Sinyee Ong
⚒️ What do you do?
I specialise in international arbitration (with a focus on construction and policyholder insurance disputes).
Currently, I am working on a huge business interruption claim arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The claimant is a hotelier operating in the APAC region. During the pandemic, governments across the world closed off or denied access to hotels. As a result, hoteliers globally suffered huge business interruption losses. Our client suffered losses across a dozen properties in the APAC region, with the aggregate amount of losses quantified in the region of USD 50 million.
What is particularly significant about this case is that it may potentially be the first (and biggest) case that will be decided by an arbitral tribunal in the APAC region, potentially setting off a ripple effect for other hotelier policyholders in the region.
What is your proudest achievement?
Securing my first arbitration instruction.
This may seem insignificant because don’t lawyers secure instructions all the time? However, for a boutique law firm like ours operating on a chambers-style eat-what-you-kill model, our ability to secure instructions depend very much on our own individual reputation.
As a young(-ish?) practitioner, it was particularly significant for me to acquire the trust of a MNC client to advise and assist them with a major SIAC arbitration. I still remember the immense sense of pride on the day our engagement letter was signed; and I will probably remember it for the rest of my career!
If you had 25 hours in a day, what would you do with the extra hour?
The driving range. Duh! In my (dreams?), I believe that one day, I can beat the men and win the longest drive prize at one of these charity golf tournaments. I am currently driving 180m and I believe 250m is achievable. With that distance, it is definitely possible to outdrive the men (from the red tees)! Just wait!
If you weren't a lawyer, what would you be?
Touring on the LPGA circuit. I sometimes lie in bed thinking that had I started golf as a toddler, I would be on tour now playing alongside the likes of Lydia Ko and Celine Boutier! And representing SG in golf for the Olympics!
Your favourite food haunt is...?
I am a big believer of home-cooked food. If I really have to pick something, it will probably be the ngoh hiang (五香) stall at the corner of Siang Kuang Avenue and Tai Thong Crescent. Growing up, we used to have it fairly regularly. These days, I save it as a treat to myself when I can afford the calories…