This will be conducted in English and according to Thailand local time. 

The Thailand & SE Asia: 6th International Arbitration Summit will be coming to Bangkok on Thursday 6 March 2025 at Tilleke & Gibbins Bangkok Office.

We are delighted to invite a group of local and international speakers at the summit whom will be presenting on various topics in relations to international arbitration.  They will share the upcoming trends and provide updates to assist businesses to avoid arbitration as well as tips and tricks.  For more information, please refer to the flyer. Download

Join us for an interactive day and gather with fellow legal professionals within the region.  It will be an excellent opportunity to ask questions to legal household names, network and create business opportunities as well as make some new friends! 

Registration is now open.  We are offering complimentary pass to in-house legal professional (non law/consulting firm only) and discounted rate iis also available for law / consulting firms.  For more information, please refer to the registration below. 

If you are interested to sponsor or speak at the event, contact Jason at jason.sinclair@legalplus-asia.com for package details.  For registrations details, contact Bettina at legalpluseventsasia@legalplus-asia.com.

Program
The organiser reserves the right to change the program without prior notice.

• Opening Message by Chairperson
  Sadaff Habib, Independent Arbitrator 
• Welcome Address from Tilleke & Gibbins
  John Frangos, Partner & Director, Dispute Resolution Practice, Tilleke & Gibbins
• Keynote Session: Sanctions: Effects in Global Arbitration — Seats, Representation, Constitution & Arbitrability of Disputes
  Roderick Cordara KC, SC, Barrister, New Chambers
  
• 1st Grand Panel: Enforcement of Awards, Arbitration Clauses & Invalidity of Awards — Different Jurisdictions, Different Answers!
  Moderator: Kevin Warburton, Partner, HFW
  Panellists:
  • Suruswadee Jaimsuwan, Counsel, Tilleke & Gibbins
  • Dawn Tan, Managing Director, ADTLaw LLC
  • Jeremiah Rais, Partner, Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership
• Energy Trends & Disputes
  John Zadkovich, Partner, Stephenson Harwood
  
• M&A Disputes: Trends & Issues in 2025
  Joel Woodward, Associate Director, BRG
  
• Introduction of NEC 4 In Singapore
  Valerie Koh, Associate Director, Christopher Chua Law Chambers LLC
  
• 2nd Grand Panel: Med v Arb v Negotiation — The Arbitrators/Mediators Toolbox in 2025: Different Regions & Industries = Different Best Outcomes?
  Moderator:  Kim Rooney, Barrister, Rede Chambers
  Panellists:
  • Peter Scott Caldwell, Independent Arbitrator & Mediator
  • Tejus Chauhan, Director, Arbitration & ADR, South Asia, ICC Dispute Resolution Services (ICC DRS)
  • Donna Ross, Principal, Donna Ross Dispute Resolution
  • Bhavish Advani, Of Counsel, Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Ltd
  
• 3rd Grand Panel: Ask the Experts — Expedited & Emergency Procedures in International Arbitration in 2025 — Is Faster Better and Who Really Benefits?
  Moderator: Roderick Cordara KC, SC, Barrister, New Chambers
  Panellists:
  • Z.J. Jennifer Lim, Independent Advocate, Duxton Hill Chambers
  • Dr Vanina Sucharitkul, Chair, CIArb Thailand Branch Chair; Member, ArbitralWomen
  • Edmund Kronenburg, Managing Partner, Braddell Brothers LLP
• Arbitration of Artificial Intelligence Disputes — Navigating Complexities
  Shaun Leong, International Dispute Specialist
  
•  Thai and Mighty: Key Features of the SIAC Rules 2025 and their Potential Impact for International Arbitration in Thailand
  • Yuankai Lin, Partner, RPC Premier Law
  • Jo-Ann Heng, Deputy Counsel, Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)
  • Emi Rowse, Partner, Kudun and Partners
  
• 4th Grand Panel: Cross-border Shareholders, Stakeholders & Director Disputes with Thai & Foreign Companies — Best Practices and Tips
  Moderator:Randolph Khoo, Managing Director, Dispute Resolution, Drew & Napier
  Panellists:
  • Prakarn Sombunying, Senior Associate, Tilleke & Gibbins
  • Desmond Hughes, Senior Partner, Hughes Krupica
  • Sarocha Thongperm, Partner & Head of Litigation and Arbitration, The Capital Law Office
• 5th Grand Panel: Key Issues and Strategies for Managing Cross — Border Internal Corporate Investigations
  Moderator: Owen Hawkes, Partner, KPMG Forensic
  Panellists:
  • Stephen Le, Founder and Chairman, Le & Tran
  • Tristan Teo, Associate Director, ADTLaw LLC
  
