Simon Dunbar

Director

Simon Dunbar is a director at Gateway and co-leads the International Arbitration practice. He is an experienced international dispute resolution lawyer, who specialises in international arbitration and acts as both advocate and arbitrator.  Based in Singapore for more than 16 years, Simon has been involved in more than 50 international arbitrations, including some of Asia’s most complex and high-value disputes.

Simon is admitted to practice in Singapore, England & Wales (as a solicitor advocate) and New York, and has experience of both common law and civil law systems.  He has represented clients in international arbitrations under most of the major institutional rules, focusing on joint venture, energy, technology and infrastructure disputes.  Recent examples include securing an award of US$ 158 million and dismissal of US$ 350 million in counterclaims in an ICC arbitration in the nuclear power sector, and successfully defending US$ 1.69 billion in counterclaims in an UNCITRAL arbitration concerning a joint operating agreement.

In addition to his work as counsel, Simon regularly sits as arbitrator, and has served as sole or presiding arbitrator in ICC, SIAC and ad hoc arbitrations.  He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), is listed on the arbitrator panels of various arbitral institutions and is an accredited mediator.  Simon currently serves on the SIAC Users Council and the Maxwell Chambers Steering Committee.  He also teaches, speaks and writes regularly on topics related to international arbitration.

Before joining Gateway, Simon was partner in the global disputes practice of a leading international law firm, based in Singapore, having spent more than 17 years at international law firms in Singapore and New York.

Among other accolades, Simon has been recognised in the legal directories as “very impressive,” “an unbelievably good lawyer”, and “a formidable advocate.”  He has also been described as “the hardest working lawyer on the planet”, “excellent as arbitration counsel or arbitrator” and someone “who knows the arbitration space inside out and knows the region inside out.”

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Simon Dunbar |

  • LL.M., University of Michigan
  • M.A. with Honors, University of Cambridge
  • Advocate and Solicitor, Singapore
  • Solicitor Advocate, England & Wales
  • Attorney and Counsellor-at-Law, New York State
  • Attorney, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • Attorney, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)

