About Joe Liow

Liow Wang Wu Joseph

Managing Partner

Joseph is, first and foremost, a trial advocate. Joseph Liow Chambers was formed in the belief that there is a need in the legal community for objective and independent advice and specialist representation. Hence, Joseph Liow Chambers is styled as a barrister’s practice and will only take instructions from law firms and institutions or organisations with legal teams.

With his wide and diverse experience in the practice of dispute resolution with specialization in building and construction claims and employment law disputes, Joseph Liow Chambers seeks to provide value-added services to law firms in need of additional capacity and capability.

Apart from being a trial advocate who has conducted over 50 trials, Joseph is an arbitrator, adjudicator, mediator and advocacy trainer.

He is a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators and is a member of the panel of arbitrators under the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) and the Law Society of Singapore Arbitration Scheme (LSAS). He is an adjudicator under the adjudication scheme under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act where he has presided over numerous adjudication applications. He is a Principal Mediator with both the Singapore Mediation Centre and the Law Society of Singapore. He is a Vice-Chairman of the Law Society’s Advocacy Committee and serves as a Lead Advocacy Trainer for post-graduate students seeking to be admitted to the Singapore Bar. He also trains overseas and has recent trained aspiring barristers with the General Council of the Bar of South Africa.

He has also served a Legal Assessor to various disciplinary committees of the Singapore Medical Council and Singapore Dental Council from circa 2005 to 2019.

He has acted as an external prosecution counsel for the Law Society of Singapore, the Building Control Authority of Singapore as well as the Energy Market Authority of Singapore.

Joseph’s practice areas include: –

  1. Building and construction law
  2. Employment Law
  3. Civil and Commercial litigation.
  4. Alternative Dispute Resolution

Achievements

Platinum Award from the Pro Bono Service Office of the Law Society of Singapore, Oct 2010.

Plaque of Appreciation from the Law Society of Singapore, 2012 for services rendered to the Law Society of Singapore

Professional/ Civic Activities (past and present)

  • Fellow, Singapore Institute of Arbitration
  • Adjudicator, Singapore Mediation Centre
  • Principal Mediator, Singapore Mediation Centre
  • Arbitrator, Law Society of Singapore
  • Arbitrator, Asian International Arbitration Centre
  • Member of Inquiry Panel, Law Society of Singapore
  • Legal Assessor, Singapore Medical Council
  • Legal Assessor, Singapore Dental Council
  • Honorary Secretary, Society of Construction Law (Singapore)
  • Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • Malaysian Society of Adjudicators
  • Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, Volunteer Lawyer
  • Member, Inquiry Panel under the Legal Profession Act
  • Lions Club of Singapore West, President (2000-2001)
  • Lions International District 308A1, in various capacities as Zone Chairperson, Region Chairperson and District Chairperson (Constitution and By-Laws) between 2002 until 2013)
  • Volunteer Lawyer, Justice Without Borders
  • Disciplinary Committee, National University of Singapore Society
  • Member of Legal and Constitutional Committee, Singapore Island Country Club


Speaking Engagements

  • 2007 presented at the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (“SISV”) 2007 on the topic “Overview of the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act (SOPA)”
  • Contract Law Series conducted for the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (“SISV”) for years 2012 and 2013.
  • 2017 to 2022; Singapore Institute of Legal Education; Post graduate Advocacy Course, Part B Course on various topics ranging from “Examination in Chief and Cross-Examination” and “Preparation of a Case Theory”
  • 2018; Society of Construction Law (Singapore) annual lecture; presented on “Updates on development of Construction Law in Singapore 2018”.
  • 2019, delivered lecture at National University Law Faculty on issues relating to mental capacity disputes organised by graduating class of ’92.

 

Experience

Building and Construction Industry Matters

Joseph has represented various parties in the building industry including developers, statutory bodies,

architects, main contractors, sub-contractors (specialist, nominated and domestic), and facility managers. Joseph is also an Adjudicator qualified by the Singapore Mediation Centre to decide on adjudication applications made under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act. He has presided in over 30 Adjudication Applications and one (1) Adjudication Review.

Employment Law Matters

Joseph has advised foreign banks, corporate entities, labour unions and high nett worth individuals on Singapore employment law matters including advising on the Employment Act, the Retirement and Re-employment Act, the Child Development Co-Savings Act, the Workplace Safety and Health Act and the Personal Data Protection Act 2012. He has worked closely with many international law firms to provide Singapore law advice as local counsel.

Civil and Commercial Disputes and Alternative Dispute Resolution

Apart from representing clients in matters dealt with at the State Courts, High Court and the Court of Appeal, Joseph has considerable experience as counsel in both domestic and international arbitration. He is also an active mediator for both Singapore Mediation Centre and the Law Society of Singapore and has over 25 appointments as a mediator.