Akshay Kishore

Director

  • Akshay Kishore
  • Phone: +65 6311 3691

    Import to Address Book

  • Duane Morris & Selvam LLP
    16 Collyer Quay #17-00
    Singapore 049318

Akshay Kishore is a Director at Duane Morris & Selvam and heads the firm’s India Dispute Resolution Practice. Dual-qualified in India and the UK, he focuses on complex cross-border commercial disputes.

Akshay emphasizes on delivering practical and commercially strategic outcomes for his clients and has a track record in advising and representing clients in international arbitrations, mediations, adjudications, and regulatory investigations, including those involving anti-bribery and corruption. He is well-versed in proceedings under a wide range of institutional arbitration rules such as AIAC, CIETAC, DIAC, ICC, LCIA, LMAA, MCIA, SIAC, SICC, and UNCITRAL.

Akshay deals with a myriad of sectors including infrastructure, construction, heavy engineering, energy and mining, pharmaceuticals and biomedical devices, commodities, trade, shipping, railways, telecoms, private equity, banking and finance, hospitality, franchising, and cross-border investments involving shareholder and corporate management disputes.

Akshay is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and sits on SIAC’s reserve panel of arbitrators. He is frequently appointed to serve as an arbitrator. He actively contributes to the arbitration community in Singapore through involvement with institutions such as CIArb, SIArb, YSIAC, ICC-YAF, and the Legal Services Interest Group at the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce.

His extensive international experience spans jurisdictions across ASEAN, the Indian sub-continent, North Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, Europe, and the UK.

He has received many client accolades and is well recognized in legal directories for his arbitration practice, construction expertise and India related experience. He has been listed Benchmark Litigation as a ‘Litigation Star’ since 2022 for his arbitration work in Singapore and has been consistently ranked by other legal directories like Legal 500, Asian Legal Business, Asia Law Profiles, and Indian Business Law Journal.

Legal 500 reports one of Akshay’s clients as saying, “Akshay Kishore, you have been our go-to disputes lawyer in Singapore for more than three years now. We are very pleased with your commercial approach to resolving our disputes and your astute ability to comprehend and tackle technical engineering issues. That’s why we continue to instruct you repeatedly.” Another client notes, “Akshay Kishore was having great deep understanding of the contractual dispute matter we dealt with. He was able to navigate the complex legal issue of interpretation wisely. He has been approachable at all times to resolves the issues quickly.” Asia Law Profiles notes one of Akshay’s clients saying, “[Akshay is] Very approachable, easy to talk to and reassuring. Akshay has a fantastic ability to make you feel comfortable while asking pertinent questions. He has a strategic approach to all situations and is able to present different perspectives for consideration. All-round great personality with an obvious passion for his work.”

Akshay also holds an LL.M. in International Taxation from New York University and was awarded the Wallace Scholarship. He completed his B.L.S./ LL.B. from Asia’s oldest law school, the Government Law College, Mumbai University, where he was a three-time recipient of the Best Student Award.

He is fluent in English, Hindi and Marathi.

Areas of Practice

  • Dispute Resolution
  • International Arbitration

Professional Activities

  • Steering Committee, Legal Services Interest Group of the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC)
  • Member, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (SIAC)
  • Member, SIAC’s reserve panel of arbitrators
  • Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)

Admissions

  • England and Wales
  • India

Education

  • New York University, LL.M. in International Taxation, 2009
  • Government Law College, Mumbai University, B.L.S./LL.B., 2007

Experience

  • Duane Morris & Selvam LLP, Singapore
    - Director, 2025-present
  • Bird & Bird ATMD, Singapore
    - Partner, 2021- 2025
    - Counsel, 2019 - 2021
  • CMS, Singapore
    - Counsel, 2018 - 2019
  • Economic Laws Practice (ELP), India
    - Partner, 2017 – 2018
  • Ashurst, Singapore
    - Senior Associate, 2015 – 2016
    - Associate, 2012 – 2015
  • AZB & Partners, India
    - Associate, 2011- 2012
  • Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, London, UK
    - Foreign Lawyer, 2009 - 2011

Representative Matters

    Infrastructure/ Construction/ Heavy Engineering

  • Represented an Indian construction company in an ICC arbitration seated in Singapore, as the lead counsel, in relation to disputes with the Employer over variation of scope of work involving supply and installation of GSM-Railways telecommunications system for the new dedicated freight rail corridor in India. The claims are in excess of US$ 12 million.

