Wei Jian Chan

Professional practice

Wei Jian has a broad commercial practice in line with Chambers’ profile. He is ranked by the Legal 500 as a Tier 1 leading junior barrister in the crypto and blockchain assets category, and by Chambers and Partners as an up-and-coming junior barrister in the commercial dispute resolution category.

Since joining Chambers, Wei Jian has been instructed on a wide range of significant cases in English courts, as well as in international courts and tribunals. Examples of Wei Jian’s recent cases include:

Liquidation of FTX Digital Markets Ltd in the Bahamas – Assisted James Collins KC with the preparation of an expert report dealing with English law issues arising out of the liquidation, including various cutting edge legal issues relating to cryptocurrencies and NFTs.
Geosolutions v Sina & Others — Acted (with David Joseph KC) for Sina, a leading online media company serving China and the global Chinese communities, defending a claim for in excess of US$2 billion involving allegations of intellectual property theft and misconduct within the framework of a joint venture.
Harrison Jalla & Others v Royal Dutch Shell Plc & Others — Acted (with Graham Dunning KC and Stuart Cribb) for nearly 28,000 Nigerian claimants in respect of their claims against three companies in the Royal Dutch Shell Group. The claims arise out of the December 2011 Bonga oil spill, in which over 40,000 barrels of oil were spilled into the ocean in the Niger delta, making it one of the largest offshore spills in the history of oil exploration and production in Nigeria. This dispute has resulted in some of the leading English judgments on issues relating to representative actions.
AA v Persons Unknown – Acted (with David Scorey KC) for a cryptocurrency trader in relation to a proprietary claim for the return of Bitcoin allegedly paid as a ransom following a malware attack. This dispute resulted in one of the leading published judgments on cryptocurrency-related issues.
Alfa v Heinemann & Others — Acted (with Daniel Oudkerk KC) for Alfa in its substantial fraud claim for in excess of US$200 million arising out of a joint venture agreement and an international tender relating to duty free concessions at Ben Gurion airport. The arbitral tribunal upheld the conspiracy claim and the Israeli Court subsequently held the outcome should be public given the importance of the public tender.

Wei Jian has considerable experience as an advocate, having appeared as sole counsel before the English High Court and County Court, as well as in arbitration proceedings. Wei Jian has participated in numerous virtual hearings and was a member of the Commercial Bar Association’s Remote Hearings Working Group.

Wei Jian grew up in Singapore. As a native speaker of Mandarin Chinese, Wei Jian has experience of conducting a 3-day arbitration hearing as sole counsel entirely in Mandarin Chinese (including cross-examination and submissions). Wei Jian has also drafted statements of case, witness statements, and written submissions in Mandarin Chinese.

Prior to joining Essex Court Chambers, Wei Jian graduated with a First Class degree in Law from the University of Oxford. He went on to read for the BCL at the University of Oxford, obtaining Distinctions in all four of his BCL subjects. Wei Jian has also contributed to various leading legal texts as a Research Assistant, including Goode on Principles of Corporate Insolvency Law (5th edn), and Goode and Gullifer on Legal Problems of Credit and Security (6th edn).

Outside of legal practice, Wei Jian is an award-winning photographer. His photography is on permanent display in the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London, and has been exhibited in various locations in the UK and Europe. It has also been published by The Guardian, Deutsche Welle, National Geographic, Amateur Photographer, and Leica Camera, among other publications/ organisations.

Download Mandarin Chinese CV here.

What Others Say

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2024, Commercial Dispute Resolution:

“Wei Jian is an invaluable member of the team.”

“He is super communicative, highly responsive and very, very efficient. Wei Jian Chan is clear on what he is doing and what he needs from the client.”

“Exceptionally bright and someone whose written work is excellent.”

Languages

Wei Jian is a native speaker of both English and Mandarin Chinese. As a native speaker of Mandarin Chinese, Wei Jian has experience of conducting a 3-day arbitration hearing as sole counsel entirely in Mandarin Chinese (including cross-examination and submissions). Wei Jian has also drafted statements of case, witness statements, and written submissions in Mandarin Chinese.

