Duncan Watson KC
duncanwatson@quinnemanuel.comDuncan is the managing partner of our new Singapore office. Duncan specialises in international arbitration, and relocated from our Hong Kong office, where he spent many years as a leader of our Asian arbitration practice. Who’s Who Legal (2021) listed him as one of the nine “most highly regarded” young arbitration partners in the Asia Pacific, and quoted peers who described as “an exceptional adviser and advocate” and “certainly among the very best of his generation”. Duncan was appointed King’s Counsel (England & Wales) in March 2021 at the age of 37.
Duncan has acted as counsel in international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations under most arbitral institutions and rules, including the SIAC, HKIAC, ICC, UNCITRAL, ICSID, LCIA, ICDR, SCC, CAA, and Swiss Chambers.
Duncan has acted for clients based all over the world. He represents clients in a broad array of industries, including private equity and financial services, energy and resources, manufacturing, infrastructure, and intellectual property.
In 2023, Chambers & Partners noted Duncan “has a keen mind and always attends to details. [He] is a gifted advocate who lets no stone go unturned but never loses his cool”. In 2024 it said that “He is a master in cross-examination … He is absolutely incredible.” In 2022 it said “Duncan is a real master in quantum, excellent in cross-examination, and an expert in damages calculations. He has a lot of case work – a great guy who is a good advocate as well.”
Duncan also sits as arbitrator, including in SIAC, HKIAC and ICC matters. He also regularly publishes and lectures on topical issues in commercial and investment treaty arbitration around the region, including advocacy.
Recent News
Quinn Emanuel Ranked by Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2025
January 16, 2025Quinn Emanuel Ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025
December 12, 2024Practice Areas
Notable Representations
Disputes Involving Sovereign States
- Acting for Schindler Holding AG in an investment treaty arbitration against the Republic of Korea (Paris seat, UNCITRAL Rules).
- Acting for an Australian mining company in a $200 million claim against the Government of a West African sovereign State.
- Acted for a Chinese digital media company in a $200 million claim against the Government of a West African sovereign State (London seat, ICC Rules).
- Acted for a Singaporean shipping conglomerate in an investment treaty dispute with Mexico (UNCITRAL Rules).
- Acted for a Korean resources company in a $50 million claim against an Eastern European State corporation.
- Acted for NuCoal Resources Ltd and its shareholders in respect of actions taken by the Government of New South Wales regarding a valuable coal exploration licence, including preparations for an arbitration against the Commonwealth of Australia under the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
- Acted for a Jordanian investor in three bilateral investment treaty arbitrations against Egypt in respect of political interference and frustration of a nation-wide integrated customs and shipping monitoring system (ICSID).
Commercial Disputes
- Acting for an Indian private equity firm in a $200 million post-M&A dispute in the pharmaceutical industry (Singapore seat, SIAC Rules).
- Acting for an Indian shipping firm in a $40 million negligence case concerning an offshore facility (Singapore seat, SMAA Rules).
- Acting for a Korean private equity firm in a $50 million “busted deal” case in the high-tech materials industry (Singapore seat, SIAC Rules).
- Acting for a Korean financial assets firm in a $200 million “busted deal” case in the real estate industry (Singapore seat, SIAC Rules).
- Acting for a major shareholder of one of the largest life insurance companies in Korea in two shareholder disputes valued, between them, at over US$2 billion shareholders dispute (Seoul seat, ICC Rules).
- Acting for a high net worth individual in a shareholder dispute concerning a stake in a major cryptocurrency exchange business (HK law and seat, HKIAC Rules).
- Acting for a PRC private equity firm in a claim arising out of an aborted acquisition of a life sciences firm (HK law and seat, HKIAC Rules).
- Acting for a PRC life sciences firm in a claim for breach of warranty and misrepresentation (HK law and seat, HKIAC Rules).
- Acting for a PRC life sciences firm in a claim concerning breach of an exclusive licence to distribute a new cancer treatment (HK law and seat, HKIAC Rules).
- Acting for a Korean private equity firm in a breach of warranty claim with respect to the purchase of a majority stake in a PRC private education business (HK law and seat, UNCITRAL Rules).
- Acted for a Korean heavy industries company in a $120 million claim concerning a subsea pipeline in the Middle East (Kuwait law, London seat, LCIA Rules).
- Acting for a major international hotel chain in a claim for breach of contract and fiduciary duty concerning management of a hotel in Istanbul (English law, London seat, ICC Rules).
- Acted for an American electric vehicles manufacturer in a $2 billion breach of contract claim, including two emergency arbitrations (Hong Kong law and seat, HKIAC Rules).
