Clifford Chance
* Clifford Chance Asia is a Formal Law Alliance in Singapore between Clifford Chance Pte Ltd and Cavenagh Law LLP
Paul Sandosham, heads the Energy, Infrastructure and Resources (Disputes) practice for Southeast Asia and co-leads the firm's global contentious construction initiatives. He focuses on dispute resolution (litigation, mediation & international commercial arbitration) in the energy, power, renewables, oil & gas, infrastructure, construction, engineering, rail, transport, utilities, natural resources, international trade, insurance, joint ventures and commodities sectors. He is concurrently the Managing Partner of Cavenagh Law LLP, Clifford Chance's formal law alliance partner in Singapore.
Paul acts as lead counsel in courts and international arbitration proceedings (under ICC, SIAC, DIAC, ADCCAC, UNCITRAL, LCIA, BANI, ICSID etc. Rules) for various parties in disputes arising out of complex cross-border investments and projects. Paul is a qualified Chartered Arbitrator. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Singapore Institute of Arbitrators.
Paul is recognised as a leading dispute resolution practitioner in numerous independent legal directories.
- Paul acts primarily as lead counsel in cross-border litigation and international commercial arbitration on large-scale and complex projects including commercial developments, industrial buildings, resorts, hotels, toll roads, bridges, railways, pipelines, mines, FPSOs, offshore LNG terminals, mooring buoys, oil refineries, windfarms, powerplants (oil, natural gas, nuclear, combined cycle, hydropower, geothermal), petrochemical plants etc, in several jurisdictions including in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil, India, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, KSA, Mauritius, Maldives, Tanzania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey, China, Mongolia, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea. He also has extensive experience in international trade, insurance, joint venture, post-M&A and commodities disputes.
- Paul is on the panel of arbitrators of numerous arbitral institutions including the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), Pacific International Arbitration Centre (PIAC), Bahrain Centre for Dispute Resolution (BCDR), Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) and CIArb (London). He has been appointed as sole arbitrator and presiding arbitrator/chairman in international arbitrations relating to cross-border disputes involving parties from numerous jurisdictions including Austria, BVI, Canada, China, Dominica, India, Italy, Jordan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Syria, UAE, UK & Vietnam.
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, Singapore
- +6566612055
- Email me
- Follow me on LinkedIn
- Speaks English and Malay
- Practice area Litigation, dispute resolution & risk management
- Sector Energy & resources, Government & public sector bodies, Logistics, Mining & metals, Oil & gas, Power & energy networks, Rail, Transportation infrastructure
Career and qualifications
- University of Bristol (LL.B) 1994
- National University of Singapore (Postgraduate Diploma in Singapore Law) 1995
- Admitted as an advocate and solicitor in Singapore 1996
- Admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales 2000
- Registered Practitioner in the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIFC) Courts 2008
- Joined Clifford Chance as a Partner 2012
Professional bodies
- Board of Directors, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Singapore Ltd
- Member of the Singapore Management University (SMU) Expert Panel for the Centre for Commercial Law in Asia (CCLA)
- Senior Accredited Specialist (Building & Construction) awarded by Singapore Academy of Law
- Chartered Arbitrator
- Fellow Chartered Institute of Arbitrator (FCIArb)
- Fellow Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (FSIArb)
- Accredited Mediator by Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution in London (CEDR)
- Faculty member of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
- Member of SAL Reform Committee
- Member Disciplinary Committee Safe Sport Singapore
- Honorary legal advisor to the Association of Aerospace Industries (Singapore) and the Singapore Chapter of the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI - Singapore)
- Panel of Arbitrators of Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), BANI Indonesia, Pacific International Arbitration Centre (PIAC) Bahrain Centre for Dispute Resolution (BCDR), Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) and Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London
Awards and citations
- "Paul Sandosham thinks one step ahead and recommends solutions that work well for us. Everything has been done well, from his responsiveness to his drafting."
"Paul Sandosham is a thoroughly pleasant person to work with. He has maintained a calm attitude and done his job well by weaving intricate and sophisticated legal reasoning."
