Commended by clients for his “great thoroughness” and “excellent drafting”, Divyesh Menon delivers results by applying sector expertise, thoughtful strategy and effective advocacy to business-critical disputes – which has earned plaudits in the Financial Times as the Most Innovative Dispute Resolution Team (Asia-Pacific) and recognition in the India Business Law Journal, among others.
A trusted advocate in SIAC and ICC arbitrations, Divyesh also has experience with other established arbitration seats and rules (e.g. HKIAC, LCIA, ICDR, DIAC, LMAA, AIAC, VIAC, CAS), as well as investment treaty arbitrations (ICSID, PCA, UNCITRAL). His mandates often require combining arbitration advocacy with litigation, mediation, and crisis management across multiple jurisdictions.
Divyesh specialises in cross-border commercial and investment disputes, with a growing focus on South Asia and Southeast Asia. Recent instructions include high-value business-combination disputes arising out of post-M&A earn-outs, joint-venture breakdowns, private-equity exits and start-up financing; energy supply-chain and pricing controversies (including LNG, coal, and solar); energy infrastructure and engineering; and software development and licensing projects.
Divyesh is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) and an accredited mediator with the Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI). He is appointed as a Neutral on the Law Society of Singapore Neutral Evaluation and Determination Scheme (LSNEDS) and Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (FIDReC) Scheme. Alongside his law degree (First Class) from the University of Bristol and Bachelor of Civil Law from the University of Oxford, he has specialist accreditations in Executive Finance, Law and Technology, Private International Law and International and Comparative Law from leading global institutions.
Divyesh’s previous experience includes serving as law clerk and tribunal secretary to a renowned international arbitrator and then-Chief Justice of the DIFC Courts, and practicing for five years at a US law firm.
EXPERIENCE
Business Combinations & Joint Ventures
- Representing a leading multinational crop science and agribusiness in joint venture disputes in China. At stake were high-value commercially sensitive IP and know-how, as well as strategic market share and complex loss valuation. (PRC law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore.)
- Representing the shareholders of a FinTech and digital payments business in relation to claims of over US$100 million under shareholders’ and investment agreements. (Singapore law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore.)
- Representing the limited partners in relation to disputes with another limited partner arising out of a venture capital partnership, fund and related agreements. (Cayman law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore).
- Represented a US-originated designer and manufacturer of remotely piloted aerial systems (i.e., drones) defending claims by a Hong Kong-based vulture fund arising out of complex financing arrangements. (Singapore law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore.)
- Represented a new vertical of an Indonesian conglomerate in relation to a dynamic dispute over lucrative long-term European football broadcasting rights. The disputes centred on over-the-top (OTT) media rights and non-compete covenants in a collaboration agreement for the cross-sharing of content. (Singapore law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore.)
- Advised a global FMCG brand in relation to shareholder disputes over a joint venture with an Indonesian conglomerate. The disputes concerned IP assets, non-compete covenants and exit mechanisms. (Indonesian law, ICC arbitration in Singapore.)
- Represented a Vietnamese group of companies in relation to a fraudulent share transfer, unlawful means conspiracy, inducing breach of contract, trademark infringement and passing off, including satellite litigation in Singapore and a parallel VIAC arbitration. (Vietnam law, VIAC arbitration in Ho Chi Minh City.)
- Represented a South Korean company in relation to post-M&A disputes with local partners in the Vietnam media and broadcasting sector. (Vietnam law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore.)
- Represented a Canadian fashion brand and its parent against a South Korean company in relation to the breakdown of a joint venture (shareholder and franchise disputes.) (New York law, ICC arbitration in Singapore.)
Infrastructure, Construction & Engineering
- Representing a global offshore building and engineering business in disputes with a European oil and gas company in relation to the construction and commissioning of a FPSO to be deployed in the Mediterranean (English law, ICC arbitration in London.)
- Representing a listed European engineering and technology business in connection with disputes with the main contractor arising out of a major fuel refinery project, involving delay-related claims (including EOTs, liquidated damages and prolongation costs), unpaid invoices, acts of prevention, and disputed variation orders. (Thai law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore; with English law/London courts performance bonds.)
- Represented a global solar power developer and operator in relation to disputes with the main EPC contractor over multiple solar power projects in India, with local litigation in relation to interim measures and the PPAs. (Indian law, SIAC arbitration in New Delhi.)
- Representing a Singapore public institution in relation to disputes with its main contractor arising out of the project for the installation of a large-scale PV system (Singapore law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore.)
- Representing a German engineering and technology business in relation to disputes with its main contractor arising in relation to the subcontract for security.
- Representing the Singapore subsidiary of a Malaysian multi-vertical group, in relation to claims and disputes arising out of the design, fabrication, supply and delivery of prefabricated/precast building and concrete solutions.
