Frederico Singarajah

Areas of expertise

• Commercial dispute resolution
  • Banking & finance

    Banking & finance

    Frederico is an experienced adviser and advocate in finance and banking disputes, with a strong track record representing clients in matters involving mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts, securities, and insolvency.  His practice focuses on complex, high-value disputes—including contractual claims, allegations of fraud, and investor and market-related litigation—frequently with a cross-border dimension.  Frederico has expertise in cases involving securities, bonds, hedge funds, securitisation, foreign exchange (forex), interest rate swaps, project finance, carbon credits, and letters of credit.

    Sample Work:

    • Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CAM-CCBC) – party-appointed arbitrator in a post-M&A dispute relating to the transfer of shares in a group operating in the telecoms sector.  Arbitration seated in Sao Paulo, governed by Brazilian law with parties from Brazil, BVI, France, US and Colombia.

    • RE: Interest Rate Swaps Antitrust Litigation 2018 WL 2332069 (SDNY)[2019] QBD – sitting on one of the largest claims in the Southern District of New York, resulting from the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) adverse findings that a consortium of banks withheld information on buy-side interest rate swaps on an electronic exchange platform.
    • Commerzbank AG (Germany) v Bank of New York Mellon (US) & Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company (US)[2019] QBD – sitting on a claim for breach of trustee obligations in respect of a securitisation.
    • Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) –advising and representing D in an arbitration brought by a Swiss entity against a Colombian counterparty in a contract for the purchase of carbon credits arising from a project in Colombia.  Arbitration seated in Zurich, Switzerland, governed by English law.
    • Brazilian Stock Exchange Arbitration Chamber (CAM-B3) – advising a third-party funder on a multi-billion-dollar arbitration, governed by Brazilian law, relating to wrong calculations and redemption values of a FIDC non-real estate backed securitisation. Arbitration seated in Sao Paulo, Brazil, governed by Brazilian law (in Portuguese language).
    • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)– advising and representing C in an arbitration brought by an English commodities broker claims against a Bangladeshi state-owned company and its bank, over the wrongful issue of a letter of credit for the purchase of ICUMSA 45 sugar from Brazil to Bangladesh, seated in Dhaka, governed by UCP 600 and English law.
  • Civil fraud & asset tracing

    Civil fraud & asset tracing

    Frederico frequently handles claims involving fraud and corruption, drawing on extensive experience in both prosecuting and defending such allegations.  This focus has led him to write widely on addressing fraud and corruption in the context of international arbitration.  He has acted in global disputes concerning the tracing, freezing, and recovery of misappropriated assets, often involving emergency relief measures and the coordination of multi-jurisdictional legal teams.  His work regularly spans the United States, continental Europe, and other international jurisdictions.

    Sample Work:

    • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – leading counsel for C, a large-scale US headquartered metals trader, against a Zambian company in a dispute relating to a contract about the sale and purchase of copper cathodes, governed by English law and seated in London.  The arbitration was part of a larger scale fraud, encompassing various disputes across the African continent.

    • RE: Bernard L Madoff Investment Securities (US) (SDNY) [2022] – QBD – sitting as an examiner in the deposition of witnesses relating to the recovery of assets of the largest financial fraud in history.

    • Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA) – advising and representing C in a fraud claim for payment of price of buyer’s failure to produce evidence of loss as alleged.  Seated in London and governed by English law.
    • National Crime Agency (NCA) & Department of Justice (DoJ US) [2018] – advising the NCA’s International Corruption Unit assisting the US DoJ in a multi-billion USD investigation in the oil & gas sector in an African state.
    • Serious Fraud Office (SFO) v AS & Anr [2018] – advising in a prosecution of an international fraud involving an unregulated collective investment scheme in an opaque company and trust structure involving Brazil, UAE, US and England.
    • KDB (Receiver of Rex Venture Group LLC) (US) v SS & Ors [2016] – advising and representing the US SEC appointed receivers in relation to the enforcement of judgments of a North Carolina court relating to fraudulent payments from a ‘Ponzi’ scheme.
    • RE: SB Property Investment (Brazil) [2014] – advising and representing over 80 private investors in the UK, UAE, NZ and US, in a class action involving the purported acquisition, parcelling and development of land in the northeast of Brazil.  The claim for fraudulent representation involved an opaque corporate structure involving companies in Brazil, Belize, Jersey and England.
  • Commercial litigation

    Commercial litigation

    In the international arena, Frederico has significant experience advising and representing clients in interim hearings and trials before the Commercial Court.  His work includes complex applications involving jurisdiction, conflict of laws, emergency interim injunctions, and security for costs, as well as conducting advocacy at trial.  His caseload is heavily focused on contractual disputes and commercial torts across a range of sectors, including energy, mining, infrastructure, banking and finance, insurance and reinsurance, and shipping—often involving cross-border trade and investment.

