Prakaash Silvam

Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Shipping, International Arbitration, International Trade, Insurance & Reinsurance, Sanctions & Regulatory Compliance

Prakaash is the Head of the Shipping Department at Oon & Bazul. He also co-heads the firm’s Indian Desk.

Prakaash specializes in commercial litigation and arbitration with a focus on international commodity trade, trade finance, marine insurance and “dry” shipping work (including charterparty and bill of lading disputes).

He has substantial experience handling disputes involving misdelivery claims and also the knock-on indemnity claims under letters of indemnity which are issued for the delivery of cargo without presentation of the original bills of lading. He also has particular expertise handling trade finance disputes including letters of credit, bills of exchange and documents against acceptance transactions. He has advised trade financing banks based in Singapore and commodity trading houses on trade finance litigation, including the ICC DOCDEX dispute resolution procedure. Prakaash also regularly advises clients on sanctions related matters, including the impact of the US, EU and UN sanctions on businesses based in the region.

He regularly represents banks and financiers in multi-jurisdictional enforcements and also frequently acts for marine insurers (P&I, H&M and cargo) and for insurance claimants.

The international nature of his practice often necessitates taking account of legal issues and the court procedures of more than one jurisdiction. He regularly appears as Counsel in the Singapore Courts and international arbitrations, both ad hoc and institutional, including LCIA, ICC, SIAC, KCAB, GAFTA, FOSFA, RSA, LMAA and SCMA arbitrations.

Member of the Inquiry Panel of the Law Society of Singapore on the appointment of the Honourable Chief Justice.

Member of Legal & Insurance Committee of the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA).

Member of the SCMA SEADOCC Promotion Committee.

Member of the London Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA).

Member of the Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists.