Randolph Khoo

Managing Director, Dispute Resolution

Qualifications

  • LL.B. (Hons), National University of Singapore (1989)
  • Admitted to the Singapore Bar (1990)
  • FSI Arb, FCI Arb, FMI Arb, FAMINZ (Arb), FHKI Arb, FICA, FAIADR, SF Biam

Randolph is Managing Director of our Dispute Resolution Department, and heads the dispute resolution practices of the Greater China, India and International Trade Desk and Private Client Disputes Group.

He is keenly involved in arbitration and international disputes. Randolph has been recognised by Chambers Asia-Pacific 2022 and Chambers Global 2022 as a leading practitioner in the area of dispute resolution in Singapore and China, in addition to being endorsed by Best Lawyers International 2023 for international arbitration and arbitration & mediation as well as litigation in Singapore.

Randolph has been praised by legal publications and clients for being “especially experienced in China-related arbitrations, having advised numerous Chinese clients on high-stakes disputes, and acted as counsel in arbitrations held under CIETAC rules”; and as a “Leader of a ‘very accessible and efficient’ team, who is ’well versed in international arbitration, willing to listen and extremely business-oriented’.” (Chambers and Partners)

Randolph joined Drew & Napier in 1990 after graduating with academic prizes and topping the final examination and public international law course at the National University of Singapore.

Randolph has handled numerous matters. Here are just a few:

  • Acting for a Hong King incorporated subsidiary of a Chinese state owned provincial asset management entity in disputes with respect to liability for payment of more than USD 852 million due in over twenty chain sale contracts for fuel oil cargoes.

  • A successful appeal to the Singapore Court of Appeal on behalf of a Hong Kong distributor and re-markerter in Russia of consumer goods designed, developed and manufactured by another Hong Kong company, against a High Court order refusing to set aside an SIAC award made in favour of the Hong Kong manufacturer on a claim for USD 43.87 million. The bulk of the award was set aside against the backdrop of a number of novel legal issues in BXH v BXI [2020] 1 SLR 1043.

  • Appearing as Counsel in a CIETAC arbitration that was heard in Shanghai for a Chinese fashion distributor with a claim for loss and damage of over RMB 77 million against a French franchisee-supplier of fashion apparel, on the basis of wrongful termination of the distributorship and where the French party made a counterclaim for almost 2 million Euros and damages.

  • Advised a Singaporean investor in arbitration proceedings before the Shanghai Arbitration Commission arising from an abortive hotel investment project and thereafter related proceedings in the Shanghai Intermediate and High Courts as well as other related proceedings in the Singapore High Court.

  • Acting in part of a complex, multi-jurisdictional divorce family asset dispute with claims to assets worth US$12 billion, involving a discharge of injunctive relief and asset-freezing orders in conjunction with civil proceedings abroad in Russia, Switzerland and the United States and related proceedings.

Chambers Global   

China: Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms) 2024: Listed as expert based abroad for 7 consecutive years
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration: Domestic Firms - Foreign Expert (China) 2024 for 5 consecutive years

Randolph is very established in his field. The standard of work is always top notch."  – Chambers Global 2024

“Randolph Khoo is highly rated for his expertise assisting with China-related arbitrations, including those run under CIETAC rules. He is a highly experienced arbitration counsel.” – Chambers Global 2022

“Randolph Khoo is widely recognised for his experience in multi-jurisdictional disputes. Based in Singapore, he frequently acts for Chinese clients in arbitration proceedings in Singapore, India and China.” – Chambers Global 2022

A client is impressed by Randolph’s "ability to correctly analyse every issue presented before him," adding that he can "pre-empt the action and the next course of action by the opposition." – Chambers Global 2021

“Randolph Khoo heads the firm's Greater China desk and is a highly experienced arbitration counsel. He is especially noted for his expertise advising on China-related arbitrations, including those run under CIETAC rules.” – Chambers Global 2020

“Singapore-based Randolph Khoo leads the firm's Greater China and India dispute resolution desks. He has extensive international arbitration experience, with particular experience in cases involving Chinese parties brought before CIETAC and SIAC” – Chambers Global 2020

Sources say, “His attention to detail and his ability to pinpoint and recall minute facts is amazing"

"He never fails to provide me with the clarification that I need, even at odd hours."

