Linklaters bolsters Asia International Arbitration Offering with the appointment of Andrew Battisson

Linklaters bolsters Asia International Arbitration Offering with the appointment of Andrew Battisson

Linklaters has further bolstered its arbitration offering by welcoming Andrew Battisson as a Partner in Singapore. Battisson joins Linklaters from Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) and will assume the leadership role for the firm's Asia team.

The move sees Battisson return to a UK Magic Circle firm having previously made partner at Allen & Overy (A&O) in 2016 before joining NRF in Sydney in 2018.

In a notable move, Battisson makes his return to Linklaters, having previously attained a partnership position at Allen & Overy (A&O) in 2016. Following his tenure at A&O, he joined NRF in Sydney in 2018 and now reunites with Linklaters in Singapore.

Battisson, who holds dual qualifications in both Australian and English and Welsh law, will assume the leadership role of Linklaters' Asia international arbitration practice. This team comprises partners Jelita Panjaitan and Rebecca James based in Singapore, as well as Justin Tang situated in Hong Kong.

With over two decades of experience, Battisson brings a wealth of expertise in advising and advocating for clients in international commercial arbitration and investor-state arbitration. Throughout his career, he has handled cases before various arbitral institutions, gaining comprehensive knowledge of the intricacies involved. Battisson has also been actively involved in related enforcement litigation. Notably, he has been steadily building his reputation as an arbitrator, expanding his practice in this capacity.

Battisson's sector-specific experience aligns strategically with the client base of Linklaters and its alliance partners, Allens in Australia and Webber Wentzel in South Africa, with whom the firm maintains a strong regional relationship. His extensive knowledge in the areas of financial services and telecommunications will prove invaluable, as these sectors are key areas of focus for Linklaters. Additionally, his connections in the energy and infrastructure sectors are particularly sought after in the region, reflecting the growing demand for legal expertise in these industries.

Battisson's extensive network within the arbitration community is evident through his involvement in prominent roles with the ICC Australia Nominations Commission and as a fellow of the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA),

Considering the prominence of Singapore's disputes sector in the region, Battisson is anticipated to concentrate his efforts primarily on the city-state. Singapore has established itself as a leading hub for dispute resolution in the Asia-Pacific region. The local market for dispute-related hires has shown signs of agility, with several local law firms establishing specialised dispute boutiques to cater to the growing demand. Furthermore, the arrival of renowned silk advocate Jern-Fei Ng KC at Duxton Hill Chambers exemplifies Singapore's commitment to supporting top-tier advocacy services.

Jelita Pandjaitan, who holds the leadership position in Linklaters' disputes team in Asia, expressed that arbitration remains the preferred choice for resolving disputes across their key markets in the region. Pandjaitan highlighted the firm's observation of robust client demand for arbitration services. This sentiment reflects the continued importance of arbitration as an effective and favoured mechanism for dispute resolution in Asia.

“Andrew will further boost our capability to support our clients’ large-scale, complex, cross-border international arbitration needs. Andrew’s extensive experience and relevant sectoral expertise impeccably complement our existing practice. He is well-known and liked in the field – as impressive in advocacy as in strategy,” Pandjaitan stated.

The addition of Battisson to the team at Linklaters serves to enhance the firm's Asia international arbitration practice, building upon recent advancements within the team. This includes the promotion of Rebecca James to partnership earlier this year. Additionally, Hansel Ng, based in Singapore, has been elevated to the position of counsel.

Battisson's arrival at Linklaters strengthens the firm's Asia international arbitration practice. Previously he worked closely with Matthew Gearing KC at Allen & Overy (A&O) in Hong Kong to develop A&O's regional arbitration network before joining NRF.

“We wish Andrew all the very best in his future endeavours,” NRF’s EMEA head of arbitration, Sherina Petit, said.