Singapore: Effect of Section 17(3) of the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act on Raising Liquidated Damages and Back-Charges in Adjudication Proceedings

Shintaro Uno is one of Japan’s leading experts on FIDIC and other construction-industry contracts. He specializes in international engineering and construction of infrastructure projects around the world, with a particular focus on Japan and Asia. He has extensive experience advising on a wide range of projects, including semiconductor plants, data centers, high-speed railways, highways, submarine cables, coal-mining process facilities, Mass Rapid Transit, high-rise buildings, lithium hydroxide plants, various types of power plants, tunnels, ports, dredging, offshore wind, and water treatment and supply facilities, with primary contracts based on the standard FIDIC contract forms (including Redbook, Yellowbook, Silverbook 1999 and 2017 editions), Minkanrengo Building contract, Nikkenren Design Build, and ENAA. 

On the contentious side, Shintaro successfully represents both employers and contractors in proceedings before Dispute Adjudication Boards, international arbitral tribunals, and national courts. He has particular expertise in arbitration under the SIAC, ICC, BANI, and DIAC rules.

Shintaro has been recognized as a Leading Individual in the Construction: International category by Chambers Asia-Pacific for three consecutive years (2023–2025), reflecting his reputation and track record in the region.

Over the past 14 years, Shintaro has been based in Southeast Asia, where he has advised on numerous complex disputes and crisis scenarios. His regional experience is especially extensive in Indonesia, where he has handled more than 70 contentious matters—including litigation, internal investigations, local arbitrations, and criminal cases—demonstrating his capability to navigate sensitive legal issues in cross-border settings.

Having been stationed at the Hanoi office from 2016 to 2017 and subsequently at the Singapore office since 2019, Tomomi brings a wealth of experience in international construction and infrastructure projects. Her portfolio spans a diverse range of cases, encompassing all areas from negotiation and drafting construction contracts to handling issues arising during project execution, addressing construction disputes, and conducting regulatory research related to construction in both domestic and international projects.

Leveraging her experience in Singapore and Vietnam, she collaborates with qualified lawyers in various jurisdictions, contributing to her extensive expertise in construction projects across the Southeast Asian region. In addition, she actively holds seminars and in-house training sessions on FIDIC, one of the leading standard forms of contract for international construction.
Beyond her focus on construction and infrastructure, she provides broad legal advice on issues related to new investments, joint ventures, and labor matters in Southeast Asian countries, with a particular emphasis on Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Kesavan graduated from University College of Wales in 1988 and was called to the Supreme Court of Singapore in 1992. He is currently a Director of Bayfront Law LLC. Kesavan is also admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Australia and as a Barrister-at-Law (Middle Temple), England and Wales. Kesavan is also a Notary Public and a Commissioner for Oaths. Kesavan has appeared as Counsel at the State Courts, the High Court, and Court of Appeal, Arbitrations and Mediations in various commercial, corporate, criminal and other disputes. Kesavan has also been briefed by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) as Counsel in appeal proceedings under the Land Acquisition Act and in complex multi-jurisdictional divorce matters.

Bayfront Law is Nishimura & Asahi Singapore Office’s counterpart in the Nishimura & Asahi - Bayfront Law Alliance, which is based on Singapore law.

Eugene specializes in construction law and international arbitration. He has represented clients in disputes involving infrastructure, power and hospitality projects, with capabilities to handle complex delay and defects claims requiring expert evidence. Eugene also has substantial experience in front-end matters and has advised on projects such as data centers, pharmaceutical plants, semiconductor plants and other infrastructure projects in Japan and throughout Asia.

Eugene is qualified in Singapore and is a member of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (MSIArb) and the Society of Construction Law (Singapore).