Leading firms in Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration

Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance has vast reach across the region, with offices across China, Hong Kong, Australia and Singapore, advising on complex international law issues across all sectors. The firm has a range of experienced practitioners across all offices in the region. Nish Shetty is dual-qualified in England and Singapore, and leads the Singapore practice alongside Paul Sandosham, who brings vast energy expertise to the wider team. In greater China, the firm has one of the pre-eminent international arbitration offerings, conducting arbitrations in both Mandarin Chinese and English. Hong-Kong based Thomas Walsh leads the practice in that region – with experience of sitting as an arbitrator under all major rules, including the HKIAC, ICC, and SIAC – alongside Shanghai-based Lei Shi, who frequently represents mainland Chinese financial instutions. In Australia, the firm has practitioners working out of Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne, frequently conducting arbitrations in English, French, Spanish, and Chinese. Sam Lutrell and Cameron Hassall are key names in the Perth and Sydney offices, with Spencer Flay in the former bringing extensive strength regarding construction work.

Work highlights


Herbert Smith Freehills

In Greater China, Herbert Smith Freehills has a presence spanning Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai, with a practice handling complex SIAC and HKIAC cases. Private equity and funds related arbitrations, alongside expertise in energy, infrastructure, TMT, and pharmaceutical sectors are all key areas of focus of the practice. Simon Chapman KC leads the practice based in Hong Kong, with global CEO Justin D’Agostino, May Tai, and Kathryn Sanger all key names in the jurisdiction. In Australia, Melbourne-based Chad Catterwell is a specialist in cross-border disputes, and heads the arbitration practice. Key arbitration practitioners operating out of the Singapore office include Alastair Henderson, Tomas Furlong, and Gitta Satryani. The experience of the practice across the ASEAN region is expanded by the network of offices across Bangkok, Kuala Lumper, and Jakarta, with Chinnawat Thongpakdee and Warathorn Wongsawangsiri both leading the team in Thailand, and Debby Sulaiman a key contact at the firm's Indonesian affiliate.

Work highlights


Allen & Overy

Allen & Overy has an extensive network of specialists focusing on international arbitration, with offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, and Perth. Investment treaty arbitration is a key strength of the practice that advises major international clients. Joanne Lau leads the Hong Kong-based team with multi-jurisdictional experience, with Matthew Hodgson splitting his time between Hong Kong and London offices, and bringing vast experience of disputes linked to major natural resources. In Singapore, Sheila Ahuja advises multinational corporations on commercial and investor-state arbitrations, with Christopher Mainwaring-Taylor lending energy, natural resources, and infrastructure-linked disputes knowledge to the practice. Perth-based Mark Van Brakel specialises in major contract, joint venture, engineering, and project disputes, and works closely with colleagues from the firm’s other regional offices.

Work highlights


Baker McKenzie

Offices of Baker McKenzie handle complex commercial and IP arbitrations, focusing on Mainland China-related disputes in the firm’s Hong Kong office. The firm has prominent offices in Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and is highly active in Indonesia, representing high-profile clients in domestic and international arbitration across all offices. The department contains a number of talented individuals, with Gary Seib and Philipp Hanusch integral to the Hong Kong office, and Nandakumar Ponniya  and Ashish Chugh noted within the Singapore team. Thailand-based Wynn Pakdeejit has extensive experience in international litigation, while Andi Kadir sits as the co-chairman of the arbitration and ADR commission of ICC Indonesia.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer represents major global energy companies, leading private equity houses, and household name automotive and consumer goods companies in arbitrations spanning oil and gas, energy, international trade, and financial services. Investor-state disputes are a strength of the practice, frequently acting for both investors and states in high-profile disputes. The department is strong across much of Asia, acting routinely on arbitration mandates involving South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and ASEAN. Singapore-based Nicholas Lingard leads the international arbitration team in Asia, and has extensive knowledge in commercial, investor-state, and construction arbitration, advising multi-nationals in high-stakes commercial disputes. Samantha Tan, also based in the Singapore office, has deep expertise in commercial and investor-state arbitration, representing governments, multinationals, and high-net-worth individuals in complex disputes. In Hong Kong, John Choong is a key name.

