Independent arbitrator & mediator · Singapore
An independent arbitrator since 2012, specialising in all aspects of dry shipping, international trade, and insurance/reinsurance work.
John has been appointed as sole, presiding, emergency or panel arbitrator in over a hundred arbitrations under various rules including those of DIAC, HKIAC, ICC, LCIA, LMAA, SCMA and SIAC.
These references have been subject to English or Singapore law.
Technical and complex disputes involving shipyards, construction, offshore energy and subsea aspects, as well as onshore power, renewable (wind/hydro/solar), marketing & off-take agreements.
Naturally such work has involved experience of many commercial and financial aspects, including for example disputes concerning share-sale agreements, guarantees, letters of credit, cross-border insolvencies and so on.
John was a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators from 1999, until he resigned in 2025.
John has been on tribunals with many widely recognised experts, including Judges (as well as former Judges, Judges to be, and a former AG), KCs, SCs, law professors, and other leading legal figures, including at least eight authors and co-authors of legal text books on international arbitration law and procedure.
Over thirty years across the full lifespan of marine, energy and industrial assets: from financing, design and construction, through operation and insurance, to casualty, repair and scrapping.
John has experience with mediation since 2000, and has acted as mediator five times. He is an Associate Mediator on the Maritime Panel at the Singapore Mediation Centre.
He accepts appointments from institutions* and parties.
*Subject to acceptability of institutional terms and rates.
We have been retained by international insurers to audit claims files covering various lines including marine, energy, property and casualty.
We have performed peer reviews involving claims in the process of arbitration and negotiation.
We have also been consulted by principal officers of large trading and maritime entities to assess the merits and prospects of disputes, with our recommendations being adopted in agreed settlement outcomes. This is akin to a mediated settlement.
From time to time we have also undertaken specialist independent third party project management and review services.
Before founding Champion Resolutions, John Champion qualified as an English lawyer in London, and then practised as a foreign (English) lawyer in Singapore from 1996 to February 2012. During that period he became recognised as one of the leading foreign lawyers in the region, for dispute resolution in his industry sectors of experience.
John spent twenty years working with two of the world’s best firms in marine insurance, namely Holman Fenwick & Willan and Clyde & Co.
John’s time is now almost entirely devoted to acting as arbitrator or mediator in various international commercial disputes.
Champion Resolutions Pte Ltd is the independent entity out of which John Champion accepts appointments as arbitrator and mediator.
Nationality: British · Language: English
John accepts appointments from institutions, parties, their counsel and co-arbitrators.
For a new matter, please include the names of the parties and counsel so that conflicts can be checked before any substantive details are shared.