    Prior to coming to the Bar, Frederico worked on high-value, multi-billion-dollar disputes, including a trademark dispute between TEVA and GSK and a joint venture dispute between Odebrecht and Maersk.  He is well-versed in collaborating with large, international legal teams, working seamlessly with both English and foreign lawyers.

    Sample Work:

    • FPSI BV (Netherlands) v Vulcanic Ltd [2021] (Comm) – advising and representing C against a UK subsidiary of a French company in the design, engineering and construction of heaters for gas dehydration units (GDU) and thyristor panels installed in floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels off the coast of Brazil.  The claim is for defective goods and services which resulted in two explosions onboard two separate vessels.

    • Marasca Comercio de Cereais Ltda (Brazil) v Bunge International Commerce Ltd (Cayman) [2021] EWHC 359 (Comm) – advised and represented C in the determination of whether the court had residual jurisdiction pursuant to a Scott v Avery clause, to hear the matter, following the dismissal of the claim by an arbitral tribunal.

    • Roundshield Partners LLP v CRIA SL (Spain) & Ors [2019] EWHC 2733 (QB) – advised and represented D in a claim for breach of contract and defamation relating to a facility agreement for the acquisition and operation of an airport in Spain.
    • NDT (Brazil) v Sunseeker International Ltd [2019] (Comm) ­– advised and represented C in a claim for breach of a framework agreement for the manufacture of luxury motor yachts.
    • Cestrian Imaging Ltd v MTex Technologies Ltd [2017] EWHC 3142 (Ch) – advised and represented D in a 5-day trial (the other side being represented by a KC) in a dispute on whether the goods were compatible with pre-existing software and workflow.
    • Domingo Penayo-Vaida (Paraguay) v Intertransfers Inc (USA) & Ors [2012] EWHC 410 (Comm) – advised and represented D1 and D3, English subsidiary of a US company and its sole shareholder, trading in the currency exchange sector, against a Paraguayan company and its owner in a dispute.  The claim was brought in respect of alleged debts arising from a deficit caused by the compulsory insolvency of a bank, enforced by the US government following the 2008 financial crisis.
    • Phione Ltd v Intercol Ltda (Colombia) [2012] (Ch) – acted for an English company in a debt action against a Colombian company for payments due following the supply of metal coils engineered to specification.
    • Michael Radford & Anr v Gheko Productions (Spain) & Ors – QBD [2011] – advised and represented Ds, alleged to have loaned monies to a Spanish company in the film production sector, in proceedings brought by director Michael Radford relating to funding for his film ‘La Mula’.
    • Mediterranean Shipping Company SA (Switzerland) v Worldwide Biorecyclables Ltd & Ors [2010] (TCC) – advised and represented D in a claim brought by the MSC for breach of warranties of the charterparty agreement, relating to the exporting of allegedly toxic waste to Brazil, in breach of Basle Convention.
  • Companies, joint ventures & partnerships

    Companies, joint ventures & partnerships

    Frederico has extensive experience advising and representing clients in disputes involving joint ventures (JVs) and special purpose vehicles (SPVs), including those structured as private limited companies and limited liability partnerships.  His practice spans both domestic and international matters, with expertise in unfair prejudice petitions, derivative actions, shareholder disputes, and claims against rogue directors.

    He has developed a niche in acting for and against Brazilian administrators in pursuing claims against international holding structures and regularly handles disputes involving both publicly listed and privately held companies, often within complex corporate group structures.

  • Private international law

    Private international law

    Frederico’s practice is truly international, with expertise in disputes connected to Brazil, Latin America, and emerging markets more broadly.  He advises on legal opinions, litigation, and arbitration proceedings governed by both English and foreign laws.  His native Portuguese, working Spanish, and deep understanding of legal systems in Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking jurisdictions give him a distinct advantage in handling cross-border disputes in these regions.

