Stella Hu is a Special Counsel of Karas So LLP. Stella specialises in cross-border dispute resolution. Having worked both in mainland China and Hong Kong, she has extensive experience in resolving complex commercial disputes between Chinese and foreign parties in sectors including oil and gas, international sales of goods, M&A, joint venture, financial investment and hotel management.
Stella is an arbitration specialist. She has represented clients in HKIAC, ICC, SIAC, LCIA, SCC and CIETAC arbitrations in both English and Chinese languages, including representing a major PRC state-owned energy company in a US$5.5 billion claim filed at SIAC. She regularly sits as an arbitrator.
Stella also represents clients in Hong Kong litigation proceedings and has advised clients on US litigations concerning class action, product liability and IP infringement claims.
Stella is recognised by Legal 500 Asia as Rising Star in China Dispute Resolution in 2020. Who’s Who Legal named her Future Leaders of International Arbitration between 2020 and 2023.
She is a regular speaker at arbitration events and has lectured classes on international arbitration and litigation in Tsinghua University, Hong Kong University and Guangdong University of Finance and Economics.
Key Experience
Arbitration
- Representing a major Japanese trading house in ICC arbitration for a joint venture dispute against its Taiwanese counterpart arising out of their multi-billion dollar franchise business in mainland China
- Representing a major PRC state-owned energy company in SIAC arbitration with respect to its post-SPA dispute, it was the largest claim filed at SIAC
- Representing a PRC pharmaceutical company in HKIAC and LCIA arbitrations for disputes against its Italian partner concerning joint venture and distribution arrangements in mainland China
- Representing a PRC state-owned company in an ICC arbitration in Geneva arising out of a solar power equipment sale and purchase contract under Hong Kong law
- Representing a subsidiary of a PRC state owned energy company in a SCC arbitration in Stockholm for disputes with a Russian company concerning an oil machinery manufacture and supply contract, including the post-award enforcement and set-aside proceedings
- Representing a Chinese textile company in two SIAC arbitrations against its US counterparts regarding joint venture disputes in textile industry governed by Chinese law
- Representing a subsidiary of a PRC state-owned energy company in a SIAC arbitration, defending claims brought by a European company for breach of a confidentiality agreement concerning the alleged use of the European company's proprietary information in the construction of a petrochemical plant in mainland China
- Representing a leading US bank in Hong Kong in relation to a HK$44 million claim for unauthorised trading, misrepresentation and breach of duty of care brought by one of its private banking clients in an HKIAC arbitration
Litigation
- Advising and representing a PRC state-owned insurance company in Hong Kong and Cayman litigations against GP and fund manager concerning its investment in a Cayman private fund
- Advising a Chinese technology company in US securities class action arising from its delisting from the NYSE
- Advising a leading Chinese multinational technology company and its subsidiaries defending product liability claims in the US
- Advising a leading Chinese multinational technology company and its subsidiaries defending IP infringement claims in the US
Others
- Conducting internal investigation for a British multinational consumer healthcare company on its oral products business in mainland China
- Advising Chinese companies on asset recovery and overseas enforcement of arbitral awards and judgment
- Assisting Chinese companies in developing their guide on governing law and dispute resolution clause
- Advising Chinese TMT giant on dispute arising from the counterpart’s potential breach of non-compete obligation with respect to its overseas investment
- Advising an SOE outbound investor on its right of exit from a power project invested in Indonesia
- Advising a Chinese state-owned PE fund on its drag along and tag along right under the share subscription and shareholder agreements regarding its investment in a US start-up company
- Advising a Chinese state-owned asset management company on mistake and restitution arising from its convertible bond issued to a China biotech company as pre-IPO financing
- Advising a leading PRC real estate company on its dispute with financial investor in relation to its exiting rights
- Advising a US major hotel management group in relation to hotel management agreement termination and potential arbitration with a PRC local owner in a coastal city in east China
As Arbitrator
- Sole arbitrator in an HKIAC arbitration concerning disputes over a consulting agreement between a Dutch party and a Chinese party
- Sole arbitrator in an HKIAC arbitration concerning disputes over client margin account between a Chinese bank and its individual client
- Party-appointed arbitrator in an HKIAC arbitration over an investment dispute
Career History
- Special Counsel, Karas So LLP (2024)
- Counsel, Dechert (2021)
- Trainee to Of Counsel, Herbert Smith Freehills (2008-2021)
- University of Hong Kong, PCLL (2008)
- University of Bristol, LLB (2006)
Admissions