About this Seminar

This is Not Another Covid-19 Force Majeure Talk.

Join us for a seminar where our speakers Kelvin and Joanna discuss the law behind commonly-seen excuses for not performing the contract.

They will discuss clauses which allow the contractor to escape the consequences of not carrying out the contract, including the implications of extensions of time and force majeure clauses and frustration. They will delve into issues such as when is weather “exceptionally” adverse, when is government delay a ground for EOT and who is the “governmental authority”, when do illegal acts justify non-performance, and when does a disease become an “outbreak”— things and factors often encountered in construction projects which have the potential to significantly impact the progress of works.

This seminar, which will address issues faced by employers, contractors, consultants, and other professionals, comes at an opportune time, given the increasingly complex and challenging world that we live in. Gain insights into navigating contractual complexities and mitigating risks associated with these challenges.

Seminar Programme

About the Speakers:
Ms. Joanna Seetoh – Partner, Harry Elias Partnership LLP; Council Member, Society of Construction Law (Singapore)

Joanna has 16 years of experience in disputes and advisory work in the construction and infrastructure sector. She is accredited as a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators, as well as an Accredited Specialist in Building and Construction Law by the Singapore Academy of Law. Joanna has extensive experience as lead counsel in arbitrations seated both locally in Singapore and internationally representing major contractors in large-scale infrastructure disputes across a wide range of jurisdictions and sectors. Having practiced in both Singapore and Hong Kong, Joanna frequently advises and represents clients as lead counsel in a variety of disputes, including rail and metro, power and solar plants, mining, integrated resorts, and commercial and residential building projects across Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia and South Africa. Joanna is ranked as a Future Star in Construction by Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific, by Asialaw as a Notable Practitioner in Construction, and as one of the Singapore Business Review’s Most Influential Lawyers under 40. She is also a contributor to the leading construction law text in Singapore, The Law and Practice of Construction Contracts (2018, 5th Edition).

Mr. Kelvin Teo – Director, Drew & Napier LLC; Assistant Honorary Treasurer, Society of Construction Law (Singapore)

Kelvin specialises in resolving complicated infrastructure, energy and resource disputes. Kelvin’s practice focuses on renewable energy projects and sustainability. His sector expertise covers a variety of renewable projects such as solar, offshore wind, hydropower and geothermal projects. Kelvin’s experience also covers nuclear power plants, refineries, mines, railways and expressways; civil works such as buildings, factories, soil remediation and foundation works, and even giant Ferris wheels. His practice includes advising on documentation for such projects. He has advised parties and projects in Singapore, France, Korea, Greater China, Taiwan, Middle East, Mongolia, Taiwan, Italy, Laos, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, US, Italy, and India, amongst others. Kelvin is a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators and sits as an arbitrator, and has recently been recognised as a leading arbitration practitioner in The Legal 500 Arbitration Powerlist: Southeast Asia. He enjoys carrying out advocacy across the entire spectrum of dispute resolution - arbitration, adjudication, mediation, expert determination and evaluation, and litigation, both within and out of Singapore. Kelvin has been recognised by a number of legal directories for his expertise in construction and arbitration. He is also a thought-leader on construction law and arbitration practice issues and sits on a number of professional bodies and panels.

About the Chairperson:

Mr. Ashok Kumar Rai – Associate Director, Cairnhill Law LLC; Council Member, Society of Construction Law (Singapore)

Ashok is a seasoned construction litigator and qualified arbitrator. He has represented a wide spectrum of clients in the construction industry – from developers to main contractors and consultants. Ashok’s experience includes acting as lead counsel at all levels of the Singapore courts, and in arbitrations under the ICC and SIAC rules and adjudications conducted under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act. Ashok is a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators and is currently serving in the Council of the Singapore chapter of the Society of Construction Law.

Click HERE for the seminar brochure. 

Continuing Professional Development  

Practice Area: Building & Construction Training Level: General CPD Points: 1.5 CPD Points