A lawyer who “provides critical yet practical insight with his sharp intellect and surgical precision of the facts”, “is reliable, efficient, and experienced”, “always delivers in a timely fashion” and “is very focused and constantly thinking outside the lines to come up with creative ways to solve a complex problem.”

Darshendev’s primary area of practice is commercial dispute resolution with a focus on complex disputes relating to construction, engineering, oil & gas, and infrastructure projects.

Besides regularly sitting as an arbitrator and an adjudicator, Darshendev also represents clients in international and domestic arbitration, litigation, mediation, and adjudication. He has been involved in numerous ad hoc as well as institutional arbitrations.

The sole Malaysian recipient of the 2019 Asia-Pacific Top 10 Arbitrators Award (under the age of 40 category), Darshendev has recently been individually ranked for Construction by Chambers and Partners in its Asia-Pacific 2024 Ranking. He is also ranked as a “Next Generation Partner” for both Dispute Resolution, and Real Estate and Construction in Malaysia by The Legal 500 in its Asia-Pacific Rankings. He was listed in the Private Practice Arbitration Powerlist (Southeast Asian Region) by The Legal 500. Asialaw has acknowledged Darshendev as a “Notable Practitioner” for Construction. He is recognised as a “Future Star” for Construction by Benchmark Litigation in its Asia-Pacific 2023 and 2024 Rankings, and 2021 “Rising Star” in the Malaysian Legal Industry (under the age of 40 category) by the Asian Legal Business. Darshendev received the Lexology Client Choice Award 2021 for Construction in Malaysia.

Former chairperson of the Young Members Group of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Malaysia), Darshendev is a frequent speaker on the international circuit on issues related to his areas of practice and contributes to global publications on the arbitration and construction law landscape.

• Construction & Engineering
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Oil & Gas
• Infrastructure Projects
• Adjudication
• Domestic Arbitration
• International Arbitration

• LLB (Hons), International Islamic University Malaysia
• Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya

• Panel Arbitrator, Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution (AIADR)
• Panel Arbitrator, Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC)
• Panel Arbitrator, Bali International Arbitration and Mediation Centre (BIAMC)
• Panel Arbitrator, Bangalore International Mediation, Arbitration & Conciliation Centre (BIMACC)
• Panel Arbitrator, Borneo International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (BICAM)
• Panel Arbitrator, Brunei Darussalam Arbitration Centre (BDAC)
• Panel Arbitrator, Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)
• Panel Arbitrator, Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB), KCAB International
• Primary Panel Arbitrator, Maldives International Arbitration Centre (MIAC)
• Panel Arbitrator, Russian Arbitration Center (RAC)
• Panel Arbitrator, Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) Reserve Panel of Arbitrators
• Panel Arbitrator, Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC)
• Panel Adjudicator, Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC)
• Panel Mediator, Bali International Arbitration and Mediation Centre (BIAMC)
• Fellow of the Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution (AIADR)
• Fellow of the Bali International Arbitration and Mediation Centre (BIAMC)
• Fellow of the Malaysian Society of Adjudicators (MSA)
• Chairperson, Young Members Group of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Malaysia) (2017-2018)
• Deputy chairperson, Young Members Group of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Malaysia) (2016-2017)
• Member, Arbitration Law Sub-Committee of the Malaysian Bar Council (since 2012)
• Member, Asian International Arbitration Centre Young Practitioners Group
• Member, Construction Law Sub-Committee of the Malaysian Bar Council (since 2012)
• Member, Society of Construction Law Malaysia