• Lucky Draw & Post Event Cocktail Reception
  

Speakers

Sadaff Habib, Chairperon

Independent Arbitrator

Sadaff Habib is an independent arbitrator based in Dubai, UAE. Born and raised in Kenya with Indian roots, she is a qualified attorney in New York. Sadaff has extensive experience in international arbitration, including disputes involving construction, infrastructure, property, commercial, desalination plants, and solar power projects. Prior to going independent, Sadaff worked with international law firms such as Beale & Co and Fenwick Elliott. Sadaff is recognized as a Future Leader by Who’s Who Legal and is also ranked in Who’s Who Legal as a Global Elite Thought Leader. She also holds a ranking in the Legal 500 Middle East Construction, where she is acknowledged for building a reputable presence in international arbitration as an arbitrator.

Biography

John Frangos, Welcome Message

Partner & Director, Dispute Resolution Practice, Tilleke & Gibbins

John Frangos is a partner and director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution and litigation group. Based in Bangkok, he works with clients and the firm’s disputes team on complex cases across Southeast Asia. He is especially active in leading the firm’s aviation industry group and its compliance and investigations practice. John’s experience includes guiding companies on matters ranging from construction and infrastructure disputes, commercial disputes, aircraft repossessions, and internal and governmental investigations, among others. With many years living and working in Thailand and Vietnam, John brings strong knowledge of local business practices and customs. On the basis of his expertise in the aviation industry, coupled with his exceptional client service, John is ranked as a leading aviation and transport practitioner by Chambers Asia-Pacific, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, and Asialaw Profiles. John, who is qualified in New York, serves as the Thailand chapter head for the New York State Bar Association. He is also an active member of the US-ASEAN Business Council. He regularly presents and writes on topics related to disputes in Southeast Asia.

Biography

Roderick Cordara KC, SC, Keynote Speaker & Moderator - 3rd Grand Panel

Barrister, New Chambers

Roderick Cordara is a barrister and a graduate of Cambridge University (Trinity Hall, MA (first class)). He is a Senior Counsel in Australia and King’s Counsel in the UK and is admitted to practice in the Courts of Australia, the UK, and the Singapore International Commercial Court. Roderick practices in international commercial arbitration, including investor state dispute settlement [‘ISDS’], as well as Court litigation arising from arbitral awards and enforcement. His international commercial dispute practice focusses on arbitration involving various sectors: energy (oil, gas, renewables, and generation), financial services, construction, hospitality, trade, & shipbuilding. His ISDS work includes claims based on bilateral and multi-lateral investment treaties (Energy Charter Treaty). His EU practice, in front of the European Court of Justice, involved solely treaty-based disputes. Roderick is experienced in public law litigation (ie disputes with governments) relating to tax, duties, restitution and regulation. In this connection, Clients for whom he has acted in Australia include airlines, banks, miners, the motor distribution and retail optical industries, as well as transport and property development. Roderick has twice appeared in the High Court, and has represented the Australian government in the Full Federal Court. Overseas, he has appeared frequently in UK Supreme Court and European Court of Justice. He acts for the UK government in the export finance sector, with particular reference to sanctions, a subject in which he specialises. Essex Court, his London chambers, has a long and close relationship with New Chambers. Roderick accepts arbitral appointments, and appears as an expert witness to give evidence of English & Australian law. Roderick has a particular interest in Africa. In 2018, he was part of the legal team representing Somalia in its negotiations in Geneva to join the World Trade Organisation. He advised on the trade taxation aspect of the project. In addition he has been involved in a task force setting up new arbitral institutions in six nations in the East Africa (IGAD). He writes and teaches in the field of international arbitration, ISDS and tax. He speaks English, Italian, & French.

Biography

Kevin Warburton, Moderator – 1st Grand Panel

Partner, HFW

Kevin Warburton is a Partner in HFW's disputes practice, based in the Hong Kong office. Kevin is an arbitration specialist, with a broad practice which also includes commercial litigation, regulatory/internal investigations and privacy/cyber related matters. He is experienced in advising clients in Hong Kong and overseas, including private and listed companies, financial institutions, high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs and multinational organisations. Kevin is admitted to practice in Hong Kong, England & Wales and the British Virgin Islands.

