Cavinder Bull, SC

Cavinder is known among clients and peers as an extremely versatile litigator and arbitration specialist. He has handled many high-profile matters. Here are just a few:

1. Securing a US$926 million judgment for a former Prime Minister of Georgia against Credit Suisse Trust 
   Representing Bidzina Ivanishvili, a former Prime Minster of Georgia, and his family in successfully claiming US$926 million against Credit Suisse Trust Limited for breach of trust leading to losses in an investment portfolio worth over US$1 billion. The trustee had successfully obtained a stay of proceedings in favour of Switzerland in the High Court, following which the Ivanishvili family instructed Cavinder to take over the case. Cavinder implemented a change of strategy and succeeded in the appeal before the Court of Appeal which lifted the stay of proceedings. The matter was heard in Singapore as the Ivanishvili family had wanted and the trustee was ultimately ordered to pay US$926 million to Ivanishvili by the SICC in its latest ruling. 
    
2. Largest trust case in Singapore with disputed assets worth up to US$800 million
   Successfully acted for members of the De La Sala family in the largest trust case ever heard in Singapore, involving disputed assets estimated to be worth between US$600 and US$800 million. The High Court’s judgment was a landmark decision setting out guidance on what constitutes impermissible witness coaching, an issue that arose during the trial pursuant to Cavinder’s cross-examination of several key witnesses. 
    
3. First actions for civil penalties under the Securities and Futures Act 
   Successfully represented Singapore’s central bank, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, in two actions for breaches of the Securities and Futures Act (SFA). The first action was for market manipulation while the second concerned insider trading. These were the first two civil penalty cases brought by the central bank and was the first time the central bank had instructed external counsel to appear for it in Court. Cavinder was successful in both trials as well as in both the subsequent appeals. The Court of Appeal’s judgments in both cases are considered landmark decisions. 
    
4. Sharp v Hisense
   Acted as lead counsel for Sharp Corporation in an international arbitration relating to a US$3 billion contractual relationship relating to the sale of Sharp televisions in various territories. The dispute involved emergency arbitrator proceedings and related Court litigation in multiple jurisdictions. This case was reported in Global Arbitration Review and in various media publications in the United States.
    
5. Billion-dollar Indian Premier League dispute
   Acted for an international sports marketing and media right management group in three separate arbitrations arising from broadcasting and media rights to the Indian Premier League, a major cricket event. The agreements involved in the arbitrations were worth over US$1.2 billion. The dispute also involved multiple legal proceedings in India, USA, UK and in Singapore, and required intensive work with various foreign counsel in those jurisdictions.
    
6. Set-aside part of an $80 million ICC arbitral award 
   Successfully persuaded both the High Court and the Court of Appeal to set aside part of an ICC award on the grounds of breach of natural justice and excess of submission to jurisdiction. In its judgment, the Court of Appeal acknowledged that "It is not common in Singapore for awards to be set aside, and the courts have only done so in exceptional cases when the grounds are clearly made out", and that in over 20 years, only around 20 per cent of appeals to set aside arbitration awards had succeeded. The Court of Appeal’s judgment is a landmark decision which addresses several key and novel issues, such as the Court being empowered to make consequential and/or ancillary orders to give effect to the setting aside of an award.
    
7. Investor-State arbitrations
   Cavinder has acted as counsel in investor state arbitrations; and has experience acting for States and investors. He has also sat as an arbitrator in investor-state arbitrations under the auspices of ICSID, NAFTA and the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA); including the following non-confidential cases:
   
   City-State NV, Praktyka Asset Management Company LLC, Crystal-Invest LLC and Prodiz LLC v Ukraine (ICSID Case No. ARB/14/9): Appointed President of the Tribunal in respect of a claim against Ukraine brought by Dutch entity City-State N.V. and other banking investors under the Netherlands-Ukraine BIT, which concerned the Dutch entity’s deposits in Ukrainian bank PJSC Kreditprombank.
   
   Tennant Energy v Canada (PCA Case No 2018-54): Appointed President of a Tribunal constituted under the auspices of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The claim was brought by a US corporation concerning its alleged investment in Skyway 127, an enterprise that proposed to develop a wind farm in Ontario. It was alleged, amongst other things, that Ontario’s administration of the Feed-In Tariff program was non-transparent and opaque, and that government records documenting the alleged unfair energy regulatory measures were intentionally destroyed.  
   