  • Represented an Indian solar power company in an SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore, as the lead counsel, in relation to disputes over supply of defective solar panels for a greenfield solar plan in southern India. The claims are in excess of US$ 45 million.

  • Represented an Emirates-based construction company in three separate ICC arbitrations, as the lead counsel, relating to two separate oil pipeline construction projects in the Middle East region. The claims relate to delay and variations in the projects, amounting to more than US$ 50 million.

  • Represented a China-based construction company, as lead counsel, in a set of consolidated DIAC arbitrations relating to claims for abandonment of multiple projects in UAE by the sub-contractor of the client. The claims exceeded US$ 75 million.

  • Represented an Indian Power company and its majority shareholders, as the lead counsel, in a SICC challenge to a US$ 16 million SIAC award. The dispute is with a Korean investor, regarding construction of a power plant in India.

  • Represented Voltas Limited, as the lead counsel, in four separate SIAC arbitrations against a state-owned Employer and two other sub-contractors, respectively. The disputes are in relation to the construction of air ventilations systems for the MCE Expressway and the Thomson East-Coast MRT line in Singapore (SIAC Arbitrations, governed by Singaporean law).

  • Represented a Malaysian construction company specialising in construction of resorts using timber, in a dispute with a Sri Lankan contractor for the construction of a five-star luxury resort in Maldives. Acted as the lead counsel for the client whose claims relate to unlawful withholding of retention monies by the contractor as well as owner’s failure to properly certify change orders (SIAC Arbitration in Singapore, governed by Singaporean law and having FIDIC Conditions of Contract).

  • Represented a global water supply company, as the lead counsel, in a Securities of Payment Act adjudication in Singapore. The dispute related to delays in progress payments and improper certification of additional works by the Public Utilities Board of Singapore, for a water purification plant upgradation project.

  • Represented Vossloh Cogifer SA, as the lead counsel, in disputes with the Main Contractor over damages suffered for unlawful termination of a design and build contract for track interchanges on the Thomson East-Coast MRT line in Singapore (SIAC Arbitration, governed by Singaporean law).

  • Represented a consortium of India’s largest construction company and Malaysia’s leading mono-rail company in a dispute regarding construction of the monorail in Mumbai. Acted as the lead counsel for the client whose claims exceeded US$ 18 million and were in relation to outstanding payments under multiple change orders and extension of time claims (ad-hoc arbitration seated in Mumbai, governed by Indian law).

  • Represented a UAE-based procurement company in three separate arbitrations against leading international equipment manufacturers, with claims exceeding US$ 200 million. Acted as the lead counsel in these arbitrations where the disputes emanated from the termination of various sale contracts in relation to supply of equipment for the expansion of an oil refinery and a power plant in India (ICC arbitrations seated in London, governed by English law).

  • Represented one of India's leading conglomerates, as the lead counsel, in disputes with its project financers over delays in the commissioning of a green-field solar project in Western India (SIAC arbitration, governed by Indian law).

  • Represented the Brunei Economic Development Board in a US$ 24 million liquidated damages dispute, under FIDIC Conditions of Contract, regarding delays in construction for the modernisation of the Brunei International Airport (SIAC Arbitration in Singapore, governed by the laws of Brunei).

