Square Square: Senior Foreign Lawyer
- A legal firm has hired Zachary Sharpe, formerly a partner at jones Day, as a senior foreign lawyer to expand its international arbitration practice.Sharpe will focus on arbitration...
- Sharpe previously led the Jones Day Singapore office and co-led the international arbitration team with attorney park Eun-young.
- The firm recruited Sharpe to capitalize on Singapore's growing importance as an arbitration site, aiming to strengthen its expertise in Singapore law, standards, practices, and culture.
A legal firm has hired Zachary Sharpe, formerly a partner at jones Day, as a senior foreign lawyer to expand its international arbitration practice.Sharpe will focus on arbitration cases within Singapore’s jurisdiction.
Sharpe previously led the Jones Day Singapore office and co-led the international arbitration team with attorney park Eun-young.
The firm recruited Sharpe to capitalize on Singapore’s growing importance as an arbitration site, aiming to strengthen its expertise in Singapore law, standards, practices, and culture.
International arbitration has a ‘global’ personality.
Sharpe joined Jones Day in 2016 and became a partner in 2019. During his time there, he handled international arbitration cases across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, specializing in energy, construction, and shipbuilding.
Before Jones day, Sharpe worked as an in-house lawyer at Hyundai Heavy Industries for four years, starting in 2012.
As Singapore emerges as a major arbitration hub in Asia, Korean law firms are increasingly seeking foreign lawyers with experience in the region.
In January, another firm recruited Chris Mainwaring-Taylor, previously a partner at A & O Shearman, to its international arbitration team.Mainwaring-Taylor is based in Singapore and focuses on international dispute matters primarily governed by British law.
Table of Contents
- Navigating International Arbitration in Singapore: A Q&A
- What is International Arbitration?
- How is Singapore Becoming a Hub for International arbitration?
- Who are Some key Players in Singapore’s Arbitration Landscape?
- What Areas of Law Are Commonly Addressed in Singaporean Arbitration?
- What are Some Meaningful Considerations When Choosing Singapore for arbitration?
- Key Benefits of Choosing Singapore for International Arbitration:
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What is International Arbitration?
International arbitration is a method of resolving disputes that takes place outside of the traditional court system. It involves submitting a dispute to one or more impartial arbitrators who make a binding decision, known as an award.
Why Use International Arbitration?
Parties choose international arbitration for several reasons, including:
Neutrality: Arbitration can provide a neutral forum, especially when disputes involve parties from different countries.
Enforceability: Arbitral awards are generally enforceable in many countries worldwide, making them a practical choice for cross-border disputes.
Confidentiality: arbitration proceedings are generally private, which can be preferable to public court proceedings.
Expertise: Arbitrators can be chosen for their specific expertise in the subject matter of the dispute.
How is Singapore Becoming a Hub for International arbitration?
Singapore is increasingly recognized as a leading global centre for international arbitration.This growth is driven by:
Strategic Location: Singapore’s location in Asia makes it a convenient hub for disputes involving parties in the region.
Robust Legal Framework: Singapore has a well-developed legal system that supports and promotes arbitration.
Reputable Institutions: Organizations like the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) contribute to Singapore’s appeal.
Experienced Legal Professionals: the availability of skilled lawyers specializing in international arbitration, like Zachary Sharpe and Chris Mainwaring-Taylor, further enhances Singapore’s arbitration ecosystem.
Who are Some key Players in Singapore’s Arbitration Landscape?
Several experienced lawyers and firms are contributing to the growth of arbitration in Singapore:
Zachary Sharpe: Former partner at Jones Day, now a senior foreign lawyer focusing on arbitration cases within Singapore. He has experience handling international arbitration cases across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, specializing in energy, construction, and shipbuilding.
Chris Mainwaring-Taylor: Previously a partner at A & O Shearman, now based in Singapore focusing on international dispute matters primarily governed by British law.
park Eun-young: An attorney with experience in international arbitration.
What Areas of Law Are Commonly Addressed in Singaporean Arbitration?
While international arbitration covers a wide range of disputes, some common areas include:
Energy
Construction
Shipbuilding
Commercial disputes in general
What are Some Meaningful Considerations When Choosing Singapore for arbitration?
Selecting Singapore for arbitration involves evaluating various factors:
Expertise: Singapore’s growing reputation draws experienced lawyers and arbitrators.
neutrality: Singapore may be considered a neutral venue, which is beneficial when parties are from different countries.
Efficiency: Arbitration can be more efficient than traditional court proceedings, leading to faster resolutions.
Key Benefits of Choosing Singapore for International Arbitration:
| Feature | Description |
| ——————- | ——————————————————————————- |
| Strategic Location | Positioned in the center of Asia, offering convenient access for regional disputes. |
| Legal Framework | Strong legal support and promotion of arbitration. |
| Experienced lawyers | Availability of experienced legal professionals familiar with international arbitration |
| Reputable Institutions | Presence of organizations like SIAC that administer arbitration. |