Practice head(s):

Nicholas Lingard


Other key lawyers:

Samantha Tan; John Choong


Work highlights


Hogan Lovells

Specialist international arbitration practitioners form the practice at Hogan Lovells, that acts on ultra-high-value cases across a wide range of jurisdictions across the region. The firm has a presence in Singapore, where Kent Phillips has extensive advocacy experience and is a senior figure in the domestic arbitration community. In the same office, dual-qualified senior associate Shi Jin Chia is a key name. Indonesia is another area of focus for the firm, with managing partner Chalid Heyder leading the practice alongside Teguh Darmawan representing clients in BANI, SIAC, and ICC proceedings.

Other key lawyers:

Kent Phillips; Shi Jin Chia; Chalid Heyder; Teguh Darmawan


Work highlights


King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons has an impressive presence across the region, with a depth of international arbitration expertise across Hong Kong and China. The department is well reputed for its capability handling construction cases, and disputes spanning the mining, energy, pharmaceutical, and technology spaces. Paul Starr acts as the head of the firm’s global arbitration practice, an arbitrator at HKIAC, CIETAC, SHIAC, and SCIA. Based across the Hong Kong and Beijing office, Jessica Fei is a key name in the practice, with expertise in large-scale international arbitration. In the Sydney office, Edwina Kwan leads the team that is adept at handling climate-based arbitrations and China-related disputes, with Peter Pether also playing a key role. In Singapore, the local presence has been strengthened in recent years by the arrival of Amanda Lees, who leads the team that handles investment treaty arbitration and enforcement matters.

Practice head(s):

Paul Starr


Other key lawyers:

Jessica Fei; Edwina Kwan; Peter Pether; Amanda Lees


Work highlights


Allen & Gledhill LLP

Allen & Gledhill LLP has expertise in arbitrations linked to infrastructure, energy, construction, and engineering work, frequently handling multijurisdictional disputes. Practitioners within the team have extensive experience appearing in front of the SIAC and Asian International Arbitration Centre in Kuala Lumpur. The firm has a network of offices across Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, and China – with a particularly impressive bench strength in the firm's home city of Singapore – and works closely with specialist departments within the firm including an eminent fintech practice. Singapore-based Andrew Yeo and William Ong lead the practice that notably includes Stanley Lai SC, head of the intellectual property practice at the firm, Dinesh Dhillon, co-head of the international arbitration practice, and Vincent Leow, whose practice centres on complex banking, employment, and shareholder disputes.

Other key lawyers:

Andrew Yeo; William Ong; Stanley Lai SC: Dinesh Dhillion; Vincent Leow


Ashurst

Ashurst LLP regularly undertakes high-value mandates across the APAC region, frequently using experience in financial and M&A disputes and LNG pricing matters in their Singapore office. Leading the team in this jurisdiction is Rob Palmer, with Michael Weatherley playing a key role in the team. The department has notable strength in Australia, where the construction, infrastructure, energy, and natural resources sectors are all strengths of the wide-reaching practice, with offices in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Canberra. Sydney-based Georgia Quick leads the practice alongside Jeremy Chenoweth, who splits his between the Brisbane and Sydney offices. Internationally, Bill Smith lends expertise in the Middle East and North Africa to the practice - he divides his time between Sydney and Dubai.

