Full Profile
Leon has been based in the firm’s Singapore office since October 2014 having relocated after 10 years in the London office.
Leon advises clients in relation to the production, financing, sale, processing, storage and transportation of commodities. This often involves helping clients to resolve practical time zone difficulties at an early stage to prevent problems escalating.
Leon has significant experience of multi-jurisdictional dispute resolution and handles claims both in court and arbitration proceedings including SIAC, ICC, LCIA, GAFTA, FOSFA, LMAA and SCMA.
Leon also provides assistance and advice to clients with non-contentious and transactional issues. Leon advises clients on commodity finance, sale and purchase and offtake agreements, contracts for the storage and blending / processing of commodities, charterparties and contracts of affreightment, bills of lading, guarantees and various forms of security.
Leon's outcome and commercial focus has consistently been recognised by his rankings in Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific, Legal 500 Asia Pacific and Best Lawyers®. Leon's clients have commented that "He is very dedicated and has the level of attention to detail and commercial nous that you want from an external counsel.", "He cares more about good service than switching on the clock and starting charging." as well as having a "deep understanding of the region and his commercial and sensible approach." For the 2023 edition of Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Leon is recognised as a Leading Individual and has been described as a “big name in trade and commodities”. Best Lawyers® has also recognised Leon as one of “The Best Lawyers in Singapore” in the Shipping and Maritime Law category.
Experience
- Advising a multinational integrated trading company buyer of LNG following a seller’s declaration of force majeure arising out of the delayed construction of an LNG Train.
- Advising one of the world’s largest oil traders in relation to litigation brought by trade finance banks following the collapse of Hin Leong Trading including the successful defence of allegations of fraud.
- Drafting various global energy and trading companies’ standard LNG MSPA template contracts and related agreements.
- Advising a global natural resources and mining company following the breakdown of a vessel at its terminal, causing throughput losses and delays
- Advising on template contracts for the sale and purchase and regulations pertaining to the storage and trading of biofuels.
- Acting for a commodity derivatives trader in English High Court proceedings following its counterparty's failure to make collateral calls under an ISDA Master Agreement.
- Representing global trading company in multiple FOSFA and LMAA arbitrations following the collapse of China’s largest soybean importer.
- Advising on payment letters of indemnity and trade finance structures.
- Obtaining a SIAC arbitration award against a Chinese buyer of coking coal who failed to take delivery and successfully defeating LC opening agent arguments.
- Assisting one of the world’s largest natural resources companies with their charter of LNG fuelled bulk carrier vessels and LNG fuel supply agreements.
- Advising one of the world’s largest companies following the grounding of a fully laden very large crude carrier.
- Advising one of the world's largest trading companies in relation to exposures arising out of the provision of letters of indemnity for the discharge of cargo without original bills of lading