Biography

Kim Rooney, Moderator - 2nd Grand Panel

Independent Arbitrator and Barrister, Rede Chambers

Kim Rooney is an independent arbitrator in arbitrations governed by the laws of civil and common law jurisdictions, and by international conventions, in commercial, financial, infrastructure and investment disputes and a barrister at Rede Chambers in Hong Kong. She chairs the Hong Kong Bar Association’s Arbitration Committee, is a member of its Council and is a member of the Advisory Body on Third Party Funding for Arbitration and Mediation (Hong Kong). She is the editor of the IBA’s Dispute Resolution International. She has been practicing in Asia since 1990. Before moving to become a Hong Kong barrister, she was a partner of White & Case LLP and headed its Asian international dispute resolution practice. She regularly lectures in international dispute resolution including at the Peking University Law School, Kim chaired the Hong Kong Law Reform Commission’s Committee on Third Party Funding for Arbitration that recommended Hong Kong’s relevant law reforms and co-drafted Part 10A of the Arbitration Ordinance (Cap 609) and the Hong Kong Code of Practice for Third Party Funding. She was a member of the ICC Court of International Arbitration (2018-2024) and inaugural vice chair of eBRAM Online Dispute Resolution Centre.

Biography

Randolph Khoo, Moderator — 4th Grand Panel

Managing Director, Dispute Resolution, Drew & Napier

Randolph is the Managing Director of the Dispute Resolution Department of Drew & Napier LLC, Singapore. He also heads the dispute resolution practices of the firm’s Greater China Desk, International Trade and Private Client Practice Groups. Randolph has an active advocacy practice in international arbitration and mediation, cross border and domestic litigation. He is recognised and ranked by various publications including Chambers Asia-Pacific, Chambers Global, Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Asialaw Leading Lawyers, Chambers High Net Worth, Doyle’s Guide and is a Benchmark Litigation Disputes Star. Apart from counsel work, Randolph is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and of arbitration institutes of Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and India. He is also on arbitration panels of arbitral institutions in Singapore, Malaysia, India, China and Russia as well as being a specialist mediator with the Singapore International Mediation Centre and the Mediation & Conciliation Network.

Biography

Owen Hawkes, Moderator — 5th Grand Panel

Partner, KPMG Forensic

Owen Hawkes is a Partner in KPMG Forensic with 25 years of litigation and investigation experience. Owen has practiced both in accounting and law, joining KPMG Forensic in 2007. Prior to joining KPMG, Owen practised as a barrister for eight years, including six at the United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office. He is listed in Who’s Who Legal as a leading expert in Forensic Accounting, Forensics & Litigation Consulting, Asset Recovery and Economic Consulting, which notes that he is “an impressive practitioner who draws widespread praise from peers this year and is listed as a Global Elite Thought Leader.”

Biography

Suruswadee Jaimsuwan

Counsel, Tilleke & Gibbins

Suruswadee Jaimsuwan is a senior litigator in the firm’s dispute resolution group, advising clients in both criminal and civil cases. Suruswadee has extensive legal experience on and off the bench, bolstered by a deep knowledge of Thai law and court procedure. She uses her expertise to develop strong and practical legal strategies, and to provide flawless advocacy in the courtroom. She presents facts and evidence to the courts and regulators clearly and persuasively, for the benefit of her clients. Moreover, as a mediation expert, she has a superb ability to explore alternative dispute resolution options and identify areas of agreement to seek solutions. Suruswadee works closely with the firm’s litigators to share her insights on potential solutions, negotiation techniques, and Thai court practice and procedure, thus giving our clients a competitive edge.