Work highlights


Clyde & Co Clasis Singapore

Clyde & Co LLP has offices across Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia, working for clients across sectors on complex arbitration matters. Large, multijurisdictional disputes across insurance and projects are key areas, as well as litigation surrounding the enforcement of awards. Based in Singapore, Prakash Pillai has vast international commercial arbitration experience, with a particular focus on disputes arising out of South and Southeast Asia. Leon Alexander is another key name, with a practice focusing on advising commodities, energy, and shipping clients. Noted practitioners include Ik Wei Chong, Eugene Tan, and Andrew Bicknell. Operating out of the Hong Kong office, Simon McConnell has extensive experience in matters involving directors and officers, financial institutions, and professional indemnity.

Other key lawyers:

Prakash Pillai; Leon Alexander; Ik Wei Chong; Eugene Tan; Andrew Bicknell; Simon McConnell; Matthew Lam


CMS

CMS is lauded for its geographical reach, regularly advising on complex arbitrations in the energy, infrastructure, technology, insurance, and life science sectors. The firm acts on high-value disputes, and are recognised for their local law capabilities across the region, with the firm’s South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, and Sri Lanka desks led out of the Singapore office. Lakshanthi Fernando leads the practice that includes construction specialists Kelvin Aw and Lynette Chew, who are also key to the team. Based in Hong Kong, Nicolas Wiegand has extensive experience handling matters under major arbitration rules, including the ICC and HKIAC.

Other key lawyers:

Lakshanthi Fernando; Kelvin Aw; Lynette Chew; Nicolas Wiegand


Work highlights


Dentons

Dentons Hong Kong has impressive strength across the region, with the practice in Singapore led by Herman Jeremiah yielding expertise in SIAC, LCC, and LCIA arbitrations, as well as shareholder and joint venture disputes. Lawrence Teh is the second head of the Singapore-based team, acting as an arbitrator in international disputes. In Hong Kong, Keith Brandt leads the disputes team, that has experience advising Chinese and international parties engaged in arbitration. Robert Rhoda and Richard Keady are key names in the practice, both based in Hong Kong.

Other key lawyers:

Lawrence Teh; Keith Brandt; Robert Rhoda; Richard Keady


Work highlights


DLA Piper

DLA Piper has a broad international arbitration practice across the Asia Pacific region, acting on high-value and complex arbitrations. Practitioners within the team are experienced at representing large Indonesian clients, alongside a developed India practice, in addition to strength in Australia. Sydney-based Gitanjali Bajaj  leads the team alongside Cameron Maclean, acting out of the firm’s Perth office. Bajaj has a wealth of experience in intricate cross-border disputes in the renewable oil and gas, defence, construction, and infrastructure sectors. Richard Edwards is also integral to the team, co-leading the firm’s global construction disputes practice.

Other key lawyers:

Gitanjali Bajaj; Cameron Maclean; Richard Edwards


Work highlights


Drew & Napier LLC

Drew & Napier LLC  has experience in international commercial arbitrations and investment treaty arbitrations, acting frequently for both states and investors. The team benefits from lawyers specialising in specific industry sectors, including construction and infrastructure, energy, insurance, financ , and corporate joint ventures. Based in Singapore, Cavinder Bull SC , Randolph Khoo, and Siraj Omar SC lead the practice that frequently represents a range of regional and global businesses. Noted practitioners include Jimmy Yim SC, Kelvin Tan, and Blossom Hing.

Practice head(s):

Cavinder Bull SC; Randolph Khoo; Siraj Omar SC


Other key lawyers:

Jimmy Yim SC; Kelvin Tan; Blossom Hing


Key clients

Altair Capital


China National Petroleum Company


DL E&C (formerly known as Daelim Industrial Company Ltd)


Dragages Singapore Pte Ltd


Far East Organization Pte Ltd


Goldbell Engineering Pte Ltd


Government of Laos


Great Eastern General Insurance Limited


Hin Leong Trading Pte Ltd


Indorama Holdings B.V.