*Note: This list includes matters worked on before joining Gateway

  • Represented an international oil and gas company in an UNCITRAL arbitration in South-East Asia concerning a joint operating agreement. We successfully defended our client against US$1.69 billion in counterclaims and helped secure a worldwide asset freezing injunction and an anti-suit injunction. The remaining claims and counterclaims, worth US$130 million, were settled.
  • Represented GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy in an ICC arbitration in Taipei against Taiwan Power Company, concerning the design and construction of the Lungmen nuclear power plant in Taiwan. Our client secured an award of substantially all relief sought, including payment of US$158 million, and the dismissal of counterclaims valued at US$350 million.
  • Represented InterGlobe Enterprises and Rahul Bhatia in an LCIA arbitration against Rakesh Gangwal and others in relation to shareholder disputes regarding IndiGo, India’s largest airline. The arbitration was seated in New Delhi.
  • Represented one of the world’s largest multinationals as claimant in an HKIAC arbitration in Hong Kong against a publicly-traded Chinese joint venture party in the renewable energy sector. New York law governed. The Tribunal awarded our client over US$360 million (100% of relief claimed).
  • Represented an Indian business house in an ICC arbitration in Singapore against its European joint venture partner. Indian law governed. Our client secured declaratory relief valued at over US$200 million and an award of US$5 million in costs.
  • Represented ConocoPhillips China in two SIAC arbitrations in Singapore against an independent gas producer and its parent company. The dispute concerned coalbed methane assets in East Asia. The tribunal awarded our client US$50 million in damages, interest and costs, and dismissed counterclaims of US$150 million against it. English law governed.
  • Representing a Taiwanese conglomerate in an ongoing ICC arbitration against an Indian listed company in relation to a joint venture dispute in China. The arbitration is seated in Singapore. Singapore law governs.
  • Representing two affiliates of a US multinational in an UNCITRAL arbitration in Singapore against an Asian power company, concerning misappropriation of our clients’ technology under a licensing agreement. More than US$27 million is in dispute.
  • Representing three affiliates of a US multinational in an ICC arbitration in London against an Indian infrastructure conglomerate. English and Indian law govern.
  • Represented Samsung C&T Corporation in multiple arbitrations and adjudications against different parties arising out of the engineering and construction of the Roy Hill Iron Ore project in Western Australia. Hundreds of millions of dollars were in dispute.
  • Represented affiliates of Astro, a Malaysian media group, in two UNCITRAL arbitrations against India under the UK-India BIT and the Mauritius-India BIT.
  • Represented an affiliate of an Asian conglomerate against a European party in a joint venture dispute. The dispute was subject to ICC arbitration and English High Court litigation, and concerned a portfolio of European real estate assets in the hospitality sector. Hundreds of millions of dollars were at stake.
  • Represented an affiliate of a Philippines conglomerate in two related HKIAC arbitrations in Hong Kong concerning the construction of a coal-fired power plant. More than US$240 million was in dispute. The case settled before trial.
  • Represented two affiliates of a Chinese clean energy company in an ICC arbitration in Singapore against an oil major, concerning non-delivery of LNG cargoes, suspension of payments, and claims of force majeure. More than US$168 million was in dispute. The case settled before trial.
  • Represented a production sharing contractor in an ICC arbitration in Paris involving 18 other parties and concerning LNG sales and supply arrangements. New York law governed and hundreds of millions of dollars were at stake. The case settled.
  • Represented an Asian construction contractor in disputes with a major equipment supplier in connection with the construction of a power plant in the Middle East.
  • Represented a US multinational in consolidated SIAC arbitrations in Singapore under the expedited procedure against an Indian power company and its Dutch affiliate arising out of a settlement agreement and a related guarantee. More than US$30 million was in dispute. English and Dutch law governed. The case settled before trial.
  • Represented an Australian joint venture company in an ICC arbitration in London arising out of the design and construction of a process plant in Western Australia. More than AU$ 300 million was in dispute. English law governed.
  • Represented a Philippines power company in an ad hoc arbitration in the Philippines against its insurers arising out of insurance claims in respect of a coal-fired power plant project. Approximately US$20 million was in dispute. Philippines law governed. The case settled before trial.
  • Represented a Philippines power company in a dispute with its contractors arising out of the construction of a coal-fired power plant. The dispute was subject to HKIAC arbitration in Hong Kong. English law governed and approximately US$25 million was in dispute.
  • Represented a South-East Asian technical services company in connection with a dispute with a U.S. equipment supplier, involving U.S. bankruptcy claims and subject to court litigation in Georgia, U.S.A.
  • Defended an Asian construction contractor in an ICC arbitration in London against claims by a US company of misappropriation of confidential information and trade secrets relating to a power plant in the Middle East. English law governed. The case settled before trial.
  • Represented a Russian corporation in an LCIA arbitration in London against a major European bank concerning a guarantee dispute.
  • Advised LNG sellers in multi-billion dollar price review disputes against LNG buyers subject to international arbitration.
  • Represented a power developer in an UNCITRAL arbitration in Singapore against its insurers in a US$60 million claim concerning a hydroelectric power project under construction in the Philippines. Philippines law governed. The case settled before trial.
  • Represented an independent oil company in an UNCITRAL arbitration in Singapore against a national oil company. The dispute concerned a farm-in agreement in respect of offshore petroleum blocks in South East Asia. The opponent’s local law governed. The case settled before trial.
  • Represented an Indian company in an SIAC arbitration in Singapore arising out of joint venture and related disputes, in which the Emergency Arbitrator procedure was successfully invoked to obtain urgent interim relief.
  • Represented a Korean construction contractor in an ICC arbitration in Seoul in a dispute with a subcontractor concerning a port project. Korean law governed. The client obtained the dismissal of all claims and the award of its costs.
  • Represented a Chinese-European joint venture in an SIAC arbitration in Singapore against a European construction contractor concerning delay to completion of an industrial plant in China. English law governed. The case settled before trial.

*Note: This list includes matters worked on before joining Gateway

  • Served as sole arbitrator in an ad hoc arbitration in Singapore arising from a shipping dispute. English law governed.
  • Served as sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration in Singapore between an Indian seller and a Bangladeshi buyer regarding the sale and shipment of goods. Bangladeshi law governed.
  • Served as sole arbitrator in an SIAC arbitration in Singapore among Singaporean and Hong Kong parties regarding a joint venture in the childcare sector. Singapore law governed.
  • Served as sole arbitrator in an SIAC arbitration in Singapore between Turkish and Singaporean parties arising from a power project in Myanmar. Singapore law governed.
  • Served as presiding arbitrator in an UNCITRAL arbitration (administered by the SIAC) in Singapore between French and Indian parties regarding a joint venture for the manufacture of electrical equipment. Indian law governed.
  • Served as sole arbitrator in an SIAC arbitration in Singapore under the expedited procedure between Indian and US parties arising from a share purchase agreement. Singapore law governed.
  • “‘[A] very good arbitration practitioner who would be excellent as arbitration counsel or arbitrator’… ‘[K]nows the arbitration space inside out and also knows the region inside out.’” – Chambers Asia-Pacific 2022
  • Recommended – Global Leader – Who’s Who Legal – Arbitration 2022
  • “Praised as the ‘hardest working lawyer on the planet’ by sources who appreciate his extensive experience in complex international arbitration proceedings” – Who’s Who Legal – Southeast Asia – Arbitration 2021
  • “[A] popular choice for joint venture, energy and major infrastructure disputes” – Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2022
  • Recommended – Global Leader – Who’s Who Legal – Arbitration 2021
  • “[A] ‘formidable advocate’ who ‘addresses all aspects of a case’” – Who’s Who Legal – Future Leaders 2020
  • “Receives warm praise… ‘an unbelievably good lawyer’ who is ‘a tireless worker’, doing a lot of heavy lifting in cases” – Chambers Asia-Pacific 2020
  • “[A] smart and hardworking practitioner” – Chambers Asia-Pacific 2019
  • “[A] very impressive arbitration lawyer. He has a good profile and is clearly a future leader” – Who’s Who Legal – Future Leaders 2018
  • “[O]ne of the best lawyers I have ever worked with” – Who’s Who Legal – Future Leaders 2017
  • “[I]mpeccable execution”; “[V]ery meticulous and easy to deal with” – Chambers Asia-Pacific 2016
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
  • LL.M., University of Michigan
  • M.A. with Honors, University of Cambridge
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
  • Advocate and Solicitor, Singapore
  • Solicitor Advocate, England & Wales
  • Attorney and Counsellor-at-Law, New York State
  • Attorney, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • Attorney, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS AS COUNSEL

