partner
Nelson Liu
Biography
Mr. Nelson Liu is the Founding Partner of KCL & Partners, a Hong Kong-based law firm specializing in civil litigation, complex commercial disputes, and high-stakes criminal defence matters. With over two decades of experience, Mr. Liu is widely recognized for his strategic acumen, tenacious advocacy, and ability to navigate legally and commercially sophisticated disputes.
Mr. Liu graduated from The University of Hong Kong with a degree in Social Sciences, majoring in Economics before pursuing legal studies and qualifying as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 2001. His dual background in economics and law allows him to approach disputes with both analytical precision and commercial insight, particularly in cases involving financial structures, shareholder conflicts, and business risks.
In 2004, Mr. Liu founded Cheung & Liu Solicitors, which grew under his leadership into a sizeable litigation practice with close to 100 lawyers and staff at its peak. The firm established a strong reputation for handling a wide spectrum of contentious matters across corporate and individual clients.
After more than a decade in Sheung Wan, Mr. Liu led the firm’s strategic relocation to Grade A offices in Admiralty, bringing it closer to corporate clients and high-net-worth individuals and strengthening its overall market position. Over the following ten years, he progressively repositioned the practice toward higher-value, more complex commercial disputes, civil litigation, and cross-border legal work.
In January 2017, Mr. Liu established KCL & Partners, positioning the firm as a medium-sized practice delivering partner-led, high-quality representation across a range of litigation matters. The firm has since built a strong reputation in complex and high-value disputes, including commercial litigation, shareholder disputes, insolvency-related matters, and serious criminal cases.
Mr. Liu is known for his hands-on approach, meticulous preparation, and unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for his clients. His ability to integrate legal strategy with commercial practicality makes him a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs, corporations, and high-net-worth individuals.
Experience
Mr. Liu has advised and acted in a broad range of high-profile and complex matters, including:
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Major Commercial Disputes
Acting for corporate clients and shareholders in multi-million dollar disputes involving breach of contract, fiduciary duties, and complex transactional arrangements, often with cross-border elements.
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Shareholder & Partnership Conflicts
Representing majority and minority shareholders in disputes concerning unfair prejudice, breaches of shareholders’ agreements, and control of private companies, including applications for injunctions and winding-up on just and equitable grounds.
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Personal Injury & Employees’ Compensation
Representing employers, employees, and insurers in personal injury and employees’ compensation claims, including workplace and industrial accidents, common law claims for damages, and proceedings under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, from assessment of liability and quantum through to trial. Mr. Liu has supervised and handled over 1,000 personal injury and employees’ compensation matters over the course of his practice.
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High-Stakes Criminal Defence
Defending clients in serious criminal cases, including allegations involving fraud, commercial crime, and other complex offences, often requiring strategic handling of parallel civil and criminal exposure.
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Urgent Injunctive Relief
Successfully obtaining (and resisting) interlocutory injunctions, Mareva injunctions, and Anton Piller orders in time-sensitive situations involving dissipation of assets or misuse of confidential information.
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Professional Negligence & Regulatory Matters
Acting in claims involving professional liability and advising clients facing regulatory investigations or disciplinary proceedings.
title
Partner
languages
English
Cantonese
Mandarin
education
B.Soc.Sc.(Hons) in Economics, The University of Hong Kong
LL.B (Hons), Manchester Metropolitan University
LL.M (Chinese Law), City University of Hong Kong
jurisdiction
Hong Kong
professional qualifications
Solicitor of the High Court of Hong Kong – 2001
Member, The Law Society of Hong Kong
Arbitrator, Zhanjiang International Arbitration Court