Mohammed Forrukh Rahman

Practice Areas

Mr. Mohammed Forrukh Rahman is a preeminent legal practitioner and recognized authority in international dispute resolution, shipping, and cross-border commercial law. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, he serves as the founding Head of Chambers and Managing Head of his firm, spearheading its Dispute Resolution, Shipping, Aviation, and International practices.

As an Advocate of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh (the nation’s highest court) and a Barrister-at-Law of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, London, Mr. Rahman seamlessly bridges domestic regulatory frameworks with complex international law. His deep expertise is anchored by a formidable academic foundation, holding a Master of Laws (LL.M.) with merit in International Dispute Resolution, alongside postgraduate diplomas in Maritime Law and Commercial and Corporate Law from the University of London.

Mr. Rahman is a leading figure in the global arbitration community. In January 2026, he was appointed to the prestigious SIAC List of Rising Arbitrators by the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, qualifying him for appointment in complex cross-border commercial and construction disputes. This complements his status as a Panel Arbitrator for the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA), the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, and the SAARC Arbitration Council (2019-2025). Furthermore, he has served as a Delegate to the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR since 2022, placing him at the forefront of shaping modern international arbitration alongside global legal leaders. He holds esteemed fellowships and memberships with the Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators, and is a CEDR (UK) Accredited Mediator.

International Arbitration & Cross-Border Dispute Resolution

Mr. Rahman’s arbitration practice is distinguished by his dual capability as both a highly sought-after tribunal member and lead counsel in high-stakes, cross-border disputes.

● As Arbitrator: Recently acted as a co-arbitrator, delivering an award within three months, in a complex dispute regarding COVID-19-related supply delays. The matter required the adjudication of intricate legal concepts, including force majeure, frustration, change in law, and breach of contract concerning electricity distribution infrastructure.

● As Lead/Local Counsel: Regularly represents global maritime and commercial entities. Currently acting as lead counsel for a UAE-based charterer in settling an international charterparty dispute involving High Risk Area (HRA) crew bonuses. He is also representing clients in international arbitrations against Norwegian and Chinese shipowners concerning vessel withdrawals and unauthorized sailings.

● Cross-Border Advisory: Advised a Swiss commodity company on the local enforcement of an LMAA arbitration claim; assisted an Indian manufacturing company in a SIAC arbitration over an international steel supply tender; and guided a German maritime company through LMAA and GMAA proceedings concerning a Bangladeshi shipbuilding contract.

● M&A and Investment Arbitration: Successfully led the first-ever arbitration under BIAC rules, representing a Japanese investor in an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) dispute. Currently representing Fakir Fashion Limited as lead counsel in a highly complex share acquisition and takeover dispute before an ad-hoc arbitral tribunal.

Construction, Energy & Infrastructure

Mr. Rahman commands unparalleled expertise in large-scale infrastructure and energy projects, navigating both contentious and non-contentious facets of the sector.

● Dispute Board Leadership: Acted as Lead Counsel for a National Statutory Authority in a Dispute Board referral concerning a USD 2 Billion international airport expansion. He successfully defended against a USD 100 million contractor claim by deploying a novel "Statutory Shield" strategy, exposing mechanism failures within the FIDIC MDB Harmonized (Pink Book) framework and proving that constitutional financial mandates superseded standard contractual variation clauses. He also sits as a Dispute Resolution Board Member for a turnkey underground cable installation project.

● Energy Sector Arbitration: Appeared as counsel before arbitral tribunals in high-value Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) disputes involving dependable contractual capacity and liquidated damages for diesel and furnace oil-fired plants.

● Project Development & Due Diligence: Served as Legal Consultant for the EU Global Technical Assistance Facility (GTAF) for Sustainable Energy (2022–2024), advising on utility-scale renewable investments. His portfolio includes advising on over 400 MW of solar projects (Feni, Sonagazi, Gazaria, Matarbari, Raipura) and major wind power plants (Parky Beach, Patuakhali).

● Infrastructure & PPP: Advised project companies on expressway PPP contracts and acted as lead counsel for a major LPG terminal and bottling facility in Chittagong, managing project due diligence, EPC contract drafting, and framework agreements. His foundational work includes consulting for the Bangladesh Government's Power Cell (2007-2008) on PPP policies, captive power frameworks, and 150 MW rental power plant implementations.

