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 on all aspects of the international sale and transportation of hard and soft 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 ICC, LCIA, GAFTA, FOSFA, LMAA and SIAC.
Leon also provides assistance and advice to clients with non-contentious and transactional issues. Leon advises clients on 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 been recognised by his rankings in the 2022 Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific and Legal 500 Asia Pacific guides. 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.".
Experience
- 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
- Representing various parties in a number of GAFTA and FOSFA arbitrations relating to Ex-Paranagua detention claims
- Acting for global commodities clients with cargoes affected by the collapse of Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd.
- Advising sellers of 55,000MT of feed barley in relation to default by Chinese buyers and related GAFTA arbitration.
- Acting for one of the Singapore's largest fuel oil traders in relation to losses, claims and exposures arising out of the collapse of OW Bunkers.
- Advising a Singapore based international oil trader on its OTC Brokerage Agreements
- Advising barley sellers following failure of Chinese buyers to open an LC and subsequent renegotiation of sale contract terms.
- 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.
- Advising a trading company following the arrest of a vessel carrying their cargo of 55,000MT of crude oil and successfully obtaining an order for discharge whilst the vessel remained under arrest.
- Drafting a 25 year contract of affreightment of very large ore carrying vessels for one of the world’s largest diversified metals and mining companies.
- Obtaining an LCIA award for a world leading commodities trading company in relation to their buyer’s failure to take delivery of 180,000MT of coal
- 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 cargoes without original bills of lading.
- Successfully defending buyers in an ICC arbitration for non-performance of an alleged contract for the sale of 300,000MT of coal.
- Obtaining English High Court judgment and advising on multi-jurisdictional enforcement of a substantial claim for one of the world's largest mining and natural resources companies.
