Professional notice
A new entry in 2013, the Singapore firm acted for the Philippines in a high-profile airport dispute
Founded in 1902 by two colonials, Allen & Gledhill is now one of Singapore’s largest firms, with over 300 lawyers. The 20-strong arbitration practice is led by partners Andrew Yeo (the brother of WongPartnership’s Alvin Yeo), Dinesh Dhillon and Edwin Tong. According to Chambers Asia 2011, it is known for its specialist expertise in construction and property disputes, especially those centring on complex infrastructure projects. It has handled arbitration under ICC and SIAC rules, as well as UNCITRAL cases, both within and outside Singapore.
Who uses it?
In the past year, the firm has acted for a consortium of international banks in a SIAC arbitration over a US$350 million claim by a purchaser of distressed assets; for a major power generation company in a US$100 million dispute with an energy company (said to be a test case to determine the effect of the restructuring of the gas industry on long-term gas supply contracts); and for a Fortune 500 company in a US$50 million SIAC arbitration against a Singapore government-linked company over a chemical production facility.
Other clients include Lufthansa in an arbitration and ensuing court battle with a Thai provider of IT services; a Singapore trading arm of the world’s largest private sector coal company; a state-owned Chinese company; and companies listed on the Mumbai and Malaysian stock exchanges.
Track record
Acting as co-counsel with White & Case, the firm helped the Philippines defeat a US$565 million ICC claim by German-led consortium PIATCO, over a concession to build and operate a terminal at Ninoy Aquino international airport in Manila. In mid-2010, a tribunal ruled that PIATCO had breached a Philippine “anti-dummy” law by permitting a German stakeholder to intervene in the management of the terminal – and therefore could not pursue claims under the concession agreement. The award was later upheld by the Singapore Court of Appeal. (The dispute has also spawned an ICSID claim by the German investor, Fraport – in which Allen & Gledhill is not involved.)
The firm also acted for a BVI sports promoter in efforts to set aside a SIAC award in favour of a Thai media company with whom it was organising a Bangkok tennis tournament. Allen & Gledhill succeeded in getting the award set aside on public policy grounds before the Singapore High Court, but the Singapore Court of Appeal reversed the decision in August 2011. Nonetheless, the case has been hailed as an important precedent on the scope of the public policy set-aside ground in Singapore.
One Marina Boulevard, #28-00
Singapore 018989
T: +65 6890 7188
F: +65 6327 3800
W: allenandgledhill.com
Contact Partners
Andrew Yeo
| Ang Cheng Hock, SC |
Chong Boon Leong | Chong Yee Leong
|
Dinesh Dhillon
| Edwin Tong |
Overview
Allen & Gledhill LLP, established in 1902 and currently one of Singapore’s largest law firms, is an award-winning full-service commercial law firm. Our litigation and arbitration team of over 90 lawyers is recognised as one of the strongest and most significant in Singapore. Key clients are major corporates, including Singapore’s largest public companies, Fortune 500 corporations, financial institutions, governments, quasi-government and government-linked entities.
Our Arbitration practice comprises a core team of highly experienced partners with multijurisdictional qualifications who possess international firm experience. The team handles arbitrations in Singapore and overseas, and regularly represents multinational clients in disputes spanning multiple jurisdictions including US, Europe, China, India, Japan, Korea and South-east Asia. The team is known for its expertise and particular depth in handling high value and complex international disputes in the areas of infrastructure, engineering, energy, oil and gas, cross-border investments, trade, transport and shipping, finance and commodities.
Recognition
The capabilities of our practice have won international recognition:
- Recommended law firm in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2014), Chambers Asia-Pacific (2013) and Benchmark Asia-Pacific (2013)
Named International Arbitration Law Firm of the Year at the 2011 and 2013 Asian Legal Business SE Asia Law Awards