John Rainbird

I am a Registered Foreign Lawyer and partner of Bird & Bird LLP in the Dispute Resolution practice based in Singapore. I help clients solve problems, reduce risk and navigate complex commercial disputes across the Asia Pacific region.

I advise and represent clients in commercial disputes (such as joint venture disputes, shareholder disputes, post-M&A disputes and general contractual matters) as well as technical construction disputes. My clients operate in a range of sectors, including oil & gas, renewables, mining, telecoms, tech, private capital and manufacturing.

I work with commercial and in-house teams to deliver proactive service, sensible advice and value for money. My approach to dispute resolution is focused and practical: I do not argue unnecessary points at the expense of the bigger picture. Everything I do is geared towards achieving the client's commercial objectives.

Having practised in Asia since 2011, I have extensive experience advocating before arbitral tribunals under diverse rules and in multiple seats of arbitration, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan. In addition to cross-border arbitration, I coordinate cross-border litigation and represent clients in adjudications, expert determinations and mediations. Clients also frequently call on me to assist with contract drafting and project management, with a view to avoiding or managing potential disputes before they end up in formal proceedings.

• Represented a Southeast Asian private equity firm in Singapore-seated UNCITRAL arbitration and related cross-border litigation in multiple jurisdictions concerning the contentious divestment of a Vietnamese pharmaceutical business.
• Represented the developer of a hydropower dam in Laos in a SIAC arbitration against a Chinese contractor concerning delay, additional costs and final account.
• Represented an oil & gas major in a USD 90 million Singapore-seated arbitration against a joint venture partner. The dispute related to an alleged obligation to drill an ultra-deepwater well offshore the Philippines.
• Represented a major Thai shipyard in a London-seated arbitration concerning the fabrication of a re-gasification platform for an LNG terminal.
• Represented a global telecoms company in multiple Singapore-seated arbitrations relating to the supply of tower infrastructure in Southeast Asia.