Professor Benjamin Hughes

Since leaving law firm practice in March 2013, Ben has been appointed in over 200 international arbitrations with several billion dollars in dispute. Previously, he practised with Shearman & Sterling (in the US and Singapore) and was the founding co-chair of the international dispute resolution practice group at Shin & Kim, one of Korea’s oldest and largest full-service law firms.

Ben’s experience as arbitrator spans a broad range of commercial sectors, applicable law, arbitration rules and jurisdictions. He is particularly recognised as a leading arbitrator in the Asia-Pacific region, having lived, studied and worked in the region for more than 30 years. In addition, having studied and practised law in both civil and common law jurisdictions, Ben is uniquely suited to hear disputes between parties from various legal and cultural backgrounds.

Notable International Arbitration Cases

Chair in SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore between Cambodian and Chinese parties arising under a contract for the construction of a mixed use residential and commercial tower and related agreements.

Chair in DIFC-LCIA arbitration seated in Dubai between Greek and Iraqi parties arising under a contract for port dredging and jetty rehabilitation.

Chair in ICC arbitration seated in London between Singaporean and Canadian parties arising under a distribution agreement and related agreements.

Chair in ICC arbitration seated in Hong Kong between two Chinese parties arising under a joint venture agreement.

Co-arbitrator in HKIAC arbitration seated in Hong Kong between US and BVI parties arising under a contract for the supply of medical equipment.

Chair in SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore between Hong Kong and Singaporean parties arising under a long-term contract for the sale and purchase of commercial refrigerated propane.

Co-arbitrator in ICC arbitration seated in Singapore between Thai and Myanmar parties arising under a joint venture agreement.

Chair in ICC arbitration seated in Singapore between two Singaporean parties arising under a contract for the construction of a combined cycle power plant.

Co-arbitrator in ICC arbitration seated in Taipei between Taiwanese and Belgian parties arising under a contract for the construction of an airport runway and related facilities.

Co-arbitrator in SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore between Korean, Japanese and Philippine parties arising under an EPC contract for the construction of a power plant.

Co-arbitrator in SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore between Mauritian and Korean parties arising under a share subscription agreement.

Sole arbitrator in SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore between Japanese and Cayman Island entities arising under a partnership agreement.

Co-arbitrator in SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore between US and Philippine parties arising under a distribution agreement and related agreements.

Co-arbitrator in HKIAC arbitration seated in Hong Kong between US and Chinese parties arising under a technology licensing agreement.

Emergency Arbitrator in SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore between Japanese and Indian parties arising under a contract for the delivery, installation and commissioning of electric transformers.

Co-arbitrator in ICC arbitration seated in Seoul between Maltese, Singaporean and Korean Claimants and a Korean respondent arising under a share purchase agreement and related shareholders’ agreement.

Chair in HKIAC arbitration seated in Hong Kong between Korean and Chinese parties arising under a hotel management agreement.

Co-arbitrator in SCC arbitration seated in Stockholm between Italian and Korean parties arising under an agreement for the sale and purchase of a floating dock.

Sole Arbitrator in SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore between Malaysian and Indian parties arising under an agreement for the provision of waste heat recovery power generation in cement plants.