> Zhida Chen

Zhida Chen

Director
Singapore

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Zhida leads our Commodities Practice Group. He is known for his expertise in commercial, shipping, and international trade matters across the Asia-Pacific region. His practice spans both contentious and non-contentious matters, including complex litigation and arbitration, as well as high-value transactions and strategic advisory work. He is regularly instructed on matters that require nuanced legal analysis and practical, business-oriented solutions. Fluent in English and Mandarin, he brings a deep understanding of the Asian market to his work.

Zhida has been consistently recognised on leading legal publications, including Chambers, Legal 500, Benchmark Litigation, and Asialaw. Clients and peers describe him as “extremely intelligent and client-centric,” “very sharp-minded,” and “commercially focused.” He is praised for his “commanding demeanour in courtrooms,” “clear, commercial advice,” and “strong legal acumen combined with a commercially minded approach”– a rare combination in the legal world.

He graduated with First Class Honours in Law from the National University of Singapore, where he received multiple academic awards. He also holds a Master of Laws in International Legal Studies from New York University. Prior to commencing private practice, he served as a Justices’ Law Clerk at the Supreme Court of Singapore. He currently teaches as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the NUS Faculty of Law.

Recognitions

Legal 500

“Chen Zhida, associate director, has been an excellent resource for us. He is very sharp minded, has a fine legal framework and a strong sense of commercial thinking which is lacking for most lawyers I had worked with in the past.”

“Chen Zhida is highly responsive despite regularly being in court. He has developed real tactical nous and a commanding demeanour in courtrooms, crystallised in his ability to present legal problems and solutions in clear and simple terms.”

Asialaw

“Strong legal acumen combined with a strong commercially-minded approach. The combination of both traits are very rare in the legal world.”

Benchmark Litigation

“Very proactive in client management. Gives confidence that the lawyer is on top of the client's concerns”

Chambers Asia Pacific

"Zhida always strives to deliver his best to clients. He is very commercially-minded and his fees are reasonable."

"Zhida is a standout individual supported by lots of other good lawyers. He is really responsive, professional and commercially-focused."

“He is very personable and gives clear, commercial advice.”

“He is extremely intelligent and client-centric.”

Awards

Recognised as an Up-and-Coming Shipping Litigation Lawyer by Chambers Asia Pacific
Honoured as a Future Star in Shipping, Singapore by Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific
Recognised as a Rising Star in Shipping, Singapore by Asialaw
Recipient of the IFLR Asia Pacific Rising Stars Award for Shipping and Maritime

Finalist for the Asian Legal Business Young Lawyer of the Year
Recognised as a Rising Star by Experts’ Guide, Singapore

Experience / Representative Matters

Shipping

Acted for owners and insurers of “MARINE HONOUR” in the high-profile oil spill case arising from the allision between “VOX MAXIMA” and “MARINE HONOUR”, including the constitution of the first CLC limitation fund in Singapore.

Acted for owners in a charterparty dispute before the Singapore High Court, involving issues of alleged owner’s fault in the context of a demurrage claim and the carriage of dangerous cargo.

Acted for owners in a cargo claim before the Singapore High Court arising from the stowage of modular housing units.

Acted for owners in a SCMA arbitration concerning a dispute over time charterparty, which involves issues of off-hire, vessel underperformance, and wrongful termination.

Commodities

Acted for a bank in a misdelivery claim before the Singapore Court of Appeal.

Acted for buyers in a SIAC arbitration concerning a dispute over the sale and purchase of light cycle oil.

Acted for sellers in an ICC arbitration concerning a dispute over the sale and purchase of steel slabs.

Advised a Singapore company on a long-term coal offtake agreement in Australia.