Biography

Prakarn Sombunying

Senior Associate, Tilleke & Gibbins

Prakarn Sombunying is a senior associate in Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution department in Bangkok, where he specializes in administrative law, anticorruption, and regulatory disputes. He is a seasoned trial strategist advising both domestic and international clients on the resolution of high-stakes and complex litigation in a wide range of industries, including food and beverage, financial services, telecommunications, real estate, and energy. Prakarn’s clients rely on his background and experience to provide them with specialized insights into the practice of Thai courts as well as operations of authorities and government agencies. Prior to joining Tilleke & Gibbins, Prakarn worked at multiple prominent law firms in Thailand and as a hands-on private practitioner, guiding clients through the Thai judicial process to protect their business interests and achieve their strategic objectives. Prakarn holds an LLB from Thammasat University and an LLM in Public and International Law from the University of Melbourne Law School, as well as a graduate diploma in public law from Thammasat University. He is admitted to the Thai Bar and has completed the barrister-at-law training from the Thai Bar Association and the Lawyers Council of Thailand

Biography

Yuankai Lin

Partner, RPC Premier Law

Specialising in complex and high-stakes cross-border litigation and arbitration, Yuankai Lin has considerable experience advising clients embroiled in shareholder disputes spanning across industry sectors such as Technology, Communications and Media; Hospitality & Retail, Food & Beverage, Entertainment & Sport; Healthcare, Oil and Gas, as well as Aviation. An experienced dispute resolution lawyer, Yuankai frequently does his own advocacy in both litigation and arbitration matters. He has a very international practice having acted in disputes involving a wide range of jurisdictions including Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, China, Russia, South Korea, Bangladesh, India and the United States. He has acted for clients at all levels of the Singapore Courts as well as in arbitrations administered by the SIAC, ICC, KLRCA (now AIAC), LCIA and UNCITRAL Rules. Yuankai is regularly sought after for his professional views by renowned publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Nikkei Asia and Singapore’s Business Times. Yuankai is recommended in major legal directories and was included in Asian Legal Business’ inaugural list of Singapore Rising Stars. Clients have referred to Yuankai as “the consummate lawyer who is committed to his client’s best interests” and have commented that “there is no question who I want on my team for the most high priority, critical and sensitive disputes”.

Biography

Joel Woodward

Associate Director, BRG

Joel Woodward is a Associate Director in BRG’s Bangkok office. He specializes in financial modelling and valuation in complex cross-border disputes, including M&A and shareholder disputes. He has performed business analyses and supported the preparation of expert reports on financial and economic issues in a wide range of industries including energy, mining, agribusiness, financial services, and crypto. He has been involved in arbitration matters under SIAC, HKIAC, and ICC rules, and litigation in the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Australia.

Biography

Valerie Koh

Associate Director, Christopher Chua Law Chambers LLC

Valerie KOH is an Associate Director of the Firm. Her main areas of practice encompass dispute resolution and front-end project advisory work, with a focus on infrastructure, construction and engineering disputes, as well as commercial disputes. Valerie regularly represents developers, contractors and consultants in complex litigation proceedings across all levels of the Singapore courts, international and domestic arbitration proceedings administered by ICC and SIAC and adjudication proceedings under the SOP Act. She has also represented clients in mediations conducted in the Singapore Mediation Centre in relation to various high-value construction and engineering projects. On the non-contentious front, she is also involved in drafting, reviewing and advising on bespoke contracts and standard form construction contracts (including SIA, PSSCOC, FIDIC and REDAS) across various trades. Prior to joining the Firm, Valerie was a Partner at one of Singapore’s Big 4 law firms in its infrastructure, construction and engineering department. Valerie is fluent in English and Mandarin. She graduated from the National University of Singapore with Honours.

Biography

John Zadkovich

Partner, Stephenson Harwood

John advises on a range of energy, trade and finance matters, with particular expertise in international commercial arbitration, investigations and public international law. John has a strong legal and commercial understanding of the trade, energy (including oil and gas, mining/natural resources, hydrogen and renewables), infrastructure and finance sectors. John is experienced in working with most international arbitration rules and recognised institutions, including ICC, LCIA, SIAC, LMAA, HKIAC, CIETAC and UNCITRAL, and frequently appears as counsel before arbitral tribunals. He has also advised clients regarding regulatory and internal investigations and appeared as counsel before regulatory tribunals. John’s clients range from sovereign states, state owned entities, and multinational and domestic companies, to trading houses, private equity firms and family offices. He has more than 20 years of legal experience across Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, having previously worked at Australian, English and American law firms, including six years in Hong Kong.