Intercontinental Hotels Group


Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation


SATS Ltd


TWG Tea Pte Ltd


Visa


 


Work highlights


  • Successfully defended DL E&C in a dispute concerning an aborted L+EPC contract for the construction of a petrochemical plant – Daelim was found to be only liable for less than US$7,000 in damages and interest.
  • Representing a Chinese government-backed company in a dispute over a coal-fired power plant in India, winning US$146m in damages.
  • Acting for a leading agribusiness in Asia in a matter relating to a joint venture to carry out business based in Myanmar.

Fangda Partners

The Hong Kong-based international arbitration practice at Fangda Partners has experience in commercial and investment disputes, often acting for Chinese entities. The team works closely with the firm’s mainland Chinese headquarters. A solicitor dual-qualified in England and Wales and Hong Kong, Peter Yuen sits at the helm of the practice, handling international and regional arbitration. In the field of investment treaty arbitration, both in Asia, and at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Olga Boltenko (who is qualified in both Russia and as a Hong Kong solicitor) has vast expertise. Andrew Skudder‘s practice revolves around commercial arbitration, acting on disputes across the construction, shipping, technology, and transport sectors.

Other key lawyers:

Peter Yuen; Olga Boltenko


Work highlights


Kim & Chang

Kim & Chang has vast international arbitration capabilities, acting on a wide range of complex international disputes. ESG, as well as blockchain and crypto disputes are a key strength of the practice, along with investor-state disputes, a space in which the firm represents both governments and investors. The firm has offices, directly or through affiliates, in Seoul, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Indonesia, allowing for an offering spanning the region. Based in Seoul, Byung-Chol Yoon acts as chair of the international arbitration and litigation practice. Sae Youn Kim, Joel Richardson, Dong-Seok (Johan) Oh, and Byung-Woo Im are all key names within the team.

Practice head(s):

Byung-Chol Yoon


Other key lawyers:

Sae Youn Kim; Joel Richardson; Dong-Seok (Johan) Oh


Work highlights


Mayer Brown

Mayer Brown has international arbitration practices spanning the region, notably with extensive experience in Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul. Energy sector knowledge is a particular strength of the team, with LNG sector disputes, oil & gas, energy-related commodities, and renewable power all falling under the remit of practitioners within the team. Also of note is the work the team undertakes related to the Asian infrastructure sector, along with financial disputes and insurance disputes practices. In the Hong Kong office, Menachem Hasofer and Geoffrey Chan lead the team, with Terence Tung acting as head of the China arbitration practice. Based in Singapore, Yu-Jin Tay is the head of the practice, with Kay-Jannes Wegner, Paul Teo, and Kate Apostolova all key names.

Practice head(s):

Menachem Hasofer; Yu-Jin Tay; Geoffrey Chan


Other key lawyers:

Terence Tung; Kay-Jannes Wegner; Paul Teo; Kate Apostolova


Work highlights


  • Secured a major victory for a leading Asian trader in an LNG-related dispute against its upstream LNG seller – among other issues, the dispute related to contested issues of Force Majeure invoked by the LNG seller as a result of a force majeure event in the US.
  • Representing Hong Kong company Junefield Gold Investments Limited in an investment treaty claim against the Ecuadorian government arising out of the taking of its concession rights in a gold and silver mine in the country.

Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright includes lawyers who handle multijurisdictional complex disputes, with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia. The practice regularly acts for domestic and multinational corporates, professional advisors and financial institutions, and acts on commercial disputes involving joint venture and shareholder agreements. In Hong Kong, Alfred Wu and Camille Jojo lead the team, acting on a wide range of banking, shareholder, and commercial disputes. Based in Singapore, Katie Chung  leads the practice, with Dylan McKimmie operating out of the firm’s offices in Brisbane and Perth.

