Dr Colin Ong KC > The 36 Group > London, England > Barrister Profile

The 36 Group
Gray's Inn, 4 Field Court
London
WC1R 5EF
England

Work Department

36 Stone

Position

Queen’s Counsel at 36 Stone; Counsel at Eldan Law LLP (Singapore); Senior Partner, Dr Colin Ong Legal Services (Brunei)

Dr. Colin Ong is a leading international arbitrator and lead counsel who has broad experience in diverse areas (including banking/energy disputes/information technology/infrastructure/intellectual property/investor-state disputes and shipping). Extensive commercial arbitration and court experience. Extensive experience as presiding or co-arbitrator in civil law and common law jurisdictions in areas of practice including: construction; insurance disputes; intellectual property; mining and minerals disputes; Considerable experience as counsel in acting against and also for governments; state owned enterprises; multinationals in resolving complex large quantum disputes. Arbitrator and/or acted as counsel in arbitrations including AAA, BANI, CIETAC, ICC, KCAB, KLRCA, LCIA, LMAA, SIAC, SCMA, TAI, UNCITRAL, and WIPO rules

Career

  • Call: 1991 QC: 2017
  • 36 Stone, London – Arbitrator and Queen’s Counsel; Counsel, Eldan Law LLP (Singapore); Arbitrator and Barrister, Dr Colin Ong Legal Services (Brunei)
  • Master of the Bench of the Inner Temple (2010)
  • Previously member of other leading London Barristers Chambers (1992-2014)
  • President / Chairman of various international groups including: Arbitration Association Brunei Darussalam (AABD), Brunei; Advisory Board of Japan Institute of International Arbitration Research and Training (JIIART Hong Kong Centre of International Commercial Arbitration, Council Member (HKCICA); Regional Arbitral Institutes Forum, President (RAIF) (2019 to 2021); Chinese-European Arbitration Centre, Hamburg, Germany (CEAC) Appointing Council; Thailand Arbitration Center; Chairman International Advisory Board (THAC), Thailand;
  • International Commercial Expert Committee of the China International Commercial Court
  • Co-Chair of IBA APAG
  • Vice Chair of various international groups including: Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration Group (APRAG), London; Inter Pacific Bar Association, Japan – Arbitration Committee (2016 – 2020); International Bar Association, London – Vice Chair, Arbitration Committee (2009 – 2011)
  • Member of various international groups including: ICC Commission on Arbitration (Task Force on the New York Convention); 2020 ICC Commission (Task force on ADR and Arbitration); China – ASEAN Legal Research Center, China; Indonesian National Board of Arbitration (BANI), Indonesia – Advisory Governing Council. (2009 – 2020); ICCA-Queen Mary Task Force Costs, London (2014 – 2018); Cambodian National Commercial Arbitration Centre (NCAC), Cambodia -Appointing Council (2010 – 2017); ASEAN Secretariat, Indonesia – Panel Member (nominee of Brunei Darussalam) (2009 – 2013); London Court of International Arbitration, London – Vice President, Asia Pacific Users Council (2010 – 2012);ASEAN Protocol on Enhanced Dispute Settlement Mechanism – Panel Member (nominee of Brunei Darussalam) (2005 – 2009)
  • Academy of International Dispute Resolution – Adjunct Professor of Law, 2019 – Present
  • Sometime Visiting Law Professor at: Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia; Universitas Padjajaran Indonesia, Indonesia; City University of Hong Kong; University of Hong Kong; Queen Mary, University of London; National University Singapore; King’s College, University of London; Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; University of Malaya
  • Malaysian Standard Form of Building Contracts (PAM 2006), Malaysia – Core Drafter 2006
  • ASEAN Centre for Energy, ASEAN, Jakarta – Former Principal Legal Consultant 2002 – 2003

 

Publications:

Correspondent Editorial Board/Author of Journals:

Current editorial board of Arbitration (Journal of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators); Butterworths Journal of International Banking & Financial Law; China-ASEAN Law Review; Indonesia Arbitration Quarterly; Maritime Risk International.

