Dr Colin Ong KC

Colin is a highly specialised and seasoned arbitration practitioner who spent the first 17 years of his career in 2 magic-circle London chambers, one specialising in international arbitration and shipping and the other in banking and finance. He has worked on a wide range of commercial arbitrations in numerous sectors ranging from corporate and finance disputes through energy & infrastructure to international trade and shipping, as well as on investor-state disputes (ICC & UNCITRAL).

Colin has been a visiting law professor at leading common and civil law jurisdictions since 1996. He has sat as arbitrator and acted as lead counsel under many arbitration rules including AAA, BANI, CIETAC, HKIAC, ICC, ICDR, KCAB, KLRCA, LCIA, LMAA, SIAC, SCMA, TAI, UNCITRAL and WIPO rules. He has wide experience in many cases in diverse applicable laws including Brunei, Cambodian, Canadian, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Hong Kong, Indian, Indonesian, Malaysian, Philippine, Japanese, Singapore, Swiss, Thai, Turkish, UAE and Vietnamese law. He is regularly appointed as presiding arbitrator in seats across the world by both leading arbitrators as well as by arbitral institutions (including under AAA, BANI, BJAC, CIETAC, HKIAC, ICC, ICDR, KCAB, LCIA, LMAA, SCMA, SIAC, TAI and UNCITRAL Rules).

Testimonials in this area include:

“Colin is consistently well-prepared and is a superb cross-examiner”, “He has a deep knowledge of both civil and common law”, “He is exceptionally active in high-profile arbitrations” Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders Arbitration 2024

“Colin is the undisputed superstar in Asia as both arbitrator and counsel”, “His ability to write and work in the Indonesian and Chinese languages, together with his mastery of both civil and common law, places him at the pinnacle of the legal market”, “Mr Ong’s mastery of strategy is only matched by his calm and clear style of advocacy”, Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders Arbitration 2024

“I have worked with, and against, Dr Ong, both as an opponent Counsel in arbitrations and when he has sat as an arbitrator. As Counsel, he is outstanding, fast to pick up the material; and he has a great ability to pick out the important points. He is qualified to handle both Common Law Cases and Civil Law Cases. As an arbitrator, he stands out as a ‘tower of ability.” The Legal 500 Asia Pacific International Arbitration Arbitrators 2023

“An incredibly responsive, even-handed, open-minded and perfectly prepared international arbitrator. He has a brilliant mind, is extremely hard working and willing to draft even if not presiding.” Legal 500 London Bar International Arbitration (Leading counsel as arbitrators) 2022

“a very intuitive and knowledgeable arbitrator. One of the most highly regarded arbitration practitioners in Asia”. “He is extremely well known as arbitrator and counsel.” Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders Arbitration 2022

“Colin Ong QC is “well sought after in the Southeast Asian market” and comes highly esteemed by market sources for his “excellent strategy” on high-profile commercial arbitrations.” Who’s Who Legal Southeast Asia – Arbitration 2022

“Colin is consistently well-prepared and is a superb cross-examiner. He has a deep knowledge of both civil and common law. He is exceptionally active in high-profile arbitrations.” Who’s Who Legal Arbitration 2022

“An exceptionally experienced international arbitrator who is extremely responsive,
intellectually brilliant, diligent and very fair.” Legal 500 London Bar International Arbitration (Leading counsel as arbitrators) 2021

“Colin Ong QC is an excellent arbitrator and lead counsel according to sources, one of whom adds: “I would say that he is a true leader in the world of arbitration.” Who’s Who Legal Southeast Asia – Arbitration 2021

“A talented strategist who is able to think very quickly on his feet. His mastery of civil law gives him an immeasurable strategic advantage. He has a profound knowledge of the law and procedural practice”. His breadth of experience in arbitration is truly impressive. He is admired across the world as one of the most successful arbitration practitioners in Southeast Asia.” Who’s Who Legal Arbitration 2021

