Duane Morris & Selvam’s Singapore disputes practice operates at the intersection of complex cross‑border litigation and regionally connected arbitration work, reflecting the firm’s position as a joint law venture that combines local capability with the resources of a global law firm. Anchored in Singapore but supported by offices across Southeast Asia, Greater China, South Asia and beyond, the team is regularly engaged in matters involving multiple governing laws, parallel proceedings and enforcement considerations across jurisdictions. Its work in the past review period demonstrates particular strength in construction disputes, insolvency and restructuring, and international arbitration, alongside a steadily maturing private client and family disputes practice.
Construction disputes remain a cornerstone of the firm’s contentious work. The team is frequently instructed by owners, developers, contractors and subcontractors on high‑value infrastructure and commercial projects, including disputes arising from PPP arrangements and contracts governed by standard form documentation commonly used in Singapore. Recent matters include acting for contractors and project stakeholders in adjudications and court proceedings concerning payment claims, delay and disruption, termination disputes and defects issues under the Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act regime. The practice is notable for its long‑standing representation of Korean construction companies operating in Singapore, supported by Korean‑speaking lawyers and paralegals and close coordination with the firm’s regional offices where disputes extend into neighbouring jurisdictions such as Vietnam and Myanmar.
The insolvency and restructuring practice continued to expand its footprint, particularly in contested matters arising from financially distressed construction, manufacturing and trading businesses. The team has been involved in applications relating to judicial management, schemes of arrangement and liquidation proceedings, as well as disputes between creditors, shareholders and officeholders. Recent instructions include acting for insolvency practitioners and creditors in complex multi‑creditor restructurings and asset recovery actions conducted before the Singapore courts. The practice is closely integrated with the firm’s commercial litigation offering, allowing it to handle both transactional restructuring work and related shareholder or contractual disputes as matters progress.
International arbitration represents another core area of activity, with the team acting in both domestic and cross‑border arbitrations under the rules of major arbitral institutions, including SIAC, ICC and UNCITRAL. The firm’s arbitration work spans a broad range of sectors, including construction, energy, infrastructure, technology and investment disputes, and frequently involves parties from ASEAN, South Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Non‑confidential work from the review period includes advising clients on arbitration strategy and procedure, managing evidentiary issues in multi‑party proceedings, and supporting enforcement and setting‑aside applications before the Singapore courts. The team’s arbitration practice is strengthened by close collaboration with colleagues in other Duane Morris offices, allowing clients to draw on jurisdiction‑specific insight where disputes involve governing laws or assets located outside Singapore.
Beyond its traditional commercial disputes offering, the firm’s private client and family disputes practice has gained momentum over the past few years and is now a more visible part of its disputes profile. The team advises on contested and uncontested divorce proceedings, ancillary matters, probate disputes and cross‑border estate issues, acting for clients of diverse nationalities. Recent work includes successfully prosecuting and defending applications relating to child maintenance and asset division, as well as advising on estate administration matters involving assets and beneficiaries across multiple jurisdictions. While sensitive matters remain tightly managed, the practice reflects the firm’s broader disputes capability, particularly where family issues intersect with shareholder disputes or underlying commercial relationships.
The firm’s caseload is underpinned by a leadership team with long‑standing experience in Singapore litigation and arbitration. Sarbjit Singh Chopra leads the dispute resolution practice and is widely regarded for his work in construction, commercial litigation and arbitration, particularly in high‑stakes and technically complex disputes. Daniel Soo heads the insolvency and restructuring practice and is active across contentious reorganisations, creditor disputes and related litigation. The international arbitration team is supported by practitioners with cross‑border backgrounds, including Ramiro Rodriguez and Akshay Kishore, who bring experience in Latin American and India‑related disputes respectively, and regularly act in proceedings involving foreign parties and investments.
