Personal bio
Alex Lai is a Hong Kong–based construction and arbitration specialist with a rare dual background as both a Barrister-at-Law and a Registered Architect. With over 16 years’ focused experience in construction disputes, Alex combines deep technical understanding of construction processes, contracts and industry practice with rigorous legal analysis and substantial tribunal experience.
Alex acts as sole counsel in complex, high-value construction arbitrations and court proceedings, representing employers, main contractors and subcontractors. His work spans the full spectrum of dispute issues, including extension of time, prolongation and disruption, direct loss and expense, variations and measurement, defects, professional liability, contractual interpretation and jurisdictional challenges. He is also regularly appointed as sole arbitrator and mediator in construction disputes.
Beyond private practice, Alex serves in a number of statutory and professional tribunal capacities. He has been a Member of the Building Appeal Tribunal since 2009 and has served as its Chairman since 2021, presiding over appeals concerning Buildings Ordinance enforcement and adjudicating complex technical and legal issues. His appointments also include membership on the Torture Claims Appeal Board and the Appeal Board Panel (Exemption of Regulated Products).
Alex is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators, an HKIAC and HKMAAL accredited mediator, and an Accredited NEC4 ECC Project Manager. He is a frequent speaker for the Hong Kong Institute of Architects on construction claims.