Professional Profile
Gregory Payne
Founder & Partner
Gregory Payne
Greg Payne is the Senior Partner and founder of Payne Velasco.
Greg has over 30 years’ experience practising law in Hong Kong. Throughout his legal career, Greg has specialised in litigation and dispute resolution. He has amassed substantial knowledge and experience in a broad range of litigation matters.
In the commercial litigation area, Greg focuses on helping victims of fraud recover their monies. Greg has considerable experience identifying, freezing and recovering monies that have been stolen through email fraud, romance fraud, internet fraud, sham investment schemes and fake stockbrokers, and employee fraud. Over the last decade:-
Greg and his team have advised several hundred victims of fraud with regards to the best approach to take to recover their funds;
Greg’s team has made successful recoveries for 32 victims of fraud;
Greg’s team has made 20 successful Norwich Pharmacal Order discovery applications against banks in Hong Kong, obtaining documents to help victims of fraud trace the location of their lost monies.
Proven Expertise and Case Successes
Works
The links for Judgments in fraud cases handled by Greg and his team are below:-
- Steve Jay Shire and Another v. Zhao Yanling [2024] HKDC 776
- Stephen Anthony Soyka v. Hang Xu Trading Co Ltd [2023] HKDC 957
- Music Holdings Property HK Ltd and Anor v Ooi Lean Choo (also known as Alsie Lau) [HCA 1945 of 2014]; Music Holdings Property HK Ltd and Anor v Larry Brendon Management Limited and Ors [HCA 2304 of 2014] [2020] HKCFI 1312
- Terence John Stott v Larks Trading Limited & Ors [HCA 17 OF 2019] [2019] HKCFI 1317
- Teresa Lynn Ruckelshausen v HK Topmatch Chemical Co Limited & Anor [DCCJ 1098 of 2018] [2018] HKDC 324
- Eduardo Rabinovich v Penghai (HK) Trade Co. Limited DCCJ 5603 of 2018 [2018] HKDC 1581
- Stichting Rijskmuseum Twenthe v Hang Seng Bank [HCMP 2152 of 2018] 2018 HKCFI 2831
In the matrimonial litigation area, Greg represents clients going through separation and divorce, in the Hong Kong Family Court. Greg concentrates on resolving the financial aspects of divorce and typically handles divorce cases involving high net worth individuals where there are disputes over family trusts; hidden assets; and dispositions or attempted dispositions of matrimonial assets to family members or close friends.
Greg has successfully represented wives whose husbands had attempted to hide assets – usually behind a family trust – to avoid their financial obligations. Greg’s experience in tracing money stolen through fraud is a particularly useful skill set when searching for monies hidden by an uncooperative spouse.
Greg endeavours to establish long-term relationships with clients. He is proud to have clients who have been with him since his arrival in Hong Kong, in 1993.
Greg is committed to Alternative Dispute Resolution as a practical alternative to Court proceedings and he has frequently represented clients in mediations. Greg is a HKIAC-accredited General Mediator.
Prior to founding Payne Velasco, Greg:-
- Graduated from the University of Adelaide with degrees in Law and Economics in 1991.
- Was an articled clerk at Mouldens – one of Australia’s oldest law firms.
- Served as an Associate to the Honourable Mr. Justice Perry of the Supreme Court of South Australia.
- Served as a Senior Government Counsel with the Civil Litigation Unit of the Department of Justice, Hong Kong.
- Was a partner at a well-known Hong Kong law firm with an excellent litigation reputation.
Legal Practice Admissions
Admitted to Practice in
- Hong Kong (1994)
- High Court of Australia (1994)
- South Australia (1992)
Professional Appointments and Roles
Appointments
- The Law Society of Hong Kong Standing Committee on Compliance (Past Member)
- The Law Society of Hong Kong Guidance Committee (Past Member)
- Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce Legal Committee (Past Member)
- Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Matrimonial Sub-committee (Past Member)
Legal Professional Memberships
Memberships
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
- Hong Kong Family Law Association
- Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Users’ Council
- Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Mediation Council
Hear From Our Satisfied Clients
Gregory Payne Success Stories
Our clients’ success is our success. Discover how we’ve helped businesses and individuals achieve their goals with our expert legal services. Their feedback reflects the quality and dedication we bring to every case.
Contact Us
Please contact us to arrange a confidential consultation with our experienced legal team. Initial meetings for matrimonial and fraud matters are offered at no charge, providing you with expert guidance from the outset.