Biography

Dawn Tan

Managing Director, ADTLaw LLC

Dawn Tan is the founder of established commercial firm ADTLaw LLC, which is in a joint venture with international firm Ashurst LLP through Ashurst ADTLaw. She is an experienced disputes lawyer and has represented clients in complex commercial disputes before all levels of the Singapore Courts. She has been appointed as arbitrator and acted as lead counsel in international arbitrations, and also has a significant strategic advisory practice. Dawn graduated from the National University of Singapore Law School with a Bachelor of Laws Degree (First Class Honours), and again achieved academic distinction at the Harvard Law School. She is qualified in Singapore, New York State and England & Wales. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Singapore Institute of Arbitrators. Outside practice, she is Chairwoman of the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce and a Council member of Singapore’s apex business association, the Singapore Business Federation. She has published papers on a range of subjects including the use of Singapore law in cross-border commercial transactions.

Biography

Jo-Ann Heng

Deputy Counsel, Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)

Jo-Ann has a LL.B. (Hons) (First Class Honours) degree from the National University of Singapore and a B.A. (Hons) degree from Yale-NUS College. She also holds an LL.M degree from Columbia Law School, where she graduated with High Honours and was awarded the Parker Certificate of Achievement in International and Comparative Law. She is admitted to the Bar in Singapore. Prior to joining SIAC, she worked in several top law firms in Singapore in commercial litigation and specialised in construction and engineering disputes. Jo-Ann is also an SMC Accredited Mediator.

Biography

Emi Rowse

Partner, Kudun and Partners

Emi Rowse (Igusa) is a partner in the Dispute Resolution team at Kudun and Partners, Thailand, and heads their Japan Practice. She has over 18 years of experience advising and representing clients throughout Asia on complex commercial litigation, international arbitrations and fraud investigations. Prior to joining Kudun and Partners, Emi was a senior lawyer at an international law firm for 10 years and gained experience working in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Bangkok. She is a Hong Kong qualified lawyer, accredited mediator and is on the panel of Arbitrators for THAC, list of Arbitrators for HKIAC and eBRAM. She has been ranked in Thailand’s Top 100 lawyers from 2022 to 2024 and was named “Future Star Practitioner” by Benchmark Litigation, 2024.

Biography

Desmond Hughes

Senior Partner, Hughes Krupica

Desmond is an equity partner and co-founder of Hughes Krupica, a small sized niche law firm which has operated for 12 years. Prior to that Desmond was a founder and senior equity partner at a regional firm based in Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, for 10 years. Desmond specialises in dispute resolution with his firm acting as counsel and with Desmond’s involvement in more than 80 cases in recent years, ICC, Thai Arbitration Centre (THAC), Thai Arbitration Institute (TAI) and the Board of Trade amongst others. He is a registered arbitrator on the panel of the Thai Arbitration Institute, the former Chair of the ICC Thailand ADR and Arbitration Commission 2020-2023, the ex-officio National Head of the ICC Thailand ADR Arbitration Commission, a current Commission Member globally and also for Thailand, and the former Vice-Chair of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Thailand Branch 2019-2021. Desmond is also registered on the List of Arbitrators for Thailand for the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators having served as the Vice-Chair to the Thailand Branch of CIARB 2019-2021. Desmond and his firm also specialise in joint ventures including along the Easter Economic Corridor manufacturing belt of Thailand, real estate investment large/ medium and small scale, hospitality management and asset sale and purchase; and commercial matters mostly involving joint ventures and dispute resolution in all of those sectors. Desmond qualified as a solicitor of England and Wales, completed the Overseas Lawyers Qualification Examination in Hong Kong, and is a Masters Degree alumni of King’s College London for the International Corporate and Commercial Law LLM. Desmond enjoys playing Padel Tennis including in tournaments, recretational trail hiking in Phuket and overseas when he is travelling.

