Jocelyn Heng named managing counsel at HKIAC
28 January 2026
Jocelyn Heng has been named managing counsel at the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC). She will begin her role on January 12, 2026.
Heng is a Canadian national and a dual-qualified lawyer in Hong Kong and England & Wales. She brings over a decade of experience in international arbitration and commercial litigation to HKIAC. Heng joins HKIAC from her role as a senior associate at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, where she advised clients across diverse sectors such as cryptocurrency, financial services, telecommunications, consumer goods and construction. She has managed arbitration cases seated in multiple jurisdictions, with notable experience handling complex cross-border disputes under HKIAC’s rules. Heng is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese, and obtained her LLB degree and Postgraduate Certificate in Laws from the University of Hong Kong.
In her new role at HKIAC, she will lead the arbitration team and oversee case management, as well as develop and support initiatives to strengthen stakeholder engagement worldwide.
“I am honoured to join HKIAC as managing counsel at a time when Hong Kong is a leading global arbitration hub,” Heng said. “I look forward to working closely with the secretariat team, practitioners, and users worldwide to support HKIAC’s mission and contribute to its continued leadership as a premier arbitral institution.”
HKIAC also appointed Xi Zhang as head of China relations, effective from January 1, 2026.
Zhang joined HKIAC as chief representative of the Beijing Representative Office in October 2024. Since opening, the Beijing Representative Office has been actively involved in more than 40 events and training programmes, supporting HKIAC’s strategic initiatives and engagement efforts in mainland China. In her new role as head of China relations, Zhang will lead HKIAC’s activities in mainland China and continue to strengthen collaboration between the international arbitration communities in mainland China and globally. She will focus on deepening engagement with users and key stakeholders, enhancing service coordination and user experience, and further consolidating HKIAC’s presence and outreach across China.
HKIAC also appointed Kelly Ip as business development director, effective from January 1, 2026. Ip joined HKIAC as deputy business development director in April 2025, overseeing the development and execution of HKIAC’s business development and marketing strategies. During this time, she successfully delivered Hong Kong Arbitration Week 2025 and a series of initiatives to celebrate HKIAC’s 40th Anniversary.
