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Introduction

Shem Khoo is the managing director of Focus Law Asia, with more than 20 years of experience in international arbitration and complex commercial litigation. He was previously a partner at one of Singapore’s largest law firms and acts for Singaporean and international clients in high-value, multi-jurisdictional disputes across the energy, commodities and shipping sectors.

He was named Aviation and Shipping Lawyer of the Year at the Asialaw Awards 2025 (Regional Expertise Awards), recognising his disputes expertise in the transport and maritime sectors. He is also ranked as a “Disputes Star” by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific and recognised as a “Recommended Lawyer” by the Legal 500 Asia Pacific.

Khoo regularly appears before the Singapore High Court and was among the first counsel to handle a matter before the Singapore International Commercial Court. He has extensive experience in international arbitration under major institutional rules, including the ICC, SIAC, LCIA, LMAA and AIAC, as well as in ad hoc arbitrations seated in Singapore, London and Kuala Lumpur.

He is particularly recognised for his work in commodities trading, energy and maritime disputes, including charterparties, bills of lading, oil trading contracts, marine insurance and letters of credit. He has also acted in complex cross-border disputes involving transport and logistics arrangements.

Khoo has played a central role in Singapore’s most significant commodities trading collapses, having acted in connection with all three major oil trading house insolvencies – Hin Leong, Hontop and Zenrock. This includes representing the liquidators of Hin Leong Trading in complex high court proceedings. He regularly advises on restructuring and insolvency matters involving trading houses and cross-border asset recovery.

He has strength in joint venture, shareholder and boardroom disputes, and is currently advising shareholders and directors of an English Championship football club in an ongoing boardroom dispute involving share sale-and-purchase agreements, construction contracts and related commercial arrangements.

Beyond legal practice, Khoo has significant commercial experience in Indonesia, having spent nearly four years as a director of an Indonesian iron ore exploration company. This commercial exposure enhances his ability to advise on mining and natural resources disputes in the region. He was previously adjunct faculty at the SMU School of Law, where he taught international arbitration.