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Kelvin Teo

Director, Dispute Resolution

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Practice Areas

Qualifications

  • LL.B. (Hons), National University of Singapore (2004)
  • Admitted to the Singapore Bar in May 2005
Overview

Kelvin is a specialist in resolving complex infrastructure, energy and resource disputes. He is proficient at making complicated technical, delay and quantum issues, easy to understand.

His sector experience spans infrastructure projects with a particular focus on renewable energy projects from solar farms, wind, hydropower and geothermal; to nuclear power plants, oil and gas projects and refineries; as well as conventional projects such as mines, railways and expressways; and even giant Ferris wheels.

Kelvin has advised parties and projects in Singapore, Korea, Middle East, Greater China, Mongolia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Italy, Laos, Philippines, Taiwan, US, France and India, amongst others.

Kelvin carries out his own advocacy across the entire spectrum of dispute resolution mechanisms including litigation, arbitration, mediation and adjudication, held both within and out of Singapore.

Kelvin is a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators and sits as an arbitrator.

Kelvin is a thought-leader who regularly speaks and publishes articles on construction law and arbitration practice issues.

He heads the Thought Leadership subcommittee of the Society of Construction Law (Singapore). He previously headed a Singapore Academy of Law Promotion of Singapore Law Sub-committee (Energy and Oil and Gas), and sits on the Building and Construction Law Committee of the Law Society.

He was an assessor for COVID-19 construction cases. He also sits on a panel promoting neutral evaluation, as a mediator, and was part of an experts group commenting on e-discovery issues.

He has also been recognized in directories such as The Legal 500, Experts Guide, and SBR’s list of most influential lawyers under 40 (2018), and recently in The Arbitration Power List : Southeast Asia 2022 and 2023.

Kelvin’s recent experience (*) includes:

  1. Solar Farm in Singapore
    Advising the developer of one of the largest solar farms in Singapore, on contracts and on day-to-day legal matters during the construction phase and managing potential disputes. Acting for the developer in multiple litigation and adjudication proceedings.

  2. Offshore greenfield wind-farm project
    Advising the Employer and his representative on day to day legal matters and managing potential disputes, during the construction phase of a billion-dollar offshore wind farm.

  3. Philippines Geothermal power plant
    Acting for a multi-national conglomerate in the energy sector and its subsidiary in a multi-party ICC arbitration seated in Singapore, arising out of a project to rehabilitate a Philippines geothermal power plant.

  4. Nuclear Power Plant LCIA Arbitration
    Acting for a contractor in a LCIA arbitration in a billion-dollar dispute arising in relation to the construction of a nuclear power plant.

  5. Lao Hydropower ICC Arbitrations and court proceedings
    Acting for a major Italian contractor in two ICC arbitrations seated in Singapore against a Thai entity in relation to disputes over time and cost claims arising out of a Lao hydro-power plant project, and in related proceedings.
* Includes experience at previous firms.

Chambers Asia-Pacific
Construction 2024 – Up and Coming for 3 consecutive years

A market source tips Kelvin Teo as "one to watch". 

A client praises Kelvin Teo for providing "pragmatic advice". 

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific

International Arbitration 2024 – Next generation partner for 6 consecutive years 

Construction 2024 – Next generation partner for 6 consecutive years 

Dispute Resolution 2019 – Next generation partner 

Dispute Resolution 2018 – Next generation lawyer for 2 consecutive years 

International Arbitration 2018 – Next generation lawyer for 2 consecutive years

Construction 2018 – Next generation lawyer for 2 consecutive years 

“Kelvin Teo is a bright up-and-coming partner in projects disputes.” 

Clients commend Kelvin for being an “experienced arbitration partner [who is a] key contact.”

“Kelvin Teo is always focused and effective. He provides commercial and strategic advice.” 

“Kelvin Teo is an emerging talent in construction disputes.” 

“Kelvin Teo knows the construction industry extremely well. He has strong experience in infrastructure and energy disputes and unparalleled industry knowledge.” 

“Kelvin Teo provided excellent legal advice in a pragmatic and understandable manner, understanding his client’s limited legal comprehension and explaining legal and procedural issues in a simple and straight forward way.” 

