Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited > Bangkok, Thailand > Firm Profile

Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited > The Legal 500 Rankings

Thailand > Dispute resolution: international arbitration Tier 1

Praised as ‘the pre-eminent international arbitration practice in Thailand’, Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited works across several industry sectors, but stands out for its expertise in transport, energy and real estate, and is well-placed to leverage the firm’s international network to advise on multi-jurisdictional cases, with procedural knowledge in Bangkok, Dubai, Hong Kong, Hanoi, Singapore, and Sydney. Practice leader Steven Burkill has demonstrable experience in London and Asia-based arbitrations, involving oil and gas, power and large-scale projects, and has sat as an arbitrator in the ICC, SIAC and TAI. The team also counts on the expertise of Kay Kian Tan, who acts for clients across the power and energy, international trade, transport and insurance sectors, and Ratthakarn Boonnua, who ‘has a sizeable international arbitration practice’.

Thailand > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Noted for its domestic and international capability, Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited’s dispute resolution team handles a broad range of multi-jurisdictional disputes, with notable expertise across the energy, real estate and transport sectors. Steven Burkill, who advises on UK and Asia-based arbitrations concerning large-scale power and oil and gas projects, jointly leads the ‘attentive’ team alongside Ratthakarn Boonnua and Kay Kian Tan. Boonnua’s expertise covers contentious international trade matters, commercial disputes and business crime litigation, while Tan specialises in the power and energy disputes, transport mandates and insurance claims.

Thailand > Transport Tier 1

Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited has demonstrable expeirence across the aviation, automotive and maritime sectors, and frequently acts for freight-forwarders and logistic companies on contentious and non-contentious matters, as well as regulatory issues. The team has seen an increase in aviation-related work, such as handling domestic and cross-border issues, in addition to high-end disputes and commercial contracts, and advises on a range of structures and commercial relationships between foreign investors and Thai airlines. Sydney-based Alan Polivnick jointly leads the team alongside Kay Kian Tan, who specialises in international trade and shipping disputes. Key clients include Genesis Aircraft Services, Groupe ADP and Keos Aviation UK Limited, among others.

Thailand > Insurance Tier 2

Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited’s team is jointly led by Kay Kian Tan, who advises international insurance and reinsurance companies in tort and breach of contract claims before the civil and administrative courts, and Alan Polivnick, who operates from the firm's Sydney office. The practice works domestically and internationally, advising insurers and reinsurers on claims across various sectors, including hotel and hospitality, as well as construction and logistics. The team counts AIG, Expacare Insurance and King Wai Insurance Public Company Limited among its key roster of clients.

Thailand > Projects and energy Tier 2

Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited focuses its work on renewable energy, advising developers on wind, solar and waste to energy power projects. The team provides both English and Thai law advice, and supports clients throughout the entire business lifecycle of renewable energy projects, from corporate structures to construction procurements. The practice is led by Christopher Osborne, who advises on all stages of energy projects, including regulatory issues and site due diligence matters, and Steven Burkill, who is a key contact for renewable energy disputes.

Thailand > Labour and employment Tier 3

Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited’s cross-practice group advises its roster of clients on employment contracts, labour compliance issues, redundancy programs, as well as defending employers and employees against claims in the Labour Court. The team is led by Ratthakarn Boonnua, who represents clients across the maritime, insurance and energy sectors in employment disputes, and Christopher Osborne, who focuses on matters concerning employee share option plans, terms of employment and redundancy programs.

Thailand > Real estate and construction Tier 3

Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited’s multidisciplinary practice advises on domestic real estate investments and cross-border transactions, in addition to representing clients in construction and engineering disputes across a range of industries, including the energy sector. Christopher Osborne leads the team and handles due diligence issues relating to energy projects and construction developments, while Kay Kian Tan focuses on construction disputes. Senior associate Lyle Andrews is another key contact in the group.

Thailand > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 3

Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited has demonstrable capability in insolvency proceedings, in addition to debt restructuring and reorganisation mandates, and advises foreign creditors on restructurings in the aviation sector. Christopher Osborne leads the team and has experience acting for Thai companies on the commencement of rehabilitation debt restructuring proceedings in the Bankruptcy Court.

Thailand > TMT Tier 3

Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited acts for film production, telecoms and technology companies on regulatory issues and commercial agreements, with a particular focus in the fintech sector. The team, which is noted for its capability in handling contentious matters, is led by Christopher Osborne, who focuses on technology transactions, while Sydney-based Alan Polivnick handles commercial, employment and regulatory mandates in the TMT sector.

Thailand > Banking and finance Tier 4

Counting foreign banks, private equity firms and multinational companies among its key roster of clients, Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited’s corporate and finance practice is led by Christopher Osborne, who focuses on project financing matters and is noted for his expertise in the renewable energy sector. The practice also has experience across the aviation and technology sectors.

Thailand > Corporate and M&A Tier 4

Counting M&As and joint ventures in its workload, Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited is well-placed to collaborate with the firm’s Hanoi, Hong Kong and Singapore offices to advise on cross-border transactions. Practice leader Christopher Osborne and Piyanuj (Lui) Ratprasatporn handle compliance matters in relation to clients’ corporate and commercial operations in Thailand, in addition to foreign direct investments. The team, which has experience across the energy, real estate, TMT and transport sectors, also counts on the expertise of senior associate Kasma Visitkitjakarn.