Melbourne.
Tim is ranked in the major legal directories as a leading junior for commercial disputes, competition, and public law. Recent quotes include:
“He is intellectually outstanding: he is a superb lawyer and tactically smart beyond his years. He produces beautifully drafted documents, and excellent legal research, and he’s an absolute delight to work with. A total star.”
– Legal 500 2024, Commercial Disputes
“Strong knowledge of public law, able to see through the evidence and focus on key issues and top rate written advocacy.”– Legal 500 2024, Administrative and Public Law
“Tim brings a rich experience in the competition sphere both in Hong Kong and from the United Kingdom.”– Legal 500 2024, Competition
“Tim Parker is a very good, sophisticated advocate. Very responsive and commercial.”– Chambers & Partners 2024, Commercial Dispute Resolution
“Tim ticks all the boxes. He's very analytical and forceful with his advocacy. He turned judges who were against us to our side.” … “He is a great communicator and has a strong grasp of the fundamentals and the nuances of public law.”– Chambers & Partners 2024, Administrative and Public Law
“He is a fantastic barrister – super-intelligent, very commercial and easy to work with.”– Chambers & Partners 2023, Administrative and Public Law
“Tim is extremely intellectual and practical and it is difficult to find another junior barrister of his calibre … his written work is excellent, his advocacy and performance in court are also very impressive, making him one of the best junior barristers in Hong Kong.”– Chambers & Partners 2023, Commercial Dispute Resolution
“His knowledge and experience of the area are extensive and his advocacy skills both written and oral are absolutely top notch. A great team player and very user friendly.”– Legal 500 2023, Administrative and Public Law
“Tim is one of the best advocates in court. He is very intelligent and can think of arguments that other advocates do not typically cover. His arguments are highly persuasive.”– Legal 500 2023, Commercial Disputes
“Tim has outstanding analytical abilities and is a first rate advocate. Without question, he is one of the ablest lawyers in this field.”– Legal 500 2023, Competition
“Tim is a star. A measured yet forceful advocate who has a very tactical mind. He easily holds his own with the most senior of judges.”– Legal 500 2022, Administrative and Public Law
“Tim is superbly clever, and a highly talented and effective advocate who is always well prepared and inspires great confidence.”– Legal 500 2022, Commercial Disputes
“An excellent advocate, with tremendous experience in both public and competition law. He commands the respect of all the judges he appears before.”– Legal 500 2022, Competition
“Really top-notch across a broad range of work … an intelligent and astute counsel of high integrity.”– Chambers & Partners 2022, Commercial Dispute Resolution
Experience
Public Law / Judicial Review
Kezerashvili v Georgia, Application No. 11027/22, 5 December 2024 (European Court of Human Rights).
Acting for the former Georgian defence minister, establishing a violation of Article 6(1) of the Convention (fair trial). Led by Prof Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC.Hong Kong Golf Club v Director of Environmental Protection & Anor [2024] HKCFI 1279 (Court of First Instance)
Judicial review quashing an environmental impact assessment for a proposed housing development at Fanling Golf Course. Led by Benjamin Yu SC.The Hong Kong Housing Authority v Infinger [2024] HKCFA 29 (Court of Final Appeal)
Judicial review challenge to the Authority’s exclusion of same sex couples from subsidised rental housing units, held discriminatory and unconstitutional. Led by Tim Otty KC, with Geoffrey Yeung.Tam Sze Leung & Ors v Commissioner of Police (2024) 27 HKCFAR 288 (Court of Final Appeal)
Challenge to alleged police practice of informally ‘freezing’ bank accounts by ‘no consent’ letters. Led by Abraham Chan SC, with Geoffrey Yeung.Competition and Markets Authority v Apple Inc [2023] EWCA Civ 1445, [2024] Bus LR 289 (England & Wales Court of Appeal)
