Rob Palmer | Singapore | Hogan Lovells

Rob Palmer

Partner Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment

Languages

English

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Rob Palmer
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  • Overview
  • Experience
  • Credentials
  • Insights and events
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He is highly responsive and has great experience. He is well versed in commercial and technical aspects and very easy to work with.

Chambers Asia Pacific 2024, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration

Rob Palmer is an International Arbitration partner based in the Singapore office of international law firm Hogan Lovells. Rob has a particular focus on dispute resolution in the construction, infrastructure and energy sectors and, having been based in Southeast Asia since 2003, is recognised as one of the most experienced international counsel active in the region.

Rob is singled out in legal directories for the quality of his advocacy, with client comment that his “commercial acumen and his ability to communicate complex technical, commercial and legal concepts and advice to those of a general demographic audience are second to none” (Chambers Asia Pacific 2024). 

Rob is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators and the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration and has conducted arbitrations under the rules of major regional and international arbitral institutions including the SIAC, AAA, ICC, LCIA, KLRCA/AIAC, TAI and BANI. He also sits as arbitrator. 

In addition to his experience in Singapore, Rob has particular experience with the resolution of Indonesia-related disputes. He has managed Indonesian litigation on behalf of international clients; acted for Indonesian and international clients in numerous arbitrations; and conducted arbitrations in Jakarta under the BANI Rules; and is a member of the BANI panel of arbitrators.  He is ranked in legal directories as a leading practitioner for Indonesian dispute resolution.

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His commercial acumen and his ability to communicate complex technical, commercial and legal concepts and advice to those of a general demographic audience are second to none. Rob has proven himself time and again with his impressive advocacy skills in arbitration.

Chambers Asia Pacific 2024, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration

Representative experience

A syndicate of lenders in an AU$500m+ dispute concerning the financing of several coal projects and related debt-to-equity swap upon the borrower’s default (SIAC arbitration).*

Sellers and buyers of LNG in a number of LNG price reviews under long-term SPAs, including assistance in negotiations and representation in Paris and Singapore-seated ICC and SIAC arbitration.*

An IOC in arbitration (UNCITRAL Rules, Singapore-seated) with an Asian government concerning the tax treatment of an upstream project.*

A Brunei Government-linked entity in arbitration (SIAC, Singapore-seated) arising from defects in a major public housing project.*

A Japanese contractor in two ICC arbitrations (Singapore seated) arising from construction of a process plant in Southeast Asia.*

A Japanese contractor in successful TAI arbitration (Bangkok seated) involving claims for delay and additional cost arising from the Samut Prakarn wastewater project.*

A Korean contractor on ICC arbitration proceedings (Singapore seated) concerning claims for delay, liquidated damages and defective work in the construction of a geothermal power plant in Indonesia.*

A specialist contractor in BANI arbitration (Jakarta-seated) concerning time and cost issues in an Indonesian pipeline project.*

A US contractor in a US$400m+ TAI arbitration (Bangkok-seated) concerning construction of a nuclear research reactor in Thailand.*

An Indonesian mining company in Jakarta-seated BANI arbitration arising from the termination of coal marketing agency agreements.*

An IOC on various issues relating to the transportation and sale of gas from Indonesian PSCs (expert determination, potential London-seated UNCITRAL arbitration).*

A NOC on a number of claims for force majeure under LNG SPAs.*

Liquidators of a HK-based propane trading company in two funded, HK-seated arbitrations (HKIAC and UNCITRAL) arising from the termination of long-term propane supply contracts with Chinese buyers.*

An investment bank in relation to allegations of corruption and associated KPK investigations arising from its role as financial advisor to a state-linked oil and gas entity.*

A HK based trading company in negotiating resolutions of quality and shortfall-related claims for coal shipments ex-Russia.*

Various IOCs in AAA arbitration (Honolulu-seated) relating to an alleged overriding royalty interest in production from a Vietnamese gas field.*

An IOC in claims under a JOA and associated regulatory issues arising out of proposed relinquishment of a block in Indonesia.*

A NOC in SIAC OC arbitration (Singapore-seated) concerning Front-End Engineering Design and subsequent engineering works for an offshore platform and pipeline for a Vietnamese gas field.*

*Matter handled prior to joining Hogan Lovells.

Credentials

Education
  • LLB, Victoria University of Wellington, 1998
  • B.A. (Hons), University of Otago, 1994
Bar admissions and qualifications
  • New Zealand
  • New South Wales
  • Law Society of England and Wales

Recognition

International Arbitration - Singapore

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific

2024
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration - Singapore

Chambers Asia-Pacific

2024
Dispute Resolution (International Firms) - Indonesia Expertise Based Abroad

Chambers Asia-Pacific

2024
Recommended and Thought Leader - Construction

Lexology Index

2024