Akesh Abhilash
Director
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) - Singapore Management University
Masters of Laws (LL.M) - University of Hawai'i at Manoa
Akesh leads the disputes practice team, specialising in Dispute Resolution and International Arbitration. He read law at Singapore Management University, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2013, before graduating with a Master of Laws from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa in 2014. He was called to the Bar in 2015. During his time at SMU, Akesh was awarded the prestigious Drew & Napier Prize for being the Top Student in Advocacy and was a finalist in both the Bain & Co Case Competition 2012 and the 7th ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition.
Akesh has also participated and/or spoken in prominent industry events, including the 13th APAC ADR Conference, the International Bar Association Arbitration Group Event in Seoul (2024), and Cryptoflow 2018. In 2025, he received was recognised as an ALB Rising Star, and was also an honoree of both the Lexis Nexis 40 Under 40 Asia and Southeast Asia lists.
Outside the courtroom, Akesh is a passionate advocate for animal welfare and a devoted supporter of Liverpool Football Club.
What it means to have Akesh fight for you.
Akesh approaches each matter as both a legal issue and a business decision. At the outset he assesses exposure, evidential strength and enforcement considerations, then explains to clients what the dispute is likely to involve in practical terms. Clients are advised on cost, risk, timing and overall strategy. In cross border situations he works closely with foreign counsel to align positions, maintain consistency in pleadings and protect enforceability. Alternative dispute resolution is used where it advances the client’s position, and arbitration is pursued where confidentiality or enforcement considerations make it commercially sensible.
In a shareholder dispute he prepares clients for practical concerns such as access to company information, valuation disagreements and management deadlock. In commercial litigation and breach of contract claims he focuses on preserving cash flow, maintaining operational continuity and minimising disruption to staff and customers. Court advocacy remains important, but disciplined case management and clear communication with decision makers are equally significant.
His involvement often continues beyond the hearing. He seeks to resolve disputes in a way that allows clients to move forward commercially, rather than simply obtain a judgment.
Civil & Commercial Litigation
Shareholder and Minority Oppression Disputes
International Arbitration (SIAC / SICC)
Corporate and Regulatory Disputes
Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Employment Disputes
Sports and Media Law
Criminal Defence
Named Rising Star (2025) by Asian Legal Business.
Recognised in Asia 40 Under 40 (2025) by LexisNexis.
Recognised in Southeast Asia 40 Under 40 (2025) by LexisNexis.
Awarded a Certificate of Appreciation (2025) by the Singapore Judiciary for contributions as a judiciary volunteer.
Advising and acting for an international logistics company in a multi-million-dollar dispute in mediations and arbitrations before SMC and SIAC - ARB 127/128 of 2019.
Acting on behalf of the Law Society in Disciplinary Tribunal Proceedings in 2023.
Lead counsel for the successful Defendant in Absolute Maintenance Services Pte Ltd v S11 Granuity Management Pte Ltd [2023] SGDC 173.
Lead counsel representing an estate agency and its director in Haw Wan Sin & Anor v Faber Property Pte Ltd & others [2018] SGDC 143, and acting in the appeal of the same representing the said director before the High Court in Haw Wan Sin David and anor v Sim Tee Meng and anor [2018] SGHC 272.
Lead counsel for a high net worth individual in proceedings commenced in actions for defamation and malicious falsehood in Fok Kah Hon v Quek Ban Tung Edmund [2022] SGDC 92, successfully obtaining judgment in favour of the Plaintiff, and resisting the appeal before the General Division.
Lead Counsel for a local social media personality, Rachel Wong, taking over an action for defamation which was then resolved successfully.
Lead counsel in PP v Tang You Liang, Andruew and anor [2021] SGDC 266 and the appeal of the same in Tang You Liang Andruew v PP and anor [2023] 3 SLR 229, defending an accused person against charges of cheating various banks by failing to declare beneficial ownership of bank accounts.
Acted for Sean Tan (known as Dante Chen) in negotiations with World Wrestling Entertainment, as he became the first professional wrestler from Singapore to be signed by WWE.
Acting for high-net-worth corporate clients in a matter heard before 5 judges at the Court of Appeal concerning inter alia, sanctioning of schemes of arrangement in SK Engineering Construction Co Ltd v Conchubar Aromatics Ltd and another appeal[2017] SGCA 51.
Acting for various corporate clients and statutory bodies in debt recovery matters from commencement of proceedings up to enforcement of judgment and committal proceedings.
Advising local statutory bodies on regulatory and compliance matters.
Advising on compliance with the United Nations (Sanctions - Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Regulations 2010 and anti-money laundering regulations.
Acting as appointed prosecutor on behalf of the Energy Market Authority and the Council for Estate Agencies.
Acting in a broad range of criminal matters through participation in the CLAS scheme.
Invited panellist speaking on matters relating to regulatory compliance at a private cryptocurrency investor conference - Cryptoflow 2018.
XVI v XVJ and XVK [2025] SGHCF 65
PP v Wan Ying Ming [2025] SGMC 5
CRH v PP [2024] SGCA 29
PP v CRH [2024] SGHC 34
PP v Muhammad Hairul Nizam [2024] SGDC 27
Absolute Maintenance Services Pte Ltd v S11 Granuity Management [2023] SGDC 173
Tang You Liang Andruew v PP [2023] 3 SLR 229
Fok Kah Hon v Quek Ban Tong Edmund [2022] SGDC 92
PP v Tang You Liang Andruew [2021] SGDC 266
Haw Wan Sin David v Faber Property Pte Ltd [2018] SGDC 143; [2018] SGHC 272
SK Engineering & Construction Co Ltd v Conchubar Aromatics Ltd [2017] 2 SLR 898 (2nd Chair)
Accredited Mediator - Singapore Mediation Centre
Empanelled Mediator - Bangalore International Mediation, Arbitration and Conciliation Centre (2022-2025)
Associate Mediator - Law Society Mediation Scheme (2022-2025)
Adjudicator - Singapore Mediation Centre (2022-2025)
Panel of Neutrals - Law Society Neutral Evaluation and Determination Scheme (2025)
Commissioner for Oaths (2025)
Law Society Anti-Money laundering Committee (2020 - 2025)
Law Society Admissions Committee (2024 - 2025)
Association for Persons with Special Needs (ASPN)- Legal Advisory Panel (2023-2025)
“I’ll tell you what’s right, what’s risky, and what’s reasonable.”
Our victories.
In our clients’ words.
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