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Darius Chan is highly esteemed as “a sagacious and knowledgeable lawyer” who “responds quickly to enquiries while remaining direct and to the point”.  He possesses “in-depth knowledge of arbitration” and is considered “first-rate as counsel”


Who's Who Legal

A/Prof Darius Chan  陈晓晖 副教授

 

 

 

 

 

A/Prof Darius Chan is a cross border investment and dispute resolution lawyer. Bilingual in English and Chinese, he is appointed arbitrator, expert witness or counsel, in commercial and investment disputes. He routinely advises investors, State-Owned Entities and States, including on ICSID and PCA matters.

Previously ranked as one of Singapore's top 40 under 40 lawyers, Darius is consistently recommended by Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration Future Leaders as a "Global Elite Thought Leader" and a “Most Highly Regarded Individual” in Asia-Pacific. He is also a Band 1 Leading Junior in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific rankings. Qualified in New York, England and Singapore, Darius is routinely appointed as sole or presiding arbitrator in disputes across a variety of governing laws.

 

Additionally, Darius has an active practice as an independent legal expert. He has provided legal opinions for use before the US, Swiss, Hong Kong and Chinese Courts, on areas of Singapore contract law, private international law, civil procedure and arbitration law and practice.  He has conducted training events in China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, England, and Austria.

As a closet "techie", Darius read computer science in junior college, and was President of the National University of Singapore Mac Users Group before Apple products became mainstream. Prior to commencing independent practice, Darius spent a decade practising with international law firms in London and Singapore. He served as a Justices’ Law Clerk and Assistant Registrar of the Supreme Court of Singapore between 2007 to 2009 where he heard and decided various interlocutory applications. Darius was appointed amicus curiae by the Singapore courts:

 

  • In Mohamad Fairuuz bin Saleh v PP [2014] SGHC 264, where the Court described amicus' contribution as being “careful”, “excellent and invaluable”.

  • In Anupam Mittal v Westbridge Ventures II Investment Holdings [2023] SGCA 1, where the Court expressed its gratitude to amicus for his "learned submissions and detailed research which we found to be most helpful".

Clients have also praised Darius for being  “a tireless thinker and eloquent advocate”, “an astute and commercial advocate”, “always available, responsive and clear”, “practical, proactive and conscientious”, adding that “his knowledge, demeanor and promptness are all reasons I would not hesitate to call him on future matters”.

An Associate Professor of Law (Practice), Darius teaches international arbitration at Singapore Management University (SMU) Yong Pung How School of Law. He is concurrently appointed:

 

  • Deputy Director, Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy,

  • Vice-Chair, ICC Singapore Arbitration Group,

  • Member, ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR,

  • Member, Supreme Court of Singapore Arbitration Court Users’ Committee

  • Member, Singapore Academy of Law Law Reform Committee, 

  • Member, Thailand Arbitration Centre Academy Academic Council, and

  • Principal Examiner for Arbitration, Singapore Institute of Legal Education. 

Accolades & Awards

  • Ranked as a Global Elite Thought Leader by Who's Who Legal: Arbitration Future Leader

  • Most Highly Regarded Individual in Asia-Pacific by Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration Future Leader 

  • Top Arbitration practitioner by Who’s Who Legal Southeast Asia

  • Featured in the Legal 500 Arbitration Powerlist: South-East Asia (2022) 

  • "A junior with a keen analytical mind and impressive knowledge of Singaporean law", Legal 500 2024

  • "Attention to detail, great social skills yet an uncanny ability to see the big picture", Legal 500 2023

  • The “very intelligent and diligent” Darius Chan ... is well regarded for his “outstanding counsel and arbitration work”, Who's Who Legal 2023

  • Darius Chan is highly esteemed as “a sagacious and knowledgeable lawyer” who “responds quickly to enquiries while remaining direct and to the point”.  He possesses “in-depth knowledge of arbitration” and is considered “first-rate as counsel”, Who's Who Legal 2022

  • Darius Chan “is a bright legal mind who regularly navigates his clients through complex legal issues” with his “incredibly thorough understanding of international arbitration”, Who's Who Legal 2021

