A semiconductor switching circuit , for use in a HVDC power converter comprising stray capacitance, the semiconductor switching circuit , comprising: a main current branch (74; 92) including at least one main semiconductor switching element and through which current flows in a first direction (D 1 ) when the or each main semiconductor switching element is switched on; and an auxiliary current branch (76; 104) connected in parallel with the main current branch (74; 92) and the or each main semiconductor switching element included therein, the auxiliary current branch (76; 104) including at least one auxiliary semiconductor switching element , the or each auxiliary semiconductor switching element having a control unit operatively connected therewith, the or each control unit being configured to switch on the or each auxiliary semiconductor switching element in the auxiliary current branch (76; 104) when the or each main semiconductor switching element is switched on to selectively create an alternative current path (32; 108) via the auxiliary current branch (76; 104), whereby current flowing in the first direction (D 1 ) through the main current branch (74; 92) is diverted to flow through the alternative current path (32; 108) to reduce the rate of change of discharge current flowing through the or each main semiconductor switching element when the or each said main semiconductor switching element is switched on, wherein the or each control unit is configured to switch on the or each auxiliary semiconductor switching element in response to generation of a turn-on signal for the or each main semiconductor switching element , such that the or each auxiliary semiconductor switching element is switched on before or at the same time than the at least one main semiconductor switching element , wherein the auxiliary current branch (76; 104) includes a current limiting element connected in series with the or each auxiliary semiconductor switching element . a main current branch (74; 92) including at least one main semiconductor switching element and through which current flows in a first direction (D 1 ) when the or each main semiconductor switching element is switched on; and an auxiliary current branch (76; 104) connected in parallel with the main current branch (74; 92) and the or each main semiconductor switching element included therein, the auxiliary current branch (76; 104) including at least one auxiliary semiconductor switching element , the or each auxiliary semiconductor switching element having a control unit operatively connected therewith, the or each control unit being configured to switch on the or each auxiliary semiconductor switching element in the auxiliary current branch (76; 104) when the or each main semiconductor switching element is switched on to selectively create an alternative current path (32; 108) via the auxiliary current branch (76; 104), whereby current flowing in the first direction (D 1 ) through the main current branch (74; 92) is diverted to flow through the alternative current path (32; 108) to reduce the rate of change of discharge current flowing through the or each main semiconductor switching element when the or each said main semiconductor switching element is switched on, wherein the or each control unit is configured to switch on the or each auxiliary semiconductor switching element in response to generation of a turn-on signal for the or each main semiconductor switching element , such that the or each auxiliary semiconductor switching element is switched on before or at the same time than the at least one main semiconductor switching element , wherein the auxiliary current branch (76; 104) includes a current limiting element connected in series with the or each auxiliary semiconductor switching element . <EOS>