Phillip Georgiou
Managing Partner
About
Phillip founded the predecessor firm to Georgiou Partnership in 2017 after an extensive career at Jones Day. The firm has evolved to the disputes-focused law firm that it is today where he continues to lead and manage litigation cases as solicitor advocate before the Hong Kong courts. He is also highly regarded as an advocate in international arbitration, with a primary focus on Hong Kong, Singapore and London.
Phillip has broad experience devising dispute mitigation strategies. He represents parties in negotiations and formal dispute resolution procedures involving building and energy projects, joint ventures and consortiums, manufacturing, distribution and logistics, shareholder agreements, licensing and technology and other areas.
Prior to becoming an owner of his own law firm in 2017, Phillip was a lawyer and partner at the US law firms Jones Day (2004 to 2015) and Baker Botts (2015 to 2017).
Education
Education & Honours
Bachelor of Economics, Monash University, 1991
Bachelor of Laws, Monash University, 1993
Admissions and qualifications
Barrister & Solicitor, Victoria, Australia, 1996
Solicitor, Hong Kong, 2002
Solicitor, England & Wales, 2016
Solicitor Advocate, Hong Kong, 2022
Affiliations and memberships
Society of Construction Law
Lighthouse Club (Hong Kong Chapter)
Australian Chamber of Commerce
Languages
Accolades
- Lexology Index, Mainland China & Hong Kong 2024 - Construction (Thought Leader)
- Chambers Greater China Region 2024 - Construction (International Firms) - Ranked Lawyer
- The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025 - Hong Kong - Construction - Tier 3
- Lexology Index, Global – Construction 2024 (Recommended)
- Lexology Index, Mainland China, Hong Kong & Macau – Construction 2024 (Recommended)
Notable representations
Arbitration
- Hong Kong seated arbitration under the HKIAC Administered Rules and IBA Rules on the Taking of Evidence before three-member tribunal between German sound equipment and products business and Chinese distributor concerning termination of supply and distribution agreements.
- Russian energy company defending against two anti-suit injunctions in relation to Hong Kong seated arbitration proceedings concerning the development of a Euro10 billion gas projects in Russia.
- Russian bank defending anti-suit injunction restraining Russian proceedings in favour of arbitration proceedings in Hong Kong.
- Hong Kong seated arbitration proceedings under the HKIAC Administered Rules representing French textile business against mainland Chinese textiles company concerning failed M&A transaction.
- Senior management employee and shareholder in HKIAC arbitration proceedings against biotech and healthcare private equity funds for recovery of carry interest, stock options and damages for unjust enrichment.
- Korean cable manufacturer in ICC arbitration proceedings in Hong Kong against Chinese communications company arising out of a consortium agreement for the supply and development of an electrical transmission system in Venezuela.
- Korean submarine cable manufacturer and supplier in LCIA arbitration proceedings in London against English wind farm developer. The dispute involved alleged defects in submarine cable spanning over 20 kilometres.
- Chinese biotech company in UNCITRAL arbitration proceedings in Hong Kong against a joint venture partner in relation to disputes arising under a share purchase agreement concerning the development of cutting-edge medical devices.
- European technology company in ICC arbitration proceedings in Hong Kong against mainland Chinese telecommunications company concerning disputes arising under supply and licensing agreement.
- M&A advisory consultant in UNCITRAL arbitration proceedings in Hong Kong against a Hong Kong/Australia property development syndicate.
- Private equity partner in UNCITRAL arbitration proceedings in Hong Kong against fund formation sponsor concerning disputes arising out of Hong Kong and Cayman funds.
- Korean heavy engineering company in ICC arbitration proceedings in London involving claims arising out of a power station in Bahrain.
- Government client defending UNCITRAL arbitration proceedings seated in Malaysia in connection with damages claim exceeding US$3 billion arising out of the termination of a project development agreement and related mining contracts for a 1400 MW lignite-fired power plant in the Democratic Republic of Laos.
- Global media and advertising conglomerate in multiple ICC arbitration proceedings supported by Hong Kong court interlocutory applications relating to shareholder and subscription agreements, and arranged the completion of a full and final multi-jurisdictional settlement of dispute proceedings in the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, and the PRC.
- Global computer chip supplier in Singapore arbitration in relation to disputes arising out of multiple supply and purchase arrangements with a major US hard disk drive manufacturer concerning pricing disputes for read channels and ASIC control devices.
- Hong Kong based cosmetics and nutritional supplement distributor in parallel arbitrations seated in Singapore and Tokyo in relation to claims against Japanese manufacturer resulting from the termination of global distribution agreements and pricing arrangements.
- US supplier of advanced LED panels in Hong Kong arbitration against Chinese manufacturer for breach of warranty resulting in defective products and defending counterclaim alleging breach of trade secret laws.
Construction
- Russian energy company defending against two anti-suit injunctions granted by the Hong Kong High Court in relation to Hong Kong seated arbitration proceedings concerning the development of Euro10 billion gas projects in Russia including claims arising out of termination of EPC contracts.
- Domestic arbitration between contractor and sub-contractor regarding claims concerning airport project.