"a keen ability to grasp complex technical issues and break them down into coherent and concise descriptions that can be readily understood by arbitrators"

"great in-depth industry knowledge"

“an extremely creative lawyer who thinks of solutions that no one else can”

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

Who’s Who Legal
Thought Leaders Guide: Construction 2023 – Thought Leader

Global Guide: Construction 2023 – Leading Lawyer 

National Guide: Southeast Asia - Construction 2023 – Leading Lawyer for 2 consecutive years

Kelvin Teo is looked upon with enormous favour as “an insightful and formidable hand” when it comes to infrastructure, energy and resource matters.

Asialaw Leading Lawyers
Construction 2023/24 – Notable Practitioner 

“Very knowledgeable about the law and the legal system. Able to provide clear guidance on the relevant issues.”

“Accessible, positive, strategic, explains approach well. Communication is supportive and empathetic.” 

Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific
Construction 2023 – Future Star

Singapore Business Review 2018
Kelvin Teo is recognized as one of Singapore’s most influential lawyers under 40 

LMG Expert Guides
Construction and Real Estate – Rising Star for 3 consecutive years 

  • Head of Thought Leadership, Honorary Secretary, Society of Construction Law (Singapore)
  • Honorary Secretary, Society of Construction Law (Singapore)
  • Building and Construction Law Committee of the Law Society of Singapore
  • Environmental Sustainability Group
  • Panel promoting Neutral Evaluation in Singapore
  • Member, Law Society of Singapore

Recent publications include:

  • The SCL (Singapore) FAQs for the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act (With an Emphasis on Construction and Supply Contracts) – June 2020
  • From “Yam Seng” to Divorce: Navigating (in good faith) joint venture agreements in construction projects – April 2020
  • A Lack of Agreement? Approaches to liquidated damages in Singapore and the UK following Seraya v. Denka and Triple Point v. PTT. – December 2019
  • Experts’ joint statements and discussions: What role should the lawyers play? – January 2019 
  • Practical Law: Construction and Projects in Singapore: Overview – 2017 and 2018
  • Practical Law: Governing law and jurisdiction clauses Q&A: Singapore – 2018
  • Contributor to A Practical Guide to the SIAC Rules – April 2018 

Recent speaking engagements include:

  • Speaker at SCL(S) seminar on Mastering Infrastructure Arbitration: Navigating Complex Cases with Legal Expertise and Technical Acumen – October 2023
  • Speaker at SISV seminar – (Not) Performing the Contract : Force Majeure and Frustration in a Covid-19 World – March 2023
  • Speaker at Debate at SCL (Singapore) 3rd "Focus on Asia Conference" 2022 on the motion “This House Believes that Renewables are the Beating Heart of a Sustainable Future” – October 2022
  • Lecturer for SIAC Specialist Arbitration Series Part 2: Energy, Oil & Gas Arbitrations – July 2022
  • Speaker for "National Conference on Construction Adjudication 2022" – by Singapore Mediation Centre – July 2022
  • Moderator for “Hot Topics in ESG and Energy Law – The Singapore Experience” – a webinar by the Singapore Academy of Law – February 2022
  • Speaker and Moderator for “Crossing the Currents in Clean Energy and Oil & Gas: Legal Issues and Lessons Learnt” – a webinar by the Singapore Academy of Law – March 2021
  • Speaker for “Topical issues in the adoption of Singapore Law: Views from the Commodities and Energy sectors” – a webinar by the Singapore Academy of Law – October 2020
  • Client Seminar – “SOP Act Update and Dispute Masterclass”
  • Chairing “The Circuit Break – Picking Up the Pieces” – a webinar by the SCL (Singapore) – September 2020
  • “Picking Fruit from Scorched Earth – Practical Tips for Managing Construction Arbitrations Efficiently” – a webinar jointly supported by the ICC and the SCL (Singapore) – June 2020
  • Clifford Chance Annual Construction Seminar - "Cheaper, Faster and Better" cross-border infrastructure project dispute resolution – Myth or Mirth – August 2019
  • Chairing ”Cost and Time Blowouts (and Major Disputes) on Large Construction Projects” – July 2019 
  • Panelist for Singapore International Energy Week – “Key technology solutions to achieve global energy transformation” – May 2019
  • Beijing International Arbitration Centre – “东南亚和南亚工程项目合同起草中的常见风险和规避方式 Avoiding pitfalls and mitigating risks in SEA construction and infrastructure projects” – March 2019