Leon Chua

Partner

Corporate & Commercial, Capital Markets, Public Law, Dispute Resolution, Employment

Leon Chua is a partner at Duan & Duan UK LLP specialising in corporate and commercial law with a particular focus on cross-border transactions between the UK and Asia. Admitted as a solicitor in 2010, he brings a distinctive combination of transactional expertise and contentious experience that enables him to structure deals with litigation risk firmly in mind.

Corporate and Commercial

Leon advises on complex corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate restructurings, and shareholders’ agreements. He has significant experience in capital markets work, including advising on IPOs and conducting due diligence for listings on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX), the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE), the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE), and the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE). His cross-border practice spans corporate finance, franchising arrangements, and advising both overseas and UK-based clients on establishing and expanding their business operations. He regularly advises on corporate governance frameworks, commercial contracts, and regulatory compliance.

Public Law

Leon has developed a significant public law practice, acting in claims against statutory regulators and government bodies under the Human Rights Act 1998 and by way of judicial review.

In Security Industry Authority v Josoemag Services Ltd [2025] EWHC 1381 (KB), Leon acted as solicitor for the successful respondents in a claim against the Security Industry Authority involving alleged breaches of Articles 6, 8, and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Article 1 of Protocol 1. The case concerned the regulator’s exercise of its investigatory and licensing powers, which the respondents contended were disproportionate and discriminatory. The High Court (Mr Justice Kerr) dismissed the SIA’s appeal and, in doing so, developed the law on the interaction between CPR 17.4 and the flexible limitation period under section 7(5) of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Leon also acted in Wang v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2021] EWCA Civ 679; [2023] UKSC 21, a judicial review that reached the Supreme Court. The case raised important questions on the proper approach to immigration decision-making and the scope of appellate review.

Dispute Resolution

Leon’s contentious experience is a distinguishing feature of his practice. It informs his approach to transactional and advisory work, allowing him to identify and mitigate potential areas of conflict at the drafting stage. His experience spans both private disputes and challenges to public body decision-making, including Lee Ling Low v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2010] EWCA Civ 4.

Employment

Leon advises employers, employees, and senior executives on a broad range of employment law matters, including service agreements, restrictive covenants, settlement agreements, and workplace disputes. His corporate practice gives him particular insight into the employment aspects of business transactions, including TUPE transfers, redundancy programmes, and post-acquisition workforce integration.

Qualifications

Admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales, 2010