Shem Khoo

About the Lawyer

Shem Khoo is the Managing Director of Focus Law Asia. He has close to two decades of international arbitration and litigation experience and was previously a partner at one of Singapore’s largest firms. Shem has represented both Singaporean and international clients in numerous high-value disputes across a broad range of industries such as oil and gas, energy, marine, insurance, commodities trading, biotechnology, banking and finance, mining, and natural resources. He is ranked by Euromoney Benchmark Asia Pacific as a “Disputes Star” and regularly appears in the Singapore High Court. Shem was among the first lawyers to handle a dispute before the Singapore International Commercial Court. He acts in international arbitrations under various institutional rules including ICC, SIAC, LMAA, AIAC (formerly KLRCA), and LCIA, as well as ad hoc arbitrations seated in major venues such as London, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur.

His cases often involve joint venture and partnership disputes, sale and purchase agreement disputes, shareholder disputes, construction disputes, and disputes arising from commodities trading agreements, charter parties, bills of lading, oil trading contracts, hull and machinery marine insurance, and letters of credit. Shem also advises companies on crypto and technology matters, including ICOs, and was notably instructed to represent a large group of forex investors affected by a forex broker’s repricing of trades after the January 15, 2015 EUR/CHF crash.

Shem holds a particular expertise in matters relating to Indonesia’s mining and natural resources sector, having spent nearly four years as a director of an Indonesian iron ore exploration company. His role there included raising finance, restructuring mining companies to comply with Indonesia’s New Mining Law of 2009, and overseeing exploration and mining operations. Additionally, he has served as adjunct faculty at the Singapore Management University School of Law, teaching international arbitration.

Experience

Shem Khoo brings nearly twenty years of experience in international arbitration and litigation, focusing extensively on commercial dispute resolution. Before founding Focus Law Asia, he was a partner at one of Singapore’s leading firms, where he handled complex and high-value disputes involving both local and international clients. He is recognized for appearing frequently before the Singapore High Court and the Singapore International Commercial Court, handling a diverse portfolio of disputes across multiple sectors.

He leads the dispute resolution practice at Focus Law Asia, acting in arbitration cases under prominent institutional rules and ad hoc arbitrations in key global venues. His experience includes acting for clients in industries ranging from energy and marine to banking and commodities trading. Shem has advised on complex shareholder and joint venture disputes, contract breaches, and fiduciary duty claims. His directorship at an Indonesian mining company further enhances his practical understanding of mining law and regulatory compliance.

Specialty

Shem Khoo specializes in commercial disputes with a broad array of expertise, including:

• International arbitration and litigation in commercial disputes
• Joint venture and partnership disputes
• Sale and purchase agreement and shareholder disputes
• Construction disputes
• Disputes arising from commodities trading agreements and charter parties
• Marine insurance matters such as hull and machinery claims
• Insurance, bills of lading, and letters of credit disputes
• Advisory on crypto and technology-related legal issues including ICOs
• Commercial disputes involving banking, finance, and natural resources, especially in the mining sector in Indonesia

Education

Specific details regarding Shem Khoo’s academic qualifications and legal certifications are not publicly available in the provided sources.

• Industry Rankings

  • Shem Khoo is ranked by Euromoney Benchmark Asia Pacific as a “Disputes Star,” recognized for his expertise in commercial disputes and regular appearances in the Singapore High Court.
  • Focus Law Asia, led by Shem Khoo, is ranked in Singapore for dispute resolution by Legal 500, with Shem acknowledged as the visionary and leader of the firm.

• Awards

  • Shem Khoo was shortlisted for the Aviation and Shipping Lawyer of the Year at the asialaw Awards 2024.

• Leadership Roles

  • Shem Khoo is the leader and visionary of Focus Law Asia, guiding the firm’s strategic direction and mentoring younger team members.

• Major Case Successes

  • While specific case names are not detailed, Shem Khoo is noted for representing Singapore and international clients in a wide range of high-value commercial disputes across various industries.

• Contributions to Award-Winning Projects

  • Shem Khoo, along with Mimi Ahn and Veronica Teo, contributed to legal insights on Singapore’s insolvency and restructuring developments, reflecting thought leadership in the field.

Citations:
Legal 500 – Focus Law Asia Rankings and Testimonials
asialaw Awards 2024 Shortlist
One Asia Lawyers – Shem Khoo Profile
Law.asia – Articles by Shem Khoo and Team