    He acts as counsel and arbitrator in cases around the world and has conducted proceedings in Portuguese, Spanish, and English—including delivering oral and written submissions, preparing memorials, conducting cross-examinations, and drafting arbitral awards.

    Frederico also has a specialist practice in obtaining evidence for international proceedings, regularly handling Letters of Request (both inbound and outbound), whether as standalone matters or ancillary to existing litigation.  He is available for nomination as an examiner in appropriate cases for the purpose of taking depositions.

• International arbitration

  International arbitration

  Frederico acts as both lead counsel and arbitrator in international arbitrations under all major arbitral institutions, including the PCA, LCIA, ICC, and SIAC, as well as in ad hoc proceedings.  For details on his experience as arbitrator, please refer to his dedicated arbitrator page.

  He has advised and represented clients in arbitrations governed by rules of the ICC, LCIA, HKIAC, DIAC, SIAC, UNCITRAL, SCC, CAM-CCBC, and LMAA, across a broad range of sectors including mergers and acquisitions, international sale of goods, upstream oil and gas, renewables, mining, reinsurance, infrastructure, distribution and franchising, and technology.

  His practice regularly involves foreign law, and he is equally at ease operating within common law and civil law frameworks.  Frederico is fluent in English and Portuguese and can accept instructions and appointments in either language.

  In addition to his arbitration work, Frederico is experienced in related applications before the Commercial Court under Part 62 of the Civil Procedure Rules, including anti-suit injunctions, challenges to awards and arbitrators, extensions of limitation, enforcement, and section 9 applications and resistance.

  Sample Work:

  • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – sole counsel for C, a very large dispute relating to the construction of a gas processing plant in the middle east, with claims for payment, delay and disruption, governed by English and Saudi law and seated in London.
  • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – sole counsel for R, a very large dispute relating to the construction of a large underground oil and gas processing plant, with a storage capacity for 42 million barrels, governed by English law and seated in Singapore.
  • London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) – advising and representing three separate clients with three separate claims against a Belarussian entity, subject to sanctions where payment for goods was made impossible.  Arbitration seated in London and governed by English law, with no English parties.
  • London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) – advising and representing C1 and C2, Brazilian and Bermudan parties against a group of companies led by a Californian company in a dispute relating to a joint venture agreement for the commercialisation of manganese ore tailings, estimated to be worth more than one billion dollars, from a mine that operated between 1947 and 1997.  The arbitration, seated in London and subject to English law, however, there were several satellite disputes and interim applications in support of arbitration obtained in multiple jurisdictions.
  • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – leading counsel for C, a large-scale US headquartered metals trader, against a Zambian company in a dispute relating to a contract about the sale and purchase of copper cathodes, governed by English law and seated in London.  The arbitration was part of a larger scale fraud, encompassing various disputes across the African continent.
  • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – advised and represented C1 and C2, Egyptian companies against a Swiss company in a dispute in the mining sector, governed by Egyptian law and seated in Geneva.
  • Refined Sugar Association (RSA) – advised and drafted a claim for a Singaporean company against an Emirati entity in respect of a dispute relating to the purchase and share of sugar destined for Madagascar, under a series of contracts, for late delivery.
  • Grain and Feed Trading Association (GAFTA) – advised and represented a C in a claim against a BVI subsidiary of a multinational group, for breach of payment term on the sale of maize under the standard from of the Brazilian cereal association ANEC.  Arbitration seated in London and governed by English law.
  • London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) – advised and represented C, an English subsidiary of a US emergency disaster company for the recovery of a debt arising from a contract governed by English law, against an airline for services where a Boeing 737 landed in the sea in southeast Asia.  Arbitration seated in London and governed by English law.
  • London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) – advised and represented a Maltese, UAE and Indian organic certified sugar producing group of companies in an arbitration between a multinational trader in a dispute governed by two marketing agreements governed by English law and seated in London (led by Paul Reed KC).
  • Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC) – advised and represented C, a subsidiary of a Russian entity in an arbitration against a Swiss manufacturer of time pieces, pursuant to a contract governed by Swiss law/CISG and seated in Stockholm, for failure to deliver based on an invalid variation entered with the end-buyer.
  • Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CAM-CCBC) – advised C, a Brazilian entity in the renewables sector with claims against a syndicate of US banks in a claim arising from the acquisition of shares in a Spanish special purpose vehicle, seeking declaratory relief on the interpretation of a clause in a contract governed by Brazilian and English law, in the form of an indemnity for withholding tax applied by Brazilian tax authorities.  Arbitration seated in São Paulo, in Portuguese language.
  • Ad Hoc – advised and represented C1 and C2, a Thai company and its Ghanaian subsidiary in a dispute on the breach of a collateral management agreement against a Ghanaian state-owned bank, governed by English law, seated in Accra.
  • London Maritime Arbitrators’ Association (LMAA) – advised and represented D, a Honduran mine in an arbitration against a US broker in a cargo claim for breach of an agreement to supply iron ore lumps and fines to China under an amended FOB contract, governed by English law and seated in London.
  • United Nations Committee on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) – advised and represented C, a Brazilian exclusive distributor in an arbitration against a Chinese state-owned principal relating to a claim for breach of an implied duty of good faith, governed by Brazilian law and seated in London.
  • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – advised and represented D, a Turkish exclusive franchisee, against a Dutch principal in a dispute in the retail food sector, governed by English law and seated in Istanbul.
• Construction & engineering
  • Construction & engineering

