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Benson Lim
Managing Partner
First Call in 2012
Singapore, England & Wales, New York, District of Columbia
Fluent in English and Chinese, Benson focuses on counsel work in disputes (international arbitration, litigation, and regulatory investigations) involving Singapore, Southeast Asia, Greater China, and Japan.
His core practice is Asia-focused, multi-jurisdictional, and cross-sectors. He is qualified in Singapore, England and Wales, New York, and District of Columbia. He also possesses experience in and full rights of audience before Singapore courts. His experience includes infrastructure, construction, energy and natural resources, corporate, merger and acquisition, disputes involving tech companies, disputes involving cryptocurrency entities, life sciences, international trade, investment, and commodities disputes.
Most of his work is as counsel and mediation advocate. However he has been appointed four times as a sole arbitrator by SIAC and ICC while nominated as an emergency arbitrator twice by ICC and SIAC. He is on the SIAC Reserve Panel of Arbitrators and HKIAC List of Arbitrators. He is an accredited mediator with over 50 sole or co-mediator appointments in the United States and Singapore. He is a SIMI Accredited Mediator (Level 2). He is also an accredited mediator in Hong Kong and France.
He is the Co-Chair of YSIAC Council (APAC, EMEA, and Americas). He has been involved in other arbitration committees such as Maxwell Chambers Steering Committee, SIAC Users Council, ICC Singapore Arbitration Group Thought Leadership Sub-Committee, CIArb as a Fellow, CIArb Singapore Branch as Director, CIArb Singapore Branch Publications Sub-Committee as chair, CIArb Singapore Branch YMG as co-chair, and one of four APAC Leads for YSIAC Council. He co-authored and co-edited a Wolters Kluwer book on ESG Disputes. He published articles in academic journals and lectured on, amongst others, arbitration and mediation. He led 3 teams of 8 Assistant Editors as Associate Editor at Kluwer Arbitration Blog.
He is listed as a Rising Star by the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020, 2021, and 2022. He is listed in the Legal 500 Private Practice Arbitration Powerlist – Southeast Asia 2022. He is also listed as a “Future Leader” in Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration Future Leaders – Partners 2024.
“Benson Lim is commercially astute and is able to provide tailored and strategic advice.’
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific International Arbitration
“Benson Lim excels in China and Singapore-related disputes.”
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific International Arbitration
“We had a particular arbitration matter where Benson Lim’s sensible advice saw to its speedy settlement and helped us avoid cost escalation. Overall, Benson is very thorough and tenacious. His advice is always detailed – he will drill deep into the issues to ensure that we cover all the bases.”
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific International Arbitration
“Benson Lim is increasingly handling arbitration involving Chinese parties.”
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific International Arbitration
“Benson Lim has an analytical mind and has great problem-solving skills. He is a very skilled and very experienced international arbitrator.”
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific International Arbitration
“Benson’s analytical ability and experience enable him to provide thoughtful, thorough, and, most importantly, practical legal advice regarding a wide variety of construction law issues. He listens carefully to our questions and comments and he responds quickly and clearly with analysis and advice aimed directly at the issue. We highly value and trust his expertise.”
A structural steelwork / building and civil engineering contractor
“Your ideas, input, and enthusiasm were most helpful and have made us a great success in arbitration award and high court, defending our rights in a relatively short time, considering that we had no clue how to proceed the process at the beginning.”
A PRC trading company
“When you’re running on 3-4 hours sleep and have worked the last four weekends it’s great to be able to sense check key legal points like that arbitration matter with someone of your calibre … As I say though, appreciate having you on hand for these sort of queries, it’s that sort of 360 degree package that I was worried about losing coming here from Links London.”
M&A colleague in a US/UK international law firm
“Solid and impressive. Clearly knew his stuff on arbitration.”
Managing Director (Legal) of a UK bank
“Technically competent – provide sound and quality advice. Resourceful – good network and well connected in the industry – able to help connect with industry players to advise us in meeting regulatory and industry standards. Passionate and responsible – go beyond call of duty to help whenever needed.”
Chief Compliance Company of a US payments company
“I really love your analysis and debrief. Helps so, so much with finding clarity.”
Principal of a venture capital company
“Benson is a model of what partnership in a law firm should be like but often does not – cross office and cross practice collaboration and working together to build the business.”
Projects and energy colleague in a UK law firm
“Benson is extremely solid on the law and is very knowledgeable on arbitration matters and I have on several occasions picked his brain on some difficult arbitration related issues; Benson has always been able to provide sound advice and guidance. ”
Disputes colleague in a UK law firm
“One thing that cannot be denied is that Benson is extremely active and energetic in his business development. He displays great maturity in his thinking and in his presence where he has an easy and confident manner with clients … He has a bright future and I have absolutely no doubt that he will be successful.”
Disputes colleague in a UK law firm
“[Our client] was blown away by you at the meeting.”
Banking colleague in a UK law firm
“It has been great and we’ll make sure to put you on the top of our mind in terms of legal service.”
An inter-governmental organisation
“Having worked with Benson for many years, he is a pragmatic legal advisor that is knowledgeable on almost all areas of law. He listens attentively, and with prompt clarity, he delivers analysis and guidance tailored precisely to the matter at hand … Dependable at all hours, Benson is definitely my go-to advisor in tough situations.”
Head of legal of an edutech company
“Benson Lim has been our primary point of contact on renewable energy procurement related advice in APAC. He is very responsive and proactive, approachable and always makes himself available which allows him to keep closely aligned with our expectations and objectives. Benson is also very attuned to market developments and has good local market intel (leveraging good local counsel contacts esp. in China and Japan) and has been able to provide quick high level insights before following up with more focused input from local counsel … We appreciate that Benson has always been generous with his time and is open to feedback to ensure keen understanding of client needs and expectations, prioritising the relationship and quality of service over fees. This is key to building trust but not a consistent feature amongst other [partners].”
Associate General Counsel in a US Big Tech company
“Benson is a highly client-focused and responsive lawyer who provides practical, solid legal advice. He quickly grasps complex legal issues and is adept at adjusting strategies in fast-moving matters. Smart, experienced, and helpful, Benson takes a strategic, multi-pronged approach to legal challenges and delivers excellent client service with clear, actionable recommendations. He excels at managing complex, high-value, multi-jurisdictional disputes, always maintaining a big-picture perspective. Importantly, Benson has a strong understanding of the stablecoin and cryptocurrency industry, navigating its complexities and sensitivities with ease. Overall, Benson combines sharp legal insight, strategic thinking, and outstanding client care, making him an invaluable advisor for complex and evolving matters.”
Senior legal counsel of a cryptocurrency exchange