Julia Charlton

Founder & Principal Partner

Charltons

Hong Kong, HK

Julia Charlton’s Biography

Julia Charlton is the Founder and Principal Partner at Charltons, a leading law firm in Hong Kong that focuses on corporate finance, securities, virtual assets, funds, and mergers and acquisitions.

Fluent in Mandarin and English, Julia has extensive knowledge of financial markets in both Hong Kong and the PRC. She advises Charltons’ clients on the regulations of the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEx) and provides them with advice in the areas of investment, M&A, securities law, capital markets, and private equity.

After being admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales in 1985, Julia was also admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 1987, in Ireland in 2006 and in BVI in 2013. She was also added to the Register of Legal Practitioners of Isle of Man in 2022 and admitted to Pitcairn Bar in 2023.

Julia is a member of several boards and committees in Hong Kong, most notably the Takeovers & Mergers Panel, the Takeovers Appeals Committee of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and the Listing Review Committee of the HKEx. She is also a Senior Fellow of the... Julia Charlton is the Founder and Principal Partner at Charltons, a leading law firm in Hong Kong that focuses on corporate finance, securities, virtual assets, funds, and mergers and acquisitions.

Fluent in Mandarin and English, Julia has extensive knowledge of financial markets in both Hong Kong and the PRC. She advises Charltons’ clients on the regulations of the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEx) and provides them with advice in the areas of investment, M&A, securities law, capital markets, and private equity.

After being admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales in 1985, Julia was also admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 1987, in Ireland in 2006 and in BVI in 2013. She was also added to the Register of Legal Practitioners of Isle of Man in 2022 and admitted to Pitcairn Bar in 2023.

Julia is a member of several boards and committees in Hong Kong, most notably the Takeovers & Mergers Panel, the Takeovers Appeals Committee of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and the Listing Review Committee of the HKEx. She is also a Senior Fellow of the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute, a member of the Working Party on Review of the Law Society’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, and Chairman of the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce.

Charltons was recognized as Jurisdictional Law Firm of the Year 2023 in Hong Kong by IFLR Asia-Pacific Awards. The firm was also recommended by Chambers Greater China Region in Corporate/M&A: Independent Hong Kong Firms in 2024; and by Legal 500 as a Leading Firm 2024 in four practice areas. AsiaLaw highly recommends Charltons in three categories including Corporate and M&A, Private equity and Investment funds. Charltons was shortlisted by AsiaLaw Awards as Hong Kong SAR Firm of the Year 2022/23 and named as the Most Outstanding Business 2022 by CORPHUB Top Service Awards. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Julia Charlton’s Newsfeed

Bloomberg

Will HK Regain Number One Spot as IPO Destination?

South China Morning Post

Hong Kong’s GEM board needs more radical reform as proposed changes fail to address IPO drought

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Julia Charlton’s Background

Charltons

Founder & Principal Partner

1998 - Present

Hong Kong, HK

Charltons is a leading boutique law firm that specialises in corporate finance. With offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, Charltons focuses on advising businesses on Hong Kong and PRC-related corporate finance matters.

Slaughter and May

Solicitor

1982 - 1990

Slaughter and May specialises in high profile business transactions. Their legal expertise ranges from mergers and acquisitions to Premier League football club deals. Julia worked in Slaughter & May's London office from 1982-1987, and in Hong Kong from 1987-1990.

Current Board Positions

Association of Hong Kong Capital Market Practitioners

Vice Chairman

2023 - Present

Hong Kong, HK

The Association of Hong Kong Capital Market Practitioners aims to restore the Hong Kong Capital Market to prominence on the world stage.

HKEX

Listing Review Committee

Hong Kong, HK

The Listing Review Committee of the HKEX acts as an independent body to assess the reviews and decisions made by the Listings Committee.

The Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong

Chairman

2021 - Present

Hong Kong, HK

The CCC in Hong Kong acts as the optimum platform for bringing together like-minded business people in Commonwealth communities with operations in Hong Kong to network and share information and insights.

Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce

Chairman

2021 - Present

The Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce (the CCC) is a membership organisation of businesses, individuals and others with Commonwealth interests and connections.

Securities and Futures Commission

Member | Takeovers and Mergers Panel & Takeovers Appeal Committee

Hong Kong, HK

The Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong is an independent statutory body that is responsible for overseeing the securities and futures markets.

Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute

Senior Fellow

Hong Kong, HK

The HKSI aims to set professional standards of excellence in Hong Kong’s financial services industry and contributes to maintaining Hong Kong’s status as a leading international financial centre.

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Previous Board Positions

Planning and Lands Branch Appeal Tribunal Panel

Chair

Dec 2018 - Nov 2021

Hong Kong, HK

The Appeal Tribunal Panel is constituted under section 48 of the Buildings Ordinance, Chapter 123 of the Laws of Hong Kong, for the purposes of hearing and determining an appeal.

The Hong Kong Institute of Directors

Deputy Chairman of the Standards and Ethics Committee

Hong Kong, HK

Julia formerly served as Deputy Chairman of the Standards and Ethics Committee of the Hong Kong Institute of Directors, a representative body for professional directors.

International Women's Forum Hong Kong

President

2018 - 2020

Hong Kong, HK

International Women's Forum is dedicated to promoting women as leaders across the world. The forum stands for worldwide equality and consists of over 7,000 dynamic female leaders from over 30 countries.

Eurocham Financial Services Business Council | FSBC

Chair

2016 - 2020

Hong Kong, HK

The Eurocham Financial Services Business Council is part of The European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. The Business Councils are central to all the Chamber’s activities in encouraging and supporting trade between Europe and Hong Kong.

