Derek advises and represents clients across a broad range of shipping and international trade matters. His practice encompasses both contentious and non-contentious work, with particular emphasis on complex cross-border disputes and regulatory / sanctions compliance. He regularly acts in international arbitrations, and provides commercially focused advice on transactional and operational issues in the maritime and commodities sectors.

• Acted for an international commodities trader in a London arbitration arising from the alleged nickel fraud perpetrated against a global commodities trading house;
• Advised commodity traders, oil terminals, shipowners, ship agents and ship managers on sanctions compliance under various regimes; drafted sanctions compliance policies, price cap attestations under the Russian price cap framework, and other sanctions due diligence documentation.
• Drafted and negotiated oil storage contracts, bills of lading, holding certificates, general terms and conditions and letters of indemnities for one of Singapore’s largest petroleum storage terminals.
• Represented a Chinese property developer in a SIAC arbitration in Singapore, for a dispute arising out of a multi-million joint venture project in China;
• Acted for one of Singapore’s largest bunker suppliers in a London arbitration concerning a bunker quality dispute and negotiated a successful settlement;
• Represented one of the world’s largest ship recycling purchasers in two London arbitration for the return of US$1.4 million arising out of the sale of two vessels, and obtained successful arbitral awards.
• Advised and assisted a Taiwanese bank on the drafting of standard form trade finance documentation (e.g., letter of credit, bills of exchange, letters of indemnity and application forms in relation to the same).
• Advised a global commodities trader on the voluntary disclosure of late customs declarations to Singapore Customs, resulting in a favourable resolution.