Dentons Rodyk & Davidson’s dispute resolution practice sustained strong momentum last year, handling many of the country’s most complex litigation mandates while expanding its cross-border caseload. The firm’s large, full-service team – one of Singapore’s “Big Five” – was especially active in high-stakes commercial litigation at home and in multi-jurisdictional disputes. In local courts, the firm scored a notable victory for PNG Sustainable Development Program in a protracted cross-border case concerning governance of a mining-linked trust fund. Led by senior partner Mark Seah, the team successfully defended the client against challenges in the Singapore High Court and on appeal, preserving a judgment worth over A$7 million and coordinating enforcement across Singapore, Papua New Guinea and Australia. This matter, which also saw related proceedings in multiple jurisdictions, showcased the firm’s effective cross-office strategy and technical prowess in complex, high-value litigation.
The firm consistently features in headline-grabbing international disputes. In one highlight, the firm represents the Government of Sri Lanka in a landmark claim before Singapore’s International Commercial Court arising from the 2021 X-Press Pearl maritime disaster. This high-profile case involves coordinating proceedings in Singapore and England and novel issues of environmental and maritime law. The firm’s role as lead counsel for Sri Lanka underscores its ability to helm ultra-complex cross-border litigation. This one in particular involved a panel of international judges and saw the firm advise on parallel English limitation actions while driving the SICC proceedings.
The international disputes team kept active last year in major international arbitration matters. It handled big-ticket arbitrations spanning Asia, Europe and the Americas, including technology and energy sector disputes, often drawing on the extensive Dentons international network for multi-jurisdictional support. In one ongoing arbitration, for example, the firm is defending a blockchain technology company in Singapore against investor claims stemming from a cryptocurrency crash.
The practice’s strength is anchored by a cadre of veteran litigators and arbitration specialists. Senior partner Lawrence The, the global co-head of Dentons’ international arbitration, is widely respected by peers and clients, with decades of experience handling complex commercial, maritime and trade disputes. Experienced and veteran practitioners like Kirindeep Singh augment the firm’s capabilities across civil litigation and arbitration. Their leadership is bolstered by a deep bench of talent. The firm elevated several next-generation lawyers to partnership in 2025, underscoring its investment in new talent.
The firm’s dispute resolution practice has demonstrated both breadth and momentum in the past year. It handled everything from high-value domestic trials to multi-jurisdictional arbitrations, often involving novel legal questions or urgent injunctive relief. It also maintained a busy caseload in areas like insolvency litigation and white-collar defence. Clients benefit from the firm’s ability to deploy specialists across disciplines – for example, seamlessly integrating shipping law expertise in a cargo loss litigation, or tapping regional Dentons offices for coordinated strategy in cross-border enforcement. Backed by Dentons’ global platform, the Singapore disputes team is well-positioned among local firms.
“The team was supportive, insightful and responsive”- Banking and financial services
“They are responsive, take a commercial approach, and provide practical advice.”- Banking and financial services
“The team always provides real world, practical legal and tactical solutions to solve legal issues and challenges on both the domestic and cross-border fronts. Dentons never proffer textbook advice, and even their associates are very impressive to legal professionals, and amongst the world's best. The lawyers are always very responsive and proactive, and as a client, I am always assured I am in safe legal hands regardless the nature and monetary quantum of the matter at hand.”- Commercial and transactions
“Lawyers provide detailed advisory.”- Commercial arbitration
“Fast and practical.”- Construction
“They are strong at explaining the legal framework in a clear and easy to understand manner.
Most importantly, they could suggest an overall strategy which allowed the judge to see a valid angle for point of submission for the judge's consideration.”- Family and matrimonial
“Dentons Rodyk's arbitration team could speak bilingual both in English and Chinese, and they know Asian culture which gives them a unique advantage to provide their professional service to Chinese and Asian customers. Not to mention their flexible fee plan, high professional ability and long-term society channel in Singapore community.”- International arbitration
“The lawyers proposed and explained the various alternatives to dealing with the issue and thereafter executing them well.”- Technology and telecommunications
“They spend the time to listen and master the brief, leading to tailored solution.”- Trusts and estates
“Responsive and tries to find a practical solution.”
“Kia Meng is very consultative, yet forthcoming with very good suggestions. He has good foresight and assessments.”
“Always delivers practical solutions and never textbook advice. Down-to-earth, and always ready to get his hands dirty - he is not one to simply delegate to associates nor junior partners.”
“Excellent business acumen and good understanding of the commercial perspectives.”
“Extremely analytical. Able to extract a valid angle for the judge's consideration, while keeping the interest of the principal.”
“Mr. Loh is smart and understands our need. He could easily catch our point and provide his suggestions to deal with our issue.”
“Understood our issues and proposed viable solutions. Easily contactable and responsive to messages/emails.”
“Possesses a subtle mind capable of greatly nuanced thinking together with an always calm and helpful demeanor.”
“Very responsive, takes a commercial approach and provides practical advice.”