Pinsent Masons

Pinsent Masons leverages its international arbitration capabilities across Singapore, Hong Kong, and mainland China to act on complex, often multijurisdictional, disputes linked to commercial and financial-related transactions. Based in Hong Kong, Alvin Ho leads the practice, with a focus on representing contractors and Chinese state-owned enterprises in high-profile arbitrations linked to large scale infrastructure projects. Also in the firm’s Hong Kong office, Dean Lewis and Nicholas Turner are key names, both heralding extensive expertise in infrastructure-related arbitrations. In Singapore, Sam Boyling leads the department, acting on high-value projects across the power, oil and gas, transport, and mining sectors. Noted practitioners within the Singapore office include Mohan Pillay, Chen Han Toh, and Frédéric Gillion.

Practice head(s):

Alvin Ho; Sam Boyling


Other key lawyers:

Dean Lewis; Nicholas Turner; Mohan Pillay; Chen Han Toh; Frédéric Gillion


Key clients

Maeda-China State JV


Strabag International Gmbh


Razel-Bec


Petrofac International (UAE) LLC


Work highlights


  • Acted for a major Chinese contractor in a Singapore seated SIAC arbitration and related court proceedings arising out of substantial delay damages, variation claims, and a performance bond call on a combined cycle power plant project in Pakistan.

Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP

Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP is commended for its ‘unique blend of experience, strategy, and a genuine willingness to listen and consult with clients‘ with a wide-ranging practice experienced in commercial arbitrations, investor-state arbitrations, infrastructure disputes, and international arbitration-related court litigation. The practice is adept at acting on multi-jurisdictional arbitration matters across the ASEAN region. The practice is led by a range of impressive individuals, with Kelvin Poon SC and Avinash Pradhan both Singapore-based, and Eri Hertiawan and Simon Barrie Sasmoyo leading the Indonesia practice. Ben Dominic Yap and Surasak Vajasit lend their expertise to the ‘results driven, and quick on their feet‘ team, acting out of Philippines and Thailand respectively. In Vietnam, Chau Huy Quang and Logan Leung are key names.

Practice head(s):

Kelvin Poon, SC; Avinash Pradhan; Eri Hertiawan; Simon Barrie Sasmoyo; Ben Dominic R. Yap; Surasak Vajasit; Chau Huy Quang; Logan Leung


Other key lawyers:

Andre Yeap; Devathas Satianathan


Testimonials

‘This practice is unique primarily due to the team’s robust experience and thoughtful strategy, aligned specifically with their client’s risk appetite. Unlike other firms that may insist on a rigid approach, this practice puts the client’s needs and concerns at the forefront, ensuring a customized strategy that resonates with the client’s comfort and expectations.’

‘Compared to other firms, this practice stands out for its unique blend of experience, strategy, and a genuine willingness to listen and consult with clients before making decisions.’

‘What makes the individuals we work with at this firm stand out is a combination of experience, strategic thinking, and a genuine commitment to our needs and concerns. Two key individuals that exemplify these qualities are Andre Yeap and Devathas Satianathan.’

‘Andre Yeap, a Senior Counsel and a household name in the field, has been instrumental in guiding us to favourable results. Andre’s approach is centered around effectiveness and cost-saving. His vast experience and willingness to listen to our concerns have made him invaluable to us, differentiating him from others in the industry. His reputation truly stands as a testament to his capabilities.’

Devathas Satianathan has also been exceptional, particularly in his ability to quickly grasp the intricacies of our case. His skill in connecting events and identifying chains of events that we might have overlooked has proven vital. His agile thinking and understanding of the case have been qualities we have deeply valued.