International Women's Forum Hong Kong

Secretary

2016 - 2018

Hong Kong, HK

Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute

Member of the Education Committee

2015 - 2018

Hong Kong, HK

Julia was a member of the Education Committee of the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute.

HKEX

Member of the Listing Committee

2012 - 2018

Hong Kong, HK

Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute

Member of the Examinations Committee

2007 - 2014

Hong Kong, HK

Julia served as a member of the Examinations Committee of the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute.

Legalink

Chair of the Legalink Committee

2011 - 2013

Hong Kong, HK

Legalink is an international legal network of law firms with members in most of the world's main commercial centres. Julia served as Vice-Chair of the Legalink Committee from 2009 to 2011 and was appointed as Chair from 2011 to 2013.

International Women's Forum Hong Kong

Treasurer

2011 - 2013

Hong Kong, HK

Securities and Futures Commission

Member & Deputy Chairman of the Share Registrars Disciplinary Committee

2007 - 2013

Hong Kong, HK

The Share Registrars Disciplinary Committee hears and determines outcomes of disciplinary hearings relating to share registrars.

Friends of LSE Hong Kong

Treasurer

2006 - 2013

Hong Kong, HK

Friends of LSE in Hong Kong is one of the most active overseas alumni groups and try to organise at least one event a month.

Hong Kong Law Society

Member of the Securities Law Committee

1993 - 2011

Hong Kong, HK

The Law Society of Hong Kong is the professional membership association for solicitors in Hong Kong. Julia was a member of the Securities Law Committee until 2011.

Hong Kong Inland Revenue Board of Review

Board Member

2005 - 2008

Hong Kong, HK

The Board of Review is an independent statutory body under the Inland Revenue Ordinance that hears and determines tax appeals.

Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute

Member of the Editorial Committee

Hong Kong, HK

Julia previously served on the Editorial Committee of the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute

The Hong Kong Institute of Directors

Member of the Committee on Publishing of Guidelines on Corporate Governance for SMEs

2003 - 2003

Hong Kong, HK

The HKIOD is Hong Kong's representative body for professional directors.

Shandong Infrastructure Company Limited

Non-Executive Director

1999 - 2001

Shanghai, CN

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Media

Charltons

News & Events

Hong Kong, HK

Click on the link to view the latest news and events at Charltons, including all webinars presented by Julia Charlton.

Bloomberg TV: The China Show

Video interview

Jun 2024

Julia took part in a debate on Bloomberg TV discussing how Hong Kong can regain its standing as a top IPO Destination. Julia's contributions begin 1:55 into the segment.

Interviews

Legalink Interview Series: Julia Charlton

Sep 2016

Hong Kong, HK

Julia discusses her current role in the practice of law, new developments and changes in her firm, and the future of Legalink.

Publications

Hong Kong Listed Companies: Law & Practice 2nd Edition

Author

Sep 2022

Making inroads into good Corporate Governance and ESG management

Author

Dec 2020

Julia was the author of the chapter on ESG for HKEX listed companies.

Memberships

The Bulgakov Society

President

Hong Kong, HK

The Bulgakov Society was established in 2019 and focuses on the life and work of Mikhail Bulgakov (1891–1940). The society is a non-profit making organisation and attracts members from all over the world.

Hong Kong Law Society

Member, Company Law Committee

Hong Kong, HK

The Law Society of Hong Kong was established in 1907 and is the professional body for solicitors in Hong Kong.

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Awards & Recognition

Legal 500 Asia Pacific Rankings 2025

Highly Recommended

Hong Kong, HK

Julia Charlton has been highly recommended in the 2025 Legal 500 Asia Pacific rankings in Banking and Finance; Corporate (including M&A); and Commercial, Corporate and M&A: Independent Hong Kong Law Firms.

Women in Business Law Awards 2023

Winner: Hong Kong SAR Firm of the Year

Sep 2023

Singapore, SG

Women in Business Law Awards 2023

Shortlisted: “Banking & Finance Lawyer of the Year”, “Equity Capital Markets Lawyer of the Year”, “Financial Regulation Lawyer of the Year”

Sep 2023

Singapore, SG

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific

Honoree

Feb 2023

Julia Charlton is regarded among “Leading Individuals 2023” and “Recommended Lawyers 2023” in “Commercial, corporate and M&A: independent Hong Kong law firms” (TIER2), and also regarded among “Recommended lawyers 2023” in “Corporate (including M&A)” (TIER6).

IFLR 1000

Highly regarded

2023

Julia is highly regarded as a lawyer in Capital Markets: Equity, M&A.

Chambers and Partners

Band 2

2023

Julia is ranked in Band 2 (Corporate/M&A: Greater China Region 2023).

Asialaw Awards

Elite Practitioner

2023

Julia is named as an Elite Practitioner in Capital Markets and Corporate/M&A.

Asian Legal Business Women in Law Awards

Finalist: Dealmaker of the Year

2023

Julia Charlton is a finalist for the "Dealmaker of the Year" Award.

Asian Legal Business Women in Law Awards

Finalist for "Woman Lawyer of the Year" and "Managing Partner of the Year"

2023

Julia Charlton is a finalist for the “Woman Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)” and the “Managing Partner of the Year” awards.

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Training & Management Courses

FT Non-Executive Director Diploma

The FT Non-Executive Director Diploma is a formally accredited qualification at the postgraduate level, available in the UK and Asia. It is designed for both current and aspiring non-executive directors.