The Society of Construction Law Ben Bury speaks with Martin Downey of HFW as a continuation of our fireside chat series. In this episode, Ben explores the journey that took Martin from South Wales to Hong Kong in 1985 and into some of the region’s most influential construction disputes. Martin discusses landmark cases including the Asia Construction Crown arbitration, Shimizu Corporation v Attorney General, and the Stonecutters Bridge dispute, sharing practical lessons on arbitrator selection, global claims, limitation and economic loss. Beyond construction, he reflects on a long‑running Hong Kong probate dispute, his views on arbitration transparency, and his decades of contribution through teaching, university governance and pro bono work supporting at‑risk youth. Enjoy !