Arbitration & related court applications

Wei Jian has extensive experience of appearing as an advocate in arbitration proceedings across a wide array of legal areas.

HKIAC Arbitration – Acted (as sole counsel) for a financial services consulting company on a dispute concerning the payment of a service fee. The 3-day evidentiary hearing in this matter was conducted entirely in Mandarin Chinese; Wei Jian made oral submissions, cross-examined witnesses, and drafted written closing submissions.
Geosolutions v Sina & Others — Acted (with David Joseph KC) for Sina, a leading online media company serving China and the global Chinese communities, defending a claim for in excess of US$2 billion involving allegations of intellectual property theft and misconduct within the framework of a joint venture.
Alfa v Heinemann & Others — Acted (with Daniel Oudkerk KC) for Alfa in its substantial fraud claim for in excess of US$200 million arising out of a joint venture agreement and an international tender relating to duty free concessions at Ben Gurion airport. The arbitral tribunal upheld the conspiracy claim and the Israeli Court subsequently held the outcome should be public given the importance of the public tender.
ICSID Arbitration – Acting (with Peter Webster) on a claim under a Bilateral Investment Treaty relating to the events of the Arab Spring.
LMAA Arbitrations – Acting (with Christopher Smith KC) for a shipping company in disputes concerning the redelivery condition of 4 different vessels.
LMAA Arbitration – Acted (with Steven Berry KC) for a shipping company in a dispute concerning the financing of four Very Large Crude Carriers (“VLCCs”).
UNCITRAL Arbitration – Acted (with Paul Key KC) for a mining company on a dispute concerning the supply of electricity to a mine.

Wei Jian also has extensive experience of dealing with arbitration-related court applications.

Daelim Corporation v Bonita Co Ltd – Acted (with Stephen Phillips KC) for the charterer of a vessel on an application to discharge an Order made under Arbitration Act 1996, s44(3) restraining the charterer from taking steps to demand and/or recover sums from a sub- charterer.
LMAA Arbitration – Drafted (as sole counsel) a response to an Arbitration Act 1996, s68 challenge in relation to an LMAA Arbitration Award on the grounds of serious irregularity.
LMAA Arbitration – Advised (with Roderick Cordara KC) on the prospects of success of an Arbitration Act 1996, s68 challenge in relation to an LMAA Arbitration Award on the grounds of serious irregularity.
Instructed (as sole counsel) by parties to an arbitration governed by the LCIA India Arbitration Rules to assist with a dispute on arbitration costs before Indian courts.

Technology Disputes

Wei Jian has a particular interest in technology disputes, particularly cases relating to fintech, cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and software development. He is ranked by the Legal 500 as a Tier 1 leading junior barrister in the crypto and blockchain assets category. He is also a committee member of the Crypto Fraud and Asset Recovery (CFAAR) network. Wei Jian’s experience of technology litigation includes:

Liquidation of FTX Digital Markets Ltd in the Bahamas – Assisted James Collins KC with the preparation of an expert report dealing with English law issues arising out of the liquidation, including various cutting edge legal issues relating to cryptocurrencies and NFTs.
AA v Persons Unknown – Acted (with David Scorey KC) for a cryptocurrency trader in relation to a proprietary claim for the return of Bitcoin allegedly paid as a ransom following a malware attack. This dispute resulted in one of the leading published judgments on cryptocurrency-related issues.
Geosolutions v Sina & Others — Acted (with David Joseph KC) for Sina, a leading online media company serving China and the global Chinese communities, defending a claim for in excess of US$2 billion involving allegations of intellectual property theft and misconduct within the framework of a joint venture.
Cryptocurrency-related dispute – Acted (as sole counsel) on a dispute concerning the remuneration of one of the founders of a cryptocurrency joint venture, following the release of NFTs and the completion of various Initial Decentralised Offerings (IDOs).
Three ICC and SIAC Arbitrations – Acting (with David Joseph KC) for an Indian automotive components manufacturer in a dispute with its Taiwanese joint venture partner over technology licensing and management of the joint venture. This complex dispute involves three distinct ICC and SIAC arbitrations relating to three agreements concluded between the parties.
Ness v Perform – Acted (with Anna Dilnot KC and Tim Akkouh KC) for Ness, a company operating software design, development, maintenance and support centres on a dispute relating to the termination of an agreement for the provision of software development services.
Cryptocurrency–related dispute – Advised (as sole counsel) on a dispute concerning the forced liquidation of various cryptocurrency assets held as collateral for a loan facility, following the cryptocurrency crash of 12 March 2020.
Source code dispute – Acted (as sole counsel) on a dispute concerning the non-delivery of source code.

