Home / People / Lakshanthi Fernando

Lakshanthi Fernando

Managing Director

Portrait of Lakshanthi Fernando

Lakshanthi Fernando

Managing Director

Contact
CMS Holborn Asia
7 Straits View
Marina One East Tower
Singapore 018936
Languages English, Singhalese, French
Dispute Resolution

Lakshanthi is the Managing Director of CMS Holborn Asia, the Formal Law Alliance between CMS Singapore and Singapore law practice, Holborn Law LLC.

Lakshanthi specialises in international arbitration, litigation and mediation, with a focus on cross-border disputes and High Court litigation.

As an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore, Lakshanthi has acted as first chair before all levels of the Singapore courts, including the Singapore High Court and the Court of Appeal.

With particular specialism in international arbitration, Lakshanthi has advised and represented clients as lead party counsel in ad hoc and administered arbitral proceedings under most major institutional rules and procedures, including the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), London Court of International Arbitration Centre (LCIA) and United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

In addition to her experience in commercial litigation and international arbitration, Lakshanthi has specific expertise in employment issues, both contentious and non-contentious. She has advised multi-national corporates and senior executives on the protection of their business and reputation during a crisis, from the management of data security breaches and employee wrongdoing to dealing with confidential information and attacks from competitors.

Lakshanthi’s practice has spanned most major jurisdictions and key emerging markets in Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, India, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the People’s Republic of China.

Lakshanthi is the editor of the Singapore International Arbitration Blog and sits on the SIAC’s Users Council. Her commentary on dispute resolution has been featured in the Financial Times, the Straits Times, the Singapore Business Times, the Daily FT and on BBC World News.

more less

a very talented lawyer who knows the region and is well respected

Global Arbitration Review 2017

a very talented lawyer who knows the region and is well respected

Global Arbitration Review 2017

Relevant experience

  • A European real estate company in an ICC arbitration concerning the lease of a luxury resort villa in the Maldives.
  • A major technology company in an SIAC arbitration over the termination of software licensing contracts in India.
  • A global luxury retailer in an HKIAC arbitration concerning a joint venture dispute in the People’s Republic of China.
  • A South Korean steel trading company in ad hoc arbitration proceedings relating to the sale and delivery of contracted goods.
  • A Philiippines oil and gas company in an SIAC arbitration arising from the delivery of commodities and oil pricing.
  • European and Malaysian investors in an ad hoc arbitration involving the manufacture, sale and operation of satellites
  • An Indian commodities trader in three (3) concurrent expedited SIAC arbitration proceedings relating to the sale and purchase of cargo
  • A South Korean marine sub-contractor in an SIAC arbitration involving disputes arising from the provision of services to a major shipyard.
  • An international mining group in related disputes over sale and purchase agreements, mining services and offtake contracts in Indonesia. 
  • A Malaysian trader in a FOSFA arbitration against a South Korean corporation involving jurisdictional issues and cross-border enforcement of award in South Korea.
more less

Memberships & Roles

  • Law Society of Singapore
  • London Court of International Arbitration
  • Singapore International Arbitration Centre’s Users’ Council
  • Singapore International Chamber of Commerce
more less

Publications

2017 – “PCA Award trapped in the confines of the Singapore State Immunity Act”, Kluwer Arbitration Blog

2017 – “International Arbitration & the Singapore Effect: An Overview”, Sri Lanka Bar Journal

2017 – “Singapore High Court affirms Arbitral Tribunal did not exceed jurisdiction”, Lexology

2017 – “The Freedom of Asymmetry: SGCA recognises arbitration clause giving only one party the right to elect to arbitrate”, Lexology

2017 – “Secondment agreements Q&A: Singapore”, Practical Law

2016 – “Asia needs to ensure arbitration enforceability”, Business Times

2016 –  “Enforcement of arbitration rulings faces challenge in Asia”, Financial Times (quoted) 

2016 – “Singapore is becoming a world leader in arbitration”, Financial Times (quoted) 

2015 – “Dallas Buyers Club suit a legal minefield”, Straits Times (quoted)

more less

Lectures list

2017 – “The Foreign ‘Seat’ and the Pathological Clause”, Sri Lanka Bar Conference 

2017 – “The Arb-Med-Arb Protocol: The Future of Alternative Dispute Resolution?”, Singapore International Mediation Centre and Pusat Mediasi Nasional Indonesia  