*Note: This list includes matters worked on before joining Gateway

  • Represented an international oil and gas company in an UNCITRAL arbitration in South-East Asia concerning a joint operating agreement. We successfully defended our client against US$1.69 billion in counterclaims and helped secure a worldwide asset freezing injunction and an anti-suit injunction. The remaining claims and counterclaims, worth US$130 million, were settled.
  • Represented GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy in an ICC arbitration in Taipei against Taiwan Power Company, concerning the design and construction of the Lungmen nuclear power plant in Taiwan. Our client secured an award of substantially all relief sought, including payment of US$158 million, and the dismissal of counterclaims valued at US$350 million.
  • Represented InterGlobe Enterprises and Rahul Bhatia in an LCIA arbitration against Rakesh Gangwal and others in relation to shareholder disputes regarding IndiGo, India’s largest airline. The arbitration was seated in New Delhi.
  • Represented one of the world’s largest multinationals as claimant in an HKIAC arbitration in Hong Kong against a publicly-traded Chinese joint venture party in the renewable energy sector. New York law governed. The Tribunal awarded our client over US$360 million (100% of relief claimed).
  • Represented an Indian business house in an ICC arbitration in Singapore against its European joint venture partner. Indian law governed. Our client secured declaratory relief valued at over US$200 million and an award of US$5 million in costs.
  • Represented ConocoPhillips China in two SIAC arbitrations in Singapore against an independent gas producer and its parent company. The dispute concerned coalbed methane assets in East Asia. The tribunal awarded our client US$50 million in damages, interest and costs, and dismissed counterclaims of US$150 million against it. English law governed.
  • Representing a Taiwanese conglomerate in an ongoing ICC arbitration against an Indian listed company in relation to a joint venture dispute in China. The arbitration is seated in Singapore. Singapore law governs.
  • Representing two affiliates of a US multinational in an UNCITRAL arbitration in Singapore against an Asian power company, concerning misappropriation of our clients’ technology under a licensing agreement. More than US$27 million is in dispute.
  • Representing three affiliates of a US multinational in an ICC arbitration in London against an Indian infrastructure conglomerate. English and Indian law govern.
  • Represented Samsung C&T Corporation in multiple arbitrations and adjudications against different parties arising out of the engineering and construction of the Roy Hill Iron Ore project in Western Australia. Hundreds of millions of dollars were in dispute.
  • Represented affiliates of Astro, a Malaysian media group, in two UNCITRAL arbitrations against India under the UK-India BIT and the Mauritius-India BIT.
  • Represented an affiliate of an Asian conglomerate against a European party in a joint venture dispute. The dispute was subject to ICC arbitration and English High Court litigation, and concerned a portfolio of European real estate assets in the hospitality sector. Hundreds of millions of dollars were at stake.
  • Represented an affiliate of a Philippines conglomerate in two related HKIAC arbitrations in Hong Kong concerning the construction of a coal-fired power plant. More than US$240 million was in dispute. The case settled before trial.
  • Represented two affiliates of a Chinese clean energy company in an ICC arbitration in Singapore against an oil major, concerning non-delivery of LNG cargoes, suspension of payments, and claims of force majeure. More than US$168 million was in dispute. The case settled before trial.
  • Represented a production sharing contractor in an ICC arbitration in Paris involving 18 other parties and concerning LNG sales and supply arrangements. New York law governed and hundreds of millions of dollars were at stake. The case settled.
  • Represented an Asian construction contractor in disputes with a major equipment supplier in connection with the construction of a power plant in the Middle East.
  • Represented a US multinational in consolidated SIAC arbitrations in Singapore under the expedited procedure against an Indian power company and its Dutch affiliate arising out of a settlement agreement and a related guarantee. More than US$30 million was in dispute. English and Dutch law governed. The case settled before trial.
  • Represented an Australian joint venture company in an ICC arbitration in London arising out of the design and construction of a process plant in Western Australia. More than AU$ 300 million was in dispute. English law governed.
  • Represented a Philippines power company in an ad hoc arbitration in the Philippines against its insurers arising out of insurance claims in respect of a coal-fired power plant project. Approximately US$20 million was in dispute. Philippines law governed. The case settled before trial.
  • Represented a Philippines power company in a dispute with its contractors arising out of the construction of a coal-fired power plant. The dispute was subject to HKIAC arbitration in Hong Kong. English law governed and approximately US$25 million was in dispute.
  • Represented a South-East Asian technical services company in connection with a dispute with a U.S. equipment supplier, involving U.S. bankruptcy claims and subject to court litigation in Georgia, U.S.A.
  • Defended an Asian construction contractor in an ICC arbitration in London against claims by a US company of misappropriation of confidential information and trade secrets relating to a power plant in the Middle East. English law governed. The case settled before trial.
  • Represented a Russian corporation in an LCIA arbitration in London against a major European bank concerning a guarantee dispute.
  • Advised LNG sellers in multi-billion dollar price review disputes against LNG buyers subject to international arbitration.
  • Represented a power developer in an UNCITRAL arbitration in Singapore against its insurers in a US$60 million claim concerning a hydroelectric power project under construction in the Philippines. Philippines law governed. The case settled before trial.
  • Represented an independent oil company in an UNCITRAL arbitration in Singapore against a national oil company. The dispute concerned a farm-in agreement in respect of offshore petroleum blocks in South East Asia. The opponent’s local law governed. The case settled before trial.
  • Represented an Indian company in an SIAC arbitration in Singapore arising out of joint venture and related disputes, in which the Emergency Arbitrator procedure was successfully invoked to obtain urgent interim relief.
  • Represented a Korean construction contractor in an ICC arbitration in Seoul in a dispute with a subcontractor concerning a port project. Korean law governed. The client obtained the dismissal of all claims and the award of its costs.
  • Represented a Chinese-European joint venture in an SIAC arbitration in Singapore against a European construction contractor concerning delay to completion of an industrial plant in China. English law governed. The case settled before trial.
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS AS ARBITRATOR

