Recognition
Benjamin Hughes draws accolades from peers for his exemplary arbitration practice which handles high-value disputes. Market sources enthuse that he is “one of the best arbitrators in Asia” due to his “exemplary linguistic skills and decisiveness”. [He] is readily identified as a “top-shelf arbitrator”, with one peer stating, “He is brilliant.” He has broad experience, including in shareholder and intellectual property disputes.
Peers and Clients Say:
“An excellent and well-balanced arbitrator with a strong command of proceedings.”
“He is undoubtedly one of the finest arbitrators in Asia, and increasingly one of the leading arbitrators worldwide.”
“A huge legal mind who knows how to get to the heart of any matter.”
“He is a prepared, focused and discerning arbitrator who stands his ground firmly but politely.”
--Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2022
Benjamin Hughes is an independent arbitrator who is particularly well known for his longstanding – and continuing – association with Korean matters, but who has broadened his range since relocating to Singapore and is now encountered handling arbitrations across the region, with connections to jurisdictions which include China, India, Malaysia and the Philippines. He is the recipient of high praise from numerous interviewees, who variously speak of him as “an absolutely first-rate, no-nonsense and very direct” arbitrator who is “sitting in a lot of major cases in Asia” and “runs cases very well,” one source predicting that “he will be one of the superstars of arbitratordom in due course.”
--Chambers & Partners: Most in Demand Arbitrators, Asia-Pacific 2022 (Band 1)
Benjamin Hughes is a favourite among peers, who describe him as “the most sought-after American arbitrator based in Asia” and “a great practitioner.”
--Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration (2020)
Independent practitioner Benjamin Hughes is widely regarded as “an outstanding arbitrator with a particularly strong market reputation for Korean matters and as a person [whom] Korean clients can trust.” Interviewees clearly indicate that he remains “a shoo-in for Korea-related appointments,” but are also quick to point out that, having relocated from Seoul to Singapore and notably broadened the geographical scope of his practice, “his reputation now transcends country.” One source identifies him as “one of the new wave of arbitrators who are bringing a breath of fresh air to the space.” They also emphasise the “nice mix of the academic and commercial” in his approach, “the way he tries to create a consensus” in proceedings and the “efficient and decisive” manner he adopts in conducting them.
--Chambers & Partners: Most in Demand Arbitrators, Asia-Pacific (2020)
Benjamin Hughes is “the next star in Asia” according to commentators, who describe him as “a pleasure to appear before” and as someone who “delivers well-reasoned awards.”
--Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration (2019)
Independent Seoul-based practitioner Benjamin Hughes is consistently identified by sources as the pre-eminent international arbitrator on the South Korean scene, and is active across the region on a broad commercial range of commercial issues… He is very highly regarded by interviewees, one of whom notes: “We have encountered him on several cases in the past few years and have found him to be excellent,” while another notes specifically that he is “a very good chairman who is really good at running expert witness conferencing sessions.”
--Chambers & Partners: Most in Demand Arbitrators, Asia-Pacific (2019)
Benjamin Hughes is recognized by clients and peers as one of the foremost arbitrators in Asia.
--Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration (2018)
Independent Seoul-based practitioner Benjamin Hughes is acclaimed by one source as “the leading international arbitrator in the Korean market,” while another explicitly confirms his status as an arbitrator in high demand, noting that he is “someone who has really internalized the region’s linguistic and cultural considerations,” which gives him a “deep and significant understanding of Asian business parties.”
--Chambers & Partners: Most in Demand Arbitrators, Asia-Pacific (2018)