Notice of Annual General Meeting Followed by a talk to be given by Simon Hughes KC

Our council member, Thomas Lee, on behalf of the Society of Construction Law Hong Kong, cordially invites you to an evening talk to be held at the Hong Kong Club on Wednesday 17^th June 2026 following the SCLHK AGM.

Simon Hughes KC, a well-known senior advocate and arbitrator in complex construction, infrastructure and energy arbitrations, is delighted to be speaking at the annual AGM on “Getting the most out of independent experts”. The talk will cover:

• The challenges with ‘independent’ evidence.
• When to engage – early or later?
• Pleadings or memorials – or is there a sensible hybrid?
• Can something more than ‘the time of day’ be agreed? What should be the focus?
• Reports before or after joint statements?
• How should live evidence & cross-examination be approached?
• What are tribunals really looking for in expert evidence?

Simon’s wealth of experience, plus the odd amusing anecdote (!), will be of interest to in-house teams, front- and back-end litigators, general counsel, industry experts, consultants, and other construction professionals.

About the speaker:

Simon Hughes KC of Keating Chambers is a leading silk in construction, engineering, shipbuilding, and energy disputes. Twice recognized by Legal 500 as “Construction Silk of the Year” (Middle East, 2024; Construction & Energy, 2019), he is ranked in the highest tiers by Chambers & Partners for both Construction and International Arbitration—an accolade held by only a handful of silks. Known for his exceptional advocacy, cross-examination, and client-focused approach, Simon has acted in some of the largest and most technically complex civil engineering disputes worldwide.

His practice spans major infrastructure, power-plant construction, offshore energy projects, and shipbuilding, often under non-English governing laws, with extensive experience across FIDIC and NEC contracts. Simon has represented clients in jurisdictions across the Middle East, Asia, the Caribbean and Ocean. Alongside his advocacy, he contributes to the profession as co-editor of Keating on Construction Contracts (12th edition) and the Construction Law Reports.