“Very hard working, on top of material and the law, and experienced in both common and civil law.” Legal 500 London Bar International Arbitration (Leading counsel as arbitrators) 2021

“Colin Ong QC is a pre-eminent figure in the region, where he enjoys a stellar reputation. Colin Ong QC is a staple of the international arbitration field, and earns extensive recommendations from peers around the world who are “happy to endorse him for his strong work as arbitrator”, also winning widespread plaudits for his work as lead counsel in both civil and common law matters. “He is always on top of the detail as well as the big-picture issues.” WWL Arbitration 2020

“Colin Ong QC is praised for his “strategic mind” and “wide exposure to many different modes of dispute resolution”. Sources further exalt his “mastery of civil law, which gives him an immeasurable strategic advantage.” WWL Mediation 2020

“Colin Ong continues to receive strong praise from clients, who say that “he is an extremely creative and charismatic lawyer” and “the best cross-examiner that I have seen.” He is acclaimed by additional sources as “a star performer with a brilliant legal mind, and an excellent advocate with a compelling style, who gets to “Colin Ong QC is an energetic lawyer with great experience in both civil and common law”. As arbitrator he is a “well-organised, well-informed and well-rounded” presence who “writes superb awards”, while as counsel he is lauded as a “formidable cross-examiner” Who’s Who Legal Arbitration 2019

“A world-renowned arbitration counsel who ‘always manages to make complicated issues appear unbelievably straightforward’ resulting in ‘arbitrators always wanting to hear what he has to say.’ Another source adds: ‘Colin is always able to think out of the box and can always find an innovative solution to the bleakest of problems.'” Who’s Who Legal Arbitration Analysis 2018

“He impresses as someone with fine commercial judgement and a commanding grasp of international arbitration.” “A very knowledgeable practitioner, easy to work with and very innovative in providing solutions.” Who’s Who Legal Arbitration 2017

“A very able advocate and arbitrator with a supreme command of legal issues.” Legal 500 Asia-Pacific

“Very experienced in international arbitration.” Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2016

Colin accepts instructions in all areas of commercial litigation which are of high-value in England & Wales, Brunei and Singapore. He has been involved in many complex and multi-jurisdictional disputes. Colin holds a PhD in international commercial litigation from Queen Mary, University of London. Colin is consistently ranked and rated for his mastery of strategy, advocacy skills and for his grasp of detail, particularly in technically complex cases. He has acted as lead counsel in a number of leading cases in Brunei, England and Singapore. He was the lead counsel in both of the “Persero cases. The first Singapore Court of Appeal judgment led to FIDIC Guidance Memorandum advising for amendment of FIDIC Standard Form Contracts in April 2013 (http://fidic.org/node/1615 ).

The second Singapore Court of Appeal Persero judgment in PT Perusahaan Gas Negara v CRW [2015] SGCA 30 led to a set of split decisions which were reported widely across the world and named as runner up most important decision globally of 2015 at the 2016 GAR Awards. He has also successfully mediated a number of large quantum disputes across various fields.

Testimonials in this area include:

“Colin Ong KC is highly regarded among clients and peers alike who praise him for his “truly impressive breadth of experience in contract and commercial disputes” Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders Commercial Litigation 2024

“He masters the details brilliantly, and has a commanding presence with real gravitas.” Legal 500 Asia Pacific: The English Bar – Commercial (Leading Silk 2023)

“He is lethal in his case strategy and as a cross-examiner; he is surgical sharp like a par excellence surgeon, though he is indeed a doctor of law.” Legal 500 Asia Pacific The English Bar Commercial (Leading Silk 2022)

“Colin Ong QC is “a talented strategist who is able to think very quickly on his feet” in complex commercial proceedings.” Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders Commercial Litigation 2022

“Colin Ong QC is renowned for his prolific experience in commercial litigation proceedings across a diverse range of sectors, from banking to energy disputes.” Who’s Who Legal Southeast Asia – Litigation 2022