   Rizzani de Eccher SpA, Obrascón Huarte Lain SA and Trevi SpA v State of Kuwait (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/8): Appointed President of the Tribunal in the first ICSID claim against Kuwait brought by an Italian-Spanish consortium under Kuwait’s bilateral treaties with Italy and Spain, which concerned a billion-dollar project to upgrade a major highway in Kuwait.
   
   Agility Public Warehousing Company KSC v Republic of Iraq (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/7):  Appointed as President of the Tribunal in the first ICSID claim against the Republic of Iraq. The claim relates to an alleged investment in the telecommunications section in Iraq by a Kuwaiti company.
   
   ConocoPhillips UK, Perenco UK and others v Vietnam (PCA Case No. 2018-5): Appointed President of the Tribunal for a claim under the UK-Vietnam BIT in respect of whether capital gains tax was payable following the sale of ConocoPhillips UK’s operations in Vietnam to Perenco UK. The operations in question were held by UK subsidiaries of ConocoPhillips UK and included significant interests in two offshore oil blocks and in the Nam Com Son pipeline.
   
   Richard N. Westbury, Paul D. Hinks and Symbion Power Tanzania Limited v United Republic of Tanzania (ICSID Case No. ARB/19/17): Appointed President of the Tribunal in respect of a claim against Tanzania brought under the Tanzania-United Kingdom BIT.
   
   Karkey Karadeniz Elektrik Uretim A.S. v Islamic Republic of Pakistan (ICSID Case No. ARB/13/1): Appointed as a member of the Annulment Committee.
   
   Dan Cake (Portugal) SA v Hungary (ICSID Case No. ARB/12/9): Appointed President of the Annulment Committee.
   
   Cortex Mining and Stirling Capital Limited v Kenya (ICSID Case No. ARB/15/29): Appointed as a member of the Annulment Committee.
   
   SolEs Badajoz GmbH v. Kingdom of Spain (ICSID Case No. ARB/15/38): Appointed Chair of the Annulment Committee.
   
   Marko Mihaljević v. Republic of Croatia (ICSID Case No. ARB/19/35): Appointed President of the Tribunal in respect of a €200 million claim concerning an alleged invalidation by Croatia’s courts of a real estate transaction for a property located next to a historical landmark in Zagreb.
   
   UAB Pavilniu saules slenis 14 and UAB Modus grupe v. Republic of Belarus (ICSID Case No. ARB/21/2): Appointed President of the Tribunal in respect of a claim by two Lithuanian real estate companies against Belarus, which concerned the alleged termination of a lease to a plot of land near the Minsk Airport intended for construction of a hotel and carpark.
   
   Qiong Ye and Jianping Yang v Cambodia (ICSID Case No. ARB/21/42)
   
   Abed El Jaouni v Lebanese Republic (ICSID Case No. ARB/15/3)
   
   Klesch Group Holdings Limited and Raffinerie Heide GmbH v Germany (ICSID Case No. ARB/23/49)
   
   Klesch Group Holdings Limited, Klesch Refining Denmark A/S v Denmark (ICSID Case No. ARB/23/48)
   
   Klesch Group Holdings Limited & others v European Union (ICSID Case No. ARB(AF)/23/1)
   
   Mondi Investments Limited v Poland (ICSID Case No. ARB(AF)/24/1)
   
   Solway Investment Group GMBH, Solway Industries Swiss AG, Solway Mining Incorporated v Liberia (PCA Case No. AA939)
   
   Nachingwea U.K. Limited, Ntaka Nickel Holdings Limited and Nachingwea Nickel Limited v Tanzania (ICSID Case No. ARB/20/38)
   
   Infrastructure Services Luxembourg S.à.r.l. and Energia Termosolar B.V. (formerly Antin Infrastructure Services Luxembourg S.à.r.l. and Antin Energia Termosolar B.V.) v Spain (ICSID Case No. ARB/13/31)
   