*Note: This list includes matters worked on before joining Gateway

  • Served as sole arbitrator in an ad hoc arbitration in Singapore arising from a shipping dispute. English law governed.
  • Served as sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration in Singapore between an Indian seller and a Bangladeshi buyer regarding the sale and shipment of goods. Bangladeshi law governed.
  • Served as sole arbitrator in an SIAC arbitration in Singapore among Singaporean and Hong Kong parties regarding a joint venture in the childcare sector. Singapore law governed.
  • Served as sole arbitrator in an SIAC arbitration in Singapore between Turkish and Singaporean parties arising from a power project in Myanmar. Singapore law governed.
  • Served as presiding arbitrator in an UNCITRAL arbitration (administered by the SIAC) in Singapore between French and Indian parties regarding a joint venture for the manufacture of electrical equipment. Indian law governed.
  • Served as sole arbitrator in an SIAC arbitration in Singapore under the expedited procedure between Indian and US parties arising from a share purchase agreement. Singapore law governed.
RECOGNITIONS RECEIVED
  • “‘[A] very good arbitration practitioner who would be excellent as arbitration counsel or arbitrator’… ‘[K]nows the arbitration space inside out and also knows the region inside out.’” – Chambers Asia-Pacific 2022
  • Recommended – Global Leader – Who’s Who Legal – Arbitration 2022
  • “Praised as the ‘hardest working lawyer on the planet’ by sources who appreciate his extensive experience in complex international arbitration proceedings” – Who’s Who Legal – Southeast Asia – Arbitration 2021
  • “[A] popular choice for joint venture, energy and major infrastructure disputes” – Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2022
  • Recommended – Global Leader – Who’s Who Legal – Arbitration 2021
  • “[A] ‘formidable advocate’ who ‘addresses all aspects of a case’” – Who’s Who Legal – Future Leaders 2020
  • “Receives warm praise… ‘an unbelievably good lawyer’ who is ‘a tireless worker’, doing a lot of heavy lifting in cases” – Chambers Asia-Pacific 2020
  • “[A] smart and hardworking practitioner” – Chambers Asia-Pacific 2019
  • “[A] very impressive arbitration lawyer. He has a good profile and is clearly a future leader” – Who’s Who Legal – Future Leaders 2018
  • “[O]ne of the best lawyers I have ever worked with” – Who’s Who Legal – Future Leaders 2017
  • “[I]mpeccable execution”; “[V]ery meticulous and easy to deal with” – Chambers Asia-Pacific 2016
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