‘Rajah and Tann differentiates itself by its multidimensional approach. By seamlessly merging legal expertise with an understanding of business dynamics, the practice offers solutions that are both legally sound and strategically robust’ 

‘Results driven, and quick on their feet. ’

‘Avinash Pradhan is commercial and assists clients to attain best results. ’

Key clients

The Republic of the Philippines


Vedanta Limited


National Bank of Fujairah


Roberto 16 Pte Ltd (Owners of “Di Matteo”) and the Standard P&I Club (as the shipowner’s P & I insurer)


Hilton Group


Phnom Penh SEZ Plc


FIMBank plc


National Oilwell Varco Norway AS


Shinhan Bank


York International Pte Ltd


Work highlights


  • Represented the Filipino government in an ICC arbitration against Chevron and Shell concerning their income tax liability.
  • Representing Vedanta in two matters relating to a Singapore-seated treaty arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules arising from its claims, which are valued in excess of US$3n, against India under the United Kingdom-India BIT.
  • Acting in a dispute with a foreign investor over gaming interests in a Southeast Asian country, concerning an alleged wrongful deprivation of profits stemming from those interests.

Reed Smith LLP

Reed Smith LLP  is adept at handling disputes in the investment and energy sectors, with expertise in domestic and international arbitrations. In Singapore, the firm has a formal law alliance with Resource Law LLC, giving the firm abilities to handle arbitration-related matters in the Singaporean courts - Kyri Evagora is a key name in that office, leading the practice alongside Timothy Cooke. In Hong Kong, Lianjun Li and Asha Sharma head the team, with expertise advising Chinese and multinational corporates across a wide range of matters.

Work highlights


Sidley Austin

Sidley Austin has impressive capabilities across the region, with practitioners working in offices in Hong Kong and Singapore on high-value, cross-border mandates. The firm is particularly skilled at bringing in colleagues from other industry groups, including life sciences, restructuring and finance to act on complex multi-disciplinary arbitrations. Splitting his time between Singapore and New York, Tai-Heng Cheng is the co-head of the international arbitration and trade practice, frequently advising companies, boards, and governments on business-related disputes. Friven Yeoh leads the international arbitration practice in Asia, working out of the firm’s Hong Kong and Singapore offices, advising clients on high-value investment disputes. Also in Hong Kong, Desmond Ang and Yan Zhang are key names, with Jennifer Lim playing a key role in the Singapore team.

Practice head(s):

Tai-Heng Cheng; Friven Yeoh


Other key lawyers:

Desmond Ang; Yan Zhang; Jennifer Lim


Key clients

I-Mab Biopharma Co., Ltd.


PACC Offshore Services Holdings


PT J ResourcesNusantara


Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation


Work highlights


  • Obtained a victory for I-Mab Biopharma Co., Ltd, a public company based in China and the U.S., in a multi-year long, nine-figure international arbitration against Tracon Pharmaceuticals.
  • Successfully represented PACC Offshore Services Holdings, part of the Kuok Group of Singapore, in obtaining damages and recovering in an investment treaty arbitration against Mexico, in connection with the expropriation of claimant’s investment in the Mexican offshore marine services industry.

Squire Patton Boggs

Squire Patton Boggs‘s arbitration practice represents clients in international commercial arbitrations, investment treaty arbitrations, and public international law disputes. The team acts across the energy, shipping, commodities, and infrastructure sectors, with a renowned energy and gas price review practice. Based in Singapore, managing partner Barry Stimpson co-leads the team with Rodman Bundy. In Australia, Cris Cureton  leads the group out of the firm’s Sydney office, with an emphasis on the construction, energy, and mining sectors. Key practitioners include Greg Steinepreis in Perth and Vicky Kossaris in Darwin.

Other key lawyers:

Barry Stimpson; Rodman Bundy; Cris Cureton; Greg Steinepreis; Vicky Kossaris


Work highlights


WongPartnership LLP

The international arbitration practice at WongPartnership LLP has extensive experience in commercial arbitrations, with investor-state arbitrations and the enforcement of arbitral awards key areas of focus of the team. Both based in Singapore, Chou Sean Yu is the head of the litigation and disputes practice, with Koh Swee Yen SC leading the wider international arbitration practice. Wendy Lin is a key name within the team, alongside Hock Keng Chan.

Practice head(s):

Chou Sean Yu; Koh Swee Yen SC


Other key lawyers:

Wendy Lin; Hock Keng Chan