Chambers Asia-Pacific

Dispute Resolution: Litigation (Singapore) 2024 – ranked leading lawyer for 7 consecutive years

“Randolph Khoo is experienced in cross-border litigation and is also considered an expert in family disputes. He is especially recognised for his China focus.”

Randolph Khoo is applauded by clients for his "meticulous, systematic and detail-oriented approach to every issue presented before him." He is experienced in cross-border litigation and is also considered an expert in family disputes.

Randolph Khoo handles corporate and family disputes and is particularly well known for the latter. One client comments: “He has no hesitation to call it like it is, and I respect and appreciate that honesty and forthrightness that I need from an external legal adviser.”

"a sound and fierce litigator who doesn't give up"

"He is not only proactive, but would respond to all wild allegations put forth by the plaintiff with very comprehensive facts addressing the issues at large."


“Leader of a ‘very accessible and efficient’ team, who is ’well versed in international arbitration, willing to listen and extremely business-oriented’."

Randolph Khoo of Drew & Napier LLC in Singapore heads the firm's Greater China dispute resolution team and regularly represents Chinese clients in disputes administered under CIETAC and other institutional rules. He attracts particular praise for his depth of research and mastery of complex documentation.”

Chambers High Net Worth

Singapore: Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth 2024 – Band 1 for 3 consecutive years

"Randolph is very established in his field, he has been practising for a long time. He gets clients because he is tenacious and gives concise solutions. The standard of work is always top-notch."

"He is certainly the elder statesman character; this is very reassuring for clients, and he puts them at ease. Sitting in a room with him, you are comfortable knowing that he is on top of the issues."

"He is the best family lawyer in Singapore in every sense of the word."

"For matrimonial disputes, Randolph is the go-to man."

"I find him practical, knowledgeable, commercial and to the point. He is a very useful man to have on your side."

“Randolph Khoo provides a broad range of sophisticated family law-related services. These include advising on pre-nuptial agreements, divorce settlements and child custody along with adoption-related matters for high net worth clients in Singapore.”

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific

Dispute Resolution 2023 – Recommended lawyer for 6 consecutive years
International Arbitration 2023 – Recommended lawyer for 5 consecutive years
Private Wealth and Family Law 2023 – Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years

‘a leading figure in private client disputes’

‘Randolph Khoo’s warm personality allows you to confide in him with confidence. He shows genuine interest in your thoughts and deliberations, and offers a wide perspective of the available options.’

‘Randolph showed leadership on how he would present the facts across to the arbitrator and asked if there were gaps to be closed.‘

'induces lateral thinking and alternative perspectives to many issues' and has 'an amazing ability to diffuse any tension and provide clarity to legal arguments’

‘a go-to practitioner for China and Russia-related cases’

‘an outstanding lawyer’, ‘stands tall in the land of giants’

"[Randolph Khoo] argues the case very effectively"

Asian Legal Business China Law Awards

Randolph has helmed the disputes practice of the firm’s Greater China Desk for almost two decades. The firm has been the Asian Legal Business China Practice, Asian Law Firm of the Year Winner for 3 consecutive years. It has been the sole winner of the award since its inauguration in 2019. This award recognises the top law firm headquartered in Asia with China expertise, excluding China-based law firms.

asialaw Leading Lawyers

Dispute Resolution 2023/2024 – Distinguished Practitioner for 2 consecutive years 

“Randolph is a very good advocate. Has a very thorough knowledge of his brief. He is excellent at cross-examining witnesses and is nimble at adapting his approach and cross-examination strategy to suit the witness that is giving evidence.”

“Randolph always remains professional and customer-oriented.”

Sources say, “The dispute resolution team led by Mr Randolph Khoo is not only efficient in providing the absolute best of its abilities to support clients like me, but its in-depth understanding of legal nuances is also certainly second to none. As a client, I also fully appreciate that the firm is honest, astute and organised.” 

“In the arena of legal counsels, even though Randolph does not hold the title of a senior counsel, Randolph certainly stands tall in the land of giants. As a client, l can truthfully give feedback without any hesitation that the extent of professionalism displayed by Randolph is highly commendable and here is a very quick summary of some of his exceptional strengths and qualities: To correctly—and spot on—analyse every issue presented before him and to pre-empt the next course of action by the opposition; meticulous, systematic and detail-oriented approach to every issue presented before him; to diffuse my anxiety … and to be able to recall minute facts, which is most amazing and awesome, especially with how Randolph was able to use it to his advantage in the courtroom and corner every single contradictory statement of evidence given in court against the mountains of documents … The awesome feeling of seeing how Randolph conducted himself in the courtroom is something that l will treasure for a long time to come."