- Tribunal Secretary in a dispute arising out of the breakdown of a joint venture for the construction and management of a mixed-use development in Vietnam. (Vietnam law, VIAC arbitration in Hanoi.)
Energy & Resources
- Represented a global LNG trader/operator in defending claims of over US$100 million by a pan-Asian joint-venture energy company. (English and New York law, ICC arbitration in Singapore.)
- Represented a European energy and shipping group in relation to claims of over US$300 million arising out of a long-term FSRU project in Southeast Asia. (Indonesian law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore.)
- Represented the LNG-focused subsidiary of a South Asian energy group in relation to disputes with an energy supermajor over an LNG storage and regasification terminal and FSRU. (English law, ICC arbitration in London.)
- Representing a Southeast Asian owner of a power plant in Vietnam in relation to claims arising out of a long-term coal supply agreement (English law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore.)
- Representing a UAE-headquartered seller of Guinean bauxite in relation to disputes with the Indian buyer under a multi-cargo supply agreement (Singapore law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore.)
Commercial, Technology & Investment
- Representing a university in relation to disputes with a London-listed software developer in disputes arising out of the design and implementation of a large-scale overhaul of the university’s technological platform and services (Singapore law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore.)
- Advising the Singapore subsidiary of a China-headquartered FinTech group in relation to disputes with a financial institution in the Philippines arising from an agreement to provide certain software and related services (Singapore law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore.)
- Tribunal Secretary in a Singapore-seated, PCA-administered arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules between a UK investor and an Asian state for claims in the region of US$ 3.1 billion arising out of the alleged imposition of retrospective tax and interest liability.
- Advised a South-Asian maritime security company in relation to the newly elected government’s attempts to shut down the company and expropriate assets. (Sri Lankan law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore.)
- Advised a globally accredited environmental mitigation credits company (i.e., carbon credits and trading) in relation to one of the largest privately-owned conservation banks. (Hong Kong law, HKIAC arbitration in Hong Kong, with potential treaty claims subject to ad hoc or ICSID arbitration.)
- Tribunal Secretary in a dispute between a European developer and manufacturer of mobile technology and a South Asian mobile device manufacturer arising out of a license agreement for standard essential patents for 2G, 3G and 4G compliant devices. (Indian law, ICC arbitration in New Delhi.)
Litigation
- Representing an India-originated FinTech and technology services group in relation to an application before the Singapore International Commercial Court to annul / set aside an award concerning the valuation of shares for the purposes of the buyout order in relation to the minority’s shares.
- Representing a BVI financier in claims before the Singapore High Court arising from financing arrangements for Indonesian businesses.
- Represented the majority shareholders of a FinTech business in relation to proceedings by the minority to enforce a SIAC interim award concerning an alleged competing business/product.
- Represented an international bank in a series of disputes before the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) arising out of high-profile fraud in the commodities trading and trade finance sectors. Also represented the bank in relation to the liquidation of the principal fraudster. (Singapore law and English law, SICC.)
- Advised a South Asian state in a Singapore-seated PCA-administered arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules against an East Asian power company arising out of an investment in a power plant, including a jurisdictional appeal to the Singapore courts.
- Advised an European industrial engineering conglomerate in relation to annulment / setting aside proceedings before the Singapore courts arising out of an ICC arbitration over contracts for the building, assembly, and delivery of submarines.
MEMBERSHIPS / DIRECTORSHIPS
- Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
- Publications Committee, International Relations Committee, The Law Society of Singapore
- International Arbitration Commission, Litigation Commission, Association Internationale des Jeunes Avocats (AIJA)
- Arbitration Committee, Oil & Gas Law Committee, Asia Pacific Regional Forum, International Bar Association (IBA)
- Member, ICC Singapore Arbitration Group
- Member, Young International Council for Commercial Arbitration (Young ICCA)
- Member, Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI)
- Member, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (SIArb)
RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- Lex Chartered 2025 (Ind-Sg Bar Dialogue), “Arbitration & Mediation – Trends”, Chennai (March 2025)
- Commonwealth Med-Arb Conference 2024, “Arbitrability of Disputes”, Hyderabad, India (November 2024)
- The Commercial Law Development Program (Mongolia), “International Commercial Arbitration Best Practices”, Ulaanbaatar (November 2024)
- Law Society of Singapore, “Beyond Legalese: Effective Legal Communication for Your Stakeholders”, Singapore (November 2024)
- SIAC Academy, “The Making of an Advocate”, Mumbai (September 2023)
- SIAC Gujarat Conference 2023, “Demystifying the Value of Institutional Arbitration”, GIFT City, India (March 2023)
