International Arbitration

Our Cross Border Strength

With a multinational and multi-linguistic team with deep international experience and in many instances, qualifications from multiple jurisdictions, we consistently deliver results for our clients across the world. We are regularly involved in disputes not only in Singapore but also in New York, England, France, Hong Kong and China. We are adept handling disputes governed by the laws of any jurisdiction.

Our formidable network across the region further anchors our international experience. As the largest firm in Southeast Asia, we are able to coordinate multi-national disputes and draw upon the local knowledge of our colleagues in Asia where necessary.

Unique for an Asian firm, we offer a dedicated core of international advocates in the arbitration practice. Our capabilities include:

International commercial arbitrations
Investor-State arbitrations
Applications for arbitration-related court proceedings

International Commercial Arbitrations

Our specialist advocates are able to offer timely advice in disputes under almost any institutional or ad hoc arbitration. Our lawyers have extensive experience gained from other leading international firms, barristers’ chambers and as clerks before international courts and arbitral institutions.

We have handled arbitrations in every shape and form. These include billion-dollar disputes over steel plants in the Philippines, power infrastructure in Malaysia; oil fields in Libya and Sudan to drill ships and oilrigs in Singapore. We have arbitrated on Base transmission telecommunications systems in Indonesia; power plants in china to the largest coal mine in Indonesia; from submarine telecommunication cables connecting China to the United States; from Pan Asian vehicular franchises to car Distribution agreements in Singapore; long term management contracts in Indonesia to hospitality resort projects in India. We have been involved in land reclamation projects to billion dollar port disputes and other complex cross border commercial and construction related arbitration disputes involving multiple laws in multiple jurisdictions.

Our practice is also supported by various specialist practices within the firm. We are thus able to provide expert knowledge in a wide range of disputes, including:

Corporate and Commercial matters, including complex cross-border joint venture and shareholder disputes, banking, finance, insurance, regulatory, distributorship and employment disputes;
Oil and Gas (upstream and downstream);
Healthcare and Cosmetics;
Energy and Resources including power stations, power purchase and connection agreements;
Telecommunications Networks, infrastructure and sales;
Infrastructure and Civil Engineering projects such as airports, railways, ports, highways, suspension bridges, tunnels and sewerage systems;
Building projects including residential, industrial, mixed-development and commercial building projects; and
Maritime and Shipbuilding Contracts

Investor-State Arbitrations

Our lawyers have extensive experience representing both States and investors in relation to their rights and obligations under investment treaties and free trade agreements. Our lawyers have also been appointed arbitrators in investment arbitrations and have been involved in UNCITRAL working group sessions on topics of investment arbitration. In the 2015 edition of Chambers Asia-Pacific, we were recognised for our “core expertise” in public international law and “respected” for conducting disputes involving bilateral investment treaty issues.

At the transactional stage, we are able to combine strengths with our regulatory and competition practices to provide holistic advice in relation to investments into specific jurisdictions. We are also able to draw on the local knowledge of each of our offices and affiliates particularly in Asia to guide both investors and States. In addition, we have been consulted on and are able to advise on the drafting and negotiation of treaties.

At the disputes stage, our lawyers have specialist knowledge in public international law and the investment arbitration process.

Applications for Arbitration-related Court Proceedings

In addition to handling the arbitration itself, our team is regularly briefed to appear before the courts on a variety of arbitration-related litigation, including stays, injunctions, interim measures, and challenges to enforcement or setting-aside applications. We also have local law capabilities in each of our regional offices and are able to coordinate similar strategies on behalf of our clients.

Although we are often called upon to lead arbitrations and court applications, we are equally also regularly instructed to co-counsel or lend support on other matters.

Recognition

World's Top 100 International Arbitration Practices

Global Arbitration Review (2023)
"...fields a diverse practice that includes business rehabilitation cases, shareholder disputes alongside a broader range of commercial litigation and arbitration issues.”

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2024)

“...fields a diverse practice that includes business rehabilitation cases, shareholder disputes alongside a broader range of commercial litigation and arbitration issues.”

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024