Mr Mahesh Rai > Drew & Napier LLC > Singapore, Singapore > Lawyer Profile

Drew & Napier LLC Offices

Drew & Napier LLC
10 COLLYER QUAY
#10-01 OCEAN FINANCIAL CENTRE
SINGAPORE 049315
Singapore
Visit website 65 6535 0733

Mr Mahesh Rai

Mahesh Rai photo
+65 6531 2584 [email protected] View profile

Work Department

Dispute Resolution

Position

Director, Dispute Resolution;

Deputy Head, Construction & Engineering

Career

Mahesh acts for clients in a broad spectrum of litigation and international arbitration matters.

He has handled disputes spanning many sectors including information technology, telecommunications, oil and gas, shipping, construction and commodities. He is adept at handling complex disputes involving multi-disciplinary technical issues. He has also acted in shareholder and joint venture disputes, employment disputes and fraud claims.

Mahesh graduated from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2008 as a Shaw Foundation Scholar.

In 2009, he earned an LL.M. in International Arbitration & Litigation from University College London (UCL). He was an oralist in the UCL team that was the runner-up in the prestigious Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in 2009. Mahesh was part of the Drew & Napier team that won the inaugural Essex Court Chambers-Singapore Academy of Law Moot Competition 2012 for Singapore lawyers.

In 2012, Mahesh was also awarded an Excellence in Advocacy Award by the Singapore International Arbitration Academy.

In 2014, the Supreme Court of Singapore appointed Mahesh as Young Amicus Curiae and he assisted the High Court on novel points of law in an appeal involving money laundering. Mahesh was also awarded the Singapore Academy of Law scholarship which enabled him to work at Fountain Court Chambers with eminent Queen’s Counsel.

In 2017, the ICC appointed Mahesh as one of the regional representatives for the Young Arbitrators Forum.

Mahesh regularly acts as pro bono defence counsel under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS) for impecunious accused persons. He also represents victims who appear as civil parties before the hybrid Khmer Rouge Tribunal.

Mahesh also teaches advocacy to aspiring lawyers as part of the bar course.

Practice Areas:

  • Arbitration
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction & Engineering
  • Corporate Litigation
  • Crime
  • Defamation
  • Energy, Transport & Infrastructure
  • Information Technology
  • International Arbitration
  • International Trade
  • Investigations
  • Shipping
  • Telecommunications, Media & Technology

Languages

English

Memberships

  • Director, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Singapore Branch
  • Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • Fellow, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators
  • Panel Arbitrator, Singapore International Arbitration Centre, Reserve Panel
  • Arbitrator, Asian International Arbitration Centre Panel
  • Panel of Arbitrators, Thailand Arbitration Centre (THAC)
  • Panel of International Arbitrators, Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB)
  • Panel of Arbitrators, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC)
  • Assessor, Panel of Assessors for COVID-19 Temporary Relief, Ministry of Law
  • Accredited Specialist (Building and Construction), Singapore Academy of Law
  • Chairman, CIArb Young Members Group
  • Former Regional Representative, ICC Young Arbitrators Forum 2017-2019
  • Member, Young International Arbitration Group
  • Member, Young International Council for Commercial Arbitration
  • Member, Inter-Pacific Bar Association
  • Member, International Bar Association
  • Member, Law Society of Singapore
  • Committee Member, International Relations Committee of Law Society of Singapore
  • Member, Singapore Academy of Law
  • Lead Counsel, Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences

Education

  • LL.B. (Hons), National University of Singapore (2008), Shaw Foundation Scholar
  • LL.M. International Arbitration & Litigation, University College London (2009)
  • B.Sc. (1st Class Hons) Politics & International Relations, London School of Economics, External (2006)

Lawyer Rankings

Singapore > Projects and energy: local firms

(Next Generation Partners)

Mahesh Rai – Drew & Napier LLC

Drew & Napier LLC projects, energy and infrastructure practice group often works with its construction and engineering dispute resolution team, and stands out for its work with disputes in relation to the financing and implementation of projects. Its contentious and non-contentious work covers the power and energy, telecommunications, transportation, and construction sectors. The team is headed by Jimmy Yim SC, who has over three decades of experience in complex, cross-border disputes concerning the legal, contractual, technical and operational elements of energy and construction projects. Mahesh Rai regularly represents clients in numerous complex projects, energy and infrastructure matters in sectors such as hydropower, energy, telecommunications, and construction. Christopher Chong, who is head of construction and engineering, often works on major private and public sector projects in Singapore, specialising in the construction sector.

Singapore > Construction: Local firms

Drew & Napier LLC has a fine and longstanding reputation in the construction sector, particularly in the contentious field. It has demonstrated a deep commitment to construction and engineering work, especially in Singapore and region-wide energy and infrastructure projects. Along with its disputes expertise, the firm has further experience in front-end and procurement matters, due diligence and project advisory issues. It has close connections to developers, contractors and other clients from around the region. Christopher Chong is head of the construction and engineering group, specialising in disputes. Mahesh Rai is deputy head of the team and is also highly-related for contentious matters. Chairman Jimmy Yim SC is further noted for cross-border construction disputes and Kelvin Teo is another prominent member of the department.

Singapore > International arbitration

Drew & Napier LLC’s ‘excellent international arbitration team’ counts financial institutions, foreign governments, multinational corporations and state-owned entities among its key roster of clients, showcasing stellar experience in high-value international commercial arbitrations and investment-treaty arbitrations. The practice stands out for its expertise across the construction and infrastructure, energy and utilities, insurance, finance, commodities, technology, property and shipping, and healthcare sectors. Esteemed arbitration practitioner Cavinder Bull SC leads the team alongside Randolph Khoo, whose caseload features disputes involving the China market. Other key contacts in the group include Lin Shumin, who is ‘exceptional in her ability to understand key issues very quickly’, and Mahesh Rai, who is praised as ‘a fierce advocate’ in construction and infrastructure arbitration cases. Siraj Omar SC has since left the firm.

Singapore > White-collar crime - Local firms

The offering at Drew & Napier LLC regularly acts for major clients in enforcement proceedings and dawn raids. Practice co-head Wendell Wong draws on his prior expertise as a Deputy Public Prosecutor to assist with mandates involving corruption and corporate governance-related offences, while co-head Gary Low is recommended for his knowledge of insider trading and fraud investigations. Benedict Teo is a key name for anti-money laundering work, and Adam Maniam often assists both listed and private companies with internal investigations. Mahesh Rai is also noted for his expertise in investigations, in addition to his broad experience in disputes across the telecoms and construction sectors.

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