Partner
Chris Swart is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group in the Singapore office. He set up the firm’s Commodities & Shipping Industry Group and works in the London office.
Chris advises trading companies, charterers and banks in commercial disputes in commodities and shipping industries.
His practice includes contract and joint venture advice, restructuring negotiations, as well as litigation, arbitration and the enforcement of awards and judgements. His arbitration experience includes the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) and Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), as well as the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA), Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA) and Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Associations (FOSFA). He is a solicitor of the High Court of England and Wales and has over 30 years’ experience in international dispute resolution and strategic advisory work in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa. He has been based in Singapore since 2014.
A Legal 500 2007 interviewee has described the practice:
“What makes this practice unique is the way it is structured. A case may be led by an expert lawyer, but it is run by the team, and Chris and John have built exactly that: a genuinely diversified group of legal experts where deep experience sits alongside the enthusiasm and energy of younger lawyers. The result is that nothing gets missed. Chris and John remain personally accessible and involved while the wider team brings rigour and responsiveness to the day-to-day running of a matter.”
Advising charterers in relation to vessels detained in Straits of Hormuz.
Advising Buyers under GAFTA free on board (FOB) contracts concerning FM and unsafe port claims in the Black Sea
Acting in SIAC/HKIAC disputes for a Singapore-based trader in relation to misdelivery claims arising from the shipper’s apparent issuance of duplicate bill of ladings (BLs).
Acting for a trading company in an LCIA arbitration concerning the application of UK, Swiss and EU Sanctions as grounds for termination of a substantial FOB contract for the supply of goods delivered by Russian Railways.
Acting for a trading company in relation to international arbitration disputes arising from the supply of uranium concentrate in the aftermath of the market changes following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Acting for a Singapore trading company in a series of successful Vietnamese enforcements of grain arbitration awards.
Acting for a US trader in a series of SIAC arbitrations concerning contractual defaults against a People’s Republic of China (PRC) company, as an unnamed, undisclosed principal.
Acting for an Asian trading company in SIAC arbitration in a dispute with its agent on the calculation of profit shares in respect of bulk grain cargoes sold to customers in Vietnam.
Acting for a cost, insurance and freight (CIF) buyer of wheat in GAFTA arbitration in relation to futures issues arising from FM consequences of Russian invasion of Ukraine and a part loaded cargo vessel
Acting for buyer of Ukrainian wheat in GAFTA arbitration concerning claims of (pre-invasion) economic duress.
Acting for a major US grain trader in a high-profile and successful worldwide freezing order (WFO) enforcement action against a well-known Middle Eastern specially designated national (SDN), following substantial grain cargo payment defaults and many other arbitration award enforcements utilising the WFO jurisdiction of the High court, supported by penal sanctions.
Acting for a Singapore-based trading company in a series of GAFTA disputes with counterparts in Vietnam and Thailand.
Acting for a US grain trader in relation to LMAA arbitrations concerning safe port/berth allegations discharging cargoes at a Mississippi port.
Previous Reported Cases of Interest
H&P v Barrick, High Court decision claim for unjust enrichment/quantum meruit payable to a financial adviser in an M&A deal, in the absence of an engagement letter.
Raffeissen Bank v ACE, High Court decision on rescission of a loan agreement due misrepresentations by the lender to an Asia based borrower in respect of Indonesian assets.
LG Caltex v CNPC, Court of Appeal decision on jurisdiction under 1996 Arbitration Act in connection with an LPG supply contract.
Island Archon, Court of Appeal decision on implied indemnities in charterparties.
Goodpal, High Court decision on shippers’ liability.
Laconian Confidence, High Court decision on NYPE standard clause 15.
Kriti Palm, Court of Appeal decision on duties of Inspection Companies in international trade.
Aic v Marine Pilot, High Court decision on unsafe port.
Puffin, High Court decision on nominations under GAFTA contracts.
Chemstar Venus, High Court decision re S68 challenge to award arising from seizure of a cargo of edible oil by pirates and its release.
Rays, enforcement of security and underlying unseaworthiness of a vessel damaged in the Great Lakes prior loading.
Recommended in Legal 500 UK 2027 as a Leading Individual for commodities disputes
Recommended in Chambers UK for Physicals Commodities work
Legal 500 UK 2027 interviewee
"I have worked with both Chris and John through numerous commercial disputes, spanning commodity trading and shipping …On several occasions, we started a case with only slight chances of success, yet constant communication and brainstorming with (Chris and John) turned those matters into successful outcomes. That is the caliber of lawyers they are, not simply applying the law but shaping it."
Legal 500 UK 2026 interviewee describe Chris as:
“A true statesman with decades of experience and a fantastic understanding of international trade”.
“Exceptionally experienced; utterly fearless; he has seen it all and done it all”.
Legal 500 UK 2023 interviewees describe Chris as:
“Chris Swart is hugely experienced, litigation savvy and street wise. Chris has seen and done it all. This gives him real wisdom and perspective in difficult commercial litigation, and the confidence to make the right judgement calls”
Noted for his “balanced judgement” in Legal 500 UK and “excellent knowledge of the commodities market” in Chambers UK.