Charles W. Allen, FCIArb
Independent Arbitrator
Charles Allen is a leading commercial dispute resolution specialist. Whilst in private practice, his experience in litigation and international arbitration spanned all varieties of complex business disputes, including international trade, shipping and finance, shareholders’ and other company disputes, product liability and employment, and he was praised by clients as “absolutely first-rate”, “a super litigator” and “a consummate professional” who combined strong technical analysis with clear, strategic advice.
A full time arbitrator since 2026, Charles sits as sole, presiding and co-arbitrator, and conducts cases under various rules including HKIAC, SIAC, ICC, UNCITRAL and others. He is on the panels of numerous institutions , including in Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Vancouver, Mongolia and elsewhere. He has sat in cases involving shipping and international trade, intellectual property, cryptocurrency, complex shareholder agreements, and business sales.
Charles was recognised by Chambers as a Band 3 practitioner for Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms) in Greater China for five consecutive years and consistently ranked as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation in both commercial disputes and international arbitration.
He was also recommended by Who’s Who Legal for arbitration and commercial litigation and named among Asian Legal Business’s Asia Super 50 Disputes Lawyers, reflecting his reputation for creative solutions, personal commitment to client outcomes and the ability to manage high-value, multi-jurisdictional disputes across the region.
Rankings and accolades
2021–2026
Chambers (Greater China Region / Global / China)
Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms) – China / Hong Kong
2021 – Band 3 (Chambers Asia-Pacific – Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms) – China (Hong Kong))
Noted as adept at commercial disputes including product liability, employment, breach of contract and fiduciary duties.
Described by a market source as a “super litigator”.
2022 – Band 3 (Chambers Greater China Region Guide – Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms))
Again recognised for a wide range of commercial disputes.
Client feedback praised Charles' “strong advice” which “helped achieve a very desirable outcome”.
2023 – Band 3 (Chambers Global Guide + Greater China Region Guide – Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms))
Client quote: “Charles is absolutely first-rate. He's always available and is a consummate professional who offers detailed and thoughtful advice… He makes sure the case proceeds intelligently and that our position is protected.”
2024 – Band 3 (Chambers – Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms), China)
Chambers notes that Charles is adept at a range of commercial disputes (product liability, employment, breach of contract and fiduciary duties).
Market feedback: “Charles has such an impressive history and is a strong litigator.”
2025 – Band 3 (Chambers Greater China Region – Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms), China)
Continues to highlight Charles’ breadth of commercial disputes expertise.
Client quote: “Charles Allen took a personal interest in my situation at the beginning, demonstrating a remarkable dedication to his clients…” and “He's a very good litigator.”
Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific
Individual ranking – Hong Kong
2021 – Litigation Star (Commercial and Transactions; International Arbitration) – Hong Kong.
2022 – Litigation Star (Commercial and Transactions; International Arbitration) – Hong Kong.
2023 – Litigation Star (Commercial and transactions; International arbitration) – Hong Kong.
2024 – Litigation Star (Commercial and transactions; International arbitration) – Hong Kong.
2025 – Litigation Star (Commercial and transactions; International arbitration) – Hong Kong.
2025 feedback: Charles is “clearly a very knowledgeable individual” who “has the ability to connect on a human level”, with “direct communication” enabling “frank discussions on the relative merits of different aspects of the case.”
Also praised for “excellent listening skills”, a “friendly yet professional manner”, and always being “well-prepared for meetings.”
Who’s Who Legal / WWL
Who’s Who Legal – Litigation / Commercial Litigation (Hong Kong)
First recognised in 2015
2022 entry: WWL – Commercial Litigation – Hong Kong
2024 – WWL Arbitration Commercial Litigation
Recommended in:
Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR – Arbitration 2024
Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR – Commercial Litigation 2024”.
Asian Legal Business
2022 – Asia’s Super 50 Disputes Lawyers (ALB)
Listed in “Asia Super 50 – Disputes Lawyers”.
Client quote: a “first-rate lawyer, who despite having a very busy diary, keeps his eye on the ball and finds creative solutions for the issues at hand.”
Legal 500
Although Legal 500 primarily ranks the team/firm, Charles is repeatedly singled out:
2022 – Legal 500 Asia Pacific (Hong Kong)
Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration – commentary notes:
“[Together with an RPC partner, they] make a dynamic duo who have both range and local expertise and respect. As a conflict-light firm, I would think that they would be a reliable firm to refer cases to.”
2025 – Legal 500 Asia Pacific (Hong Kong)
Dispute resolution: international arbitration – “Both Charles Allen and Jonathan Crompton are highly capable and highly experienced disputes lawyers.”
Dispute resolution: litigation – you are described as practice head focusing on domestic and cross-border litigation across Hong Kong and the wider region.
Lexology / Other listings
2026 – Lexology Index: Arbitration – Recommended