“Colin Ong QC is one of the region’s top litigators. He comes highly recommended by sources thanks to his vast experience handling large-scale commercial disputes.” Who’s Who Legal Southeast Asia – Litigation 2021

“A superb tactician with brilliant strategies who is exceptionally adept at thinking out of the box.” Legal 500 The English Bar (AP) – Commercial (Leading Silk 2021)

“Colin Ong QC – 36 Stone ‘He has a brain the size of a planet.'” Legal 500 Asia Pacific Leading Silks (Commercial) 2020

“Colin Ong is a distinguished litigator who garners wide praise for his experience in disputes spanning a broad range of industries and jurisdictions.” Who’s Who Legal Litigation 2019

“Colin Ong QC continues to be highly sought after for his leading litigation abilities in the finance, construction and energy sectors where he is ‘a serious talent.'” Who’s Who Legal Litigation 2018

“Colin Ong is deeply respected in the market for his impressive arbitration and litigation practice, with commentators hailing him as ‘a brilliant strategist and a very polished performer in court.’ Sources note that he has ‘the supreme ability to explain the most complex of arguments in a simple yet eloquent way,’ as well as ‘an encyclopaedic legal knowledge and a very commercial approach’.” Chambers & Partners, Asia-Pacific 2018

“Mastery of detail in commercial deals and is an outstanding and tactically lethal advocate.” Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2009

“Colin Ong is noted for his skill and experience in litigation and arbitration. He is active in matters across South-East Asia and is noted for his ability to summarise and condense complex legal arguments and concepts for his clients’ benefit.” Chambers & Partners Asia-Pacific 2014

Colin is experienced in dealing with matters involving Brunei, English and Singapore common law rules on jurisdiction and enforcement of judgments as well as other aspects of private international law. He has over 25 years’ experience with complex cross-border jurisdiction issues across all commercial sectors. Colin has been involved in many cases which involved issues of jurisdiction, conflict of laws and enforcement. He has often been instructed to deal with cross-border matters where there are challenges as to the applicable law; courts with competent jurisdiction; the enforcement of judgments or awards, as well as international procedural issues concerning service or evidence.  He is the author of Cross-Border Litigation within ASEAN (Kluwer 1996).

Colin has been continuously ranked as a Construction law Thought Leader by Who’s Who Legal and is also ranked as Tier 1 leading English Silks in these areas in Asia-Pacific by Legal 500. He has acquired considerable experience in the construction, energy, infrastructure and mining sectors.

Colin accepts instructions on both contentious and non-contentious work as well as appointments as arbitrator in these areas.

Colin has been involved in a number of energy and natural resources matters either as counsel or arbitrator in the UK, EU and across many countries in Asia. He has been instructed as counsel or appointed as arbitrator in a large number of sanctions related energy matters. Colin has also acted as counsel or been appointed on many occasions as neutral national arbitrator in both commercial and construction disputes governed under Indian law particularly pertaining to the Indian Contract Act and Specific Relief Act. He was a core drafter of the Malaysian PAM 2006 Standard Building Forms of Contract. He was a member of the ASEAN Protocol on Enhanced Dispute Settlement Mechanism (nominee of Brunei Darussalam)

Testimonials in these areas includes:

“Colin is the most sought-after arbitrator in Asia” “He is always involved in the biggest construction cases”  Who’s Who Legal Construction 2024

“He is always involved in the biggest commercial, construction, energy and M&A cases”, “Colin is very methodical and diligent” Who’s Who Legal Construction 2024

“He is very knowledgeable in this area and a leading practitioner. He works well in a team. His understanding of the relevant law and different arbitration provisions and processes is excellent.” Legal 500 Asia Pacific: The English Bar – Construction, Energy And Infrastructure (Tier 1 Leading Silk 2023)