- Specialist contractor in Hong Kong court proceedings against project company for high profile Hong Kong building project resisting injunction to prevent winding up proceedings based on breach of statutory demand.
- Italian contractor in litigation proceedings in the Hong Kong court concerning disputes with a sub-contractor arising out of foundation works for a power station in Hong Kong.
- Australian materials supplier in Hong Kong arbitration proceedings and mediation against main contractor for claims arising out of Macau casino project.
- High Net Worth Individual in Hong Kong arbitration proceedings for claims arising out of development of residential home (value approx. HK$2.2 billion) against Hong Kong contractor for delay and defects.
- Hong Kong subcontractor in Hong Kong High Court proceedings to injunct call on performance bond and arbitration proceedings for claims arising out of Macau casino project.
- Hong Kong listed construction company in arbitration proceedings in Hong Kong against a sub-contractor involving HK$700 million (approx.) of claims arising out of works associated with the Hong Kong to Guangzhou Express Rail Link project.
- Hong Kong main contractor in arbitration proceedings in Hong Kong against developer for claims arising out of residential development including claims arising out of changes to top-down foundation works.
- Hong Kong sub-contractor in arbitration proceedings on claims against an incorporated owner arising out of a HK$50 million building refurbishment contract.
- Incorporated Owner of a luxury private residential building in Hong Kong High Court proceedings against an architect for professional negligence in respect of building refurbishment works.
- Macau construction company in arbitration proceedings in Hong Kong against a nominated sub-contractor arising out of a HK$12 billion casino project for claims concerned with the installation of the mechanical and electrical services – totalling approximately HK$70 million.
- Property Developer in arbitration proceedings concerning HK$80 million dispute over a luxury property development in Hong Kong.
- Australian listed company defending Hong Kong High Court proceedings brought by a joint venture partner concerning disputes arising out of the construction of a mineral processing facility in Vietnam.
- Contractor in a high-profile HK$700 million arbitration against the Hong Kong Housing Authority concerning defective large diameter bored pile foundation works.
- Contractor in a large-scale arbitration involving a claim in excess of HK$1 billion against a Singaporean developer arising out of defective bored pile foundation works.
- Contractor in High Court proceedings against the provider of a bond securing the performance of a sub-contractor in relation to the construction of large diameter bored piles.
- Contractor in an arbitration against a design landscaping sub-contractor in connection with the construction of a major theme park.
- Contractor on disputes with the Hong Kong Government in relation to valuation principles under a long-term construction and maintenance contract.
- Hong Kong / Singapore joint venture in relation to complex extension of time, variations and defects claims exceeding HK$500 million arising out of a multi-phased residential development in Hong Kong.
- Government client defending UNCITRAL arbitration proceedings seated in Malaysia in connection with a damages claim in excess of US$3 billion arising out of the termination of a project development agreement and related mining contracts for a 1400 MW lignite-fired power plant in the Democratic Republic of Laos.
- International civil engineering/contractor in and arbitration under the HKIAC Rules claiming HK$80 million for prolongation costs arising out of disruption to progress caused by unforeseen ground conditions.
- International civil engineering/contractor in two related arbitrations under the HKIAC Rules defending claims brought by a sub-contractor totalling approximately HK$20 million.
- Joint venture main contractor in relation to potential arbitration proceedings under HKIAC Rules against a major Mainland Chinese bridge building subcontractor in relation to disputes arising out of HK$200 million subcontract for the fabrication, assembly, delivery and installation of segments for one of the world’s longest span cable-stayed bridges being constructed in Hong Kong.
- Joint venture of contractors undertaking large scale reclamation works in Hong Kong in relation to approximately HK$200 million in prolongation cost claims arising out of disruption to the progress of the works.
- Korean chaebol in a successful appeal to the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal involving the interpretation of a contract associated with dredging works for a new container port.
- Korean chaebol in arbitration proceedings in Hong Kong defending claims from a property developer for alleged defects in a new property development.
- Mainland Chinese contractor in Singapore arbitration under ICC Rules against a Vietnamese-Japanese joint venture cement production company to recover claims and damages arising out of the construction of a cement processing plant in Vietnam.
- Main Contractor in proceedings. commenced by a piling subcontractor in the High Court of Hong Kong seeking additional compensation for alleged additional works and loss and expense for prolongation and disruption to sub-contract works in connection with the Pok Oi Hospital Redevelopment and Expansion, Yuen Long, New Territories.
- Main contractor in ad hoc arbitration proceedings against a Hong Kong Statutory authority in relation to major contract packages concerning significant expansion works to Hong Kong International Airport.
- Oil & Gas Major in claims against a Chinese state-owned oil company arising out of a joint investment to develop sour gas fields in Sichuan Province, PRC.
- PRC/Hong Kong Contractor on multiple disputes arising out of the construction of a movie production centre – disputes include claims for extensions of time and valuation of variations.
- US oil/energy company pursuing a US$60 million claim for delay related damages and defending a US$50 million claim by an Australian main contractor for prolongation and acceleration costs in relation to the engineering, procurement and construction of a geothermal power plant in South East Asia. The disputes and difference were successfully settled by mediation in Singapore.