Faculty Profile

Darius Chan is Deputy Director of the Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy (SIDRA) and co-author of The Law and Theory of International Commercial Arbitration in Singapore. He teaches arbitration-related courses, serves on the Singapore Academy of Law's Law Reform Committee, and sits on the International Editorial Board of the Journal of International Arbitration. In 2024, he led SIDRA's commission by the Singapore Ministry of Law to reform the Singapore International Arbitration Act. After beginning his career at the Supreme Court of Singapore and spending a decade practising international arbitration in London, Hong Kong, and Singapore, Darius joined SMU as a Practice-track faculty member. He now maintains an active practice as an independent arbitrator and advocate with Breakpoint LLC and Fountain Court Chambers. Qualified in Singapore, England, and New York, he is sought after as emergency, sole, party, or presiding arbitrator — including in Chinese-language arbitrations — and is regularly instructed as counsel or expert, especially in high-stakes investor-state arbitrations and complex award enforcement proceedings. A consistent recipient of SMU's Dean's Teaching Excellence Award, Darius is ranked a Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation, a Leading Junior and Arbitrator by Legal 500 Asia Pacific, and a Global Elite Thought Leader by Who's Who Legal Arbitration Future Leaders.

Qualifications

• LL.M., New York University (Distinction in International Business Regulation, Litigation & Arbitration specialisation)
• LL.B., National University of Singapore (First Class Honours)
• Advocate and Solicitor (Supreme Court of Singapore)
• Attorney and Counselor-at-law (State of New York)
• Solicitor-Advocate (Civil) (England & Wales)
• Barrister (Inner Temple, England & Wales)

Courses Taught in SMU

• International Arbitration
• SIAC and Institutional Arbitration 

Research Areas / Areas of Specialisation

• International Arbitration
• International Investment Law
• Public International Law
• Private International Law