“He is a very charismatic advocate who is exceptionally creative and a genius-level strategist.” Legal 500 The English Bar (AP) Construction, Energy and Infrastructure (Leading Silk 2022)

“Colin Ong QC is recognised by market sources as an authority on the full spectrum of construction and infrastructure matters and is highly sought after for his work as both arbitrator and counsel.” Who’s Who Legal Southeast Asia – Southeast Asia – Construction 2022

“He is always involved in the biggest commercial, construction, energy and M&A
cases.” “Colin is very methodical and diligent.” Who’s Who Legal Construction 2022

“Colin Ong KC is ‘highly recommended’ by peers for his profound expertise as lead counsel and arbitrator in high-value construction disputes.” Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders Construction 2022

“an excellent lead counsel and arbitrator….Very skilled in construction arbitration” Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders Construction 2021

“He has very deep specialist knowledge and is able to quickly get on top of complex issues and marshal a highly effective case for his clients.” Legal 500 The English Bar (AP) – Construction, Energy and Infrastructure (Leading Silk 2021)

“Colin Ong QC is “highly recommended” by peers for his profound expertise as lead counsel and arbitrator in high-value construction disputes.” WWL Construction 2020

“Colin Ong QC as “undoubtedly on of the star advocates and arbitrators “in the construction market. He impresses clients with his “mastery of the detail”. Who’s Who Legal Construction 2020

“Sources identify Colin Ong QC as ‘undoubtedly one of the star advocates and arbitrators’ in the construction market. He impresses clients with his ‘mastery of the detail’.” Who’s Who Legal – Construction 2019

“Colin Ong QC is a global arbitration expert, acting as counsel and arbitrator on a range of energy, mining and telecoms disputes, among others.” Who’s Who Legal Construction 2018

“Dr Ong’s unsurpassed legal and technical knowledge of the oil and gas industry and construction industry.” IFLR 1000 2012

An important part of Colin’s practice involves banking and finance. Colin was a member of a Magic Circle banking and finance set in London between 1996 to 2013 and has worked on numerous complex and multi-jurisdictional matters in this area.  He has dealt with a wide range of banking disputes ranging from facility agreements and documentary credits including bills of exchange, financial collateral, fraud, letters of credit, performance bonds and guarantees, the enforceability of letters of intent, Islamic banking, issues relating to international trade, ISDA agreements; letters of credit, insolvency and enforcement, project finance; revolving credit facilities, securities lending, structured products and derivatives, syndicated loans structured finance, swaps and warehousing security,

He advises financial institutions on regulatory issues and is regularly instructed by banks and financial services entities (including hedge funds) to provide advice in the development of new financial products and services for the ASEAN markets. He advises financial entities on how to structure and market securities products without triggering off securities laws. He is also regularly consulted on disputes in relation to project finance; Islamic banking products (including tawarruq disputes, riba and gharar); and insurance products. He is experienced in dealing with various aspects of civil fraud, enforcement, asset-freezing measures and tracing relief. He is one of the few lawyers who have been appointed to sit on the specialist P.R.I.M.E. Panel of Financial Experts at the Hague. He has been on the editorial board of the Butterworths Journal of International Banking & Financial Law and Maritime Risk International since 2000. Colin accepts instructions as lead counsel and appointments as arbitrator in this area. He also provides advice on banking transactional matters in England, Brunei and Singapore.

