Ajaib Haridass

About the Lawyer

Haridass graduated from the University of London in 1974 with an LL.B (Hons.) and was called to the English Bar at the Middle Temple in 1975. He was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Singapore in 1976. In 1985, Haridass together with the late Ho Wah Onn established the present firm of Haridass Ho & Partners. Haridass specializes in all admiralty matters both of a litigious and non-litigious nature. He advises and represents major shipyards and rig builders in Singapore and the region, and has acted for them in major construction and repair disputes. As a litigator with more than 40 years at the Bar, Haridass also deals with both contentious and non-contentious general commercial and banking transactions. Given his concentration in the area of admiralty matters, Haridass deals with matters relating to ship sale and purchase and the financing aspects of such transactions, as well as general and marine insurance. He has acted for shipowners, charterers, and Protection and Indemnity Clubs in shipping and charter party disputes; and for oil and commodity traders in trade transactions and disputes. Haridass also sits as an arbitrator and/or mediator and is an accredited mediator of the Singapore Mediation Centre, Singapore Academy of Law. He is a referee of the Singapore Small Claims Tribunal and a mediator at the Subordinate Courts, Criminal Relational Disputes. Haridass is also the Chairman of the Maritime Law Association of Singapore, a Commissioner for Oaths, a Notary Public, and a Justice of Peace. Haridass is regularly identified as a leading individual in his practice. Euromoney, since the inception of its Expert Guides, has consistently identified him as a world leader in admiralty and shipping disputes. Chambers Global – The World’s Leader Lawyers, as well as the Asia Pacific Legal 500, identify Haridass and the firm as leaders in dispute resolution and shipping litigation.

Experience

• Background: Haridass graduated from the University of London in 1974 with an LL.B (Hons.) and was called to the English Bar at the Middle Temple in 1975. He was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Singapore in 1976.
• Career Highlights: In 1985, Haridass together with the late Ho Wah Onn established the present firm of Haridass Ho & Partners. He has over 40 years of experience as a practicing lawyer in Singapore, having acted for major clients both in Singapore and worldwide.
• Years in Practice: With more than 40 years at the Bar, Haridass has extensive experience in litigation, mediation, and arbitration.

Specialty

• Arbitration & Mediation: Haridass sits as an arbitrator and/or mediator and is an accredited mediator of the Singapore Mediation Centre, Singapore Academy of Law. He is also an Arbitrator on the panel of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA), and the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board.
• Shipping & Admiralty Law: He specializes in all admiralty matters both of a litigious and non-litigious nature. He advises and represents major shipyards and rig builders in Singapore and the region, and has acted for them in major construction and repair disputes.
• Banking & Finance: As a litigator with extensive experience, Haridass deals with both contentious and non-contentious general commercial and banking transactions.
• Commercial & Corporate Litigation: He has acted for shipowners, charterers, and Protection and Indemnity Clubs in shipping and charter party disputes; and for oil and commodity traders in trade transactions and disputes.
• International Trade & Commodities: His expertise extends to trade transactions and disputes involving oil and commodities.

Education

• LL.B (Hons): University of London, 1974
• Called to English Bar: Middle Temple, 1975
• Admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor: High Court of Singapore, 1976

Achievements and Recognition

• Awards:
  • Recognised as a highly successful legal representative who has won all the cases he has represented.
  • Honoured with awards from publications such as Leaders in Law and The Lawyer Network.
• Industry Rankings:
  • Listed among Singapore's Top 100 lawyers plus 20 legal icons.
• Leadership Roles:
  • Vice Chairman at Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • Lead Independent Director at various companies including Metis Energy Ltd., Nam Cheong Dockyard Sdn. Bhd., and others.
• Major Case Successes:
  • Successfully represented clients in arbitration and mediation cases, including those in banking and finance.
• Contributions to Award-Winning Projects:
  • Invited as a lecturer and participated in short study programmes on specialist topics at prestigious institutions such as Trinity College, Oxford University, and King’s College, London.