    Construction & engineering

    Frederico has substantial experience in construction and engineering disputes, including both standard form contracts (FIDIC, NEC, ICE, JCT) and ad hoc agreements.  His work covers a wide range of issues such as delay and disruption, variations, defects in design and workmanship, and related commercial matters including project finance, guarantees, and performance bonds.

    He has acted in disputes of varying size, value, and complexity, and has appeared before multiple tribunals, including the Technology and Construction Court (TCC), the Chancery Division (ChD), and international arbitration panels.  His experience spans a diverse portfolio of projects, including power plants, refineries, skyscrapers, shopping centres, stadia, hotels, and theme parks, with both domestic and international dimensions.

    Alongside his practice, Frederico is a course leader for the Construction, Engineering, Procurement and Professional Services module at University College London (UCL) and continues to teach on the course.

    Sample Work:

    • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – sole counsel for C, a very large dispute relating to the construction of a gas processing plant in the middle east, with claims for payment, delay and disruption, governed by English and Saudi law and seated in London.
    • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – sole counsel for R, a very large dispute relating to the construction of a large underground oil and gas processing plant, with a storage capacity for 42 million barrels, governed by English law and seated in Singapore.
    • Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CAM-CCBC) – party-appointed arbitrator in a dispute relating to four contracts for the manufacture and supply of concrete towers for the use of wind generator turbines.  Arbitration seated in São Paulo, governed by Brazilian law and in held in Portuguese language.
    • Panamanian Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (CeCAP) – advised C, a Costa Rican consultant company in an arbitration against a Spanish respondent on commission payments due and owing for consultancy services relating to the tender, construction and operation of a water and sewage treatment plant in Panama.  Arbitration seated in Panama, governed by Panamanian law and held in Spanish.
    • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – party appointed arbitrator in an arbitration relating to claims for breach of two agreements to design and construct a theme park, a licensing agreement governed by the laws of the state of New York and a design agreement governed by English law, seated in London.
    • Ad Hoc – sole arbitrator in a dispute involving English and French parties relating to an exclusive distribution agreement for materials in the construction sector, seated in London and governed by English law.
    • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – chair, appointed by co-arbitrators in an arbitration claiming delay and disruption in the construction of a photovoltaic plant from the E & M contractor against the employer.  Arbitration seated in Geneva, Switzerland and governed by Brazilian law.
    • Kentish International Trader (BVI) v Ganter Interior GmbH (Germany) & Anr [2018] – advised and represented C in respect of breaches of contract governed by German law for design, supply and manufacture of bespoke interior design.
    • RE: Limassol Port (Cyprus) [2017] – advised a syndicated banking structure investing in a SPV for the grant of a concession agreement for the construction and operation of a multi-purpose port in Cyprus.
    • Bolingo Hotel & Towers Ltd (Nigeria) v Legacy Group Holdings (Pty) Ltd (Nigeria) [2016] – advised a Nigerian corporate landowner in a claim for delay in respect of a series of contracts for the construction, operation and management of a hotel complex in Abuja.
    • United Nations Committee on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) – advised and represented C, a Brazilian exclusive distributor in an arbitration against a Chinese state-owned principal relating to a claim for breach of an implied duty of good faith, governed by Brazilian law and seated in London.
  • Energy & renewables

    Energy & renewables

    Frederico has extensive experience as both counsel and arbitrator in energy and renewables disputes, often with a significant international dimension.  This area forms the core of his practice at the Bar and is his most specialised field.

