Our Team
Mr Simone Centola
Director
Mr Centola regularly acts as arbitration counsel before major institutions, including the ICC, SIAC, HKIAC, LCIA, LMAA and SCMA, handling a wide range of cases arising from breaches of diverse commercial contracts. In his non‑contentious practice, he advises on strategic and legal issues relating to cross‑border transactions, inbound and outbound trade and investment, corporate restructuring, and day‑to‑day operations across Europe and APAC. His work includes preparing and negotiating commercial agreements and managing submissions to local authorities in multiple jurisdictions.
Mr. Centola’s clients include government‑owned corporations and agencies, listed and private companies, business leaders and research centres. He advises across sectors such as manufacturing, consumer and luxury goods; defence and technology; commodities; maritime; luxury assets, including estates, hotels and superyachts; sports, media and entertainment; and digital and e‑commerce. He also regularly supports entrepreneurs and private clients on their global business and personal matters.
Experience
Disputes Resolution
Commercial Contracts
Corporate and M&A
Talks
Cross borders investments
International arbitration
Defence and technology
Shipping and trading
Superyachts
Track record
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European media and events
Assisting European media and events company in defending a dispute with a former Asian partner arising from several agreements subject to SIAC arbitration in Singapore.
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European fashion company
Assisting European fashion company in trademarks infringements against Chinese companies before the court of Beijing and in the appeal before the Shanghai IP court.
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Luxury brands
Assisting a broad range of luxury brands in in commercial contracts and dispute resolution.
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Luxury yachts
Assisting a broad range of luxury yachting clients worldwide in commercial contracts and dispute resolution.
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Shipowners and commodities traders
Assisting a broad range of clients on commercial contracts and dispute resolution.
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European defence and technology company
Assisting a European defence and technology company in implementing corporate restructuring and intra group transfer of business in Singapore.
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Asian renewables
Assisting Asian renewables company in a multimillion dollar dispute arising from investments subject to SIAC arbitration in Singapore.
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LNG terminal in Asia
Assisting European system integrator company in settling a multimillion dollar dispute with Asian general contractor arising out of supplies of goods and services to a new LNG terminal in Asia.
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Asian lubricating oils
Assisting Asian lubricating oils company in settling a multimillion dollar dispute with a Taiwan sub-distributor pursuant to the termination of an exclusive distribution agreement subject to SIAC arbitration in Singapore.
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European defence and technology
Assisting European defence and technology company in commercial contracts and regulatory matters in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.
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Asian commodities traders
Assisting Asian commodities traders and shipowners on English law requirements as well as ships' sale and purchase.
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Asian commodities traders
Assisting Asian commodities traders in a multimillion dollar dispute arising from early termination of time charterparty subject to ad hoc arbitration in London.
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European defence and technology
Assisting European defence and technology company in corporate restructuring and tax matters in Singapore and Indonesia.
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Asian shipowner
Assisting Asian shipowner in a multimillion dollar dispute arising from cancellation of alleged defective ships being built by a listed Chinese yard subject to HKIAC arbitration which culminated in a 2 week final hearing in Hong Kong with enforcement of awards in China.
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Asian commodities trading company
Assisting Asian commodities trading company in obtaining a multimillion dollar award against a Chinese customer arising from unpaid cargo of iron ore under SIOTA subject to SIAC arbitration in Singapore.
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Asian commodities trading company
Assisting Asian commodities trading company in obtaining a multimillion dollar award against a Chinese customer in respect of unpaid cargo of coal subject to LMAA arbitration.
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Asian yacht dealer
Assisting Asian yacht dealer in defending a dispute with a luxury yacht owner arising from an accident at sea subject to SIAC arbitration in Singapore.
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European energy company
Assisting European energy company in settling a multimillion dollar dispute with oil traders arising out of a joint venture in Iraq for the import-export of oil products subject to English Court jurisdiction.
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European energy company
Assisting European energy company in settling a multimillion dollar dispute with oil traders arising out of a joint venture in Italy for the supplies of gasoil subject to LMAA arbitration as well as English Court jurisdiction.
Publications
"Investimenti: Un Family Office per l'innovazione globale", commentary for Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale (ISPI), 2021
“Dalla gestione pandemica all’economia del futuro: prove di leadership per Singapore”, article in RISE, Turin World Affairs Institute, Vol.6 No.1, 2021
"Will Asia lead the football industry?" Mondaq, November 2019
"Singapore, ASEAN's business hub", article in RISE, Turin World Affairs Institute, Vol.2 No.2, 2017
"Cavendish Square Holdings BV v Talal El Makdessi and ParkingEye Limited v Beavis [2015] UKSC 67", article, English law of damages in Shipping Offshore Update, 2016
‘Measures of liberalisation of the legal profession in Singapore', featured interview in II Sole 24 Ore, 2012
‘The New Singapore Ship Sale Form', Specialised Press, 2011
‘Rule B attachments: the end of an era?', Specialised Press, 2009
Admissions
Solicitor of the Senior Courts, England and Wales
Avvocato, Italy
Registered Foreign Lawyer, Singapore
Education
Catholic University of Milan, Italy, Juris Doctor
Tulane Law School, USA, Master of Laws (scholarship by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Languages
English
Italian
Pro bono
Honorary Advisor, Land, Aerospace, Naval, Security, Science & Technology Committee, ICCS Singapore
Committee Member and Chair of the Superyachts Cluster, Singapore Boating Industry Association
Sounding Board Member, Turin World Affairs Institute
Main Committee Member, Hollandse Club Singapore
Vice President, Committee of Italian Residents Singapore
Singapore Alumni Chapter Leader, Catholic University of Milan