   Lao Holdings N.V., Sanum Investments Limited v Laos (ICSID Case No. ARB(AF)/12/6 & PCA Case No. 2013-13)
   
   Vedanta Resources Plc v India (PCA Case No. 2016-5)
   
   Deutsche Telekom AG v India (PCA Case No. 2014-10)

Asian Legal Business
Southeast Asia’s Top 15 Litigators 2024 – Named as one of Southeast Asia's top 15 Litigators for 2 consecutive years
Asia’s Top 15 Litigators 2022 – Named as one of Asia's top 15 Litigators for 2 consecutive years                            
ALB’s research team handpicked Cavinder based on the following criteria: significant cases in his entire career and the last 12 months; key and new clients attained; accolades and awards won; and client recommendations.

Asian Legal Business SE Asia Law Awards
Singapore Managing Partner of the Year 2023, 2022 and 2020 
Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year 2023, 2021 and 2019 
Regional Managing Partner of the Year 2020 

The Asia Legal Awards
Litigator of the Year 2024

Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards
Hall of Fame award 2022 - Winner
Impact Case 2022 – Winners
Hin Leong Trading Insolvency 
Prudential Assurance Company Singapore v former Group Financial Services Director/ PTMO

asialaw & Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Awards 
Disputes Star of the Year 2018, Singapore 

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
Dispute Resolution 2024 – Listed Lawyer in Hall of Fame for 4 consecutive years
International Arbitration 2024 – Listed Lawyer in Hall of Fame for 4 consecutive years
Asia-Pacific: Regional International Arbitration 2024 – Recommended lawyer
Antitrust and Competition 2024 – Recommended lawyer for 8 consecutive years
Construction 2024 – Recommended lawyer for 3 consecutive years 
White-Collar Crime 2024 – Recommended Lawyer

“Cavinder Bull SC is simply superb as a legal adviser, advocate and person. He dominates the courtroom and is very effective and persuasive while also remaining collegiate and agreeable.” – Legal 500 APAC 2024

“Cavinder Bull is a true market-leader. He has excellent presence and sound commercial judgment. Clients love him!” – Legal 500 APAC 2023

“Cavinder Bull SC is perhaps the leading counsel in Singapore today. He is a powerful advocate and skilled lawyer.” – Legal 500 APAC 2022

“Cavinder Bull SC’s reputation is well deserved.” – Legal 500 APAC 2022

Sources say, ”I have worked with the following individuals in international arbitration: Cavinder Bull SC is outstanding...” – Legal 500 APAC 2021

'Cavinder Bull SC’s advocacy is outstanding and he is quite simply in a league of his own.’ – Legal 500 APAC 2020

‘Cavinder Bull SC is plugged into global networks and has invested in the international arbitration space.’ – Legal 500 APAC 2020

'a great advocate in arbitration-related court proceedings', 'is smart, reasonable and fair', 'is a lethal examiner of witnesses' and 'makes a very good arbitrator' – Legal 500 APAC 2019

‘fabulous lawyer’, ‘a big name’, a ‘very astute lawyer on strategy and law’, ‘[his] experience is invaluable’ – Legal 500 APAC 2018

‘top tier’, ‘very sharp and analytical’ – Legal 500 APAC 2018

The Legal 500 Arbitration Powerlist: Southeast Asia
Recognised as a leading arbitrator in the Southeast Asia region in 2023 for 2 consecutive years

Chambers Asia-Pacific and Chambers Global (Dispute Resolution: Litigation) 
Singapore 2024 – Band 1 for 14 consecutive years

"Cavinder is at the top of his game. He's very persuasive on his feet and is no-nonsense. He has a brilliant manner about him. If I was an advocate, I'd like to be him." – Chambers APAC 2024

"Cavinder has a good ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters, as well as to understand the commercial realities." – Chambers APAC 2023

"An excellent litigator and a real gentleman. He is very intelligent and tenacious in court" – Chambers APAC 2023

One market source praises Cavinder Bull SC as a "very strong litigator" while a client describes him as someone who is "very laser-like and goes for the target." – Chambers APAC 2022

“a very experienced litigator” with “sharp intellect and surgical precision against opposing counsel.” – Chambers APAC 2021