Testimonials in this area include:

“Colin Ong QC ranks highly among peers thanks to his strong track record as counsel and arbitrator in a broad range of banking and finance matters.” Who’s Who Legal Southeast Asia – Banking 2022

“Colin Ong QC is widely acclaimed by sources who laud his agile handling of complex banking and finance disputes and deep knowledge of APAC banking law.” Who’s Who Legal South East Asia Banking – Finance 2022

“Colin Ong QC is widely renowned as an “extremely knowledgeable” practitioner who is “very committed and hardworking”. He adroitly handles all types of commercial law, including notable experience in banking matters.” Who’s Who Legal Banking & Finance 2021

“Colin Ong QC wins widespread praise from market commentators for his outstanding work on high-value banking disputes.” WWL Banking Finance 2020

“Colin Ong QC is a highly respected figure among peers in the international banking market who praise him for his first-class expertise handling related disputes and transactional advice” Who’s Who Legal – Banking 2009

Colin is very experienced as both arbitrator and counsel in Shipping, Maritime, & Commodities disputes. He is often appointed as arbitrator and as neutral national presiding arbitrator under the rules of all the major arbitral institutions. He has significant experience in relation to shipbuilding, ship sale and purchase, ship repair, ship management as well as international disputes arising out of contracts for the sale and/or transport of goods (by air, road and rail as well as by sea).

Testimonials in this area include:

“Colin is a fine lawyer, who is qualified both at common law and also in civil law and he regularly practices in both fields.” Legal 500 Asia Pacific: The English Bar – Shipping and Commodities 2023

“Colin Ong is ‘an undisputed superstar’ in the market, and is known for his work in a range of areas including infrastructure, energy and shipping.” Who’s Who Legal Litigation Analysis 2016

“Colin Ong QC enjoys a stellar reputation for his impressive practice, which encompasses the full range of commercial disputes.” Who’s Who Legal Southeast Asia – Mediation 2021

He has been instructed as counsel or regularly appointed as arbitrator in insurance-related disputes, including contractor’s all risks; coverage; indemnity policy; non-disclosure; misrepresentation; liability; and disputes as to marine insurance and war risks.

In his technology practice, Colin has acted as counsel or been appointed as arbitrator in a wide range of disputes involving blockchain and fintech technologies, data protection, e-commerce, internet, IP law, IT, software and hardware procurement, outsourcing, broadcasting, and telecommunications law. He has sat as party-appointed and presiding arbitrator in many technology related disputes under many different sets of rules across many seats.

Colin has worked on numerous large quantum arbitrations across various Asian countries in the intellectual property; pharmaceutical; technology and licensing sectors. Colin has been on the WIPO panel of arbitrators since 2003 and has been involved in a considerable number of IP and IT disputes. A number of his decisions as arbitrator have been reported by Global Arbitration Review.

Testimonials in this area include:

“Colin Ong QC “has many fans” in the regional arbitration space, one interviewee characterising him as a “super, very commercial, proactive and hands-on practitioner.” Drawing on experience acquired in the arbitration of over 190 cases – and of appearances as counsel in a still greater number – he sits, often as chair, on cases arising from an impressive variety of practice areas, including construction, energy, IP and shipping.” Chambers & Partners Most In Demand Arbitrators 2021

“Colin Ong QC is identified as a “top person in the field,” one interviewee reporting that he is “always very well prepared and all over the detail and asks very tough questions,” “Parties like it that he’s on the ball, tries to get to the heart of matters quickly and is robust and efficient.” Particularly praised for his handling of construction-related matters, he is also familiar with energy, IP and shipping issues” Chambers & Partners 2019 Arbitration (international): Most In Demand Arbitrators (Asia-Pacific Region)

“Colin Ong QC stands out in the market as a go-to mediator with significant experience acting on a range of construction, insurance, IP and mining disputes.” Who’s Who Legal Southeast Asia – Commercial Mediation 2022

He has excellent experience of very high-value oil and gas supply disputes, including oil exploration; seismic and upstream disputes; coal mines; gas pricing arbitrations; long term coal pricing disputes. He is often appointed as arbitrator in all of the above categories of mining and also disputes relating to valuations and post-M&A disputes relating to coal and copper mines.

Testimonials in this area include:

“Colin Ong QC is an “extremely good strategist”, who is “exceptionally good at thinking out of the box” for his work on an array of disputes matters from mining and energy disputes, to banking and finance mandates.” WWL Litigation Thought Leaders 2021