Speaker details

Biography

Bazul Ashhab is the firm’s Managing Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution, where he runs an active Litigation and International Arbitration practice. He also dedicates much of his time to championing mediation. He has been appointed a Specialist Mediator and Ambassador of the Singapore International Mediation Centre. In his practice, Bazul has acted in a range of shipping litigation and arbitration matters, cargo claims, ship arrests and sanctions-related shipping matters. He acts for both domestic and international banks, shipping companies and shipowners. In recognition of his work and deep expertise in the area, Bazul has been listed as a Senior Accredited Specialist in Maritime and Shipping Law by the Singapore Academy of Law. Bazul is especially renowned for his expertise in the highly specialised area of misdelivery claims. He has been involved in several matters before the Singapore Courts that provide instructive guidance on the law in relation to the use of bills of lading as security, including The “Yue You 902” [2019] SGHC 106 and the Singapore Court of Appeal’s decision in The Luna [2021] SGCA 84. Over the past 2 years, he has been instructed on 15 misdelivery claims with a combined value exceeding US$150 million. Bazul’s industry expertise in this niche area, together with the fact that the firm is one of the largest conflict-free firms in Singapore, has meant that he is now being instructed as counsel by other shipping firms who are dealing with misdelivery claims. His client-focused approach has led to him being recognised in Chambers Global & Asia Pacific, Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific and other publications as a leading practitioner in the Shipping and Maritime field. Bazul was also awarded the title of "Singapore Managing Partner of the Year" by Asian Legal Business. He is ranked as one of Singapore’s top 100 lawyers by Asia Business Law Journal. Chambers Global & Asia Pacific, Legal 500 Asia Pacific, and Asialaw Profiles recognises him as an exceptional lawyer who provides outstanding client service. Clients have described him as “incredibly bright and knowledgeable”, with “astonishing speed and strategy” as quoted in Legal 500 Asia Pacific. He is commended for his ability to “combine legal knowledge with commercial acumen”, being “exceptional at crisis management” and having “a very keen mind” and able to handle “complex, high-value claims”. He is admired for his “honest, carefully analysed solution” and his ability to “not hesitate to disagree which avoids decisions made on impulse”.