 

Recent books and international loose leafs (excluding articles):

  • Res Judicata in Investment Treaty Arbitration Review (2019).
  • Case Strategy chapter in The Guide to Advocacy (GAR) (2017 to 2019);
  • Take the Witness Chapter: Cross-Examination in International Arbitration (Juris 2010 and 2019);
  • Chapter in Foreign Judgments (Garb & Lew, Kluwer 2005; 2014 and 2019);
  • Challenges of Arbitrators in Investment Treaty Arbitration (Law Reviews 3 Ed 2018);
  • Security for Costs chapter, Law & Practice of Injunctions in Singapore (Sweet & Maxwell 2017);
  • Chapter on Bifurcation in The Investment Treaty Arbitration Review (2016 and 2017)

Languages

English; Bahasa Indonesia/Malay (written and spoken) and Mandarin Chinese (spoken).

Memberships

Law Society Brunei/Law Society Singapore/Bar Council of England and Wales/ International Bar Association/Inter-Pacific Bar Association.

Education

LLB (Hons) University of Sheffield; LLM (University of London); Ph.D in Law (Queen Mary, London); Diploma in International Arbitration (CIArb); Chartered Arbitrator (CIArb); Chartered Arbitrator (IDRRMI, HK); Fellow, Chartered Institute Of Arbitrators; Fellow, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators; Fellow, Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators; Senior International Mediation Expert (IDRRMI).

Lawyer Rankings

London Bar > International arbitration: arbitrators

(Leading counsel as arbitrators)Ranked: Tier 2

Colin Ong KCThe 36 Group ‘Colin enjoys an excellent reputation for being an arbitrator in substantial commercial disputes. He is an efficient arbitrator, diligent, assiduous in his administration and oversight of the arbitral process, scrupulously fair and turns work out on a prompt and efficient basis. His language skills make him popular in disputes in Asia. It is not surprising that he is always in demand.’

 

Asia Pacific - The English Bar > Commercial

(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 3

Colin Ong KC – The 36 GroupA ferocious cross-examiner.’

At The 36 Group, members continue to act on complex multi-jurisdictional commercial disputes across the Asia Pacific region. Vasanti Selvaratnam KC ‘provides good strategic advice‘; she maintains a steady presence in Singapore, with a growing practice in handling arbitrations under the aegis of the LCIA and SIAC. Colin Ong KC has ‘a very analytical brain‘ and ‘is suited for the most complex large commercial cases which require great analytical legal skills, effective advocacy and someone with a fighting spirit‘. The ‘very user-friendlyRavi Aswani is a key junior in the team.

Asia Pacific - The English Bar > Shipping and commodities

(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 2

Colin Ong KCThe 36 Group ‘Colin has a superb analytical mind. He is articulate on his feet and tactically astute.’

Part of The 36 Group, 36 Stone is very well known for its established strength in handling on a wide spectrum of matters concerning shipping contractual documents, as well as commodities issues within the shipping space. Vasanti Selvaratnam KC is highly regarded for her expertise in maritime law, and the ‘conscientiousColin Ong KC regularly acts in high-value shipping and commodities arbitrations across multiple Asian jurisdictions. Colin Wright is ‘a confident and articulate advocate‘, and the ‘very responsiveRavi Aswani counts dry and wet shipping disputes as a core pillar of his practice.

Asia Pacific - The English Bar > Construction, energy and infrastructure

(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1

Colin Ong KC – The 36 GroupHe is intellectually brilliant, a first-tier advocate and incredibly fast thinker on his feet. His complete mastery of construction law, coupled with his near eidetic memory and incredible strategic plans, puts him well ahead.’

Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Arbitrators

(Leading arbitrators)Ranked: Tier 1

Colin Ong KCThe 36 Group ‘Very hard working, and extensive legal knowledge of both common and civil law. Speaks Mandarin and Bahasa which is unique for a KC in Asia. Colin is one of the world’s leading arbitrators. He has remarkable powers of analysis and is noted for his efficiency.’

Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Arbitration counsel

(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1

Colin Ong KC – 36 Stone Chambers ‘An outstanding counsel in international arbitration.’

London-based set 36 Stone Chambers has an established presence in Singapore, however members have a solid track record in representing clients across multiple Asian jurisdictions. The team is sought after for handling complex arbitrations under the auspices of a range of arbitral institutions, including UNCITRAL, SIAC, HKIAC and SCMA. Vasanti Selvaratnam KC and Colin Ong KC have expertise in handling high-value commodities and shipping arbitrations, and Ravi Aswani advises on a broad spectrum of international commercial arbitration work.