Simon Bellas is an international disputes authority whose practice is focused on large-scale construction projects, especially in the energy and resources and infrastructure sectors. He has particular experience working with owners and with overseas EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) contractors. Simon is a highly ranked arbitration and construction lawyer and has managed some of the largest international arbitrations and litigation in the Asia-Pacific region.
In addition to large-scale transnational disputes, Simon is regularly engaged during project execution as "project counsel" with a mandate of avoiding and minimizing claims and disputes. With more than 20 years experience, notably in infrastructure, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and mining, Simon is a leading industry professional and has an in-depth working knowledge of many of the technical engineering and commercial issues that underpin projects and the claims that commonly arise from them.
Simon has significant experience with extension of time, variation, and delay and disruption claims as well as advising on contract termination issues. His practice is distinctively international having been based in several continents, including Australia, Asia, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and regularly working on international arbitrations. Simon previously worked in-house for a global offshore LNG contractor in Singapore.
Simon is a member of Jones Day's arbitration team recognized by Global Arbitration Review as a leading international arbitration law firm in the GAR 30 (2020 edition).
Experience
Additional Speaking Engagements
- March 16, 2021
Construction Law: Developments and Lessons from 2020 - March 4, 2021
Construction Law Update - Lessons from 2020 in Review - July 2020
Construction Projects and Disputes: Looking Past the Lockdown - 2020 and Beyond - April 16, 2020
Navigating Major Projects Through the Pandemic - April 14, 2020
Navigating Through the Pandemic - APAC - April 8, 2020
Steering Major Projects Through the Pandemic - November 2019
Peking University Teaching Program in Beijing - September 20, 2019
Singapore Management University - The Importance and Key Issues in the Appointment, Challenge and Removal of an Arbitrator - August 6, 2019
Singapore Management University - Jones Day Professorship of Commercial Law Lecture - August 3, 2019
SoCLA - International Arbitration of Construction Disputes - Strengths, Weaknesses and Alternatives - July 3, 2019
SCL - Mistakes to be repeated and lessons not learned on international infrastructure projects - April 17, 2019
International Arbitration and Transnational Dispute Resolution for Overseas Investment - February 26, 2019
Panel Discussion on Comparative Merits and Future of Arbitration, Mediation and Litigation as Dispute Resolution Methods in APAC - November 13, 2018
An Exclusive Evening with Andrew Liveris AO - November 21, 2017
5th International Arbitration Conference (within Australian Arbitration Week 2017) - 2015
Guest Lecturer Masters of International Arbitration University of Western Australia - 2014
Guest Lecturer Masters Course - Oil and Gas Development - University of Western Australia
"He is a very good litigator," and "he has an excellent ear for clients, who really respect his judgement."Chambers Asia-Pacific
- University of Queensland and Melbourne University (LL.M. with first class honours 2006; Dean's Award for Academic Excellence); Queensland University of Technology and Queensland Bar Association (Bar Practice Advocacy Course 2005); University of Queensland (LL.B. with honours 2001; Dean's Award for Academic Excellence); Queensland University of Technology (Bachelor of Business with honours 1996)
- Supreme Courts of Queensland and Western Australia and Federal and High Courts of Australia
Chambers APAC: ‘very strategic in his thinking, quickly grasped complex issues and worked with the constraints provided’
Legal 500: "technically fantastic, has terrific grasp of commercial interests and how to build and attack a strategy around achieving those objectives, even as the goal posts inevitably move"
Best Lawyers (Singapore & Australia): Construction/Infrastructure
Named among the top recommended construction litigation lawyers by Doyle's Guide (2021)
- Associate to His Honour Mr Justice R Douglas RFD (now deceased), Supreme Court of Queensland