• Advising on disputes concerning the Merdeka 118 Tower, which once completed will be the second tallest building in the world after the Burj Khalifa.
• Advising and representing an international oil and gas company in its dispute relating to the development and production of hydrocarbons at oil and gas blocks.
• Advising in disputes concerning the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.
• Advising a Switzerland based company on the supply of steels for a railway project.
• Advising on matters relating to the manufacturing, supply, delivery of new car trains, upgrading and related works for the Kelana Jaya Railway Line.
• Advising on matters relating to the KL Monorail Fleet Expansion Project.
• Advising on matters concerning the KTMB Railway Network Project.
• Advising on matters relating to the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway (Asian Highway 150).
• Advising a Russian development company in disputes concerning a mixed development.
• Advising a multinational corporation in disputes concerning supply of telecommunication systems.
• Advising a Chinese construction company in disputes concerning a mixed development.
• Advising one of the largest palm oil processors in disputes relating to the supply of Crude Palm Oil.
• Advising in disputes relating to the construction of waste treatment plant.
• Advising India’s largest biopharmaceutical company in disputes relating to the construction of a biopharmaceutical plant in Malaysia.
• Advising a Malaysian public listed company in disputes relating to the construction of waste disposal facilities.
• Advising the subsidiary of a Malaysia’s Fortune 500 oil and gas company in disputes relating to construction of fuel hydrant pipeline in KLIA.
• Advising one of Malaysia’s strongest brands in property and infrastructure in disputes relating to the constructions of various projects.
• Advising one of the major contractors involved in the construction of a highway project.
• Advising and representing a developer in its dispute on the construction of apartment project.
• Advising Malaysia’s leading independent power producer in its dispute relating to the construction of a coal-fired power plant.
• Advising a developer in its dispute relating to the supply of construction materials to a road project.
• Advising a Japanese global engineering company, which has presence since the 1920s, on construction contracts related queries.
• Advising on various standard form construction contracts in major projects, including reviewing various standard terms agreements including:
  • Public Works Department (Jabatan Kerja Raya) – JKR;
  • Malaysian Institute of Architects (Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia) – PAM;
  • Construction Industry Development Board (Lembaga Pembangunan Industri Pembinaan) – CIDB; and
  • International Federation of Consulting Engineers – FIDIC.
• Advising in disputes arising out of the failure of reclamation works.
• Advising in disputes arising out of the construction of petrochemical facilities in Sudan.
• Advising in disputes arising out of alleged defective timber products.
• Advising in disputes arising out of building projects.
• Advising in disputes arising out of the destruction of petroleum shore tank facilities.
• Advising in disputes arising out of the construction of a methanol petrochemical plant.
• Advising in disputes arising out of power purchase agreements.
• Advising in disputes arising out of fire insurance policies.
• Advising in disputes arising out of the construction of transmission lines.
• Advising in disputes arising out of concession agreements related to KLIA.
• Advising in disputes arising out of an engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning contract for a gas compression system.
• Advising in disputes arising from the expansion of the KL Monorail fleet.
• Advising in disputes arising from the fabrication and installation of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
• Advising in disputes relating to the construction of a hangar.
• Advising in disputes relating to the construction of hotels, service apartments and condominiums.
• Advising in disputes relating to dredging agreements.
• Advising clients in all methods of dispute resolution, including mediation, litigation, arbitration, adjudication and other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, arising out of complex construction and infrastructure projects both locally and internationally.

• Contributor – Chambers and Partners Global Practice Guides, Construction Law 2023
• Contributor – Force Majeure And Hardship In The Asia-Pacific Region (2022, JurisNet, LLC)
• Contributor – Malaysian Civil Procedure (White Book), 2021
• Contributor – Hishamudin Yunus: Celebrating Judicial Independence (2018)
• Contributor – CIDB (Construction Industry Development Board) Construction Law Report (2018 Edition)
• Contributor – Chambers and Partners Global Practice Guides (Construction) 2018
• Contributor – Malaysian Civil Procedure (White Book), 2018
• Contributor – Arbitration in Malaysia, A Practical Guide (2016, Sweet & Maxwell)
• Contributor – Arbitration World (5th Edition), International Series (2015, Thomson Reuters)

The Legal 500

Next Generation Partner for Dispute Resolution in Malaysia: Asia-Pacific 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Rankings

Next Generation Partner for Real Estate and Construction in Malaysia: Asia-Pacific 2023 and 2024 Rankings

Listed in the Private Practice Arbitration Powerlist 2022 (Southeast Asia Region)

“Mr. Darshendev Singh is exceptional and stands out from competitors because of his knowledge in the field, his meticulous nature in disputes and his dedication to do his best for his clients.”

“Darshendev Singh is very solution-orientated and always provides practical solutions to clients. He is intelligent, aggressive, sharp, meticulous and has great advocacy skills, which are something clients look for in a litigator.”

“Always delivers in a timely fashion.”

“is very focused and constantly thinking outside the lines to come up with creative ways to solve a complex problem.”

“Has great contacts and knowledge of current legal and project landscape which could be helpful in this area. His experience and commercial outlook were very helpful.”