"He is extremely good at client and case management. He sees it all the way through."
"Paul Sandosham thinks one step ahead and recommends solutions that work well for us. Everything has been done well, from his responsiveness to his drafting."
"He stands out as a construction disputes lawyer."
"Paul thinks one step ahead and recommends solutions that work well for us."
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024 for Construction: International, Construction, Domestic, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration - “Paul Sandosham who brings vast energy expertise to the wider team.
“Paul Sandosham, who has vast expertise across the energy sector as an experienced construction lawyer.”
“Paul Sandosham - managing partner of the firm’s Singapore venture Cavenagh Law – specialises in energy, infrastructure and resources disputes for South East Asia.”
Legal 500 for Asia Pacific: International Arbitration - Paul Sandosham is “extremely knowledgeable in the fields of both construction and arbitration compliment peers adding “He is fair and calm under pressure, with fantastic problem-solving skills.”
Global Thought Leader in WWL for Construction 2023 - Recognised in WWL for Arbitration 2023
- Paul is very pleasant to work with. His communications are plain and simple, and he is always keenly aware of the details of the case, and thus provides helpful advice."
"He is extremely competent, fair and great with people."
"He is extremely capable and knowledgeable about construction law."
“He is simply excellent."
"He is right at the top of his game - among the best in the region and indeed globally."
Chambers for Arbitration and Construction 2023 - ‘Paul Sandosham is a hugely knowledgeable and dedicated lawyer. He is always available, no matter where he is in the world, or the time of day. He gets completely stuck into cases and can recall the fine details with almost alarming precision and speed.’, Paul Sandosham is very knowledgeable and a safe pair of hands'.
Legal 500 Singapore 2021 for Construction and International Arbitration - Paul Sandosham is especially busy with international arbitration in the energy sector, as well as local construction disputes. One source remarks that "he is very strategic and provides a sense of calm," while another interviewee notes that "he is a very experienced lawyer in construction and engineering."
Chambers & Partners 2021 Singapore Construction - Construction arbitration specialist Paul Sandosham "offers strategic advice to clients with their commercial interests at heart." Clients note his willingness to settle cases to their advantage but know that he will fight claims too when needed.
Chambers & Partners 2021 Singapore International Arbitration - Paul Sandosham is highly valued for his representation of clients in construction disputes, often relating to industrial plants and facilities. A commentator effuses: "Paul set out an excellent strategy to ensure that the client could present the strongest case in matters of law, facts and expert evidence. The most impressive aspect was Paul’s advocacy during cross-examination; he teased out of all witnesses exactly what he required for his closing submission. I would have no hesitation recommending Paul as a first-class lawyer who is an asset to any client."
Chambers Singapore Construction 2020 - Paul Sandosham is well known for his focus on construction and shipping disputes and is regularly instructed on arbitrations connected with large-scale projects. He is well regarded by clients, who highlight his "impressive preparation and delivery."
Chambers & Partners 2020 Global in Dispute Resolution: Arbitration - Paul Sandosham is well regarded for his construction-related arbitration work. One source appreciates his technical knowledge, commenting: "He understands concepts of delay, disruption and prolongation in construction claims and he keeps me informed of the progress of the case."
Chambers & Partners 2020 Asia Pacific in Dispute Resolution: Arbitration, Singapore - Paul Sandosham is highly valued for his representation of clients in construction disputes, often relating to industrial plants and facilities. A commentator effuses: "Paul set out an excellent strategy to ensure that the client could present the strongest case in matters of law, facts and expert evidence. The most impressive aspect was Paul’s advocacy during cross-examination; he teased out of all witnesses exactly what he required for his closing submission. I would have no hesitation recommending Paul as a first-class lawyer who is an asset to any client.“
Chambers & Partners 2020 Asia Pacific in Construction, Singapore - A leading lawyer in International Arbitration and Construction, Paul Sandosham is ‘a very assured and calming influence under high pressure during tribunal hearings’
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2019