Description

There are a significant number of lawyers practising shipping law in Singapore, both in law firms and in-house. The practices of the lawyers cover both contentious and noncontentious work in large, full-service, local law firms, in boutique practices, which have a focus on shipping and commodities law, and in off-shore (international) law firms, several of which known for shipping law. Other lawyers work in-house for shipping companies, large and small, and in insurance, notably for P & I Clubs. What is “contentious” and “noncontentious” work? What kind of work does a shipping lawyer actually do? Are shipping lawyers’ practices routine or boring? What does the average working day/week/month look like for a shipping lawyer? What are the prospects for young lawyers who are interested in making this area of law their career? What is it like to work for a Club? And inhouse? All these and other issues will be addressed by our panel of experts, representing a range of practices and in-house options in Singapore. There will be time for a Q & A, and a buffet lunch will be served afterwards.

Who Should Attend

Second and third year undergraduate students and graduate students with an interest in shipping and maritime law.

Panellists

Mr Craig Johnston
Vice President, Defence/Charterers & Traders Claims Asia Gard

Craig works with the International Group P&I Club, Gard, where he heads up Gard’s Defence/Charterers & Traders Claims Asia team. He is based in Gard’s Singapore office. He is a qualified lawyer in South Africa, Hong Kong and England. He has a law degree from the University of Natal, Durban. A former naval officer, Craig subsequently worked with South African and English shipping and trade law firms and another International Group P&I Club in London. Immediately prior to joining Gard, he worked with Holman Fenwick Willan, a leading international shipping law firm, in Hong Kong.

Mr Leong Kah Wah
‘90 Head, Dispute Resolution, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP Senior Accredited Specialist (Maritime & Shipping)

Kah Wah has extensive experience in shipping, trading and commercial dispute resolution. He has acted as counsel in maritime and trade arbitrations before tribunals, both adhoc and institutional (namely, SIAC, SCMA, LMAA, New York SMA, GAFTA, FOSFA and PORAM). He often appears in significant cases in the Singapore Court of Appeal and his experience extends to wet work, where he is regularly instructed to investigate and manage claims arising out of casualties. Kah Wah was one of the first legal practitioners to be accredited by the Singapore Academy of Law as a Senior Accredited Specialist in Maritime and Shipping law.

Mr Erik Widjaja
‘12 Senior Associate, Allen & Gledhill LLP Accredited Specialist (Maritime & Shipping)

Erik was called to the Singapore Bar in 2013 and ranked amongst the top 22 candidates in Part B of the Bar examinations. As a student at NUS Law, he won the M Karthigesu Memorial Gold Medal and Prize in 2012. Erik has contributed to the commentary on Order 70 of the Rules of Court (Admiralty proceedings) in the Singapore Court Practice 2014 and is a member of the teaching faculty for Part B of the Bar Examinations. His practice encompasses maritime and trade matters, with a focus on dispute resolution (including litigation, arbitration and mediation). He recently became an Accredited Specialist (Maritime & Shipping) with the Singapore Academy of Law.

Ms Maureen Poh
‘07 Partner, Ince & Incisive Law LLP

Maureen’s shipping practice covers charterparty disputes, carriage of goods by sea and cargo claims. She also provides noncontentious advice in these areas. Her energy practice includes advising major contractors to energy companies on disputes relating to the construction and employment of offshore assets. Maureen has an active trade practice, comprising both disputes and non-contentious work and has experience with arbitration in Singapore, London and Indonesia under SIAC, SCMA, LMAA, ICC, UNCITRAL and BANI rules. Maureen is described in The Legal500 as “a key name for charterparty disputes, carriage of goods by sea and cargo claims and is ‘proactive, clear and fast in analysing specific points’”.

Mr Jonathan Choo
‘07 Partner, Allen & Gledhill LLP

Jonathan specialises in non-contentious shipping matters as well as domestic and cross-border banking transactions, with a particular focus in the maritime and offshore oil and gas sectors. He primarily acts for local and foreign banks, borrowers, shipping trusts and equity investors in lending, leasing and debt restructuring matters. He also regularly acts for shipowners in various non-contentious shipping matters relating to ship sale and purchase, charterparties and shipbuilding contracts. He is an active member of the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA).

Mr Patrick Kirkman
General Manager, Insurance, BW Group

Patrick is responsible for marine insurance with BW Group, one of the largest and most respected shipping groups. Prior to joining BW, he held senior leadership roles with an International Group P&I Club and was a Senior Partner at a leading international specialty broker. Patrick’s experience covers production and placement of marine and marine liability risks covering both blue water and offshore exposures; with a strong service focus built around his claims expertise and knowledge of marine and energy contracts.

Mr Huang Peide
‘16 Associate, Helmsman LLC

Peide is one of the leading shipping juniors in his batch, with a stellar track record both academically and professionally. Specialising in shipping and trade related dispute resolution, he has extensive experience acting in arbitrations under the rules of SIAC, SCMA, LMAA, LCIA, ICC, CIETAC, AIAC. He also advises on disputes in other jurisdictions, including Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and the Philippines. At NUS, he earned the prize as top student in Carriage of Goods by Sea (the Maritime Law Association of Singapore Prize) and the M Karthigesu Memorial Gold Medal and Prize and participated in the Jean Pictet International Humanitarian Law Competition and the International Maritime Law Arbitration Moot (IMLAM). Peter continues to coach mooting at NUS Law.