Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) has hired Simon Bellas as a partner to expand its construction and engineering disputes practice in Singapore, addressing the growing client demand across the Asia-Pacific region.
Adam Richardson, HFW’s Singapore office head, told Asia Business Law Journal that many of the firm’s global clients were undertaking large infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia and Singapore was the primary location for resolving disputes that arise on projects in the region.
“Simon [Bellas’] expertise in acting for international contractors on large-scale disputes, and his particular interest in the offshore construction sector, entirely align with the areas of focus of our global construction practice,” said Richardson.
Bellas joins the firm from Jones Day, where he served as a partner for more than 11 years. Prior to this, he spent more than two years as a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright. He has around 25 years of experience in complex construction and engineering disputes, and advises major international contractors across offshore construction, oil and gas, renewable energy projects, mining, power and transport infrastructure.
In his new role at HFW, Bellas would focus on large-scale construction disputes, especially in the energy and resources, and infrastructure and offshore sectors, said Richardson. He said his work would include supporting clients with extension of time, variation, delay and disruption claims, as well as advising on contract termination issues.
Bellas would also support the firm’s overseas contractor clients across the APAC, including in Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Australia, said Richardson. He would also work with the firm’s teams in the Middle East to support clients in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, added Richardson.
