Dr Michael Moser

Areas of expertise

Talk to a clerk

Clerks' direct contact:
+44 (0)20 7842 1200
Clerks [at] 20essexst [dot] com
Request a call back

An Asia specialist, resident in the region for more than 30 years, Michael Moser has extensive experience as arbitrator in international disputes. He has served as arbitrator in cases sited in Asia, Europe and North America under both ad hoc rules (UNCITRAL) and institutional rules including those of the ICC, AAA, LCIA, Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Singapore International Arbitration Centre, Japan Commercial Arbitration Association, China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) and others.

Currently Chairman of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Michael has a special expertise in relation to China disputes. He was the first foreigner to be appointed an arbitrator in China and is the only foreigner who sits as a Commission Member of CIETAC in Beijing. He is also a member of the LCIA Court and a Board Member of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce.

In 2006 MIchael was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by Chambers for his contributions to arbitration in Asia.

Specialisations: 

  • Trade Transactions
  • Direct Investments
  • Technology Licensing
  • Major Projects
  • Oil and Gas
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Investor-State Parties
  • General Commercial

Appointments: 

ICC

Chairman in an ICC arbitration in Hong Kong between a Singapore company and respondents from Taiwan and Mainland China in relation to the construction of a semiconductor facility for the Russian Government.

Chairman in a UNCITRAL arbitration in Hong Kong between a Canadian listed company and a mainland Chinese company in relation to a mining concession in Mongolia.

Chairman in a UNCITRAL arbitration in Thailand between a European multinational and a Thai company under a license agreement.

Chairman in an HKIAC arbitration in Hong Kong between a private equity group and a PRC-government body involving alleged expropriation of interests in an infrastructure project.

Chairman in an ICC arbitration in Hong Kong between a Dutch multinational and a Chinese party relating to a joint venture in China.

Chairman in an SIAC arbitration in Singapore between a Danish multinational and a Philippines company relating to an energy project in the Philippines.

Chairman in an ICC arbitration in Singapore between a Swiss multinational and a Chinese company involving a technology license contract in China.

Co-arbitrator in 8 SCC arbitrations in Stockholm between a French multinational and various Chinese parties arising from joint venture manufacturing, marketing and intellectual property licensing transactions in China.

Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration in London between a UK-listed Company and a PRC company regarding a corporate acquisition in China.

Sole arbitrator in an SIAC arbitration in Singapore between a Vietnam state entity and German and French contractors in relation to construction of a petrochemical facility in Vietnam.

Education and Career: 

J.D., Harvard Law School

Ph.D., Columbia University

Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

Chartered Arbitrator

Attorney-at-Law, New York and Washington DC

Publications: 

Michael is the author of numerous articles and books on Chinese legal topics, including Arbitration in Asia (Juris, 2008), Doing Business in China (Juris, 2008); Hong Kong Arbitration : A User's Guide (CCH/Kluwer, 2008); Asian Leading Arbitrators' Guide to International Arbitration (Juris, 2007); Business Disputes in China (Juris, 2007); Duelling with Dragons: Managing Business Disputes in Today's China (Kluwer, 2007); International Arbitration in the People's Republic of China: Commentary, Cases and Materials (Butterworths, 1995 and revised 2000), Hong Kong and China Arbitration (Butterworths, 1994), Foreign Trade, Investment and the Law in the People's Republic of China (Oxford University Press, 1984 and 1987), The China Tax Guide (Oxford University Press, 1987, 1993, revised 1999) and The China Business Law Guide (CCH, 1990).

Appointments and Society Memberships: 

  • Chairman, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC)
  • Court Member, London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
  • Board Member, Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC)
  • Commission Member, China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC)
  • Co-Chairman, China Arbitration Forum
  • Vice Chair of the Arbitration Committee, International Bar Association (2003-6)
  • Member of the Asian Advisory Council, American Arbitration Association (AAA)
  • Accredited Mediator, US-China Mediation Centre
  • Member of the Panel of Distinguished Neutrals, CPR Institute in New York
  • Member of the Advisory Board, Institute of Transnational Arbitration
  • Accredited arbitrator of major arbitration institutions including: CIETAC; HKIAC; Beijing Arbitration Commission; Shanghai Arbitration Commission; AAA; Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC); Korean Commercial Arbitration Board; Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration; Indian Council of Arbitration; International Arbitration Centre of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber; Cairo Regional Center for International Commercial Arbitration; World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Arbitration Center, Geneva.
  • General Editor of the Journal of International Arbitration

Quotes: 

Michael has been rated as "the pre-eminent expert on China-related dispute matters" by PLC Which Lawyer? and Global Counsel Handbook for Dispute Resolution. Who's Who Legal has named him the "star pick" for arbitrator in Asia and "perhaps the best-known arbitration practitioner in the region". In 2006 Chambers Global awarded him with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Members with similar specialisations...

Many other members specialise in similar fields. A selection is below.

Queen's Counsel

Junior Counsel