Biography

Edmund Kronenburg

Managing Partner, Braddell Brothers LLP  

With over 25 years’ experience in dispute resolution, litigation, and arbitration, Edmund regularly appears as lead counsel in cases before the Singapore High Court and Court of Appeal, as well as in international arbitrations. His diverse practice includes commercial and corporate disputes, energy and natural resources, media and telecommunications, breach of confidence, defamation, employment, medical and healthcare disputes as well as pre-emptive relief and injunctions including Worldwide Freezing / Mareva Injunctions. Edmund also actively sits as an arbitrator, and has conducted arbitrations seated in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Brunei, as sole arbitrator, tribunal chairman / presiding arbitrator and tribunal member. He is a fellow of CIArb, SIArb, MIArb, AMINZ, HKIArb, PIArb and ACICA. He is also admitted to the panels / lists of, among others, the AIAC (Malaysia, formerly KLCRA), AIFC (Kazakhstan), BANI (Indonesia), BDAC (Brunei), BVIIAC (British Virgin Islands), CAA (Taiwan), HKIAC (Hong Kong), KCAB (Korea), IIAM (India), MIAC (Maldives), NCAC (Cambodia), PIAC (Vietnam), PDRC (Philippines), IMA (Russia), SCCA (Saudi Arabia), SHIAC (Shanghai), TIAC (Uzbekistan), TAI (Thailand), VIAC (Vietnam) and VLCAC (Vietnam). Of note, Edmund’s commercial disputes expertise extends well beyond Singapore to the ASEAN region, in particular Indonesia. In the course of his career, Edmund has acted for a variety of prominent Indonesian private clients and major corporations in international disputes. His achievements for Indonesian clients include obtaining a USD 35 million ICC Jakarta-seated arbitral award against PT Pertamina (Persero) and PT Pertamina EP, as well as defeating the enforcement of 99.7% of a USD 130 million SIAC award obtained by the Astro Group against First Media (a Lippo Group company). Edmund has received wide recognition in the Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, Best Lawyers, Benchmark Litigation, Asialaw and Who’s Who Legal guides.

Biography

Tristan Teo

Associate Director, ADTLaw LLC

Tristan is an Associate Director of ADTLaw LLC, which is in a joint venture with Ashurst LLP through Ashurst ADTLaw. He specialises in managing and resolving commercial disputes, employment matters and investigations. Tristan has appeared as counsel before all levels of the Singapore courts, and acts as counsel and Tribunal Secretary in international arbitrations under prominent institutional rules. He also has an active advisory practice and regularly advises clients on contentions and non-contentious employment matters, and on internal and external investigations including by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, the Commercial Affairs Department of the Singapore Police Force, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority and the Ministry of Manpower in relation to regulatory issues and offences including fraud, anti-bribery and corruption. Tristan is qualified in Singapore and Australia (Victoria) and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Biography

Jeremiah Rais

Partner, Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership

Jeremiah Rais is a Partner at Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership, where he maintains a commercial litigation and arbitration practice focused on corporate, technology and regulatory matters. In recent contentious work, Jeremiah has handled a range of technology-related disputes, including a case involving 4G network facilities along a mass rapid transit system in Kuala Lumpur. On the non-contentious front, he provides strategic advice on regulatory issues, particularly in securities, anti-money laundering, telecommunications and technology laws. He is currently part of a team advising a government-owned special purpose vehicle on the nationwide deployment of Malaysia’s 5G network. Jeremiah’s academic and professional interests include financial regulation and cryptocurrencies. His postgraduate research in these areas has led to journal publications and speaking engagements addressing regulatory challenges posed by emerging technologies. He read law at the University of Leeds and holds a Master of Commercial Law from the University of Malaya. Jeremiah was called to the Bar of England and Wales (Middle Temple) and admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya, as well as the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak.

Biography

Bhavish Advani

Of Counsel, Watson Farley & Williams (Thailand) Ltd

Bhavish is of Counsel in Watson Farley & Williams’ Dispute Resolution Group. He specialises in Asia-based international commercial arbitration and is a key member of our team in dealing with disputes from the ASEAN region, China and South Asia. He is also actively involved in developing the firm’s technology practice, having obtained an LLM focussed on competition and regulatory policy over the digital economy and new business models. Before joining Watson Farley & Williams in 2012, Bhavish spent five years working in one of Singapore’s most prestigious disputes practices. Bhavish has extensive advisory experience and has acted as lead counsel in international commercial arbitrations under the UNCITRAL, ICC, SIAC, HKIAC and ICDR regimes. He has also acted for parties at the trial and appellate levels in commercial cases before the Singapore courts. Bhavish has particular expertise in matters involving ongoing commercial relationships such as shareholder and JV disputes, representing clients across sectors from real estate to traditional and renewable energy. Bhavish’s matters are run in compact teams prioritising cost efficiency and expeditious disposal. His diverse range of clients include major regional corporations and multinationals, financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds, governments, state-linked entities, and UHNWIs. Bhavish is admitted in Singapore, England & Wales and the State of New York. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He is fluent in English, Mandarin and French, and holds an LLM in Law and Economics which he obtained under the EU’s Erasmus+: Erasmus Mundus scholarship.

