The panellists will discuss the similarities and differences in the approaches to COVID-19 under English, Hong Kong, PRC, and Singapore law, covering topics relating to both liability and quantum.
The topics to be discussed include:
- A perspective from the judiciary as to how disputes with a COVID-19 dimension should be case managed.
- The approaches taken by Hong Kong, PRC, and Singaporean courts to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2002-2004, the applicability of these approaches to COVID-19, and the lessons that can be gleaned for English lawyers.
- The use of certifying documents such as China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) force majeure certificates as proof of the facts related to force majeure in disputes governed by PRC law.
- The relevance of COVID-19 to quantum disputes, and how indeterminacy arising as a result of COVID-19 can be managed as a matter of procedure.
MODERATOR
Kevin Tan
Kevin has a broad-based disputes practice focused on commercial litigation and international arbitration. Kevin has acted in a wide variety of disputes including oil and gas, shipping, investor against state, employment and fraud. Prior to entering private practice, Kevin served as a Justices’ Law Clerk and Assistant Registrar of the Supreme Court and a Deputy Public Prosecutor/ Deputy Senior State Counsel in the Attorney-General’s Chambers. Kevin was recently appointed as an assessor by the Minister for Law under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act to resolve disputes falling within the ambit of the said Act.
PANELLISTS
Ng Jern-Fei QC
Jern-Fei is Queens’ Counsel specialising in commercial litigation and arbitration, with 18 years’ experience appearing before courts and tribunals and sitting as arbitrator in different jurisdictions, including England, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Cayman Islands and Luxembourg. He has acted as counsel in over 100 commercial disputes and as arbitrator in some 30 cases (as presiding, sole and co-arbitrator) pursuant to, amongst others, ICC, HKIAC, LCIA, LMAA, SIAC, PCA and UNCITRAL Rules. Jern-Fei was one of the youngest Queen’s Counsel to be appointed in 2018.
Chen Xiaoshan
Xiaoshan’s main area of practice is in commercial litigation and arbitration in Hong Kong, London, Singapore and mainland of China. He is experienced in handling international disputes covering areas such as construction, joint venture, energy, shipping and shipbuilding. Xiaoshan was named by Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2018 and 2019 as a Next Generation Lawyer and Rising Star in the areas of Dispute Resolution and Shipping.
Chan Wei Jian
Wei Jian is a barrister specialising in commercial litigation and international arbitration. He has experience of high-value technology, energy and natural resources, civil fraud, and banking disputes. He has appeared as sole counsel in the English High Court and the County Court, as well as in international arbitration proceedings.
FEES
a. Registration Fee
Seminar fee of S$100* (inclusive of GST) applies.
b. Group Registration
Group discount fee of S$90* (inclusive of GST) applies if there are at least 10 participants from the same organisation.
c. SMU Alumni (for LLB / JD / LLM graduates)
Seminar fee of S$90* (inclusive of GST) applies for SMU LLB / JD / LLM Alumni.
*Please note that there will be no refund of any fees should the participant cancel the registration/ fail to attend the seminar. However, registration is transferable. Notice of any change in participant should be sent to the Academy via email: smulawacademy@smu.edu.sg, by 22 January 2021.
SMU School of Law reserves the right to cancel or postpone any event. In such case, we will arrange for the refund of seminar fees paid.
