Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators
Singapore
7 years ranked
LAWYER PROFILE
Benjamin Hughes
Global 2026
Ranked in 2 practice areas
About
Provided by Hughes Arbitration
Practice Areas
International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution
Career
Professor Benjamin Hughes is an independent arbitrator, adjunct professor at the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law, a member of the Court of Arbitration of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre and a member of the Investment Committee of Omni Bridgeway. Previously, Professor Hughes was a member of the faculty at Seoul National University Law School, the founding co-chair of the international dispute resolution practice group at one of Korea’s largest full-service law firms and a member of the international arbitration team at Shearman & Sterling in the US and Singapore. Since leaving law firm practice in 2013, he has been appointed in over 200 arbitrations with several billion dollars in dispute.
Professional Memberships
Professional Affiliations:
• Adjunct professor at the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law
• Member of the Court of Arbitration of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre
• Member of the Investment Committee of Omni Bridgeway
• Editorial board member of the Asian International Arbitration Journal, the Korea Arbitration Review, and the Journal of Korean Law
• Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators, and the College of Commercial Arbitrators
Academic Distinctions:
• Dean Robert McKay Scholar, NYU School of Law
• Global Legal Fellow, NYU School of Law (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
• Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship, Korea (SNU College of Law)
• SNU Academic Scholarship, SNU College of Law
• Harvard-Yenching Institute Fellowship, Harvard University
• Fulbright Grantee, Korea
• President’s Academic Scholarship, Trinity University
Experience
Professor Hughes’ experience as arbitrator spans a broad range of commercial disputes, including joint venture and shareholder disputes, intellectual property and licensing, media and telecommunications, software and computer gaming, medical and biotech, pharmaceuticals, construction and infrastructure projects, energy and resources, shipping and shipbuilding, automobile and heavy machinery manufacturing, agency and distributorship agreements, aviation, military acquisition and procurement contracts, sale of goods and general commercial disputes.
Professor Hughes has served as presiding arbitrator, co-arbitrator and sole arbitrator in over 200 international commercial arbitrations. He has been appointed in cases seated in Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States (including New York, California, Hawaii, and US territories) and Vietnam. In addition, he has heard cases governed by the laws of Australia, Austria, BVI, Cayman Islands, China, England and Wales, Fiji, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mongolia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia (including Sharia), Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, the United States (including New York, California and US territories) and Vietnam, as well as lex mercatoria. He has also handled complex conflict of law and jurisdictional issues, joinder and consolidation applications, summary dismissal applications and disputes involving multiple contracts and applicable laws.
Education
New York University School of Law
JD
2002
Seoul National University College of Law
MA course
1999
Harvard University
MA, East Asian history
1997
Trinity University
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
1989
Awards
Most in Demand Arbitrators, Asia-Pacific 2024 (Band 1)
Chambers & Partners
2024
Most in Demand Arbitrators, Singapore 2024 (Band 1)
Chambers & Partners
2024
Arbitration 2024 - Southeast Asia (Recommended)
Who’s Who Legal
2024
Global Elite Thought Leader - Arbitration 2024
Who’s Who Legal
2024
Most in Demand Arbitrators, Asia-Pacific 2022 (Band 1)
Chambers & Partners
2022
Arbitration 2022
Who's Who Legal
2022
Most in Demand Arbitrators, Asia-Pacific 2021
Chambers & Partners
2021
Thought Leader, International Arbitration 2021
Who's Who Legal
2021
Most in Demand Arbitrators, Asia-Pacific 2020
Chambers & Partners
2020
Arbitration 2020
Who's Who Legal
2020
Most in Demand Arbitrators, Asia-Pacific 2019
Chambers & Partners
2019
Arbitration 2019
Who's Who Legal
2019
Most in Demand Arbitrators, Asia-Pacific 2018
Chambers & Partners
2018
Arbitration 2018
Who's Who Legal
2018
Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators, Asia-Pacific 2025 (Band 1)
Chambers & Partners
2024
International Arbitration: Most in Demand Arbitrators, Asia-Pacific 2025 (Band 1)
Chambers & Partners
2024
Spotlight: Most in Demand Arbitrators: Hong Kong-seated and International Arbitrations
Chambers & Partners
2024
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Chambers Global Guide
Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators - Singapore
Star Individuals
Individual Editorial
Benjamin Hughes is a door tenant at Fountain Court Chambers and an experienced international arbitrator, having been appointed on cases under the rules of many arbitral institutions.
International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators - Asia-Pacific Region
Band 1
Individual Editorial
Benjamin Hughes is an independent arbitrator who is particularly well known for his longstanding - and continuing - association with Korean matters, but has broadened his range since relocating to Singapore. He is now encountered handling arbitrations across the region, with connections to jurisdictions that include China, India, Malaysia and the Philippines.
International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators - Global Market Leaders
Band 3
Individual Editorial
Benjamin Hughes is based in Singapore and is highlighted for his work in Asia. He can often be seen handling cases under SIAC and HKIAC rules, as well as others.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Benjamin Hughes is an outstanding arbitrator. He is certainly one of the best out there, and not just in the APAC region.
Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand ArbitratorsChambers Global GuideBenjamin is extremely sharp when it comes to technical and industry matters as well as legal matters. He is really highly responsive and an attentive arbitrator, I would very highly recommend him.
Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand ArbitratorsChambers Global GuideProf Hughes is very easy to work with and a great addition to any arbitral tribunal. He is certainly one of the best out there, and not just in the APAC region.
International Arbitration: Most In Demand ArbitratorsChambers Global GuideBen Hughes is an excellent and well-prepared arbitrator who is a pleasure to sit with.
International Arbitration: Most In Demand ArbitratorsChambers Global GuideBenjamin is very good. He is well prepared, has sensible suggestions and is very strong.
International Arbitration: Most In Demand ArbitratorsChambers Global GuideBenjamin is an excellent and well-prepared arbitrator who is a pleasure to sit with.
International Arbitration: Most In Demand ArbitratorsChambers Global Guide
Ranked Individuals at Hughes Arbitration (3)
Asia-Pacific Region
Benjamin Hughes
International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators
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Global Market Leaders
Benjamin Hughes
International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators
View profile
Singapore
Benjamin Hughes
Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators
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