- Acted for a Korean private equity firm in a $200 million breach of warranty claim with respect to the purchase of a major insurance provider (Hong Kong seat, ICC Rules).
- Acted for a Korean private equity firm in a $1.1 billion breach of warranty claim with respect to the purchase of a major retail chain (London seat, ICC Rules).
- Acted for a private equity firm in a $1.5 billion dispute concerning the ownership and control of two investment targets (Hong Kong law and seat, ICC Rules).
- Acted for a Chinese investment vehicle in a $100 million breach of contract claim (Hong Kong seat, HKIAC Rules).
- Acted for a European bank and its Hong Kong branch in a $200+ million breach of contract dispute (Taipei seat, CAA Rules).
- Acted for a Korean heavy industries conglomerate in a $400+ million breach of warranty and misrepresentation dispute (Boston seat, ICDR Rules).
- Acted for a Chinese electronics manufacturer in a patent licensing dispute (Hong Kong seat, HKIAC Rules).
- Acted for an Australian natural gas purchaser in a price review arbitration (Perth seat, ad hoc).
- Acted for Korean steel company in a $200+ million ICC arbitration against its Australian joint venture partner concerning payments made under long term offtake contracts (Perth seat, ICC Rules).
- Acted for a Chinese trading company in a $50 million dispute concerning the sale of an alleged defective machine for the production of newsprint (Hong Kong seat, UNCITRAL Rules).
- Acted for a Fortune 500 beverages company in a dispute against its Indian distributor (Hong Kong law and seat, HKIAC Rules).
- Acted for a Korean construction conglomerate in a subcontractor dispute arising out of a gas refinery project in Kuwait (London seat, ICC Rules).
- Acted for Korean ship-building company in a multi-party dispute concerning allegedly faulty components in a number of deepwater drillships.
- Acted for a Chinese electronics manufacturer in a dispute concerning the sale of defective machinery for the production of solar cells (Hong Kong seat, HKIAC Rules).
- Acted for several wealthy Russian individuals, defending a US$3 billion dispute in respect of a high- profile commercial property development brought by a former business partner (London seat, LCIA Rules).
- Acted for Russian businessman and entrepreneur Oleg Deripaska in his High Court proceedings against Michael Cherney, one of the largest and most complex commercial disputes ever to come to trial in the High Court.
- Acted for Core Carbon Group in a dispute relating to investments in carbon credit projects in Russia. Succeeded in obtaining an award for the client in excess of US$150 million, together with the full costs of the arbitration (Stockholm seat, SCC Rules).
- Acted for Viva Energy Australia Ltd in its successful defence of urgent injunction proceedings brought by its alliance partner, Eureka Operations Pty Ltd (part of the Coles Group), to prevent Viva from proceeding with a planned $2.1 billion listed real estate investment trust.
- Acted for an Indonesian State-owned bank, defending a $50 million Arbitration in respect of allegedly fraudulent repo transactions (London seat, LCIA Rules).
- Acted for GS Engineering & Construction in English High Court litigation in respect of its purchase of two Algerian water treatment plants.
- Acted for a South African mining company, defending US$1 billion Swiss Chambers and ICC arbitrations brought by a Russian resources company in respect of a failed mine construction project.
Representative Clients
Education
- University of Oxford
(Bachelor of Civil Law, Distinction, 2010; Sir Rupert Cross Memorial Prize for Evidence) - University of Queensland
(Bachelor of Laws, First Class Honours, 2005; Bachelor of Arts, International Relations and Psychology, 2004)
Admissions
Admitted as a Legal Practitioner of the
- King's Counsel
- Singapore International Commercial Court as Registered Foreign Lawyer
- England & Wales
- Queensland
- High Court of Australia
Prior Associations
- Allens Arthur Robinson:
- Lawyer, 2008-2009
- Lawyer, 2008-2009
- Associate to the Honourable Justice M. Wilson:
- Supreme Court of Queensland, 2006-2007
Awards
2025
Recognized by Legal 500 Asia Pacific, South Korea, International Arbitration, Recommended
Recognized by Lexology Index: Arbitration, Recommended
Ranked by Chambers Global, Singapore, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration, Band 2
Ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific, Singapore, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration, Band 2
“Duncan is an extremely talented cross-examiner.”
Ranked by Chambers Global, South Korea, Foreign Expertise based abroad in Singapore, Band 2
Ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific, South Korea, Dispute Resolution: International Firms, Band 2
“Duncan Watson is an extremely talented cross-examiner on quantum issues.”
