Bih Li & Lee LLP

Litigation & Disputes; International Arbitration

Partner

Darrell is a Partner with the firm’s Litigation & Disputes practice group.

​A seasoned disputes lawyer, he has represented clients in appeals, trials and applications before the Singapore Courts. At the same time, he has managed and handled complex multi-jurisdictional institutional and ad-hoc arbitrations as counsel. Darrell also brings to the table his experience as an arbitrator.

His clients include international private banks, multi-national corporations, listed companies (both in Singapore and overseas), statutory boards, government linked entities, technology start-ups, small-medium enterprises as well as individuals.

​He is equally adept in the alternative dispute resolution space, having been involved in numerous mediations and negotiations that have a resulted in an amicable resolution either prior to formal proceedings having been commenced or in the course of the same.

Darrell is also experienced in relation to disciplinary and professional conduct matters having acted and advised both fellow lawyers and the Law Society of Singapore.

Experience

Highlights of cases in which Darrell has been involved include:

Voltas Ltd v Ng Theng Swee and another [2023] SGHC 245, successfully acting for the director and shareholder of the company in resisting the claims for conspiracy and deceit. BUV v BUU and another and another matter [2020] 3 SLR 1041, representing the younger sons in a matter under the Mental Capacity Act and demonstrating to the Court that their aged mother lady lacked mental capacity and was under the undue influence of the eldest brother. Consequently, her will and lasting power of attorney were both revoked and set aside. Solvadis Commodity Chemicals Gmbh v Affert Resources Pte Ltd [2018] 5 SLR 1337, representing the company which was in liquidation to successfully obtain the High Court’s permission and approval for an agreement to sell and assign certain properties and assets to a third-party. Holland Leedon Pte Ltd (in liquidation) v C & P Transport Pte Ltd [2013] SGHC 281, successfully representing the defendant in substantively reducing the claims on the losses sustained due to the damage to certain steel coils that were stored in the defendant’s warehouse. Amutha Valli d/o Krishnan v Titular Superior of the Redemptorist Fathers in Singapore and others [2009] 2 SLR(R) 1091, representing one of the priests in this renowned case commonly referred to as the Novena Church Exorcism Trial. Successfully resisted all the claims made the plaintiff for assault, battery and false imprisonment. Chan Kum Hong Randy v Public Prosecutor [2008] 2 SLR(R) 1019, acting in a novel and unique case of inordinate prosecutorial delay which resulted in a very substantial reduction of the punishment that was meted out by the Courts to only 2 days’ imprisonment for various instance of cheating and forgery.

Darrell’s arbitration and foreign court expertise include:

Representing an Indonesian telecommunications company in successfully resisting claims for breach of contract by a Hong Kong company. The claims arose in the context of the provision of value added services to the mobile subscribers one of Indonesia's largest telecommunication networks and services provider. Representing a Japanese multi-national corporation against an India based company which involved claims for breach of contract and infringement of intellectual property with respect to a turn-key project in the design, manufacture and installation of electricity meters. Acting as sole arbitrator in relation to a dispute on the sale of goods and breach of contract between a Curacao company against two entities based in India and the United Arab Emirates. Acting as instructed foreign counsel to provide advice and assistance in relation to a high-profile matter in Brunei’s High Court.

Recognition

Darrell is a Contributing Editor to the Singapore Civil Procedure (Sweet & Maxwell) from 2017 to 2021 and 2024.

​He has also contributed to the Singapore Chapter of the Chambers Global Practice Guides 2023 – Shareholders’ Rights & Shareholder Activism.

English

Darrell serves as the current Co Vice-Chairperson of the Advocacy Committee of the Law Society of Singapore.

​He is also actively involved in the education of lawyers. For several years, he has been a Moderator and Senior Trainer for the Trial Advocacy component of the Part B of the Singapore Bar Examinations. For well over 15 years, Darrell has taught the Trial Advocacy module at the National University of Singapore as an Adjunct Tutor.

​In 2008, he was added to the Rolls of Solicitors for England & Wales.

Since 2018, Darrell has been a member of the Inquiry Panel of the Law Society of Singapore.

In 2021, Darrell was appointed as an Adjustment Relief Assessor under section 64 of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act.

​In May 2022, Darrell was appointed for a term of 3 years as a member of the Singapore Medical Council’s Complaints Panel.