Singapore-based Providence Law Asia has hired Colin Liew from Duxton Hill Chambers, a Singapore Group Practice, to lead the firm’s international litigation work.

Liew brings extensive experience in cases involving commercial fraud, legal privilege and international arbitration. As head of international litigation at Providence Law Asia, Liew will oversee multi-jurisdictional disputes and complex legal matters. His leadership will also enhance the boutique firm’s reputation in international commercial disputes, including international arbitration, commercial litigation, civil fraud, restructuring and insolvency.

Abraham Vergis, managing director of Providence Law Asia, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Colin to our team. His remarkable expertise, leadership and reputation in international litigation will be essential as we navigate complex, cross-border disputes. This appointment marks an important milestone in our efforts to offer world-class legal solutions to our clients.”

Liew, together with five other advocates, joined Duxton Hill Chambers in 2021, having resigned from an independent Singapore practice affiliated with London’s Essex Court Chambers, where he had worked since 2017. They announced their decision to leave Essex Court Chambers Duxton (Singapore Group Practice) shortly after the London set was sanctioned by China in 2021, triggering a series of exits from the set, including Toby Landau KC.

Liew was called to the Bar of Singapore in 2012 and qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2015. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators, having served as a law clerk in the Supreme Court of Singapore.

Liew’s career is marked by his involvement in groundbreaking cases that have raised novel points of law, most recently assisting Yu-Jin Tay and Kay-Jannes Wegner of Mayer Brown in proceedings before the Singapore International Commercial Court in the Frontier Holdings litigation, the first reported decision in Singapore where a negative jurisdictional ruling on an ICC arbitration was successfully challenged.

He has represented law firms, multinational corporations and high-net-worth individuals in challenging disputes. He is also a recognised author on legal professional privilege, penning the only nationally-cited reference work on this topic, which is frequently cited by the Singapore courts.

In addition to his professional achievements, Liew is committed to law reform initiatives and has provided pro bono legal advice to numerous non-governmental organisations, reflecting his commitment to both the legal profession and the wider community.

Liew said he was attracted to his new firm thanks to its “fantastic track record in multi-jurisdictional disputes”, adding he looked forward to “continuing to achieve excellent results for clients facing challenging situations in transnational litigation”.

Last month, Providence Law Asia hired Daniel Tan, a former partner at Shook Lin & Bok, as director and head of its restructuring and insolvency practice.

Liew’s departure comes as Duxton Hill recently welcomed Matthew Gearing KC’s arrival, with Gearing following Jern-Fei Ng KC in deciding to join the practice as its fifth senior counsel, alongside VK Rajah SC, Toby Landau KC and Chan Leng Sun SC, with former Sidley Austin disputes partner, Jennifer Lim, joining in August 2024.