Jonathan Lim (Jonny)

• Represented an Asian asset management firm in a post-M&A ICC arbitration seated in Hong Kong in relation to claims arising under a share purchase agreement for an acquisition in Korea, obtaining a highly favorable award in a Hong Kong seated arbitration with over $1 billion in dispute.
• Represented a Middle Eastern regional government in a $38 billion LCIA arbitration seated in London in relation to a claims arising out of the development of a gas field and the construction of an LPG plant, obtaining a successful settlement. The dispute also involved multiple related litigation proceedings in courts in the DIFC, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.
• Represented a global contractor in a complex multiparty SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore arising out of an EPC Contract for the construction of a refinery, with over $6 billion in dispute.
• Represented a UK investor in a PCA-administered UNCITRAL treaty arbitration against an Asian state in relation to claims arising out of the expropriation and unfair treatment of an investment in an agricultural business, with over $300 million in dispute.

Technology

• Represented a large Asian technology company in connection with related NAI and CIETAC arbitrations in relation to claims arising under an investment agreement and technology licensing agreement, with over $2 billion in dispute.
• Represented a state-owned telecommunications company in successfully defeating claims of more than $100 million in a UNCITRAL arbitration concerning a joint venture in Southeast Asia.

Energy

• Represented a state-owned oil and gas company in related ICC and UNCITRAL arbitrations in Asia in relation to claims arising under multiple production sharing contracts and bilateral investment treaties, with over $2.5 billion in dispute.
• Represented an Asian oil and gas company in an ICC arbitration seated in Singapore regarding tax and commissions disputes arising out of a production sharing contract, with over $400 million in dispute.
• Represented several oil and gas majors in multiple gas price review arbitrations seated in London, Singapore, New York, and Geneva.

Construction

• Represented a global multinational contractor in a $2 billion LCIA arbitration, seated in London, arising out of the construction of a wind farm in Europe.
• Represented a global multinational contractor in a $6 billion SIAC arbitration, seated in Singapore, arising out of the construction of an oil refinery in Asia.
• Represented an Asian oil and gas services company in a $100 million ICC arbitration, seated in London, arising out of the construction of energy infrastructure in Africa.
• Represented an Asian real estate developer in a US$100 million LCIA arbitration, seated in London, arising out of the construction of a residential and industrial township in Sri Lanka.

Joint Venture and Distribution

• Represented an automobile manufacturer in a $2 billion ICC arbitration, seated in London, in relation to breaches of a joint venture agreement.
• Represented an Asian distributor and retailer in three related arbitrations, seated in Pennsylvania, arising out of the termination of over 100 distribution and franchise agreements for over 200 stores across Asia, with over $300 million in dispute, and related court proceedings in Singapore and Pennsylvania.
• Represented an Asian manufacturer in a $1 billion ICC arbitration, seated in Singapore, arising out of breaches of a long-term joint venture agreement.

Government representations

• Advising a Southeast Asian government on ICSID arbitration arising out of renewable energy investments.
• Advising various governments in Africa, Asia, and Europe on international trade law
• Advising the Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Timor Leste governments on accession to the New York Convention and international arbitration legal reform in a project under the auspices of the Asian Development Bank and in coordination with UNCITRAL.
• Advising an African government on diplomatic immunities, immunities of UN Specialized Agencies, and remedies and obligations under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
• Advising the Federal Government of Somalia on its accessions to the WTO and the New York Convention.
• Advising Asian governments on potential claims under various WTO Agreements (including GATT, GATS, TRIMS, TRIPS and SCM).

Jonny Lim is an experienced English solicitor, New York attorney, and Singapore advocate who helps clients to navigate their most significant disputes. He is widely recognised as a leading arbitration lawyer of his generation. Described in directories as “an extraordinarily gifted lawyer” and a “forceful advocate,” Jonny leads on commercial and investment treaty cases seated in all major arbitration jurisdictions globally and has advised on matters governed by the laws of over 20 legal systems.

Jonny has acted in over 50 international arbitration and litigation proceedings, including as lead counsel.  In recent years, he has successfully represented clients in high-stakes commercial and investment treaty arbitration disputes in the aerospace, construction, energy, financial services, and technology sectors, among others.  He is regularly recognized as one of the top lawyers for international arbitration globally by Chambers Global, Legal 500, Lexology Index, and LawDragon. 

Jonny leads on many high-stakes international arbitration matters involving Chinese parties and the PRC, including complex post-M&A and investment disputes. He represents clients in investment treaty claims both for Chinese investors and against the PRC, as well as in WTO disputes involving China, and secured the first reported arbitration award against the PRC. He also regularly provides strategic counsel to global companies on business-critical issues arising from their China and Hong Kong operations.

Jonny also advises international organisations and governments on a broad range of public international law issues, including WTO dispute settlement, trade and investment law, and the law of the sea. Through an engagement with the ADB, Jonny advised Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Timor-Leste on their accession to the New York Convention. He has also advised governments across the South Pacific on the drafting of arbitration legislation, including in Fiji, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Tonga.

Jonny regularly sits as arbitrator and is the co-author of a leading treatise on Singapore arbitration law.