Zhihui’s practice covers domestic and international commercial disputes, with a particular focus on those arising from construction, infrastructure, energy, offshore and marine projects. He is experienced in litigation, arbitration, and adjudication, as well as alternative dispute resolution processes such as mediation.
Besides contentious matters, Zhihui also regularly advises clients on a range of transactional and advisory matters, including drafting and advising on contracts, employment matters, corporate restructuring, and general corporate and legal advisory work.
Zhihui is recognised by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific for International Arbitration (2023) and Construction (2025), where he is described as “a very solid construction disputes lawyer” and “always a phone call away to provide professional and sound advice”. He is also ranked as a Future Star in Construction by Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific (2025).
Zhihui read law at the University of Southampton, graduating with First Class Honours. He was also the top student in his first and second year and the joint runner-up in the final year, and received several academic prizes, including for best dissertation, top student in contract law, and top student in equity and trusts. In addition to his legal expertise, he is also familiar with business, finance and accounting, having obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration from the National University of Singapore.
He is fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese.
Some of Zhihui’s recent experience includes:
Construction, Infrastructure and Energy
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Construction of Integrated Depot - Advising a contractor in relation to various issues arising from the construction of the world’s first “four-in-one” integrated bus and train depot.
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Wind Farm Arbitration - Acting for an employer in arbitration against a contractor in relation to the construction of an onshore wind farm project in Vietnam.
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Sports Facility Arbitration - Acting for a contractor in arbitration in relation to issues arising from the construction of a sports facility.
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Mixed-Development Project Arbitration - Acting for a contractor in arbitration against a joint venture comprising two of the world’s largest Korean contractors in relation to the construction of a prestigious residential, office and commercial mixed-development in Singapore with claims and counterclaims in excess of S$100 million.
Arbitration and Arbitration-related litigation
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Share Purchase Arbitration - Acting for the claimant in arbitration in relation to the sale and purchase of shares with a contract sum in excess of S$9 million.
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Setting Aside Application - Acting for a successful claimant in resisting an application to set aside the arbitration award: HC/OA 94/2022 and HC/OA 228/2022 (unreported).
International trade dispute
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CIETAC Arbitration - Acting for a Singapore company in CIETAC arbitration against a Chinese state-owned entity in relation to a supply contract with claims in excess of US$30 million.
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
Construction 2025 – Recommended Lawyer
International Arbitration 2023 – Recommended Lawyer
“Chen Zhihui is a very solid construction disputes lawyer.”
“Christopher Chong and Chen Zhihui are always a phone call away to provide professional and sound advice.”
“… a solid team, whether as a whole or individually, are more than capable of pulling their own weight and delivering value to us in the context of the role they play; we must mention … Zhihui Chen ...”
Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific
Construction 2025 - Future Star