Kelvin Kek

Partner

Kelvin’s areas of practice encompass various aspects of commercial disputes, both in litigation and international arbitration.

As part of his construction practice, Kelvin frequently advises on large scale infrastructural and engineering disputes. Two prominent highlights are (a) acting for a government-linked entity in $100 million dispute over the construction and operation of a coal fired power plant; and (b) acting for a multinational contractor in contentious proceedings before a FIDIC appointed dispute adjudication board in claims of over S$120 million arising from the construction of a hydro-electric power plant. Both matters deal with complex issues of delay, acceleration and defect rectification.

Locally, Kelvin acts for publicly-listed developers and owners in various disputes over the construction and design of high profile commercial and infrastructure developments in Singapore. He has also advised a number of Singaporean statutory boards on a variety of construction claims against contractors and sub-contractors. He often prosecutes and defends substantial claims in construction adjudications under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act (Cap 30B).

Kelvin also acts for employers in various employment disputes, fraud/corruption investigations and workplace safety and health issues. In 2015, Kelvin acted as amicus curiae in a criminal matter concerning offences under the Securities and Futures Act (Cap 289) before a Court of three Judges under the Supreme Court’s Young Amicus Curiae Scheme. 

Kelvin is listed as a key lawyer in leading publications both in the field of construction and international arbitration.

Kelvin graduated from the National University of Singapore with an LL.B. (First Class Honours) degree in 2008. He was called to the Singapore Bar in 2009 and the New York State Bar in 2012. Prior to pursuing his legal career, Kelvin graduated from the National University of Singapore with a first degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering.

In 2023, Kelvin was recognised as an Accredited Specialist in Building and Construction Law by the Singapore Academy of Law.

Work Highlights

• Acted for a main contractor in a high profile litigation before the Singapore Courts over the falling of panels from the Centennial Tower, a building within the commercial district in Singapore involving claims of up to S$45 million.
• Acted in an ICC arbitration over the construction and operation of a large scale infrastructure project in Qatar, concerning claims over S$300 million arising from issues of delay, disruption and prolongation.
• Acted for a government-linked entity in an arbitration over the construction and operation of power plant project, dealing with issues of delay analysis, design and construction defects, the total quantum of dispute being over S$100 million.
• Acted for a multi-national contractor in contentious proceedings before a FIDIC appointed dispute adjudication board in claims of over S$120 million arising from the construction of a hydro-electric power plant and dealing with issues including delay, acceleration and prolongation costs.
• Acted for a Singapore based developer in a S$20 million dispute with a main contractor over the construction of a complex desalination plant.
• Acted for a government-linked entity in a potential arbitration over disputes arising from the construction and supply for public sector project in the Middle East.
• Acted for a developer in defending a claim for variations, loss and expense for alleged extensions of time in a large scale redevelopment of a commercial office building in Singapore’s central business district.
• Acted for a multinational entity in a dispute arising from several specialist sub-contracts for the provision of BMS and ACMV works in the construction of a public hospital in Singapore.
• Acted for a Singaporean entity in an investigation over its Indonesian subsidiary and assets concerning the fraudulent conduct of a manager spanning more than 10 years over wrongful payments in excess of S$80 million.
• Acted for a Singaporean listed entity in a large scale white collar investigation over the fraudulent conduct of a group of employees who siphoned company funds through the creation of fictitious purchase orders.