“is always pleasant to talk to. He is genuine and while he constantly tries to find the best solutions for us, he will not hesitate to call a spade a spade (but without being rude of course!) thus giving us a sense of comfort/conviction on whatever strategies we decide on.”

“Darshendev Singh is diligent, thorough, and pays attention to details.”

“Darshendev Singh possesses deep expertise and specialisation in the practice area of construction, which instils confidence in client on his abilities to handle complex legal matters.”

Chambers and Partners

Asia-Pacific 2024 Ranking: Construction

“He is an absolutely fantastic lawyer who works exceptionally hard and is extremely practical. He is a pleasure to work with.”

“He is easy to work with, responsive and knowledgeable.”

Benchmark Litigation

Future Star, Construction: Asia-Pacific 2023 and 2024 Rankings

“Extremely practical and a pleasure to work with. He knows the client’s business. He is pragmatic and sensible.”

“Dev is client-driven. As a client, we always want our lawyer to stay focused in all decisions and efforts for what is in the best long-term interest of our company, and often Dev is capable of going beyond our expectation. He is a hardworking lawyer willing to fight every single bit of the way for us.”

“Commitment, clarity of thought and proactive attitude. The steadfastness with which Darshendev pursued our interests was very enterprising and the reason for the optimum relief was obtained in our litigation – and also the beginning of a very long friendship.”

“He has very good knowledge of his area of expertise. He is meticulous in covering all issues of contention or all angles. Other than that, he always provides his best for his clients, and he is able to think out of the box in relation to strategies and providing professional advice.”

“Darshendev is great at providing commercial and practical solutions to complex legal disputes. He also pays great attention to detail and is always well prepared for every matter. His superb ability to grasp the issues at hand and find answers to every issue makes the client feel assured that he is constantly advancing the best case for them. Darshendev is also constantly reachable and responsive at all times.”

“The firm has strong commercial awareness – and the lawyer, Dev, is the man for us. It is fairly difficult to find a competent lawyer to truly understand the complexity of the palm oil business even though the palm oil industry contributes 6% of Malaysia’s national GDP. In this respect, Dev knows our business and the industry very well. He can give excellent advice with a comprehensive rationale. He is capable of providing us with understanding from both a legal and a commercial perspective, and able to convey it simply and efficiently. We eventually successfully accomplished enforcement of the award.”

“Provides critical yet practical insight with his sharp intellect and surgical precision of the facts. He is reliable, efficient, and experienced.”

“Darshendev Singh did very well in our adjudication for a major construction project as we won the case and have received the payment for the adjudicated sum from the employer. What make him exceptional, stand out and different from competitors are his qualities: He is very knowledgeable in his fields; he is very detailed or meticulous in covering all issues of arguments; he always endeavours his best for the clients; and he is able to think out of the box in forming strategies and giving his professional opinions.”

“He is adaptive, accommodating and provides solution-oriented advice. He is also an outstanding bright lawyer who is immensely hard-working with great acumen and commercial sense.”

Asialaw

Notable Practitioner (Construction): 2023/2024 Ranking

“Experienced, smart, friendly and client-oriented.”

“Sharp legal acumen, perseverance and commitment.”

“We have known Dev since 2017, when our company engaged LHAG to enforce a trade arbitration award at Malaysia’s High Court. We love working with competent lawyers that have strong commercial awareness – and Dev is the man for us. It is fairly difficult to find a competent lawyer to truly understand the complexity of palm oil business, even though the palm oil industry is contributing 6% of Malaysia’s national GDP. In this respect, Dev knows our business and the industry very well; often he can give excellent advice with a comprehensive rationale. He is capable of providing us with understanding from both legal and commercial perspective, and able to convey it simply and efficiently. On top of that, Dev is client-driven, solution-oriented and responsive. As a client, we always want our lawyer to stay focus in all decisions and put effort into what is in the best long-term interests of our company. Often Dev is goes beyond our expectations. He is a hardworking lawyer that is willing to fight every single bit of the way for us.”

2019 Asia-Pacific Arbitrators Award

Top 10 Arbitrator (under the age of 40 category)

Asian Legal Business

2021 Rising Star in the Malaysian Legal Industry (under the age of 40 category)

Lexology Client Choice Award 2021

Construction