  • Represented a consortium of South Korean and Sri Lankan construction companies in relation to disputes relating to the delays in construction of a waterfront integrated resort in Sri Lanka (UNCITRAL Arbitration in Singapore, governed by English law).

    • Energy/ Mining

  • Represented Manikaran Power Limited, as the lead counsel, for claims of damages exceeding US$ 40 million. The disputes arise from multiple breaches of an MoU and Co-operation Agreement, by an Australian JV Partner, in relation to India’s first Lithium refinery project (SIAC Arbitration, governed by Singaporean law).

  • Represented a leading private oil & gas company in India in a dispute regarding ownership rights over a petroleum storage facility in India (ad-hoc arbitration seated in Mumbai, governed by Indian law).

  • Represented a leading private oil & gas company in India, as the lead counsel, in an arbitration against an Indian public sector oil & gas company. The claims exceeded US$ 110 million and were in relation to take or pay obligations of the buyer under limited assignment of a long-term LNG supply agreement (ad-hoc arbitration seated in New Delhi, governed by Indian law).

  • Represented an Indian mining company, as the lead counsel, in various disputes with an Indian public sector undertaking - that was in-charge of Uranium mining in India. The claims were in relation to additional costs incurred by the mining company due to the change of exploration and mining plans by the concessioner, based on topographical necessities (governed by Indian law).

  • Represented an Australian mining company in a US$ 3 billion dispute with Indonesian joint venture parties, concerning investments in a copper and gold mine in East Java (SIAC arbitration in Singapore, governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia).

  • Represented a Middle East state owned oil and gas company in a US$ 39 million dispute over the termination of an assigned Rig Agreement (SIAC arbitration, governed by English law).

  • Represented sellers of LNG in a price review arbitration concerning long term supply of LNG to Hong Kong, from a major gas field in Western Australia. The dispute arose due to conditions of economic force-majeure, created by the sharp decline in global crude oil prices. The relevant contract did not provide for a mechanism for escalation of price (UNCITRAL arbitration in Hong Kong, governed by Queensland law in Australia).

  • Represented sellers of LNG, in various disputes arising from missed cargoes of LNG, due to force-majeure events, from a major gas field in Western Australia (governed by Queensland law in Australia).

  • Represented a Thai oil and gas company in an expert determination under a Gas Sales Agreement, concerning re-determination of reserves of a gas field offshore Myanmar (expert determination in Myanmar, governed by English law).

  • Represented a Thai oil and gas company in a dispute under a Gas Sale Agreement, concerning delays in the supply of gas from a gas field in the Gulf of Thailand, due to force-majeure events that took place during the commissioning of the field (UNCITRAL arbitration in Singapore, governed by English law).

  • Represented the INEOS Group in relation to disputes over development of petrochemical facilities for the Essar Group in Gujarat, India (UNCITRAL Arbitration in Singapore, governed by Indian law, with related proceedings in Indian courts).

  • Represented one of India’s leading business conglomerates in disputes with an Indonesian mining company regarding termination of a coal supply agreement, due to a change in Indonesian laws, which resulted in regulation of the price of Indonesian mined coal for export purposes (governed by English law).

  • Represented one of India’s leading business conglomerates in an arbitration regarding cancellation of mining rights by the concessioner, due to delays in development and production of coal from a mine in eastern India (ad-hoc arbitration in Mumbai, governed by Indian law).

    • Pharma

  • Represented a Korean pharma company in a dispute with an Indian generic drug manufacturing company over non-payment of accrued Royalty and breach of patents. Claims in excess of US$ 10 million. Successfully settled in favour of the client after mediation.

  • Represented an Indian pharma company in an ICC arbitration against Russian patent holders of a Covid-19 vaccine and an Indian drug distributor in relation to disputes over take or pay obligations over manufacturing and supply of Sputnik Covid-19 vaccine in India.

  • Represented a Singapore and India-based pharma company in an SIAC arbitration against a Korean pharma company in relation to disputes over breaches of manufacturing contract for the production a Covid-19 vaccine.

