Chuan Tat has extensive experience in international litigation and arbitration matters. His expertise in these fields include formulating appropriate strategies to address the numerous issues which may arise in cross-border dispute resolution.

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He has handled matters spanning a wide range of industry sectors, including energy and infrastructure, company law (in particular, shareholders’ disputes and corporate governance matters), and general commercial matters.

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Prior to joining Breakpoint LLC, Chuan Tat practised in leading Singapore and international dispute resolution practices. Chuan Tat presently holds the position of Senior Lecturer at the School of Law, Singapore University of Social Sciences, where he teaches and / or conducts research in the following fields: international litigation and arbitration, trial advocacy, civil procedure, and topics in civil and commercial law.

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He is also actively involved in the broader legal community in other ways, serving (or having served) on various committees in a number of legal organisations.

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Chuan Tat is qualified to practise law in Singapore, England & Wales, and the State of New York. He is fluent in both English and Mandarin.

 

Representative Experience

 

Energy and Infrastructure

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• Represented a South-East Asian oil and gas exploration drilling services provider in a US$ 50 million SIAC arbitration against its counterparty.

• Represented a then Singapore-listed offshore oil and gas company in a number of disputes spanning across multiple jurisdictions, where the aggregate sum involved was in excess of US$ 350 million. These disputes included arbitrations (seated in Singapore, Malaysia, India, Mexico, and other jurisdictions) and court proceedings. The matters included actions against operators and the company’s sub-contractors, across a range of EPCIC projects.

• Represented an Asian national energy company in a US$ 100 million LCIA arbitration involving the sale and purchase of LNG cargoes.

• Advised an oil major of its options against an Asian State arising from actions of various arms of the State. The options considered include arbitration under a contract, treaty arbitration claims, and potential administrative actions within the State.

• Represented a major Asian bank in its US$ 150 million dispute against an Asian State and State-owned entity, in relation to a major infrastructure project in the Asian State.

• Represented a leading Chinese construction company in a multi-million dollar ICC arbitration against a Swedish company, arising from a major construction project in Singapore.

• Represented a Singapore company in the maritime business in construction litigation proceedings against its contractor.

 

Company law and Corporate governance (including shareholders’ disputes and advising on directors / senior management duties)

 

• Advised a multi-national company in a billion-dollar shareholder dispute in respect of one of its joint ventures in Asia.

• Advised a European logistics company in its dispute with a minority shareholder and director of the joint venture company.

• Advised a minority shareholder of a Singapore start-up in his dispute with the majority shareholders.

• Advised the former Chief Financial Officer of a multi-national company of his duties to this ex-employer and potential conflict of interest issues while he was engaged by the ex-employer.

• Advised a nominee director on his options in respect of his disqualification to act as a director.

 

General commercial

 

• Represented a leading global beverage company in its claim for the repayment of a loan (the loan quantum being in excess of US$ 35 million) in Singapore International Commercial Court proceedings.

• Advising a client in ICC arbitration proceedings with respect to its claims arising from the supply and purchase of optical fibre.

• Represented a US-based private equity fund in a SIAC arbitration involving claims under a charter guarantee.

• Represented a Thai company and its shareholders (as guarantors) in two SIAC arbitrations against a regional private equity fund in investment-related disputes worth over US$ 120 million.

• Represented a Singapore mainboard listed company in its litigation proceedings against its supplier of IT systems.

• Advised and / or represented employers and employees in numerous employment disputes in Singapore court proceedings and in mediations.

 

Insolvency

 

• Advised and represented an Asian-based private equity fund in insolvency-related proceedings against a debtor company with international operations. The multi-jurisdictional proceedings included security enforcement actions in Singapore and Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S.A.

• Advised and represented a number of global financial institutions on insolvency / restructuring proceedings in connection with the insolvency of Hin Leong.

• Advised and represented bank trustees (of notes) in a number of insolvency / restructuring matters.

• Advised a debtor media company on the restructuring of its international operations, and the directors of their duties owing to the insolvent status of the company.

• Advised and represented an Asian bank in resisting a debtor company’s application for a moratorium pursuant to (the former) section 211B of the Companies Act.

• Represented a client in a Singapore Court of Appeal case in which the principles relating to the exercise of the Court’s discretion in converting a creditors’ voluntary winding-up to a court-ordered winding-up were addressed.

 

Qualifications

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• Advocate & Solicitor, Singapore (2006)

• Solicitor, Supreme Court of England & Wales (2009)

• Attorney and Counselor-at-law, State of New York (2015)

 

Education

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• LL.B., National University of Singapore (2005)

• LL.M., Columbia University School of Law (2012)