Dispute Resolution: Arbitration: The Elite | Asia-Pacific

Singapore-based Drew & Napier's formidable line-up of disputes lawyers have an established reputation for handling complex, high-value arbitration. The team is active across a range of commercial cases, including construction, energy and technology disputes, with notable experience in investor-state arbitrations. The firm has argued before SIAC and ICSID, as well as the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. The department's impressive client base includes multinational corporations and state-owned entities, such as those involved in natural resources and telecommunications.

Herbert Smith Freehills has a Singapore-based team of legal specialists in oil and gas, construction and infrastructure arbitration, with a good track record of appearing on complex BIT disputes. The team conducts its own advocacy in proceedings around the region and beyond, offering expertise across a variety of commercial as well as international public law disputes. The practice is effective in disputes arising out of joint ventures, M&A and concession agreements. Herbert Smith Freehills handles matters emanating from across South-East, South and East Asia, including cases involving Thai and Chinese parties. The firm often argues in SIAC-seated arbitrations but also has experience in ICC arbitrations.

King & Spalding's Singapore office has a premier group of arbitration specialists with global reach and a reputation for acting on the highest-profile investor-state disputes. The firm is prominent in arbitration before SIAC but can also act in arbitration venues in other jurisdictions, such as The Hague. The department is involved in oil and gas and natural resources matters, alongside shareholder, joint venture and construction cases, with particular areas of activity including disputes about decommissioning costs and LNG sale and purchase agreements. The team's client base features a number of leading US, European and Asian multinationals, and the firm demonstrates regular involvement in cases connected to the Philippines, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia and Australia, among others.

Clifford Chance's Singapore-based team of lawyers offers a prominent practice with a highly respected bench, able to manage large commercial and treaty-related arbitrations across the region. The office is very active in disputes in the energy and financial services sectors, as well as construction and joint venture disputes. The Singapore office is heavily involved in cases involving Indian parties, including Singapore-seated arbitrations, and members of the team were instrumental in the foundation of the Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration. Clients of the firm include international conglomerates and contractors.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's well-reputed Singapore team receives strong market recognition for the quality of its investment treaty arbitration practice. The team works closely with colleagues across its network to assist clients with cross-border arbitrations, with particular experience in disputes involving Japanese parties. The firm acts on both the investor and state sides in treaty claims, and is also noted for work for energy companies and financial institutions. The arbitration team has acted in UNCITRAL arbitrations in relation to BITs, ICSID matters and proceedings in England and Wales. PTT Energy Resources, GPIX and the Republic of Korea feature on the firm's client roster.

Rajah & Tann's legal practice in Singapore harbours an impressive line-up of experienced arbitration lawyers with deep connections throughout the Singapore and Asian markets. The firm often handles energy and shipping disputes, and BIT arbitration. The practice is involved in UNCITRAL arbitrations in Singapore, as well as matters before the ICC. The department is well placed to provide specialist advice on construction-related disputes.

Singapore-based WongPartnership is a popular choice of counsel for regional governments, financial and investment entities and manufacturers. The team handles complex investment and commercial arbitration claims and possesses substantial experience advising clients in the energy, natural resources and construction sectors. Regional arbitration capabilities are enhanced through its representative office in Shanghai and partnerships with other firms across Asia.

Allen & Overy's Singapore office provides well-regarded international arbitration counsel supported by an excellent regional network that helps it handle matters before courts in Singapore, Hong Kong and India. The team leads a range of commercial arbitrations and additionally supports the firm's Hong Kong office in major investment treaty and energy cases. The office is active across South and South-East Asia, especially in cases connected with India, Vietnam and Thailand.

Allen & Gledhill in Singapore has a large and well-established group of lawyers with key expertise in commercial and construction arbitrations. Several senior team members are dual-qualified in Singapore and Malaysia and conduct arbitrations across South-East Asia. The group can also advise on China, India and Japan-related issues. The practice is sought out by companies operating in a range of industries, such as hospitality, energy and fintech. The team is especially active on engineering and construction disputes in the infrastructure sector.

Davinder Singh Chambers is a well-reputed Singapore-based dispute resolution and international arbitration boutique which acts for individuals and companies from across South and South-East Asia. The practice has presented before the ICC and SIAC in breach of joint venture disagreements and on matters in the heavy-industry arena, including breach of contract. The team houses an impressive roster of international clients and is often active on the setting aside of arbitral awards.

Mayer Brown PK Wong & Nair has an accomplished team in Singapore with expertise in handling international commercial arbitrations in a range of sectors. Notable areas of activity for the firm include construction, energy, trade and commodity finance, and joint venture disputes. The team is involved in a number of arbitrations arising from high-profile projects in South Asia. The firm possesses a global client roster, with experience representing companies in proceedings under ICC, SIAC and HKIAC rules.

Norton Rose Fulbright is respected for its considerable experience in the Singapore market, resulting in a deep local and regional offering. The firm's caseload has an emphasis on energy and infrastructure disputes, with demonstrated involvement in a number of investor-state proceedings. The team is active in disputes relating to projects in India and Malaysia. The practice often advises on SIAC arbitrations, as well as ICC and ICSID matters.

Three Crowns' Singapore-based practice specialises in international commercial arbitration for clients in the energy and infrastructure sectors. The team is experienced in construction disputes relating to power and infrastructure projects in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as further afield. It regularly handles shareholder disputes. The group has represented clients in LCIA, SIAC, ICC and UNCITRAL matters and is often involved in investor-state matters.

White & Case's Singapore office has a respected arbitration group with a focus on high-stakes international cases, drawing upon the support and expertise of its international network. The firm is favoured by an extensive portfolio of large multinationals and Asian corporations. The team offers notable capabilities in oil and gas disputes, with key expertise in LNG pricing matters. The firm is also active in construction and renewable energy disputes, where it acts for engineering and power companies. It has a good presence in arbitration under ICC, UNCITRAL and SIAC rules.

Baker McKenzie offers a broad range of arbitration capabilities, including activity in energy, construction and telecoms disputes. The team also handles a range of commercial cases, regularly cooperating with other Baker McKenzie offices in the region to provide a joined-up service to clients for multi-jurisdictional cases. The firm manages matters under the rules of leading institutions, including the ICC and SIAC, in addition to assisting with ad hoc arbitrations held under UNCITRAL rules. Baker McKenzie's client base includes an impressive array of multinationals that are in dispute with other companies and state-owned entities.

Linklaters' international arbitration team in Singapore assists multinational clients with commercial dispute resolution. It has a notable reputation for its work in the energy, natural resources and infrastructure sectors and often handles disputes arising out of joint development contracts and transactions. The team regularly acts in matters under SIAC, LCIA and other institutional rules. The team combines with its associated law firm in Indonesia, Widyawan & Partners, to provide regional coverage.

Reed Smith's international arbitration practice is well versed in commodities and energy sector disputes in Asia and beyond. The practice is experienced in representing clients before the LCIA, ICC and SCMA and other notable institutions. Clients include commodity traders and natural resources companies. The Singapore team is able to draw on its international network to assist with multinational proceedings.