CPD Talk at Allied World Assurance Company — Tackling Tough Claimants: Practical Pre-Action Strategies
On 8 December 2025, Simon Wong and Gabriel Ho delivered a seminar on “Tackling Tough Claimants: Practical Pre-Action Strategies” at Allied World Assurance Company, which focused on the key considerations for insurers in deciding whether to contest or settle personal injury claims.
The seminar covered the approach towards handling difficult claimants, including indicators of genuine or fabricated accidents and how to identify them, evidence that can be helpful in assessing liability and quantum, as well as medical tests to detect malingering. The discussion also highlighted the different documents that insurers may ask for in the pre-action stage and potential cost implications for non-compliance with Practice Direction 18.1.
Simon Wong
“Simon is an exceptional lawyer and he is extremely thorough. His advice is always clear and practical, and he is definitely one of the leading senior juniors in this area.”
Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026, Commercial Disputes, Labour and Employment — Leading Juniors
Simon is a dual-qualified lawyer, called to the Hong Kong Bar in 2007 and the California Bar in 2020.
He specialises in personal injuries law, and has advised on numerous cases involving a wide range of matters, including catastrophic injury, workplace accidents, medical negligence, public liability claims, traffic accidents, and industrial disease. His experience representing both claimants and defendants – among them over 30 local and international insurance companies – has provided him with insight across the spectrum of litigation.
In addition to his litigation practice, Simon has been actively engaged in mediation since obtaining accreditation in 2008. He has mediated over 200 disputes involving diverse subject matter.
Simon served as a Deputy District Judge in 2025, and Deputy Adjudicator of the Labour Tribunal in 2024 and 2025, reflecting his ongoing commitment to public service and the administration of justice.
Visit Simon’s profile for further details.
Gabriel Ho
Gabriel joined Chambers in 2025 after completing his pupillage with Mr. Martin Hui SC, Mr. Eric Leung, Mr. Simon Wong, and Ms. Isabel Tam.
Prior to commencing pupillage, Gabriel was a Judicial Assistant at the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, where he assisted with a diverse range of appellate cases. He obtained his LLB from University College London and his PCLL from the University of Hong Kong. He represented both universities in external mooting competitions, including the International Maritime Law Arbitration Moot.
Gabriel is developing a broad practice. He has experience in matrimonial proceedings, company and commercial disputes, personal injury, public law, and unjust enrichment. He is fluent in English, Cantonese, and Putonghua.
Find out more from Gabriel’s profile.
This article was first published on 16 December 2025.
Disclaimer: This article does not constitute legal advice and seeks to set out the general principles of the law. Detailed advice should therefore be sought from a legal professional relating to the individual merits and facts of a particular case. The photographs which appear in this article are included for decorative purposes only and should not be taken as a depiction of any matter to which the case is related. The views and opinions expressed in this article/material are solely those of the members authoring it and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Denis Chang’s Chambers, or of any other member or members of Denis Chang’s Chambers.