Further, Wei Jian has a broad and robust understanding of computer science and programming.

Wei Jian completed Harvard University’s Introduction to Computer Science course (CS50x), which teaches students how to think algorithmically and solve programming problems efficiently using C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript plus CSS and HTML. He is currently undertaking other courses to improve his knowledge and skillset.
As a student in Singapore, Wei Jian also completed a research internship at the Institute for Infocomm Research, during which Wei Jian developed an algorithm to conceal lost data packets in video streams.

Banking & financial services

Wei Jian has extensive experience of banking & financial services related matters, and in particular matters relating to cryptocurrencies and financial instruments.

HKIAC Arbitration – Acted (as sole counsel) for a financial services consulting company on a dispute concerning the payment of a service fee. The 3-day evidentiary hearing in this matter was conducted entirely in Mandarin Chinese; Wei Jian made oral submissions, cross-examined witnesses, and drafted written closing submissions.
Tembusu Multi Strategy Fund v Credit Suisse – Acting (with Louise Hutton KC) for an investor in various Notes linked to the Credit Suisse Nova (Lux) Supply Chain Finance High Income Funds, which allowed investors to obtain exposure to trade receivables sourced by Greensill Capital or its affiliates.
Liquidation of FTX Digital Markets Ltd in the Bahamas – Assisted James Collins KC with the preparation of an expert report dealing with English law issues arising out of the liquidation, including various cutting edge legal issues relating to cryptocurrencies and NFTs.
AA v Persons Unknown – Acted (with David Scorey KC) for a cryptocurrency trader in relation to a proprietary claim for the return of Bitcoin allegedly paid as a ransom following a malware attack. This dispute resulted in one of the leading published judgments on cryptocurrency-related issues.
Bank Mellat v Her Majesty’s Treasury — Acted (with David Foxton KC, Philippa Hopkins KC, and Helen Morton) on a multi-billion dispute with Bank Mellat concerning the impact of financial restrictions orders made in 2009-2011 and the Bank’s claim for damages under the Human Rights Act 1998.
Dispute over Commercial Mortgage Backed Notes – Acted (with James Willan KC) for an investor in Commercial Mortgage Backed Notes in a dispute relating to the discharge of the underlying loans at a significant discount, below their true market value.
Cryptocurrency–related dispute – Advised (as sole counsel) on a dispute concerning the forced liquidation of various cryptocurrency assets held as collateral for a loan facility, following the cryptocurrency crash of 12 March 2020.
LIBOR Transition – Advised (as sole counsel) on the effect of LIBOR transition on a loan facility.
Golden Belt 1 Sukuk Company B.S.C.(c) v BNP Paribas & Others [2017] EWHC 3182 (Comm) — Assisted Nigel Tozzi KC and Jeremy Brier KC in the 6-week litigation involving professional negligence by an Arranging Bank for an Islamic finance instrument.
Andusia Recovered Fuels Ltd v TTT Moneycorp Limited; Ti-Tek v First Rate FX Limited — Acted (as sole counsel) on disputes involving claims under the Payment Services Regulations 2017 and 2009.
Contributed to leading legal texts including Goode and Gullifer on Legal Problems of Credit and Security (6th edn) as a research assistant.