2024
Recognized by Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration
Ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific, China, International Arbitration, Band 2
“He is very technical and he really dives into the substance of the matter. He knows everything about the deal, all the detail, and has very sharp analytical skills.”
“Duncan is truly exceptional.”
“When dealing with complex problems he is very patient and calm. Duncan is a very talented lawyer with a gentle personality.”
“Duncan can always point out the crucial facts and issues among complex facts.”
“He provides big-picture and strategic guidance and is very capable of doing that.”
Ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific, South Korea, International Arbitration, Band 2
“Duncan is highly efficient in managing cases and has a great legal mind.”
“He is a master in cross-examination.”
“He is absolutely incredible.”
Recognized in Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators
2023
Recognized by Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration
Ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific, China, International Arbitration, Band 2
“Duncan is very smart and sharp, as well as personable. He has a keen mind and always attends to details. He is also a good listener and observer and is capable of grasping key issues quickly.”
“Duncan Watson is a gifted advocate who lets no stone go unturned but never loses his cool.”
“He’s very sharp, technically strong and good with overall strategy and client management.”
Ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific, South Korea, International Arbitration, Band 3
“Duncan is an exceptional operator and one of the best disputes lawyers I have come across – a pleasure to work with.”
“He has a very sharp legal mind and can quickly understand the rules of Korean law. He was able to present the argument in a very clear and persuasive way.”
Recognized in Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators
2022
Recognized by Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration
“Duncan Watson KC is a prominent name in the Hong Kong market, touted for his ‘intelligence and thoroughness’ as arbitrator and counsel.”
“Duncan provides clients with phenomenal oral and written advocacy.”
“He is one of the best advocates in the space.”
“He is a good communicator and known to be the ‘brain’ of the firm Hong Kong.”
Ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific, China, International Arbitration, Band 2
“Duncan is highly respected for his work on arbitrations arising from investments, loan agreements and various transactions across a wide array of sectors, including healthcare, telecommunications and real estate. One commentator notes that he is “very calm and thorough” while another considers him “a very commercial lawyer who is able to ask the right questions at the right time.””
Ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific, South Korea, International Arbitration, Band 4
“Duncan is a real master in quantum, excellent in cross-examination, and an expert in damages calculations. He has a lot of case work – a great guy who is a good advocate as well.”
2021
Recognized by Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration Future Leaders
“One of the ‘most highly regarded’ partners in the Asia Pacific.”
Stands out as an “exceptional adviser and advocate” who is “certainly among the very best of his generation.”
“He is a go-to for high-value construction, manufacturing and infrastructure claims.”
Ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific, China, International Arbitration, Band 3
“Duncan is highly respected for his work on arbitrations arising from investments, loan agreements and various transactions across a wide array of sectors, including healthcare, telecommunications and real estate. A client attests to his international expertise, stating: “I had a lot of questions on a foreign law perspective and he was able to provide very detailed and precise feedback and deal with the issues, which isn’t always the case when you’re talking cross-jurisdictionally.””
Ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific, South Korea, International Arbitration, Band 4
“Duncan is “clear and incisive”, according to impressed sources, who also praise his “very sharp legal mind” and representing Korean and international clients in a variety of investor-state and commercial arbitrations.”
2020
Recognized by Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration Future Leaders
“Duncan Watson is “an exceptional adviser and advocate”, compliment peers who highlight him as “one of the best of his generation”.”
Ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific, China, International Arbitration, Band 4
“Duncan represents clients in a broad array of cases relating to banking, private equity and intellectual property disputes. Interviewees describe him as “quick, reactive and co-operative” and appreciate that “he always grasps the key issues.””
Ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific, South Korea, International Arbitration, Band 4
One market source says of Duncan Watson: “He is a very sharp lawyer, has analytical skills which he is able to deploy in the right context and makes really good arguments.”
An expert handler of commercial and investment treaty arbitration mandates, he also advises investors on other avenues of international dispute resolution.
2019
Recognized by Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration Future Leaders
Ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific, China, International Arbitration
Interviewees describing Duncan Watson as “very bright, hard-working and personable”, “quick reactive and co-operative” and appreciates that “he always grasps the key issues”.
2018
Recognized by Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration Future Leaders
Ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific, China, International Arbitration
It noted Duncan’s “meticulous, detail-oriented approach”, and a client as saying that, as an advocate, Duncan “commanded the stage and was a real star”.
2017
Recognized by Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration Future Leaders
It said that Duncan Watson “boasts a strong practice in Asia and his highlighted as “a very impressive young partner.””
2016
Recognized by Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration Future Leaders
It noted that he “stands out in Australia, and is feted for his “immediate and complete grasp of technical issues.””