David Beaves
Senior Partner, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
T +852 2877 3221
davidbeaves@incegd.com
Expertise Commercial，Aviation，Maritime Education (University) University of Cambridge Languages English
David is the Senior Partner of the firm in Hong Kong.
He has spent 40 years of his professional life in Hong Kong where he has also acquired extensive experience of most jurisdictions in Asia. He has expertise in ship financing and leasing and international ship sale and purchase. He has wide experience of syndicated bank lending, debt restructuring and security enforcement throughout Asia with reference to ship finance. David is also responsible for the firm's general corporate and commercial department dealing with joint ventures, shareholders agreements, acquisition of businesses and mergers and acquisitions
David is a thought leader with insight into the trends and developments that impact on the global shipping and trade industries, with recent focus on China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative and Brexit. David is widely recognised by peers, clients, and independent legal directories as one of the leading lawyers. He has been continuously ranked in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 as a top-tier shipping and ship finance lawyer in Hong Kong and Asia.
David is the president of The Council of Notaries in Hong Kong and the Honorary Legal Advisor to the Hong Kong Maritime Museum.
My matter highlights
- Advised a cruise line company based in Hong Kong, on their proposed "owner share option scheme" in the context of a major cruise vessel under which units of the vessel would be sold to investors.
Acted for one of the largest shipowners in the world and a recognised international leader in energy shipping, in relation to a joint venture it recently formed with a subsidiary of one of the largest Hong Kong ship owners. Advised our client on all of the draft documentation pertaining to the deal, including, without limitation, the shareholder's agreement, the management agreement, as well as on other corporate/company matters that arose in respect of the structure of the deal. The new joint venture, which will see the two companies operate a VLCC together, is worth upwards of USD 98,000,000 in terms of an initial investment.
We acted for the management in its acquisition of shares of a HK-based ship management company for USD6 million. We advised on the negotiation and preparation of all transaction documents, including the sale and purchase agreement and shareholders agreement.
Acted for a prominent shipping family in Hong Kong in the sale and purchase of shares of a major shipping company in Hong Kong for USD77 million pursuant to a trust foundation. We advised on the negotiation and preparation of all transaction documents.
Advise a client on its proposed acquisition of a mining company in Australia. Advised on the transactional issues and prepared documents in relation thereto.
Acted for a company engaged in real estate development in China, on its issuance of shares to a private equity investor. Advised on the transactional issues and prepared documents in relation thereto.
Appointed as special maritime counsel by a large New York law firm to assist in due diligence investigations on a large corporate acquisition pursuant to which nine special-purpose vehicles which were purchasers under shipbuilding contracts would be bundled underneath a new holding company and acquired by the purchaser.
My testimonials and accolades
My recent publications
News / Ince achieve top rankings in the new Chambers and Partners Greater China Region 2022 Guide
18-01-2022 / Insurance, Maritime
The firm maintained its high rankings in Shipping and Insurance across China and Hong Kong jurisdictions.
News / Ince recognised as a Top Ranked Leading Firm in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022
18-01-2022 / Maritime
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022 results have been published; our shipping practice in China and Hong Kong retained their Tier 1 ranking, and partners Paul Ho and David Beaves ranked as "Hall of Fame" for a second consecutive year since its inception in 2020. Rosita Lau was also ranked in the “Hall of Fame” for a third consecutive year. Ince has the largest number of “Hall of Fame” shipping lawyers from a single firm on the list.
News / Ince wins prestigious Asian Legal Business Deal of the Year Award
17-12-2020 /
Hong Kong, 17 December 2020 –International legal and professional services firm, Ince, was named a co-winner of the M&A Deal of the Year Award, at the prestigious Asian Legal Business’ Hong Kong Law Awards 2020.
News / Ince & Co to launch major expansion in Asia
14-03-2019 /
Ince & Co Hong Kong (“Ince”), part of the Ince Gordon Dadds network, is pleased to announce its growth plans in Asia that will strengthen the firm’s core practice areas of shipping, international trade, insurance, energy and infrastructure as well as power a rapid expansion of the business with new capabilities across Hong Kong and Mainland China.
News / Ince Co Partner, David Beaves, is appointed to the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) Belt and Road Advisory Committee
03-05-2018 /
International law firm, Ince & Co is pleased to announce David Beaves, Managing Partner of the firm’s Hong Kong office, has been appointed to the HKIAC Belt and Road Advisory Committee. The HKIAC has formed the industry focussed committee to support projects related to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and launched an online resource platform dedicated to the BRI on 26 April.
News / Ince Co wins Ship Finance Award at 10th Seatrade Maritime Awards Asia
26-06-2017 / Maritime
Ince Co is pleased to announce that we have won the Ship Finance Award at the 10th Seatrade Maritime Awards The results were announced at a gala dinner, held on 23 June, which was attended by around 400 key industry players from across the international maritime community
News / One Belt One Road (OBOR)
27-10-2016 / Commodities & Trade, Energy & Infrastructure, Maritime
One Belt One Road (OBOR) is arguably the most ambitious and controversial capital and infrastructure project of the 21st century Led by the government in China this long term investment will involve 65 countries and impact 44 billion people