  • ‘Darius Chan is extremely diligent and very experienced for his age. He is not only good at communication and people skills, he reverts promptly and is a caring human being', Legal 500 2020

  • Darius Chan is regarded as a “standout practitioner” with a “great analytical mind”. He is “very attentive to client needs”, while sources also comment that he is “extremely smart and stays calm under pressure”, Who’s Who Legal 2020

  • “Darius Chan has ‘a great future ahead of him’, is ‘excellent with clients’, ‘hard working’, ‘bright’ and ‘very articulate’”, Legal 500 2019

  • “Darius Chan stands out as ‘a very bright, hardworking and articulate lawyer’ who ‘always knows how to fight and keep calm when facing complex cases’. Clients note he ‘is meticulous about every detail and demonstrates dedication throughout’”, Who’s Who Legal 2019

  • “Darius Chan impresses peers with ‘his sharp legal insight, client-friendly manner and consistently high work ethic’’, Who’s Who Legal 2018

  • “a very, very smart guy and a great all-round lawyer who is building a strong reputation in the market”, Who’s Who Legal 2017

  •  “very clever” with “collaborative, clear communication on sensitive arbitration mandates”, Chambers Legal 2017

  • Most Outstanding Adjunct Award, Singapore Management University (2018)

  • Singapore Business Review, Top 40 under 40 most influential lawyers in Singapore (2016)

  • Excellence in Advocacy Award, Singapore International Arbitration Academy (2012)

  • Ranked 3rd in the nationwide qualifying exams for admission to the Singapore Bar (2008)

  • Lai Kew Chai Prize for the best candidate in the Commercial Practice examination for admission to the Singapore Bar (2008)

 

Representative Experience

Arbitrator

  • Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration seated in Singapore between a US and Dutch company and a Japanese manufacturer concerning a business and IP acquisition exercise in Vietnam. Dispute governed by Delaware law.

  • Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration seated in Singapore concerning a dispute between an Italian entity and a Malaysian entity in the oil & gas sector. Dispute governed by the CISG.

  • Sole arbitrator in an SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore concerning the private education sector. Dispute governed by Singapore law.

  • Sole arbitrator in an SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore between a Middle Eastern company and a Thai company concerning the hospitality sector. Sum in dispute in excess of USD150 million and dispute governed by Singapore law.

  • Sole arbitrator in an SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore concerning the supply of oil and gas equipment to be installed in a condense storing, offloading facility. Dispute governed by Malaysian law.

  • Presiding arbitrator in an SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore concerning long-term distribution agreements of FMCG goods in South-Asia. Sum in dispute in excess of USD10 million. Dispute governed by Singapore law.

 

Energy

  • Represented a South Asian statutory board in a UNCITRAL arbitration under a long term Power Purchase Agreement with a foreign investor.

  • Represented a State in the challenge of a PCA arbitration award worth over USD1.3 billion obtained by an European listed oil and gas exploration company over various tax assessments.

  • Represented an oil major in an UNCITRAL arbitration against an Asian state regarding the unlawful assessment of taxes and penalties imposed for hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities in a disputed area of seabed jointly administered by two states under a treaty, in violation of a tax stability agreement.  Sum in dispute in excess of USD230m.

  • Represented a European buyer in two gas price review arbitrations involving a Central Asian seller of natural gas. Disputes governed by Swiss law seated in Stockholm. Sum in dispute in excess of €1 billion.

  • Represented one of Asia’s largest independent power producers in an ICC arbitration against a South Asian government in relation to breaches of a long term Power Purchase Agreement.

  • Represented one of Asia’s largest independent power producers in an ICSID arbitration against a South Asian government in relation to breaches of a long term Power Purchase Agreement.

  • Represented a Malaysia-based energy company in a SIAC arbitration against a US customer in relation to breaches of sales and consignment agreements and guarantees. Dispute governed by English law and involved competing lawsuits filed in Texas, USA.

