LVM Law Chambers LLC

International Arbitration, International Trade, Shipping & Sanctions, Litigation & Appeals

Of Counsel

Benjamin graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in 2013. He was called to the Singapore Bar in 2014. Since graduating, he has garnered significant experience in admiralty and shipping matters by acting for shipowners, charterers, shipyards, and banks in a variety of shipping-related matters such as shipbuilding, charterparty, commodities and international trade disputes.

In addition to admiralty and shipping disputes, Benjamin also has broad expertise in representing and advising clients on a range of civil and commercial dispute resolution matters, including commercial contracts, trust, insurance, employment, insolvency, and high-value matrimonial disputes. At present, he is acting for a major state-owned oil trading company in proceedings which arise from the financial collapse of Hin Leong Trading (Pte) Ltd, one of Asia’s largest oil traders, in 2020.

Benjamin has appeared at all levels before the Singapore courts and some of his matters involved novel issues of law. These include: (a) 3 Corporate Services Pte Ltd v Grabtaxi Holdings Pte Ltd [2020] 4 SLR 941, which involved the issue of whether a contract in aid of cybersquatting is legally enforceable in Singapore; (b) Lau Soon v UOL Development (Dakota) Pte Ltd [2022] 3 SLR 625, which involved the issue of whether a housing developer’s claim for stakeholding monies held by the Singapore Academy of Law can be time-barred; and (c) The “Jeil Crystal” [2021] SGHC 292, which involved the issue of whether a warrant of arrest of a vessel can be upheld on the basis of an amended claim which was not pleaded at the time the warrant was issued.

Benjamin also has an active arbitration practice and has handled a range of arbitration matters in various disputes which include those governed by the SIAC and LMAA Rules. These include: (a) disputes relating to delay in delivery under a contract for the construction and sale of a jack-up drilling rig with a contract value exceeding US$180 million; (b) disputes under a contract for the sale and purchase of an insurance company; and (c) charterparty disputes relating to claims for demurrage and detention of vessels.

Outside of work, Benjamin enjoys reading and travelling.

English

Member, Law Society of Singapore Member, Singapore Academy of Law