Biography

Stephen Le

Founder and Chairman, Le & Tran

Stephen Le, Founder and Chairman of Le & Tran, stands as an unassailable force in Vietnam’s legal profession. With an unrivaled command of litigation, arbitration, white-collar crime, and employment law, Stephen is not merely a practitioner but a master architect of legal strategy. His name is synonymous with excellence, trusted by a diverse array of clients, including multinational corporations such as Petronas, navigating Vietnam’s complex legal landscape. Stephen’s accolades reflect a career at the pinnacle of the profession. Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” for four consecutive years by Benchmark Litigation APAC, he has been named a Top-Ranked Lawyer by Chambers Asia-Pacific and one of Asia’s Super 50 Disputes Lawyers by Asian Legal Business. These honors affirm his stature as Vietnam’s most formidable legal expert, sought after for cases that demand brilliance and precision.

Biography

Peter Scott Caldwell

Independent Arbitrator & Mediator

Peter Scott Caldwell is regularly appointed as arbitrator, mediator, dispute board member and adjudicator on a wide variety of disputes or projects in various Asian jurisdictions involving parties from around the world. Peter is a chartered engineer with many years’ experience in managing major civil engineering works. He is also a Chartered Arbitrator and accredited mediator. Peter was a member of the working party which drafted the first edition of the IBA Rules for the Taking of Evidence in International Commercial Arbitration. He is board member of the Dispute Resolution Board Foundation Region 2, an Arbitrator Member of the Society of Construction Arbitrators and a member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR. He is a former Secretary-General of Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and a founder member and past chair of the Society of Construction Law Hong Kong, a past chair of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) regional branch and was involved in founding the Thai Branch of CIArb.

Biography

Sarocha Thongperm

Partner & Head of Litigation and Arbitration, The Capital Law Office

Sarocha Thongperm is a Partner and Head of the Litigation and Arbitration practice group at The Capital Law Office in Bangkok, Thailand. Sarocha has extensive experience in domestic and cross-border litigation. She has a wealth of experience in arbitration proceedings administered by major arbitration institutions including the ICC, SIAC, HKIAC and TAI. Overall, she has over 15 years of experience advising clients on complex civil and criminal proceedings, competition law, business rehabilitation and administrative law disputes with wide ranging sector coverage, including oil and gas, renewable energy, real estate and construction, insurance, hospitality, consumer goods and services, and transportation. Her experience is also extended to the role of arbitrator in which she has been appointed by the Thailand Arbitration Institute as a sole arbitrator. She has been recognized as one of the 40 Under 40 legal professionals in Asia, Asian Legal Business in 2022. She is also enlisted as an arbitrator in the Register of the Thailand Arbitration Institute (TAI) and a member of the Young Singapore International Arbitration Centre (YSIAC) Council APAC Regional Committee.

Biography

Dr Vanina Sucharitkul

Chair, CIArb Thailand Branch Chair; Member, ArbitralWomen

Dr. Vanina Sucharitkul, FCIArb is Foreign Counsel at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP and R&T Asia (Thailand) Limited. Atop being a specialist in international arbitration, Vanina regularly advises clients on a diverse range of cross-border disputes involving commercial contracts, corporate investigations and anticorruption, joint ventures, insurance and reinsurance, oil and gas, construction and infrastructure, and investment treaty arbitration. Vanina has acted as counsel and advocate in proceedings spanning multiple jurisdictions under the auspices of institutions including the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Hong Kong International Arbitration Center (HKIAC), the Singapore International Arbitration Center (SIAC), the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and the Thailand Arbitration Institute (TAI). She also sits as arbitrator in cases under the Rules of the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA), the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), ICC, SIAC, HKIAC, and TAI. Admitted to the California Bar and practiced at international law firms in San Francisco, Bangkok, Paris and Hong Kong, Vanina served for 9 years as a Court Member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, as Board Member of ArbitralWomen for 2 terms and is the cofounder of Young Thailand Arbitration Center (YTHAC) and currently the Chair of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrator (CIArb) Thailand Branch.

