David Smyth
Senior Consultant
A commercial disputes lawyer with over 35 years' experience, David has extensive experience in handling the defence of professional indemnity, financial lines and other special risks claims as well as advising insurers in relation to such claims.
David has worked on the defence of claims in various jurisdictions including England, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the PRC, Taiwan, Bermuda and the BVI. He also has significant experience in handling regulatory and disciplinary matters.He has considerable experience providing general risk management advice to professionals such as accountants, solicitors, insurance brokers, surveyors and stock-brokers.
Most recently, he has been developing a practice as a commercial mediator. David is accredited as a mediator by both the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) and the Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited (HKMAAL).
Directory quotes
David Smyth is a senior consultant and veteran commercial litigator with more than three decades' worth of experience in handling financial lines and professional indemnity claims. His expertise is routinely sought by a wide range of professional services firms. - Chambers: The Greater China Guide 2022
A client regards him as "elder statesman" in the market - Chambers Asia Pacific 2021
"David Smyth is regarded as a "very senior lawyer" in the insurance space. He has a wealth of experience defending professional indemnity claims as well as advising on other contentious cases. He also possesses notable knowledge of judicial review proceedings." - Chambers Asia Pacific 2020
"Dependable and reliable guy" and a "good operator" who offers "strong technical knowledge, and is commercially astute." - Chambers Asia Pacific 2020
"A very, very good litigator" - Chambers Asia Pacific 2019
"David Smyth is held in high regard as 'an icon' and 'a pioneer' in the Hong Kong insurance market." - Chambers Asia Pacific 2017
"He is an established figure in the market and clients describe him as a 'very bright, approachable and experienced' lawyer with 'good commercial sense.'" - Chambers Asia Pacific 2017
Recommended and listed as a Leading Individual - Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2017
"the globally renowned David Smyth" - Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2016
Recommended and listed as a Leading Individual - Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2016
David Smyth "has an ability to think very logically and bring perspectives to a matter which nobody else has thought about." - Chambers Asia Pacific 2016
"Smyth & Co in association with RPC has a core team of market leaders, headed by the globally renowned David Smyth." – Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2015
"David Smyth is held in high regard for his successful professional indemnity practice. One interviewee attests that Smyth is 'very approachable and very knowledgeable about insurance,' while another describes him as 'a big hitter' for contentious insurance sector work" - Chambers Asia Pacific 2015
Memberships
Member of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Solicitors Indemnity Fund Limited.
Chairman of the Law Society of Hong Kong Professional Indemnity Advisory Committee.
Member of the Hong Kong Insurance Law Association Limited.
Member of the Hong Kong Insurers Club Limited.
Independent Non-Executive Director of Liberty Specialty Markets Hong Kong Limited and Liberty International Insurance Limited.