Civil fraud & asset recovery

Wei Jian has extensive experience of civil fraud related disputes, including disputes involving the use of cryptocurrency. He is ranked by the Legal 500 as a Tier 1 leading junior barrister in the crypto and blockchain assets category. He is also a committee member of the Crypto Fraud And Asset Recovery (CFAAR) network. His experience in this field includes:

Alfa v Heinemann & Others — Acted (with Daniel Oudkerk KC) for Alfa in its substantial fraud claim for in excess of US$200 million arising out of a joint venture agreement and an international tender relating to duty free concessions at Ben Gurion airport. The arbitral tribunal upheld the conspiracy claim and the Israeli Court subsequently held the outcome should be public given the importance of the public tender.
Liquidation of FTX Digital Markets Ltd in the Bahamas – Assisted James Collins KC with the preparation of an expert report dealing with English law issues arising out of the liquidation, including various cutting edge legal issues relating to cryptocurrencies and NFTs.
AA v Persons Unknown – Acted (with David Scorey KC) for a cryptocurrency trader in relation to a proprietary claim for the return of Bitcoin allegedly paid as a ransom following a malware attack. This dispute resulted in one of the leading published judgments on cryptocurrency-related issues.
Cryptocurrency–related dispute – Advised (as sole counsel) on a dispute concerning the forced liquidation of various cryptocurrency assets held as collateral for a loan facility, following the cryptocurrency crash of 12 March 2020.

Commercial dispute resolution

Wei Jian has extensive experience of commercial disputes, and in particular technology-related disputes.

HKIAC Arbitration – Acted (as sole counsel) for a financial services consulting company on a dispute concerning the payment of a service fee. The 3-day evidentiary hearing in this matter was conducted entirely in Mandarin Chinese; Wei Jian made oral submissions, cross-examined witnesses, and drafted written closing submissions.
Three ICC and SIAC Arbitrations – Acting (with David Joseph KC) for an Indian automotive components manufacturer in a dispute with its Taiwanese joint venture partner over technology licensing and management of the joint venture. This complex dispute involves three distinct ICC and SIAC arbitrations relating to three agreements concluded between the parties.
United Company Rusal v. Crispian — Instructed (with David Davies KC, Daniel Toledano KC, and Lord Goldsmith KC) on a major shareholders’ dispute involving companies associated with three of Russia’s most prominent businessmen: Oleg Deripaska, Roman Abramovich and Vladimir Potanin. The dispute concerns the shareholders agreement between the three major shareholders in Norilsk Nickel, one of Russia’s most valuable mining companies and in particular Mr Abramovich’s disputed entitlement to sell his shares, worth approx. $1.9 billion, to the existing shareholders.
Geosolutions v Sina & Others — Acted (with David Joseph KC) for Sina, a leading online media company serving China and the global Chinese communities, defending a claim for in excess of US$2 billion involving allegations of intellectual property theft and misconduct within the framework of a joint venture.
AA v Persons Unknown – Acted (with David Scorey KC) for a cryptocurrency trader in relation to a proprietary claim for the return of Bitcoin allegedly paid as a ransom following a malware attack. This dispute resulted in one of the leading published judgments on cryptocurrency-related issues.
Cryptocurrency–related dispute – Advised (as sole counsel) on a dispute concerning the forced liquidation of various cryptocurrency assets held as collateral for a loan facility, following the cryptocurrency crash of 12 March 2020.
Dana Petroleum v Waldorf Energy — Acted (with Stephen Houseman KC) for Dana in relation to a dispute over the termination of a Sale and Purchase Agreement relating to companies with oil and gas assets on the Netherlands and Danish continental shelves.
Ness v Perform – Acted (with Anna Dilnot KC and Tim Akkouh KC) for Ness, a company operating software design, development, maintenance and support centres on a dispute relating to the termination of an agreement for the provision of software development services.
Source code dispute – Acted (as sole counsel) on a dispute concerning the non-delivery of source code
UNCITRAL Arbitration – Acted (with Paul Key KC) for a mining company on a dispute concerning the supply of electricity to a mine.
Bank Mellat v Her Majesty’s Treasury — Acted (with David Foxton KC, Philippa Hopkins KC, and Helen Morton) on a long-running dispute with Bank Mellat concerning the impact of financial restrictions orders made in 2009-2011 and the Bank’s claim for damages under the Human Rights Act 1998

Company & Insolvency Law

Assisted a Member of Chambers in providing advice to a company seeking to recover sums from various insolvent trade debtors.
Contributed to the leading legal text Goode on Principles of Corporate Insolvency Law (5th ed) as a research assistant.