    • Aviation/ Shipping/ Port

  • Represented an Indonesian shipping company, as a lead counsel, in a London-seated LMAA Arbitration, in relation to disputes over termination and settlement of final accounts of sale and lease back arrangement for 5 vessels. Defending claims exceeding US$ 25 million.

  • Represented a European aircraft MRO and conversion company as the lead counsel, in an SIAC arbitration over disputes with a Chinese airline regarding breach of payment obligations under a passenger to freight aircraft conversion agreement (SIAC Arbitration, governed by English law, with related insolvency proceedings in China).

  • Represented an Asian low-cost airline, as the lead counsel, in disputes with a European MRO over contractual breaches of scheduling and supply of commercial aircraft engines for MRO services - due to force majeure impact of Covid-19 (LCIA Arbitration, governed by English law).

  • Represented an Indian aircraft management company, as the lead counsel, in a US$ 7 million dispute over failed sale of a Bell helicopter by a UAE based company that was sanctioned by the US after executing the sale agreement. Enforcement of the arbitration award is currently being challenged in the High Court of Bombay (SIAC Arbitration, governed by Singaporean and US laws).

  • Represented an Indonesian company in a dispute concerning wrongful rejection of a coal shipment, on high seas. (SIAC arbitration, governed by English law).

  • Represented a leading international shipping terminal management company in three different disputes with the owner of a port in western India. Disputes relate to supply of electricity at the terminal and use of railway facilities at the port (ad-hoc arbitrations in Mumbai, governed by Indian law).

    • Other commercial matters

  • Represented a global hotel brand, as the lead counsel, in two arbitrations involving illegal termination of a hotel management agreement and technical services agreements, for the operation of a five-star hotel in Mumbai (ad-hoc arbitration in Mumbai, governed by Indian law).

  • Represented a leading Indian business conglomerate, as the lead counsel, in a dispute relating to sale of 100% shares in an insurance company. The dispute emanates from valuation of the insurance business, based on actuarial assumptions regarding IBNR/ IBNER reserves. There are related issues of breach of certain representations and warranties by the seller (governed by Indian law)

  • Represented an Asia-based sports marketing company in contractual disputes with a sports governing body in Asia, over losses suffered due to cancellation of matches and loss of broadcasting revenue during the Covid-19 pandemic (governed by English law).

  • Represented a Japanese trading house in a dispute over breaches of a Sale and Purchase Agreement for supply of Iron Ore Fines from Colombia. The dispute related to rejection of shipment, due to quality issues (SIAC arbitration, governed by English law).

  • Represented an international private equity fund in a US$ 45 million shareholder dispute. The dispute involved computation of shareholding interest, pursuant to an investment agreement, in an Indonesian business conglomerate (SIAC arbitration, governed by Singapore law).

  • Represented a group of Private Equity investors in a dispute with an Indian fund manager. The dispute involved issues over poor management of a Mauritius based fund, investing in Indian real estate projects (governed by English law).

  • Represented a leading Indian business conglomerate in a dispute with a Seychelles-based co-investor, regarding payment of their share of damages pursuant to a claim by a Japanese co-investor in a telecom company in India. (Ad-hoc arbitration in Mumbai, governed by Indian law).

    • Investigation/ Regulatory/ Tax

  • Represented a leading alcohol manufacturer in handling tax investigations and dawn raids by the enforcement directorate in India, in relation to corruption and tax evasion allegations.

  • Represented a European polymer business in conducting investigations to determine the veracity of corruption allegations against employees in charge of the company’s manufacturing plant in India.

  • Represented a Middle East-based telecom company in disputes arising from the cancellation of 2G mobile telecom licences by the Supreme Court of India.

  • Represented Vodafone International BV in a US$ 2 billion dispute with the Government of India, in relation to withholding tax obligations for an offshore sale of underlying Indian assets (at the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court of India).