‘A pre-eminent dispute resolution practitioner with a long and successful track record. One client says he “knows exactly where he is going and gets there," while another notes he is "far-sighted and has got a very good mind.”’ – Chambers APAC 2020

‘ability to “see the issues quickly and beyond simply locating the legal problem, look at it from the point of providing the solution to the organisation concerned.”’ – Chambers APAC 2019

"He is a very rare talent in disputes." – Chambers APAC 2017

"excellent advocate" who "writes compelling briefs and makes superb oral presentations." – Chambers APAC and Global 2017

"he is an impressive personality, has very good presentational skills and is very convincing" – Chambers Global 2016

 [Cavinder] is not only "a great advocate" and "terrific cross-examiner who can really perform in court," but also a litigator who is "very much attuned to commercial considerations." – Chambers APAC 2015

“Very well known in Singapore as a senior litigator.” – Chambers APAC 2015

“Very calming presence – which is good for you, but can actually unnerve the opposition.” – Chambers APAC 2015

“A terrific cross-examiner who can really perform in court.” – Chambers APAC 2015

"Excellent when it comes to litigation matters: very sharp, very reliable and very reassuring." – Chambers APAC 2014

"He is very polite with the judge but is ruthless when it comes to examining the other side's argument." – Chambers APAC 2014

Chambers Asia-Pacific and Chambers Global (Dispute Resolution: Arbitration) 
Singapore 2024 – Band 1 for 12 consecutive years
Singapore 2024: Most in Demand Arbitrators – Band 1 
Global-wide 2024: Arbitration (International) – Band 3 for 2 consecutive years

"Cavinder Bull SC is sharp, quick and gives clear advice. He inspires confidence." – Chambers APAC 2024

"We love Cavinder's insights and respect his judgement" – Chambers APAC 2023

"Arbitrators like him because he is clear and will not over-reach or go over the top. He is a very good counsel" – Chambers APAC 2023

“Cavinder Bull SC is one of the top Singapore arbitration counsel and arbitrators." – Chambers Global 2022

A source emphasises that "Cavinder Bull SC is an absolutely superb advocate." – Chambers Global 2022

Market commentators hold Cavinder Bull SC to be one of the "standout practitioners as advocate, lawyer and arbitrator." – Chambers APAC 2022

One source lauds him as "the smartest guy in the room, a great lawyer." – Chambers APAC 2022

‘an excellent oral advocate’ – Chambers Global 2021

‘Cavinder Bull SC is an esteemed arbitration specialist with particular expertise in energy matters before SIAC. Market commentators hold him to be one of the “clear standouts in this area” and “obviously very impressive as an arbitrator as well as counsel.’ – Chambers APAC 2021

Cavinder Bull SC is highly sought after for his expertise in both commercial disputes and investment treaty arbitration. He adeptly advises sovereign states and private entities in complex international proceedings, and is a particularly respected figure within ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific region. Based in Singapore, he is regarded as “an excellent lawyer,” while another sources describes him as being “extremely knowledgeable and a very good advocate.” – Chambers Global 2020

‘Cavinder Bull SC is “one of Singapore’s best legal minds,” according to interviewees. Market sources say: “He is a very capable lawyer and does standout work.” He is well versed in handling high-stakes commercial and investment treaty arbitrations.’ – Chambers APAC 2020

‘a highly regarded advocate with a strong track record representing investors and sovereign states in commercial and investment treaty arbitrations’ – Chambers APAC 2019

“exceptionally bright and engaging and prepared to tailor advice to our specific needs, rather than simply produce generic opinions." – Chambers APAC 2018

“he is very reassuring and gives great comfort to clients” – Chambers APAC 2018

"very commercial and savvy" – Chambers APAC 2018

"World-class" – Chambers APAC and Global 2017

“His clientele is global now and the work he is doing gets bigger and bigger.” – Chambers APAC 2016

"a great guy and a bona fide arbitration lawyer." – Chambers APAC 2016

"very clued in" and "a superb lawyer." – Chambers APAC 2016

"Even, very reassuring manner" and "brilliant ability to grasp business issues." – Chambers APAC 2015