2016 -  “Digital Employment: The Gig Economy”, Singapore Management University Faculty of Law 

2016 – “An Agent of Change”, Accenture International Women’s Day Singapore 

2016 – “Daiichi Sankyo v Ranbaxy”, BBC World News  

2016 – “Cybersecurity series: Breach management masterclass”, Singapore international Chamber of Commerce

more less

Education

LL.B. (Hons.), National University of Singapore

more less
Employment

Lakshanthi is the Managing Director of CMS Holborn Asia*, the Formal Law Alliance between CMS Singapore and Singapore law practice, Holborn Law LLC.

Lakshanthi specialises in international arbitration, litigation and mediation, with a focus on cross-border disputes and High Court litigation.

As an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore, Lakshanthi has acted as first chair before all levels of the Singapore courts, including the Singapore High Court and the Court of Appeal.

With particular specialism in international arbitration, Lakshanthi has advised and represented clients as lead party counsel in ad hoc and administered arbitral proceedings under most major institutional rules and procedures, including the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), London Court of International Arbitration Centre (LCIA) and United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

In addition to her experience in commercial litigation and international arbitration, Lakshanthi has specific expertise in employment issues, both contentious and non-contentious. She has advised multi-national corporates and senior executives on the protection of their business and reputation during a crisis, from the management of data security breaches and employee wrongdoing to dealing with confidential information and attacks from competitors.

Lakshanthi’s practice has spanned most major jurisdictions and key emerging markets in Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, India, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the People’s Republic of China.

Lakshanthi is the editor of the Singapore International Arbitration Blog and sits on the SIAC’s Users Council. Her commentary on dispute resolution has been featured in the Financial Times, the Straits Times, the Singapore Business Times, the Daily FT and on BBC World News.

*CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (Singapore) LLP and Holborn Law LLC are registered as a Formal Law Alliance in Singapore under the name CMS Holborn Asia. The Formal Law Alliance allows the two firms to provide the broadest range of Singapore and international law services from one platform, with Singapore litigation representation provided by Holborn Law LLC.

more less

a very talented lawyer who knows the region and is well respected

Global Arbitration Review 2017

a very talented lawyer who knows the region and is well respected

Global Arbitration Review 2017

Relevant experience

  • A listed company in defending significant allegations of discrimination and unfair hiring practices.
  • A global media agency in an employee data theft incident and enforcement of non-compete provisions, including advising on injunctive proceedings to restrain an ex-employee’s disclosure of trade secrets and confidential company information.
  • A financial institution in its diversity and inclusion reporting and policy review.
  • A listed company in policy and protocol relating to competitive hires and exits.
  • A global agency in a high profile restructuring and reorganisation.
  • A US-based technology company on notifications to regulatory authorities and affected individuals in relation to cyber breach incident affecting employee data in multiple jurisdictions.
  • A global technology company in an investigation into highly sensitive allegations of harassment by a senior executive.
  • A high profile social gaming company in its recruitment strategy in Singapore and China.
  • An international energy group in the set up of its subsidiary operations in Singapore.
  • A prominent service provider on all aspects of its relationship with its partners and regulatory compliance.
more less

Memberships & Roles

  • Law Society of Singapore
  • London Court of International Arbitration
  • Singapore International Arbitration Centre’s Users’ Council
  • Singapore International Chamber of Commerce
more less

Publications

2017 – “PCA Award trapped in the confines of the Singapore State Immunity Act”, Kluwer Arbitration Blog
2017 – “International Arbitration & the Singapore Effect: An Overview”, Sri Lanka Bar Journal
2017 – “Singapore High Court affirms Arbitral Tribunal did not exceed jurisdiction”, Lexology
2017 – “The Freedom of Asymmetry: SGCA recognises arbitration clause giving only one party the right to elect to arbitrate”, Lexology
2017 – “Secondment agreements Q&A: Singapore”, Practical Law
2016 – “Asia needs to ensure arbitration enforceability”, Business Times
2016 – “Enforcement of arbitration rulings faces challenge in Asia”, Financial Times (quoted)
2016 – “Singapore is becoming a world leader in arbitration”, Financial Times (quoted)
2015 – “Dallas Buyers Club suit a legal minefield”, Straits Times (quoted)