Appeal by the CMA against a decision of the Competition Appeal Tribunal quashing a market investigation. Led by Tim Otty KC.Midland Realty International Ltd & Ors v Competition Commission, HCAL 490/2024 and CTEA 3/2023 (heard on 8-9 September 2024, judgment pending)
Judicial review challenge to a decision of the Competition Commission refusing leniency. Heard together with an application for a permanent stay of the related competition enforcement proceedings. Led by Paul Shieh SC and Norman Nip SC.Kattina Anglin v The Governor of the Cayman Islands CICA (Civil) Appeal No. 6 of 2022, 4 July 2023 (Cayman Islands Court of Appeal)
Resisting a constitutional challenge to the Governor’s enactment of the Civil Partnership Act via reserved powers. Led by Tom Hickman KC. (Currently on appeal to the Privy Council).Day & Bush v The Governor of the Cayman Islands & Anor [2022] UKPC 6 (Privy Council)
Represented the Cayman Islands Attorney General in judicial review proceedings concerning same-sex marriage. Led by Dinah Rose KC and Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC.Harjang Singh v Secretary of Security & Anor [2022] 4 HKLRD 99 (Court of Appeal)
Habeas corpus following 3+ years of immigration detention. With Josh Baker.H v Director of Immigration [2020] 1 HKLRD 144 (Court of Final Appeal)
Whether leave to appeal required following a refusal to extend time in judicial review. Led by Philip Dykes SC.QT v Director of Immigration (2018) 21 HKCFAR 324 (Court of Final Appeal)
Challenge to the exclusion of same-sex couples from the Government’s policy of granting dependant visas. Led by Dinah Rose KC.Browne v Munokoa [2018] UKPC 18 (Privy Council)
Cook Islands appeal concerning the status and interpretation of indigenous customary laws in former colonial territories; succession rights of non-blood adoptees under Māori traditions and customs. Led by Gerard McCoy SC.Prosecutor v Jovica Stanišić (IT-03-69-A), 15 December 2015, Appeals Chamber, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
Prosecution appeal against acquittal on war crimes charges. Legal Consultant to Mr. Stanišić, led by Wayne Jordash KC.GA v Director of Immigration (2014) 17 HKCFAR 60 (Court of Final Appeal)
Circumstances in which mandated refugees have a right to work. Led by Michael Fordham KC, and with Earl Deng.Brian Alfred Hall v HKSAR (2014) 17 HKCFAR 17 (Court of Final Appeal)
Whether Court of Final Appeal had jurisdiction to overturn its own judgment acquitting an accused; whether appropriate to exercise such jurisdiction. Led by Gerard McCoy SC.C & Others v Director of Immigration (UNHCR Intervening) (2013) 16 HKCFAR 280 (Court of Final Appeal)
Whether the HKSARG, albeit a non-party to the Refugee Convention, must assess refugee claims independently. Acting for UNHCR, led by Gerard McCoy SC.Ubamaka v Secretary for Security (2012) 15 HKCFAR 743 (Court of Final Appeal)
Whether removal to a risk of inhuman or degrading treatment compatible with HKBOR Article 3. Led by Richard Gordon KC.A v Commissioner of the Independent Commissioner against Corruption (2012) 15 HKCFAR 362 (Court of Final Appeal)
Whether privilege against self-incrimination abrogated in respect of ICAC compulsory information notices. Led by Richard Gordon KC and Gerard McCoy SC. Competition Competition Commission v Linde (HKO) Limited & Ors [2022] HKCT 3, and [2021] 5 HKLRD 175 (HK Competition Tribunal)
Acting for the Competition Commission in the first enforcement proceedings brought under the Second Conduct Rule, alleging abuse of market power in the supply of medical gases. Led by Robert O’Donoghue KC and Jin Pao SC, with Leticia Tang.Ennis v Apple Inc & Ors [2023] UKCAT 29 (UK Competition Appeal Tribunal)
Appearing for Apple in a collective claim brought on behalf of UK app developers seeking up to £785 million for alleged abuse of dominance in connection with AppStore rules. Led by Daniel Piccinin KC.Competition and Markets Authority v Apple Inc [2023] EWCA Civ 1445, [2024] Bus LR 289 (England & Wales Court of Appeal)