Shipping, Maritime & Aviation Law

A recognized specialist in admiralty and maritime law, Mr. Rahman handles complex wet and dry shipping matters, representing P&I clubs, shipowners, and major charterers.

● Contentious Maritime Matters: Successfully represented the UK P&I Club and the owner of M.V. SUPRAMAX VIVI in a complex collision matter. Collaborating with international law firm HFW, he strategically drafted petitions based on private international law to challenge the jurisdiction of the Singapore forum. He has also secured landmark judgments in the Admiralty Court, including notable cases on Ship Finance Jurisdiction (First Security Islami Bank Ltd vs MV Javed), Freight and Charges (Maersk Bangladesh vs Bangladesh), and the legality of House Bills of Lading (Freight Management vs. Bangladesh Bank).

● Non-Contentious & Regulatory: Advised the A.P. Moller-Maersk Line head office on formulating operational policies regarding shipment procedures, FOREX regulations, and cargo discharge protocols across Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. He routinely conducts due diligence on flag vessel registration, WTO agreements, and customs compliance for multinational entities like G.A.B Limited (Gildan) and Godrej.

Corporate, Commercial & Regulatory Litigation

Mr. Rahman possesses a formidable track record in high-stakes domestic litigation, frequently appearing before the High Court and Appellate Divisions.

● Banking & Insolvency: Represented the central bank (Bangladesh Bank) from 2008 to 2015 in numerous complex litigations, including high-profile cases such as the tragic Rana Plaza collapse, defending the bank against negligence claims. He has acted in cross-border insolvency matters, notably assisting a Bangladeshi creditor in recovering dues from a bankrupt Polish retail company under international insolvency law, and managed the winding-up proceedings of United Airways on behalf of a major Canadian engine supplier.

● Taxation, VAT & Customs: A staunch defender of corporate clients against regulatory overreach. Successfully represented Grameen Danone Foods Ltd in VAT and Income Tax ADR and litigation. Recently argued before the High Court and a specialized NBR committee for Gildan regarding the complex customs classification of AI-enabled ICT products used in the textile sector.

● Corporate Restructuring: Advised Oriental Container Line on its takeover by a Hong Kong-based OOCL entity amid a major global corporate restructuring, navigating the legal intricacies of international acquisitions and cross-border data sharing obligations under OECD multilateral tax treaties.

Professional Memberships

Arbitrator, Singapore International Arbitration Centre(SIAC) (Rising List)

Fellow, Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators (FHKIArb)

Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb)

Member, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (MSIArb)

Member, ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR (2022-2025)

Panel Arbitrator, Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA)

Panel Arbitrator, Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA)

Panel Arbitrator, SAARC Arbitration Council (SARCO) (2019 - 2025)

Supporting Member, London Maritime Arbitration Association (LMAA)

Accredited Mediator, Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), UK

Publications

“Intellectual Property and Information Technology related Alternative Dispute Resolution”, SAARC Arbitration Council Newsletter, 10th Edition, Jan 2024.

“Overview of Bangladeshi Arbitration and Maritime Law”, Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA), 2021.

“Arbitration Under International Law”, SAARC Arbitration Council Newsletter, 2019.

“Preference of Mediation, Conciliation & Arbitration over Adjudication under Sharia law”, BIAC 10th Anniversary Magazine.

“Power Sector Related Arbitration in Bangladesh”, BIAC 6th Anniversary Souvenir.

“Investment Arbitration of Bangladesh”, Rahman's Chambers Newsletter Vol.2, 2017.

“Interim Measures in International Commercial Arbitration”, Rahman's Chambers Newsletter, Vol. 2, 2012.

“Construction and Engineering Related disputes in Bangladesh”, BIAC Quarterly Bulletin 2017.

“Power Sector Related Arbitration in Bangladesh”, BIAC’s 6th Anniversary Souvenir.

Languages Spoken

Bengali: Native

English: Fluent

Hindi: Conversational

Urdu: Conversational

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Advocate, Appellate Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh (2023)

Advocate, High Court Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh (2008)

Barrister-at-Law, The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, London (2003) (Not practicing in the UK)

Career

Mr. Rahman’s early career included pupillage under renowned international arbitration practitioner Mr. Ajmalul Hossain KC. He further fortified his legal acumen through impactful roles at Power Cell, Bangladesh Bank, and leading domestic law firms. Today, his exceptional qualifications, strategic litigation skills, and deep integration into the global arbitration community make him one of the Asia-Pacific region’s most distinguished and versatile legal minds.

Education