Emmanuel Aw

Associate Director, Dispute Resolution

Qualifications

  • LL.B. (First Class Honours) National University of Singapore (2019)
  • Advocate & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore (2020)
  • Solicitor of England & Wales (2026)

Emmanuel specialises in commercial litigation and arbitration. He advises and acts in a broad range of disputes, including matters involving securities, shareholders’ rights and directors’ duties, employment, trusts, arbitration, and private client issues. His practice frequently involves cross-border elements, and he works closely with foreign counsel. He has argued before the Singapore International Commercial Court, the General Division of the Singapore High Court, and the State Courts.

Recognised by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Recommended Lawyer (2025) and Leading Associate (2026), he was also awarded the Client Choice Awards – Singapore Lawyer of the Year at the asialaw Awards 2024 and Litigation Associate of the Year at The Legal 500 Southeast Asia Awards 2026.

Emmanuel graduated with First Class Honours from the National University of Singapore (NUS), where he was placed on the Dean’s List for all qualifying years and the Overall Dean’s List. He was part of the NUS team that won the 2018 Frankfurt Investment Arbitration Moot Court. He taught evidence at NUS in 2022, currently serves on the LSNEDS-FIDReC Scheme Panel of Neutrals (2026), and has contributed to Singapore Civil Procedure since the 2024 edition.

Emmanuel is dual-qualified to practise in Singapore and England & Wales.

  1. Successfully defended the respondent before the Singapore Court of Appeal in Reliance Infrastructure Limited v Shanghai Electric Group Co Ltd [2024] SGCA(I) 10. The appellant had sought to set aside a US$146 million SIAC arbitral award based on allegations, among others, that the underlying arbitration agreement was forged.
  2. Represented the plaintiff in Acute Result Holdings Limited v CGS-CIMB Securities (Singapore) Pte Ltd [2022] SGHC 45 and its appeal before the Appellate Division of the High Court. The plaintiff made claims of approximately US$26 million in contract, tort, and equity. The complex matter dealt with various issues of agency, trust law, the law and practice of intermediated securities, trading in Contract for Differences, and financial regulation compliance. 
  3. Represented a high-net-worth Malaysian businessman and his business associates in a shareholders’ dispute before the Singapore High Court which raised issues of directors’ duties and trusts. The clients had discovered that a former director and his wife were misappropriating and mismanaging the companies’ assets.
  4. Represented a major banking institution before the Singapore High Court against claims in fraudulent misrepresentation and unlawful means conspiracy. The plaintiffs were retail investors in investments notes issued by an Indonesian listed company and underwritten by various banks including the client. The claims were valued at S$35.75 million.
  5. Represented a sovereign wealth fund in a dispute surrounding put options relating to investments in India worth approximately S$127 million. The dispute concerned matters of Indian law arising from an order of the Mumbai National Company Law Tribunal and involved working closely with Indian counsel to secure a favourable outcome for the client.

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific

Dispute Resolution 2025 – Recommended Lawyer

Dispute Resolution 2026 – Leading Associate

Litigation Associate of the Year – The Legal 500 Southeast Asia Awards 2026

Emmanuel Aw is prompt, meticulous, and client-focused. He provides clear understanding, explores alternative solutions, and consistently demonstrates care for clients and justice.”

Emmanuel Aw stands out for his empathy and approachable nature. He is easy to reach out to, always making himself available to address any concerns or questions.”

asialaw Awards

Client Choice Awards 2024 – Singapore Lawyer of the Year

  • Appointed to the LSNEDS-FIDReC Scheme Panel of Neutrals (2026)
  • Member, Law Society of Singapore
  • Member, Singapore Academy of Law
  • Member, International Bar Association
  • Member, Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC) Legal Services Interest Group