Conflict of laws & private international law

A large proportion of Wei Jian’s cases are cross-border in nature and raise issues relating to jurisdiction and choice of law. Wei Jian’s experience in this regard includes:

Harrison Jalla & Others v Royal Dutch Shell Plc & Others — Acted (with Graham Dunning KC) for nearly 28,000 Nigerian claimants in respect of their claims against three companies in the Royal Dutch Shell Group. The claims arise out of the December 2011 Bonga oil spill, in which over 40,000 barrels of oil were spilled into the ocean in the Niger delta, making it one of the largest offshore spills in the history of oil exploration and production in Nigeria. The jurisdictional application for this case involved the application of Case C-281/02 Owusu v Jackson [2005] ECR I-1445 and other principles relating to litigation against English anchor defendants. This dispute has also resulted in some of the leading English judgments on issues relating to representative actions.
Acted (with Paul Key KC and Ciaran Keller) on an application to set aside service of English proceedings on an Iranian national and an Iranian company.
Instructed (as sole counsel) to advise on the prospects of securing English court jurisdiction over a Swiss Bank and various UAE companies in relation to a dispute concerning a forged bill of lading.
Instructed (as sole counsel) in relation to an application to challenge registration of an Italian judgment in England.
Advised (as sole counsel) on the prospects of commencing High Court proceedings in London in relation to conversion of cargo aboard a ship in Panama.

Employment

Wei Jian frequently appears in the Employment Tribunal as sole counsel on a wide range of disputes, including unfair dismissal and discrimination claims. He has successfully applied for strike out of a discrimination claim brought against an employment agency.

Energy & natural resources

Dana Petroleum v Waldorf Energy — Acted (with Stephen Houseman KC) for Dana in relation to a dispute over the termination of a Sale and Purchase Agreement relating to companies with oil and gas assets on the Netherlands and Danish continental shelves.
Harrison Jalla & Others v Royal Dutch Shell Plc & Others — Acted (with Graham Dunning KC) for nearly 28,000 Nigerian claimants in respect of their claims against three companies in the Royal Dutch Shell Group. The claims arise out of the December 2011 Bonga oil spill, in which over 40,000 barrels of oil were spilled into the ocean in the Niger delta, making it one of the largest offshore spills in the history of oil exploration and production in Nigeria. This dispute has resulted in some of the leading English judgments on issues relating to representative actions.
UNCITRAL Arbitration – Acted (with Paul Key KC) for a mining company on a dispute concerning the supply of electricity to a mine.
Assisted a Member of Chambers in a dispute concerning the payment of administrative costs pursuant to a Joint Operating Agreement for the exploitation of North Sea gas resources.

Insurance & reinsurance

Assisted a Member of Chambers instructed in a reinsurance dispute involving issues of aggregation of underlying claims.
Assisted a Member of Chambers instructed in a Bermuda Form insurance dispute involving, inter alia, a “fresh start” defence and an “expected or intended” defence.

Public international law

Qatar v the UAE: Assisted Dan Sarooshi KC on an application for provisional measures before the International Court of Justice.
ICSID Arbitration – Acting (with Peter Webster) on a claim under a Bilateral Investment Treaty relating to the events of the Arab Spring.
Assisted a Member of Chambers instructed in a dispute in the Iran-US Claims Tribunal involving inter alia issues of State responsibility.
Assisted a Member of Chambers in a dispute involving issues of State immunity.

