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Tomas specialises in international disputes, asset-tracing and set-aside/enforcement.

Tomas works on strategic and bet-the-company commercial disputes. He focusses on corporates and financial sponsors, particularly in the energy, technology (including crypto) and telecom sectors, dealing with fraud, M&A, joint venture and commercial disputes. He also enjoys disputes in the aviation and hospitality sectors.

In the energy sector, his work has covered a wide range of upstream oil and gas issues, oil and gas trading (particularly LNG) and power purchase. Based in Singapore, many of his recent matters have involved clients or counterparties in the PRC, Indonesia, India or the Philippines.

Tomas regularly acts as both advocate and arbitrator. As well as arbitrations (SIAC, ICC, ICSID, HKIAC, LCIA and CIETAC), he assists clients with injunctions, set aside/enforcement and asset recovery strategies around the world. 

Accolades

  • Tom comes across as very frank and straightforward - he is accommodating and knows the pressure we are under, so he makes my life very easy.” Chambers Global 2023, Arbitration Singapore; Band 1 practice; Band 5 individual ranking
  • "He's calm, collected, organised and super smart“ Who’s Who Legal, Southeast Asia – Arbitration 2023
  • Tomas Furlong stands out this year with market commentators describing him as ‘bright, dynamic, and a rising star in Singapore’ as well as ‘a rare combination of incredibly smart and extremely commercial’” Who’s Who Legal, Arbitration Future Leaders 2023
  • "a measured and persuasive advocate" who is "in the detail and extremely diligent“ Who’s Who Legal, Arbitration Future Leaders 2022

Background

Tomas graduated from the University of Oxford with a first class undergraduate (MA) and graduate degree (BCL). Whilst teaching contract and public international law at Oxford, he qualified as a barrister in England and Wales and later as a solicitor in Hong Kong.

Experience & expertise

Selected matters

  • the successful claimant (a Chinese SOE) in a multi-billion dollar commercial fraud claim related to upstream oil assets (English law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore) and subsequent enforcement and arbitrator challenge proceedings in Singapore
  • the successful respondent (a Chinese financial sponsor) in an emergency arbitration and subsequent arbitration commenced by the founder of a portfolio company (Hong Kong law, HKIAC arbitration in Hong Kong)
  • the successful applicant (an Asian power company) in an emergency arbitration in Singapore (English law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore) and a related arbitration (Indian law, ad-hoc in India)
  • the successful claimant (an Asian petroleum seller) in a $150 million non-payment dispute (Singapore law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore) and subsequent asset-tracing and enforcement in Singapore and the Philippines
  • the successful respondent (the private wealth division of a bank) in a claim brought by a high-net worth individual (English law, LCIA arbitration in Singapore)
  • LNG sellers and buyers on various advisory mandates and disputes, including a successful buyer in a non-delivery claim (English law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore), an ongoing contractual dispute arising out of price volatility in 2022 (English law, SIAC arbitration in Singapore) and various ongoing price reviews
  • airlines and lessors on various advisory mandates and disputes, including the successful respondent (an Asian airline) in a commercial claim by a broker (English law, LCIA arbitration in London) and successful claimants pursuing rent following COVID-19