Gareth Hughes is a partner in the firm’s Hong Kong office and a member of the International Dispute Resolution Group. His practice focuses on major commercial litigation, international arbitration and white collar / regulatory defense matters.
Mr. Hughes joined Debevoise in 2018. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Hughes was a partner at a leading international firm, where he oversaw the opening of the firm’s dispute practice in Hong Kong and was head of the firm’s Asia Disputes Group and its International Contentious Financial Services Disputes Group.
With over 25 years’ experience in the region, Mr. Hughes advises major corporates, financial institutions and high net worth individuals in connection with complex commercial disputes, often with a cross-border component to them. His matters involve proceedings in the courts or before arbitral institutions, including arbitrations under the HKIAC, LCIA, SIAC, CIETAC, UNCITRAL and ICC rules.
He also frequently advises on internal and regulatory investigations, including in particular those involving the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Independent Commission Against Corruption. His work has encompassed financial services, corporate finance, private wealth, fraud, private equity, insurance, judicial review and shareholder related matters.
Mr. Hughes has become one of Asia’s most respected and experienced litigators. The Legal 500 Asia Pacific lists him in its Hall of Fame and he is also recognized as a leading individual for dispute resolution in PLC, Chambers Asia-Pacific and Chambers Global. Lawdragon recognizes him as one of the 500 leading global litigators, and Benchmark Litigation (Asia-Pacific) names him a Dispute Resolution Star. He is recognized by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific – Greater China (2024) for his anti-corruption and compliance, litigation and international arbitration practices. The Legal 500 also lists him in its Arbitration Powerlist for Hong Kong (2023). He is recommended by Chambers Global (2024) for Litigation (International Firms) and by Chambers Greater China (2024) as a leading individual for Litigation and for Contentious Regulatory Financial Services-related matters. Mr. Hughes has been described in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a “tactically astute,” “highly professional and skilled legal operator who inspires confidence and is an extremely safe pair of hands,” and Chambers Asia-Pacific has noted that he “is an excellent lawyer with deep experience in Asia” who “always has his eye on the right outcome for the client.” Clients say that “he knows the regulators very well and has a sophisticated and commercial approach to investigations which is quite unique.” He has received further praise for his “considerable experience advising on regulatory matters and investigations,” his “clear, unambiguous advice” and being “technically extremely sound but also highly pragmatic.” According to clients, “he never fails to deliver as promised.” Mr. Hughes is also recommended by Who’s Who Legal (2024).
Mr. Hughes holds a law degree from Manchester University. He is admitted to practice as a solicitor in Hong Kong and England & Wales.