Colin Seow
⚒️ What do you do?
I currently practise as an independent arbitrator, advocate and mediator under Colin Seow Chambers LLC. I commenced my independent practice after stepping down from more than 12 years of service in various judicial capacities in the Supreme Court of Singapore.
My practice covers a broad spectrum of commercial disputes, including trade financing disputes, building and construction disputes, corporate disputes, financial and banking disputes, shipping and commodities disputes as well as disputes falling within the ambit of Singapore’s arbitration laws. I also have been involved in investor-state dispute settlement matters.
🏆 What is your proudest achievement?
I am blessed to have garnered trust and confidence from legal practitioners and arbitral institutions to be appointed as arbitrator in a handful of cases shortly after leaving the judiciary.
These appointments came with a good spread of sitting as presiding, sole and co-arbitrator in commercial arbitrations administered by key institutions such as SIAC, HKIAC and LCIA. I am grateful for this relatively swift transition to becoming an arbitrator within a year’s span.
Also in recent memory is my successful attempt in taking the NY Bar exams recently to pave the way to becoming tri-qualified in Singapore, UK and US.
⌛ There are now 25 hours in a day! How do you spend your extra hour?
I certainly hope this would give even more reason for me to spend my free time outdoor, with my trusty camera in hand. For those who know me well, I love not just photography but also the process of making images with my Leica M camera.
🚀 If you weren't a lawyer, what would you do?
Most likely I would have ended up developing a career in the science or engineering field, given in my earlier years of education I focused my studies heavily on the triple sciences. Even as a judge and lawyer, I often found myself fascinated reading news of scientific and technological breakthroughs.
😋 Your favourite food haunt
When in town area in Singapore – Funan Mall where I would frequent Ya Kun Kaya Toast for its iconic kaya toast and Nanyang-style coffee, and Makanan Bollywood Restaurant for my morning roti prata breakfast fixes with my good friends and colleagues.
My picture shows me abroad with my own homemade kaya toast – made using Ya Kun’s very own kaya jam as the key ingredient.