more less

Lectures list

2017 – “The Foreign ‘Seat’ and the Pathological Clause”, Sri Lanka Bar Conference
2017 – “The Arb-Med-Arb Protocol: The Future of Alternative Dispute Resolution?”, Singapore International Mediation Centre and Pusat Mediasi Nasional Indonesia
2016 - “Digital Employment: The Gig Economy”, Singapore Management University Faculty of Law
2016 – “An Agent of Change”, Accenture International Women’s Day Singapore
2016 – “Daiichi Sankyo v Ranbaxy”, BBC World News

more less

Education

LL.B. (Hons.), National University of Singapore

more less

Expertise

Feed

15/04/2020
The SIAC Annual Report 2019: Findings and Takeaways in the light of COVID-19
This article is produced by CMS Holborn Asia, a Formal Law Alliance between CMS Singapore and Holborn Law LLC.In its recently released Annual Report 2019 (the “Re­port”), the Singapore In­ter­na­tion­al...
Publication
02/04/2020
Singapore to fast-track Bill granting temporary relief from effects of...
This article is produced by CMS Holborn Asia, a Formal Law Alliance between CMS Singapore and Holborn Law LLC. The outbreak and global escalation of the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, has caused...
Publication
24/03/2020
Coronavirus – Key Con­sid­er­a­tions for Employers in Asia Pacific (update...
Below information is correct as of 20 March 2020. 1. CAN THE EMPLOYER ORDER AN EMPLOYEE WHO VISITED A REGION / COUNTRY EXPOSED TO CORONAVIRUS INFECTION TO TAKE ADDITIONAL MEDICAL EX­AM­IN­A­TIONS? CHINA...
Publication
30/12/2019
Ar­bit­rab­il­ity of IP disputes in Singapore – recent amendments to the AA...
This article is produced by CMS Holborn Asia, a Formal Law Alliance between CMS Singapore and Holborn Law LLC.Pursuant to the passing of the Intellectual Property (Dispute Resolution) Bill in August 2019...
Publication
07/08/2019
Singapore Convention on Mediation signed by 46 countries at opening in...
This article is produced by CMS Holborn Asia, a Formal Law Alliance between CMS Singapore and Holborn Law LLC. The United Nations Convention on In­ter­na­tion­al Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation...
Publication
06/08/2019
Singa­pore’s MinLaw launches Public Consultation on Amendments to In­ter­na­tion­al...
This article is produced by CMS Holborn Asia, a Formal Law Alliance between CMS Singapore and Holborn Law LLC.In June 2019, Singa­pore’s Ministry of Law (“Min­Law”) announced that it will be holding...
Publication
30/07/2019
Singapore High Court refuses to set aside arbitral award for alleged sup­pres­sion...
This article is produced by CMS Holborn Asia, a Formal Law Alliance between CMS Singapore and Holborn Law LLC. Introduction Can an arbitral award be set aside on the grounds of fraud or breach of public...
Publication
18/07/2019
Better late than never: SGCA sets aside award after belated challenge by...
This article is produced by CMS Holborn Asia, a Formal Law Alliance between CMS Singapore and Holborn Law LLC. Introduction In Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd v Avant Garde Maritime Services (Pte) Ltd [2019]...
Publication
05/04/2019
New guidelines on wrongful dismissal in Singapore
On 1 April 2019, the Tripartite Guidelines on Wrongful Dismissal (the “Guidelines”) were released by the Ministry of Manpower (“MOM”), the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National...
Publication
20/02/2019
Between a rock and a hard place: Singapore High Court lifts stay of court...
Introduction Is a court entitled to lift a stay of proceedings in favour of arbitration if the conditions for lifting the stay have not been met? This is what the Singapore High Court (the “Court”)...
Publication
06/02/2018
Sri Lanka’s 70th Independence Day Special Update: Singapore and Sri Lanka...
Introduction Witnessed by His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, the President of Sri Lanka, and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Sri Lanka signed the Sri Lanka-Singa­pore...
News
23/01/2018
Singapore passes bill for Singapore In­ter­na­tion­al Commercial Court to hear...
Introduction On 9 January 2018, Parliament passed the Supreme Court of Judicature (Amendment) Bill 2017 (the “Amend­ment”) giving the Singapore In­ter­na­tion­al Commercial Court (“SICC”) jur­is­dic­tion...
News
Load more articles