  • Advised a European tanker and storage conglomerate on a product storage dispute before the Singapore courts against a Singapore trading company involving competing claims of ownership, bailment and conversion. Dispute governed by Singapore law.

  • Advised a US marine logistical and operational support company on a Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) dispute against an Asian listed company arising out of the provision of services over a LNG project.  Dispute governed by Singapore law.

  • Advised an Indian conglomerate on a dispute against Indonesian joint venture partners in the gas aromatics sector.  Dispute governed by Singapore law.

  • Advised an oil major on a dispute, subject to LMAA arbitration in London, with a shipper’s protection and indemnity club insurers concerning commingling by the shipper of various oil products delivered in Singapore. Dispute governed by English law.

  • Advised a client in an arbitration concerning an English buyer and a Middle East supplier concerning the supply of an oil rig and other equipment for use in the Middle East. Dispute governed by English law.

Pharma

  • Advised a Japanese pharmaceutical supplier in a Swiss Arbitration Centre arbitration against a Swiss distributor in relation to the distribution of pharmaceutical drug products in East Asia.

  • Represented a Russian medical supplier in an SIAC arbitration against South Asian manufacturers and distributors in relation to the supply of vaccine products. Sum in dispute in excess of USD10 million.

  • Advised a Vietnamese medical product distributor in a dispute against a US-headquartered manufacturer concerning sale and distribution of orthopaedic products.

 

Projects / Infrastructure

  • Represented a State-Owned Entity in an SIAC arbitration involving wrongful termination of a contractor on an offshore LNG pipeline project.

  • Represented a South-East Asian investor in a investor-state arbitration against an Asian state concerning the expropriation of land use rights and other breaches of a bilateral investment treaty.

  • Represented a US listed provider of marine dredging services in setting-aside proceedings before the Singapore courts to defend an ICC expedited arbitration award obtained against a Korean main contractor.

  • Represented an Indian infrastructure conglomerate in an SIAC arbitration against a Korean main contractor in relation to a power project in India.  Sum in dispute in excess of USD100m. Dispute governed by Indian law.

  • Represented a Korean multinational conglomerate in an SIAC arbitration against a Korean listed company in an EPC dispute relating to various greenfield electricity power plant projects in the Middle East. Dispute governed by Singapore law.

  • Advised an European export credit agency on a Singapore High Court dispute against a Burmese counterparty in the tele-communications sector involving Bills of Exchange. Dispute governed by Singapore law.

  • Represented a Korean conglomerate in an UNCITRAL arbitration between and a Malaysian sub-contractor in relation to a clean-room building project in Singapore.  Dispute governed by Singapore and international law.

  • Advised a consortium company on multiple disputes involving a major PPP (Public-Private Partnership) infrastructure project in Singapore, ranging from infrastructure defects and delays, landlord-tenant, employment and cyber-security issues.

Joint Venture / Corporate

  • Represented BVI and Singapore entities in an SIAC joint venture and shareholder dispute concerning the building, developing and operation of a power plant in Cambodia. The dispute involves parallel court proceedings in Singapore and Cambodia.

  • Advised investors in a representative action against an investment firm and its promoters before the Singapore courts involving Anton Pillar and Mareva injunctions.

  • Advised founder of green energy company in shareholder and employment dispute against other shareholders.

  • Represented promoters of major cryptocurrency trading group on regulatory and civil claims ranging from fraudulent mis-selling to conspiracy, and related insolvency re-organisation proceedings.

  • Represented US investors in an SIAC arbitration involving the mis-selling of crypto-currency tokens.

  • Advised promoter of software development company in relation to criminal investigations concerning remote gaming, payment systems and money laundering.

  • Represented a fund management company in a shareholding dispute against another fund management company in relation to a potential merger.

  • Represented a senior employee in an employment / partnership dispute against a global professional services firm involving claims of constructive dismissal.

  • Represented a financial investment company and its management in proceedings brought by foreign investors over complex investment arrangements involving a listed company. Dispute involved interim and freezing injunctions.

  • Represented a cryptocurrency trading institution in a SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore against an overseas customer regarding the freezing of assets ordered by the domicile court of the customer.