    He has advised on a wide range of issues, including risk and liability, conflict of laws, calls on bonds, and limitation of liability provisions.  His clients include owners, EPC contractors, subcontractors, and insurers, and his work spans the upstream oil and gas, wind, photovoltaic, hydropower, nuclear, and ethanol sectors.  He also has experience in FPSO (floating production, storage, and offloading) construction and leasing disputes.

    Sample Work:

    • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – sole counsel for C, a very large dispute relating to the construction of a gas processing plant in the middle east, with claims for payment, delay and disruption, governed by English and Saudi law and seated in London.
    • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – sole counsel for R, a very large dispute relating to the construction of a large underground oil and gas processing plant, with a storage capacity for 42 million barrels, governed by English law and seated in Singapore.
    • Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CAM-CCBC) – party-appointed arbitrator in a dispute relating to a contract for the leasing of equipment for thermoelectric generation.  Arbitration seated in São Paulo, governed by Brazilian law and in Portuguese.
    • Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CAM-CCBC) – party-appointed arbitrator in a dispute relating to four contracts for the manufacture and supply of concrete towers for the use of wind generator turbines.  Arbitration seated in São Paulo, governed by Brazilian law and in held in Portuguese language.
    • Centro Brasileiro de Mediação e Arbitragem (CBMA) – party-appointed arbitrator in a dispute relating to a charterparty agreement between companies in the oil and gas exploration and production (upstream) sector.
    • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – chair, appointed by co-arbitrators in an arbitration for a dispute concerning a ROV Support Vessel (RSV) time charter agreement, seated in Rio de Janeiro, governed by Brazilian law and held in Portuguese language.
    • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – party appointed co-arbitrator in an arbitration for claims and counterclaims concerning the termination of an agreement for the manufacture and sale of wind turbine blades seated in São Paulo, governed by Brazilian law and held in Portuguese language.
    • FPSI BV (Netherlands) v Vulcanic Ltd [2021] (Comm) – advising and representing C against a UK subsidiary of a French company in the design, engineering and construction of heaters for gas dehydration units (GDU) and thyristor panels installed in floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels off the coast of Brazil.  The claim is for defective goods and services which resulted in two explosions onboard two separate vessels.
    • London Chamber of Arbitration and Mediation (LCAM) – party-appointed arbitrator in a claim brought by a multinational for payment with a counterclaim for defects in the partial design and manufacture of feedwater heaters for a nuclear power plant in Latin America.  Seated in London with English law governing.
    • Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CAM-CCBC) – advised C, a Brazilian entity in the renewables sector with claims against a syndicate of US banks in a claim arising from the acquisition of shares in a Spanish special purpose vehicle, seeking declaratory relief on the interpretation of a clause in a contract governed by Brazilian and English law, in the form of an indemnity for withholding tax applied by Brazilian tax authorities.  Arbitration seated in São Paulo, held in Portuguese language.
    • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – chair, appointed by co-arbitrators in an arbitration claiming delay and disruption in the construction of a photovoltaic plant from the E & M contractor against the employer.  Arbitration seated in Geneva, Switzerland and governed by Brazilian law.
    • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – advising Norwegian C in a delay claim against Brazilian operator relating to the contracting of subsea umbilical risers and flowlines (SURFs) provided for the exploration and production of oil in the pre-salt Santos basin in Brazil.  Arbitration seated in Paris, governed by English law.
    • Odebrecht SA (Brazil) v Maersk SA (Denmark) [2010] (Comm) (settled) – advised and represented C in a claim in respect of a JV company, formed to design and construct a new type of FPSO vessel as a research and development project.
• International

  International

  When disputes involve multiple countries, complex issues such as applicable law, jurisdiction, enforcement of judgments or awards, international procedure, and service of process or evidence frequently arise.  These matters are governed by conflict of laws rules.  Given that nearly all Frederico’s work has an international dimension, he possesses extensive expertise in navigating these challenges.

  He has appeared regularly before the English courts and in numerous international arbitration and commercial proceedings, representing and advising a diverse range of parties, including individuals, corporations, states, and state entities.  His international practice spans both private and public law and operates comfortably within civil law and common law systems.

  For a list of recent cases, please see the Commercial Litigation and Arbitration sections.