Biography

Tejus Chauhan

Director, Arbitration & ADR, South Asia, ICC Dispute Resolution Services (ICC DRS)

As the Regional Director for South Asia based out of Singapore, Tejus is responsible for structuring and implementing ICC’s strategy, overseeing operations and promotion of ICC DRS in 20 countries covering South Asia Pacific. Tejus is also an avid promoter of opportunities for young practitioners and leads ICC’s Young Arbitration and ADR Forum (YAAF) for South Asia. Working alongside the case management team in Singapore and overseeing a team of deputy directors in the region, Tejus focuses on assisting companies, counsels, and investors the region understand how they can resolve commercial disputes by raising their awareness about ICC DRS and advising on ICC arbitration proceeding protocol. Tejus earned his law degree in India. Upon graduation, Tejus started as an associate with a law firm. Prior to joining ICC in Singapore as the Regional Director, Tejus also worked with the ICC in India and with the forensic and dispute advisory services at a Big Four audit firm.

Biography

Z.J. Jennifer Lim

Independent Advocate, Duxton Hill Chambers

Z.J. Jennifer Lim is an independent advocate at Duxton Hill Chambers (Singapore Group Practice). She focuses her practice on international dispute resolution and arbitration, representing clients in investor-state and commercial arbitrations seated in cities around the world. Jennifer also sits as arbitrator under SIAC, LCIA, HKIAC and ICC rules. In addition, Jennifer advises on general transnational litigation matters, including arbitration-related court proceedings and complex cross-border disputes. Since 2023, Jennifer has been recognised as a Who’s Who Legal (WWL) “Thought Leader – Global Elite: Arbitration Future Leader”, the highest accolade by the publication for outstanding lawyers aged 45 or under. She has also been selected as a WWL “International Arbitration Future Leader” since 2019 and “Southeast Asia Arbitration National Leader” since 2023. Jennifer is qualified in New York, England & Wales, Singapore, and Hong Kong (non-practising), and she is bilingual in English and Mandarin Chinese.

Biography

Donna Ross

Principal, Donna Ross Dispute Resolution

Donna Ross, the principal of Donna Ross Dispute Resolution, is an international ADR practitioner specialising in corporate and commercial disputes with exceptional expertise in appropriate dispute resolution. Qualified in both civil and common law, Donna has acted as arbitrator, mediator, negotiator and advocate in highvalue and complex disputes relating to cross-border deals, private equity, technology, telecommunications, construction, partnership, shareholder, import, licensing and distribution agreements, retail leasing, and the wine industry. She is multi-cultural, having lived worked in jurisdictions across the globe, and can conduct proceedings in French, Spanish and Italian. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a board member of the Singapore Branch, a Fellow and graded arbitrator of Resolution Institute, a Fellow of ACICA and sits on the panels of a number of domestic and international institutions. Donna is an IMI and SIMI Certified Mediator, an accredited mediator in New York and Australia and a Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialist in Mediation Law. In addition to serving as a neutral, Donna is an adjunct professor at the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore, a member of the CIArb faculty, a lecturer at La Trobe Law School and a CPD Provider for Leo Cussen Centre for Law and Legalwise. Donna is an active supporter of ADR: she is a frequent speaker at ADR events, devotes time as a coach and judge in competitions and sits on a number of committees including ArbitralWomen’s advisory board, Resolution Institute and ACICA’s Diversity Committees and is an editorial consultant of the Australasian Dispute Resolution Journal.

Biography

Shaun Leong

International Dispute Specialist

Shaun Leong, FCIArb, is an international arbitration specialist with more than sixteen years of experience in complex cross border disputes. He has a penchant for working on complex, novel matters in particular acting as the lead counsel to obtain for the first time ever a worldwide proprietary injunction to freeze an NFT on the blockchain from the Bored Ape Yacht Club series which count Madonna and Justin Bieber amongst its collectors. He is increasingly involved in artificial intelligence as well as climate change and sustainability disputes. Shaun is a two time International Arbitration Lawyer of the Year nominee (Law. com International’s Asia Legal Awards 2024 and Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards 2022). Recognised for his “particular expertise in cryptocurrency, A.I. and blockchain disputes” (Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024), Shaun is the only disputes lawyer ranked in Who’s Who Legal’s leading Singapore based practitioner in the Blockchain category, and is the Digital Assets Lawyer of the Year nominee in Law. com International’s Asia Legal Awards 2023. Shaun is appointed by the Thailand Ministry of Justice as the Head of the Academy of the Thailand Arbitration Centre, and is a panel arbitrator with the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board International, Japan Commercial Arbitration Association, Singapore International Arbitration Centre, alongside other leading arbitral institutions across the Asia Pacific.

Biography

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