  • Represented a European beverage multinational conglomerate in an SIAC arbitration against a joint venture partner in Myanmar.

  • Represented an European beverage multinational conglomerate in multiple SIAC arbitrations against a joint venture party over joint venture and loan agreements concerning operations in India and Nepal. Sum in dispute in excess of USD1.1 billion, involving emergency arbitration and parallel court proceedings in Singapore. Dispute governed by Singapore law.

  • Represented an European multinational conglomerate in the confectionery and beverage industry in an UNCITRAL arbitration against its Thai joint venture company in relation to its breaches of contract, allegation of collusion and misconduct arising out of a co-manufacturing agreement governed by Thai law. Sum in dispute in excess of USD600m, involving competing lawsuits filed in Thailand.

  • Represented a global bank in a post-M&A SIAC arbitration against an Asian bank arising out of an acquisition in Brunei. Dispute governed by Brunei law.

  • Represented a Taiwanese food and beverage multinational conglomerate in a SIAC arbitration against a Malaysian master franchisee in relation to breaches of the franchise agreement and non-competition covenants.  Dispute governed by Singapore law and involved competing lawsuits filed in Malaysia.

  • Represented a US client in an UNCITRAL arbitration arising out of a share sale and purchase agreement in the precision engineering sector, and involving fraud, conspiracy and assessment of damages. Dispute governed by Singapore law.

  • Represented a client in an ICC arbitration concerning a technology licensing and distributorship agreement between a South American corporation and an European multinational in the industrial gear unit business. Dispute governed by English law.

  • Advised a European glass and building material company in an ICC arbitration against a Korean company over an alleged entitlement to an uplift on the price payable under a Share Purchase Agreement.

  • Advised a global trade financing group on the enforcement and insolvency proceedings before the Singapore High Court against various India-based trading entities arising out of various post-dated cheques. Dispute governed by Singapore law.

  • Advised a Scandinavian precision engineering conglomerate on a dispute against its Singapore sales agent over breaches of corporate governance under Singapore law.

  • Advised a global bank on its rights and obligations under Singapore law as a bond trustee of a note issuance by a Malaysian issuer.

  • Advised a Swiss multinational company in a Netherlands Arbitration Institute arbitration against a US multinational company in relation to a joint venture for the production and distribution of a new line of luxury watches.

  • Advised a Canadian private equity fund company in a technology dispute concerning the setting up of competing business in Asia by a venture partner.

  • Advised a Russian financing company in a dispute concerning the setting up of competing business in Asia by a venture partner.

Commodities

  • Advised a Middle Eastern entity in a dispute  against a financial institution over a hedging master agreement on issues arising out of US sanctions. Dispute governed by Singapore law.

  • Represented a senior employee of a multinational energy company in white-collar investigations following the insolvency of one of Asia’s largest oil traders.

  • Advised a Chinese-Indonesian mining and smelting company in a force majeure dispute against a US manufacturer concerning the design, manufacture and sale of severe service valves.  Dispute governed by Singapore law and subject to SIAC arbitration.

  • Represented an Indian commodity trading conglomerate in a SIAC arbitration against a Spanish seller regarding the non-receipt of mining raw materials due to certain export restrictions at the place of origin (Zimbabwe).  Dispute governed by Convention for the International Sale of Goods (CISG).

  • Represented a Chinese commodity trading company in a SIAC arbitration against an Indian buyer of copper cathodes over breaches of a sales and purchase agreement.  Sum in dispute in excess of USD20m. Dispute governed by Singapore law.

  • Represented an Indonesian client in a SIAC arbitration against a Chinese joint venture partner in the nickel mining industry.  Dispute governed by Indonesian law.

  • Advised a Chinese commodity trading company in disputes against Taiwanese and Vietnamese agents involving the sale and purchase of ferrous metals.

  • Tribunal Secretary in a class action arbitration between 814 claimants and a South East Asian government-linked corporation concerning 12,000+ hectares of palm oil plantation land in South East Asia.

Transport

  • Advised a US multinational aviation company in a dispute against two French-based aviation leasing companies in relation to breaches of warranty claims over engine repairs.

