Speaker details

Biography

Joel QUEK is a Partner in the Commercial & Corporate Disputes, International Arbitration, Asset Recovery & International Enforcement and Vietnam Practices. Joel has an active practice in court litigation before the Singapore Courts and international arbitration, often in notable disputes which are high-value and legally significant. His clients include States, State-owned enterprises, multinational corporations, and high net-worth individuals, across sectors ranging from investment, finance, commodities, energy, gaming, media, transport, construction and healthcare. He has substantial experience in arbitration-related court proceedings and an active investment treaty arbitration practice. Joel’s contributions and expertise have been acknowledged by clients and publications, earning recognition as a Future Leader in the Lexology Index: Arbitration, Future Star in Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific: International Arbitration, in the Legal 500, and in the ALB’s Rising Stars Singapore 2025 as well as Singapore Business Review’s Top 20 Under 40 lists. He is described as "highly intelligent, a first-rate strategist and an adept communicator", "always available to provide input and support on an urgent basis", "being responsive and sophisticated in provision of advice", having an "exceptional approach to navigating complex international disputes", "show[ing] a great mastery of the law, both substantively and from a procedural process perspective", that "[h]is cross-examination was sharp, incisive and to the point" and his "attention to detail in reviewing contracts be[ing] first class, often pointing out problems that other top Singaporean law firms missed". Prior to entering private practice, Joel served as a Justices' Law Clerk to the Chief Justice and Judges of the Singapore Supreme Court. His experience also includes a placement with Fountain Court Chambers in London where he worked with barristers and King's Counsel on a variety of matters in the English commercial courts. In 2019, Joel was appointed amicus curiae to assist the Singapore High Court on issues concerning the imposition of penalties under s 94A of the Income Tax Act. Active in the international arbitration space, he is co-Chair of the International Bar Association (IBA) Arb40 Subcommittee . Joel regularly contributes to legal journals and publications, mainly in the areas of arbitration, civil procedure and commercial law, and speaks regularly at dispute resolution events in various jurisdictions. Joel is currently a tutor for trial advocacy in the National University of Singapore (NUS), having previously taught commercial conflict of laws in SMU. Joel graduated with First Class Honours from University College London. He holds a Master of Law from the University of Cambridge, and is a member of Wolfson College. Joel is admitted to the Singapore Bar.