"Clearly on an upward trajectory in his practice as an international arbitration specialist." – Chambers Global 2015

"He's formidable in arbitration - he really stands out." – Chambers APAC 2014

“[He] enjoys a formidable reputation in Asian arbitration circles and is respected across the region for his skilled handling of sizeable disputes in such areas as infrastructure and media.” – Chambers Global 2014

Chambers Asia-Pacific and Chambers Global (Dispute Resolution: International Firms)
India 2024 – Singapore expertise based abroad – Band 1

"I rate Cavinder as one of the best lawyers I have worked with globally. I was extremely impressed with Cavinder's ability to grasp and present complex issues with ease." – Chambers APAC 2024

The Asian Lawyer Emerging Markets Awards
Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year 2015

The Global Arbitration Review 16th edition (2023) says “Cavinder Bull is the best known name internationally”. A client commented that he is “one of the finest advocates, clear, precise, and extraordinarily well prepared. His knowledge of the record and the law is unsurpassed”.

India Business Law Journal
In the August 2020 issue of India Business Law Journal (IBLJ), Cavinder is recommended as counsel for Indian legal matters. He is described by a peer as “spectacular and in a very elite league”.

In IBLJ’s July 2017 issue, Cavinder received praise from a client, who said, “I would unhesitatingly recommend Cavinder Bull as counsel. His understanding and assessment of strategic, practical and legal issues is one of the best I have seen. Despite his obviously very heavy schedule, he has been extremely responsive…and has given significant thought and advice and various issues on an urgent basis”.

Who’s Who Legal

Thought Leaders Global Elite 2023 – Global Elite Thought Leader for Arbitration and Commercial Litigation
Thought Leaders Global Elite Guide: Arbitration 2023 – Global Elite Thought Leader for 4 consecutive years
Thought Leaders Global Elite Guide: Commercial Litigation 2023 – Global Elite Thought Leader for 3 consecutive years
Thought Leaders Guide: Arbitration 2023 – Thought Leader for 7 consecutive years
Thought Leaders Guide: Commercial Litigation 2024 – Thought Leader for 6 consecutive years
Arbitration 2024 – Global Elite Thought Leader for 5 consecutive years; Recommended Lawyer for 5 consecutive years
Commercial Litigation 2023 – Global Elite Thought Leader for 3 consecutive years; Recommended Lawyer for 11 years
Global Guide: Hospitality 2022 – Recommended Lawyer for 2 consecutive years
National Guide: Southeast Asia - Arbitration 2023 – Recommended Lawyer for 3 consecutive years
National Guide: Southeast Asia - Litigation 2023 – Recommended Lawyer for 3 consecutive years
Global Guide: Telecommunications Media & Technology 2016 – Leading Lawyer
Global Guide: Competition 2014 – Recommended lawyer for 3 consecutive years
Global Guide: Construction 2014 – Recommended lawyer

Cavinder Bull SC is a favourite among peers and clients alike, who appreciate the fact that “his work is always thorough, well-considered and clear”.

Cavinder Bull SC is “a top-notch practitioner” and “one of the leading advocates in Singapore” who is noted for his experience and expertise in investor-state cases.

Cavinder Bull SC is a favourite among peers and clients alike, who appreciate the fact that “his work is always thorough, well-considered and clear”.

“Cavinder Bull SC has a leading reputation for his market-leading international track record assisting hospitality clients in disputes.”

Cavinder Bull SC is “without doubt one of the best practitioners I have worked with worldwide.”

He possesses “clarity of thought and the ability to pick up with ease various strands of a complex dispute”.

Cavinder Bull SC is “very sharp and tactically astute”, and regularly acts for large companies and individual on complex international disputes.

Cavinder Bull, SC is "one of the leading lights in Singapore” and "the star at Drew & Napier".

He wins particular praise for his advocacy, with sources calling him "skilful and adaptable in his arguments and totally prepared on facts and law".

Cavinder Bull, SC has “outstanding grasp of the law”.

He has the “ability to provide practical advice tailored to needs of clients’ business”, and his “analysis and advocacy skills are off the charts”.

“The outstanding Cavinder Bull, SC is a highly esteemed practitioner who earns praise for his substantial experience in complex litigation and arbitration proceedings.”

A “persuasive and intelligent” practitioner who is a “highly respected figure” that “ought to be on the list” due to his “excellent practice”.

He has “excellent knowledge of the law” according to sources who commend his “rapid response and clarity of advice” when handling complex commercial disputes.

Global Investigations Review 100 (GIR 100)
Recognised as a leading individual for investigations in the GIR 100 5^th edition (2019). The GIR 100 identifies top 100 firms worldwide that handle complex cross-border government-led and internal investigations.

Asia Business Law Journal 
Identified as one of Singapore's Top 100 lawyers 2019

Best Lawyers International: Singapore 
Litigation 2025 – Endorsed individual for 15 consecutive years (named Lawyer of the Year 2025 edition)
Bet-the-Company Litigation 2025 – Endorsed individual for 8 consecutive years (named Lawyer of the Year 2021 edition)
Arbitration/Mediation 2025 – Endorsed individual for 12 consecutive years
Competition/Antitrust Law 2025 – Endorsed individual for 8 consecutive years
Construction Law 2025 - Endorsed Individual for 2 consecutive years
International Arbitration – Endorsed individual for 3 consecutive years (2018-2020 edition)

asialaw Leading Lawyers
Dispute Resolution 2023/2024 – Elite Practitioner for 7 consecutive years

“An outstanding lawyer; thorough understanding of client's needs.”

Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 
Litigation Star 2024 – Commercial and Transactions, International Arbitration (7 consecutive years)

“Cavinder is one of the best lawyers I have worked with internationally. He is clear, articulate and a pleasure to brief. His team is also fully engaged and top-quality. We managed to conduct an intense, heavily fought arbitration by video-conferencing seamlessly. Drew & Napier would definitely be my firm of choice for future work in Singapore (or even commercial arbitrations outside Singapore).”

“Bull is an extremely able advocate with deep knowledge of international arbitration.”

“Great counsel and an asset to the team. He has great practical and strategical input.”

Legal Media Group Expert Guides
Identified as an Expert in Commercial Arbitration, Competition & Antitrust, and Litigation in 2021

Asia IP Experts 
Leading individual in IP Litigation 2016

Judgments: In one case, the High Court expressed its thanks to Cavinder for his assistance in a protracted trial, describing him in the written judgment as a "persuasive advocate" who "ably prosecuted a factually complex and somewhat emotively charged case with conspicuous fairness".

• Vice-President, Court of Arbitration - Singapore International Arbitration Centre
• Former Vice-President, Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration Group
• Chairman, Singapore Exchange disciplinary committee (2017 to 2023)
• Member, Governing Board of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA)
• Member, World Bank Sanctions Board (2018 to 2023)
• Advisory Board, AFSA International Rules Drafting Committee
• Panel, International Arbitrators of the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB)
• ICSID Panel of Arbitrators
• Former Deputy Chairman, Board of Directors - Singapore International Arbitration Centre (2010 to 2017)
• Member, International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) inaugural Disciplinary Tribunal in Monaco (2017 to 2019) 
• Member, Securities and Industries Council (2016 to 2022)
• Advisory Council, Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore
• Member, Law Reform Committee of the Singapore Academy of Law (2000 to 2010)
• Appointed by the Deputy Prime Minister to the Legal Services Review Committee (2007)
• Board Member, Singapore Institute of Legal Education
• Member, Pro-tem Committee of the Institute of Legal Education (2009)
• Appointed as a Referee under the Industrial Arbitration Act
• Member, Public and International Law Committee of the Law Society (2009)
• Member, Singapore Law Committee (India Team leader)
• Member, Sub-Committee of Remaking Singapore Committee (2002)
• Delegate, 8th Asia‑Europe Young Leaders' Symposium
• Member of the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn
• Fellow, Singapore Academy of Law
• Member, Law Society of Singapore

• Director, Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited (2009 to 2012)
• Director, National Healthcare Group (2009 to 2012)
• Director, Singapore University of Technology and Design (2009 to 2015)
• Director, Ascendas Property Fund Trustee Pte Ltd (2010 to 2013)
• Director, Agri‑Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (2004 to 2010)