See above.Midland Realty International Ltd & Ors v Competition Commission, HCAL 490/2024 and CTEA 3/2023 (heard on 8-9 September 2024, judgment pending). See above.Competition Commission v Grayline Tours of Hong Kong Limited [2023] HKCT 2 (HK Competition Tribunal)
Appearing for the respondent resisting allegations of facilitation of cartel conduct in connection with theme park tickets.Competition Commission v ATAL Building Services Ltd, CTEA 2/2022 (HK Competition Tribunal)
Joined hearing of several concerning confidential treatment of information in proceedings before the Competition Tribunal; reported at [2023] 3 HKLRD 374, [2023] 5 HKC 220, sub nom Competition Commission v Quadient Technologies Ltd (with relevant discussion from §17).Kerilee Investments Limited v International Tin Association Ltd, Case No: 1379/5/7/20 (UK Competition Appeal Tribunal)
Damages action brought under section 47A of the Competition Act 1998 alleging abuse of dominance and cartel conduct in the supply of traceability services for rare earth minerals. Led by Brian Kennelly KC.Competition Commission v Gray Line Tours of Hong Kong Limited & Ors [2023] HKCT 7 and [2023] HKCT 2; [2022] HKCT 3 (HK Competition Tribunal)
Acting for Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees Hotel group (part of CK Asset Holdings Ltd) defending allegations of facilitating price fixing in respect of theme park and tour tickets. Led by Abraham Chan SC.Shell Hong Kong Ltd & Anor v Meyer Aluminium Ltd, CACV 500/2021 (Court of Appeal)
Appeal in a commercial dispute for the purchase price of fuel, defence alleging illegality due to price fixing.Competition Commission v Nutanix & Ors [2019] 3 HKC 307 (HK Competition Tribunal)
Defence of a listed IT distributor in the first enforcement action brought before the Competition Tribunal in respect of alleged bid-rigging / price fixing. Led by Gerard McCoy SC.Television Broadcasts Limited v Communications Authority and Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region [2016] 2 HKLRD 41 (Court of First Instance)
Challenge to broadcasting-sector competition provisions for incompatibility with the right to a fair trial under HKBOR Article 10. Led by Dinah Rose KC and Gerard McCoy SC. Commercial Re Hsin Chong Construction (Asia) Ltd (in Liquidation) [2024] HKCFI 3310 (Court of First Instance)
Application for a disposition to be declared void under s.182 of the Companies (Winding up and Miscellaneous Proceedings) Ordinance (Cap. 23).L v R [2024] HKCFI 1611 (Court of First Instance)
Application to set aside service out of the jurisdiction in connection with a challenge to an arbitral award (appearing with Sheena Wong).HKIAC Arbitration (confidential)
9-figure USD dispute arising out of cryptocurrency derivatives trading activities. Led by Andrew Green KC, with Dominic Howells and Geoffrey Yeung.SIAC Arbitration (confidential)
Commercial dispute re breach of a global licensing agreement for electronics products.A v B [2023] 1 HKLRD 144 (Court of First Instance)
Application for a further and more specific injunction to enforce arbitration confidentiality.AB v X & Ors [2022] HKCFI 132 (Court of First Instance)
Application to set aside an examination order giving effect to a letter of request in US regulatory action. With Josh Baker.Re a letter of request (2022)
Examination of a witness pursuant to a letter of request for use in a US action for breach of licence and patent infringement.Merck KGaA v Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp & Merck Sharp & Dohme (Asia) Limited HCA 1087/2018 (Court of First Instance)
Global trademark and contractual dispute over the use of the ‘Merck’ name.Certain Underwriters at Lloyds of London & Ors v Syrian Arab Republic & Ors. CL-2015-000667 (Commercial Court, London)
Application on behalf of the insurers for disclosure of UK assets belonging to the Syrian Government and certain officials in order to enforce a judgment in respect of a 1985 State-sponsored hijacking of EgyptAir flight 648. Led by Tony Peto KC.Indian Overseas Bank v Seabulk Systems & Ors [2018] HKCFI 112 (Court of First Instance)
Trial of disputed redemption of bank guarantees, defences alleging misrepresentation, negligent advice, and loss of security. 
