Global firm Herbert Smith Freehills is famed for its market-leading litigation and arbitration practice across the region, including Singapore. The team consistently features in groundbreaking flagship cases, with top-end clients entrusting their “bet the company” disputes to the HSF lawyers. The Singapore offering is particularly noted for its energy and natural resources expertise, as well as its specialism in construction and engineering. Other core disputes areas include TMT, banking and financial services, commercial contracts, and shareholder and JV matters. The group also advises on high-value, high-profile investment treaty claims and arbitrations, typically in cross-office teams. The Singapore team houses four partners, who are supported by six specialist international arbitration lawyers. The firm operates a fully integrated arbitration practice group in Southeast Asia across its Singapore, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok offices.
Head of international arbitration for Southeast Asia, Alastair Henderson helms a leadership team that includes seasoned disputes practitioners Elaine Wong, Tomas Furlong, Gitta Satryani and Daniel Waldek.
In one high-stakes highlight during the research period, a cross-office team is representing two Sinopec Group subsidiaries in the largest claim every filed with the SIAC, valued at over $5.5 billion. The claim arises from the purchase of a 49% stake in a UK North Sea joint venture, now majority-owned by Spanish oil major Repsol. The tribunal has made multiple findings of fraud against Repsol, a significant achievement given the extremely high bar for establishing fraud under English law. This was also a landmark victory for a Chinese state-owned enterprise. The parties are working towards a hearing this year to determine the quantum of damages payable. In parallel, Repsol has applied to set aside two of the awards before the Singapore International Commercial Court.