Best Lawyers International: Singapore   

Arbitration and Mediation 2025 – Endorsed individual for 12 consecutive years

Litigation 2025 – Endorsed individual for 3 consecutive years

International Arbitration – Endorsed individual for 4 years (2017- 2020 edition)

Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific

Commercial and Transactions 2024 - Litigation Star for 6 consecutive years

Private Client 2024 - Litigation Star for 3 consecutive years

Family and Matrimonial 2021 - Litigation Star for 3 consecutive years

International Arbitration 2021 - Litigation Star for 3 consecutive years

“Intrinsic knowledge of legal matters he is dealing with and vast experience. Provides meaningful commercial recommendations in a very timely manner.”

Very thorough and extremely hardworking and dedicated lawyer.”

Excellent control over the organisation of the entire process, deep personal knowledge.”

“Very efficient, highly competent, sincere, hardworking, conscientious, dedicated, knowledgeable and a gentleman.”
 
“Randolph Khoo was very effective in putting across the arguments for our client and his submissions were appreciated by the Arbitral team. He was able to earn the appreciation of the presiding arbitrator. The team had put in excellent written submissions and the same was found convincing. Nothing could be found lacking in the efforts put in by the team of Randolph.”  

Who’s Who Legal

National Guide: Southeast Asia – Commercial Litigation 2024 – Recommended Lawyer

Asian Legal Business SE Asia Law Awards

Matrimonial and Family Law Firm of the Year 2021, 2022 and 2023

Randolph is part of the team that won the Family Law Firm of the Year Award for handling some of the most complex, cross-border and intricate matrimonial and family law matters.

Doyle’s Guide

Family Law in Singapore 2024 – Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years

Family Law in Singapore 2022 – Leading lawyer for 2 consecutive years

Spear’s 500

Recommended Family Lawyer 2024

  • Assessor, Ministry of Law Panel of Assessors for COVID-19 Temporary Relief
  • Primary Panel Arbitrator, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators
  • Panel Arbitrator & Mediator, Asian International Arbitration Centre
  • Panel Arbitrator, Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators
  • Panel Arbitrator (Foreigner), Shanghai Arbitration Commission
  • Panel Arbitrator of the Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (Shanghai International Arbitration Center)
  • Panel Arbitrator of the South China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission / Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration
  • Arbitrator, The Chinese Arbitration Association, Taipei
  • International Arbitrator, The Russian Arbitration Center of the Institute of Modern Arbitration of the Russian Federation
  • Mediator & Neutral, The Mediation & Conciliation Network
  • Member of the Panel of Neutrals under the Law Society of Singapore Neutral Evaluation and Determination Scheme
  • Fellow, Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • Fellow, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators
  • Fellow, Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators
  • Fellow, Arbitrators' & Mediators' Institute of New Zealand
  • Fellow, Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators
  • Fellow, Indian Council of Arbitration
  • Senior Fellow, Bali International Arbitration & Mediation Center
  • Member, International Bar Association
  • Member, Society of International Law (Singapore)
  • Member, Law Society of Singapore
  • Member, Singapore Academy of Law
  • Notary Public & Commissioner for Oaths
  • Co-author to the Singapore chapter of Chambers Global Practice Guide: Enforcement of Judgments 2022 and 2023
  • Co-author to the Singapore chapter of The Legal 500: Litigation Country Comparative Guide (4th, 2021, 6th ed., 2023)
  • Co-author to the Singapore chapter of Chambers Global Practice Guide: Litigation 2023
  • Co-author to the Partnership & Agency, Probate, Administration & Succession titles of Halsbury’s Laws of Singapore series, Volume 15 (2022 reissue)
  • Co-author to the Overview for Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth (Singapore), Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2022
  • Co-author to the Singapore chapter of the leading international jurisdictional textbook on family law, “Family Global Guide” by Thomson Reuters and Practical Law UK (5th, 2020)
  • Co-author to the Singapore chapter of European Lawyer Reference Book series, “Family Law: Jurisdictional Comparisons” (2nd, 2013, 5th ed., 2020)
  • Co-author to Family Law in Singapore: Overview, Practical Law online, 2014