Shipping & admiralty

Wei Jian has extensive experience of acting as counsel in shipping related disputes

LMAA Arbitration – Acted (with Steven Berry KC) for a shipping company in a dispute concerning the financing of four Very Large Crude Carriers (“VLCCs”).
LMAA Arbitrations – Acting (with Christopher Smith KC) for a shipping company in disputes concerning the redelivery condition of 4 different vessels.
Acting (with Jeremy Brier KC) for the owner of a vessel in relation to a claim for sums allegedly owed in respect of bunkers purchased by the vessel’s charterer.
Instructed (as sole counsel) to advise on the prospects of securing English court jurisdiction over a Swiss Bank and various UAE companies in relation to a dispute concerning a forged bill of lading.

Wei Jian also has extensive experience of dealing with arbitration-related Court applications in shipping disputes

Daelim Corporation v Bonita Co Ltd – Acted (with Stephen Phillips KC) for the charterer of a vessel on an application to discharge an Order made under Arbitration Act 1996, s44(3) restraining the charterer from taking steps to demand and/or recover sums from a sub- charterer.
LMAA Arbitration – Drafted (as sole counsel) a response to an Arbitration Act 1996, s68 challenge in relation to an LMAA Arbitration Award on the grounds of serious irregularity.
LMAA Arbitration – Advised (with Roderick Cordara KC) on the prospects of success of an Arbitration Act 1996, s68 challenge in relation to an LMAA Arbitration Award on the grounds of serious irregularity.

Unjust enrichment & restitution claims

HKIAC Arbitration – Acted (as sole counsel) for a financial services consulting company on a dispute concerning the payment of a service fee. Unjust enrichment was advanced as a cause of action in these proceedings.
Assisted a Member of Chambers in a summary judgment application involving issues of limitation for unjust enrichment claims.

Revenue law (including VAT, IPT, duties & excise)

Assisted a Member of Chambers in the HMRC v Taylor Clark Leisure [2018] UKSC 35 appeal in the Supreme Court, which concerned the proper treatment of Single Taxable Persons for the purposes of VAT law.
Assisted a Member of Chambers with an appeal from a decision by HMRC to deny input VAT recovery pursuant to the Kittel/ Mobilx principles.
Assisted a Member of Chambers with advice for a religious organization on zero-rating of VAT.

Career

2018: Tenancy at Essex Court Chambers

2017 – 2018: Pupillage at Essex Court Chambers (Main Pupil Supervisor: Jeremy Brier)

2017: Called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn)

2017: Paralegal at Shell International Limited (Global Litigation Team)

2017: Research Assistant to Asst Professor Kristin van Zwieten for Goode on Principles of Corporate Insolvency Law (5th ed)

2016: Research Assistant to Professor Louise Gullifer for Goode and Gullifer on Legal Problems of Credit and Security (6th ed)

2010 – 2011: Fulltime National Serviceman at Singapore Armed Forces (9th Singapore Division/ Infantry)

Education

2016 – 2017: BPP Law School — Bar Professional Training Course (Very Competent)

2015 – 2016: University of Oxford — Bachelors of Civil Law (Distinction in all 4 subjects)

2012 – 2015: University of Oxford — BA Jurisprudence (First Class; Subject Prize for Commercial Law; Distinction in Law Moderations)

2004 – 2009: Raffles Institution (Singapore)

Awards

2016: Gray’s Inn Bedingfield BPTC Scholarship (highest award)

2015: BCL Scholarship

2015: Final Honour School Prize for Commercial Law (highest score in final examinations)

2014: UK National Champion 55th Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition

2013: Harris Manchester College Scholarship

Publications

‘Whose Iniquity Is It Anyway? Case Comment on Accident Exchange v McLean’ [2019] LMCLQ 33 (with Nathan Pillow KC)

‘The Jurisdictional One-Two Punch’ [2017] LMCLQ 190

‘Secured Transactions Law Reform: The Long and Winding Road’ [2017] 32(4) JIBFL 215

Barrister at Essex Court Chambers

Professional practice