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Chris Vale

Asia Regional Director & Global Head of Litigation

Hong Kong SAR , Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh City , Phnom Penh

+852 3412 4001

Biography

Chris Vale leads Rouse's Dispute Resolution Service and is a Director of Rouse based in Hong Kong SAR.

Chris joined our London office in 1998. He has been working in Asia for more than 20 years and is the person who set up Rouse's offices in Vietnam, Hong Kong SAR, and Cambodia. He is a qualified lawyer in both the UK and Hong Kong SAR.

His practice covers contentious and non-contentious intellectual property. He has extensive experience across the Asia-Pacific region.

Chris has been involved in advising leading companies in relation to patent and trade mark litigation in the Asia Pacific region and has developed expertise in standard essential patents, particularly in South East Asia.

Chris advises clients across sectors, including sports, food and beverage, electronics, pharma, entertainment & media, and IT. He manages complex, multi-jurisdictional IP disputes and develops strategies across the different Asia Pacific legal and regulatory environments. He has represented some of the world's leading companies in sports, entertainment, food and beverage, and electronics industries.

In sports, he has advised major brands and sponsors on various issues. 

Qualifications

  • BA (Hons), (English Literature), Leeds University, United Kingdom
  • Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in England and Wales, United Kingdom
  • Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR

Awards

  • Listed as a Trade Mark Star by Managing Intellectual Property – IP STARS, 2014 – 2024
  • Ranked as a Global Leader for Private Practice in Vietnam by World Trademark Review, 2020 – 2023
  • Chambers and Partners Global Guide 2024: Vietnam IP expert based abroad
  • WTR 1000, 2024: Ranked Gold for Prosecution and Strategy in Vietnam
  • Who’s Who Legal, 2022: Mainland China & Hong Kong SAR - Trademarks Lawyer
  • Who's Who Legal Trademarks, 2017 - 2024: Recommended/Leading Practitioner
  • WTR 1000, 2018: Listed as a Leading individual in Vietnam and Hong Kong
  • WTR 1000, 2016: Ranked Gold for Enforcement and Litigation
  • Chambers Asia Pacific, 2016: Listed as a Notable practitioner and as an Expert Based Abroad

Personal Interest

Chris established and runs a HK based foundation which provides football (soccer) coaching for underprivileged children in Hong Kong, with over 50 children currently in the programme and growing.