  • Advised a South East Asian national flag carrier airline on a dispute against another airline arising out of an aircraft accident at an international airport. Dispute governed by Brunei law.

  • Advised a multinational ground handling company in a multi-jurisdictional dispute against an airline arising out of a ground handling agreement.

  • Advised an European client concerning the sale and purchase of vessels from an Asian ship-maker. Dispute governed by English law.

  • Advised a European carmaker in an ICC arbitration against a Japanese carmaker in relation to a joint venture concerning the Indian car market. Dispute governed by English law.

陈晓晖副教授是一位跨境投资和争端解决律师。 他精通中英双语,经常被任命为商业和投资纠纷的仲裁员、专家证人或律师。 他经常为投资者、国有企业和政府提供风控和国际法律服务。

陈晓晖曾被评为新加坡首40位40岁以下律师之一,一直被《法律名人录:仲裁未来领袖》推荐为“全球精英思想领袖”和亚太地区“最受瞩目的律师”。 他还是《Legal 500 法律500强》亚太排名中的第一级大律师。 陈晓晖拥有纽约、英国和新加坡的律师资格,经常被任命为涉及各种法律争议的仲裁员。他也拥有进行大规模内部调查的经验。

 

此外,陈晓晖作为独立法律专家也有丰富经验。 他曾就新加坡合同法、国际私法、民事诉讼和仲裁法律及实践等领域提供法律意见,供美国、瑞士、香港和中国法院使用。 他曾在中国、香港、韩国、日本、泰国、印度尼西亚、越南、马来西亚、文莱、英国和奥地利的活动中进行培训并发表演讲。

从新加坡国立大学法学院以一等荣誉毕业后,他曾担任新加坡最高法院助理司法主簿官,然后加入大型国际律所在英国和香港执业。与此同时,他也拥纽约大学法学院的硕士学位。

 

国际法律排名进一步描述他如下: 

▪ “具有敏锐的分析能力和对新加坡法律的深刻了解的大律师” 。(《法律500强》,2024年)

▪ “注重细节,出色的社交技巧,但具有不可思议的眼光”。(《法律500强》,2023年) 

▪ “非常聪明勤奋”的Darius Chan...因其“杰出的律师和仲裁工作”而备受赞誉。(2023 年法律名人录) 

▪ Darius Chan被誉为“睿智而知识渊博的律师”,他“对询问反应迅速,同时保持直接和切中要害”。 他拥有“深入的仲裁知识”,被认为是“一流的律师”。(2022 年法律名人录) 

▪ Darius Chan “是一位聪明的法律头脑,他”对国际仲裁有着令人难以置信的透彻理解“,经常引导客户解决复杂的法律问题”。(2021 年法律名人录) 

 

▪ Darius Chan非常勤奋,对他的年龄来说非常有经验。他不仅善于沟通和人际交往能力,而且回复迅速,是一个有爱心的人(法律500, 2020) 

 

▪ Darius Chan被认为是具有“伟大分析头脑”的“杰出实践者”。他“非常关注客户的需求”,而消息人士也评论说他“非常聪明,在压力下保持冷静”(2020 年法律名人录) 

 

▪ Darius Chan “前途光明”、“善于对待客户”、“勤奋工作”、“聪明”和“口齿伶俐”(《法律500强》,2019) 

 

▪ Darius Chan是“一位非常聪明、勤奋、善于表达的律师”,他“在面对复杂的案件时总是知道如何战斗和保持冷静”......他“对每一个细节一丝不苟,并始终表现出奉献精神” (2019 年法律名人录) 

 

▪ Darius Chan以“敏锐的法律洞察力、对客户友好的方式和始终如一的高尚职业道德”给同行留下深刻印象 (2018年法律名人录) 

 

▪ “一个非常非常聪明的人和一个伟大的全能律师,在市场上建立了良好的声誉”(2017年法律名人录) 

 

▪ “非常聪明”,“就敏感的仲裁任务进行协作、清晰的沟通”(《钱伯斯全球与亚太》,2017) 

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