John Yap
Call: 2024
Practice Overview
John is building a busy practice across Chambers’ specialisms. He is regularly instructed in high-profile and complex commercial litigation, international arbitration, and advisory matters. Since commencing practice, he has appeared in the Supreme Court, been instructed in an appeal to the Court of Appeal, and acted at trial in the High Court as well as in substantial arbitrations.
Highlights of John’s current and recent cases include:
- The UK Supreme Court appeal in Skatteforvaltningen v MCML Ltd [2026] UKSC 19: acted for MCML Ltd in a significant appeal concerning the scope of issue estoppel.
- An appeal to the Court of Appeal concerning COVID-19 disruption: acting for Fibula Air Travel in its appeal from Fibula Air Travel v Just Us Air [2025] EWHC 3259 (Comm) concerning an aircraft wet lease.
- A c. USD 1 billion ICSID investor-state treaty arbitration: acting for an investor in the banking and financial services sector in a widely reported BIT claim against a State.
- Advising (unled) a State in the context of a c. USD 150 million arbitration: Advising a foreign law firm acting for a State on English law issues arising in a confidential arbitration.
- Acting (unled) in arbitration enforcement proceedings in the Commercial Court: Acting in contested enforcement proceedings in England relating to an HKIAC award.
Prior to coming to the Bar, John obtained his BA in Jurisprudence (First Class, 2nd in Year) and Bachelor of Civil Law (Distinction) from the University of Oxford. He won academic prizes (including the Wronker Proxime Prize) and awards at international moots (including the Willem C Vis Moot). He then completed Bar Vocational Studies (Distinction) as a Gray’s Inn scholar.
Outside of practice, John’s legal research has been published in leading journals and cited in academic and practitioner texts. He is a co-author of the forthcoming expanded and retitled second edition of Prof Andrew Higgins’s Legal Professional Privilege for Corporations (OUP). He continues to teach at Oxford University, and has previously spent time as a visiting researcher at the National University of Singapore and scholar of Des Voeux Chambers in Hong Kong.
John also volunteers his time to advancing access to justice and education. He is currently acting unled in advising and representing a pro bono client in pursuing a six-figure negligence claim and enforcement proceedings. He was featured in the Pro Bono Recognition List 2026.
Having lived in Singapore and Hong Kong, John maintains a keen professional interest and close connections in both jurisdictions. Previously, he served national service as a lieutenant in the Singapore Air Force, winning the Sword of Honour and National Serviceman of the Year Award.
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Supreme Court appeal in Skatteforvaltningen v MCML Ltd [2026] UKSC 19: Acted for MCML Ltd in a significant appeal concerning the scope of issue estoppel – and, in particular, its application to points of law, the special circumstances exception, and its relationship with judicial precedent and abuse of process. Assisted in the appeal before the Court of Appeal. Led by Ali Malek KC and Adam Temple.
Appeal to the Court of Appeal in Fibula Air Travel v Just Us Air: Acting for Fibula in relation to its appeal from the Commercial Court’s decision [2025] EWHC 3259 (Comm) relating to Just Us’ c. €5 million debt claim under an aircraft wet lease in the context of COVID-19 disruption. Acting with Alexander Yean.
Confidential investment management dispute: Instructed by an investment manager in the digital asset sector to advise on potential claims of up to nine figures. Led by Adam Kramer KC.
Confidential high-stakes shareholder dispute: Assisted Hefin Rees KC in advising on a dispute between rival shareholder factions over the control and governance of a high-profile NASDAQ-listed company.
Advising on the exercise of share options: Assisted Yash Bheeroo in advising on a shareholder dispute in relation to the exercise of share options and construction of “bad leaver” provisions in a shareholder agreement.
International Arbitration
Investor v State: Acting for an investor in the banking and finance services sector in pursuing a widely reported c. USD 1 billion ICSID investor-state treaty arbitration claim for expropriation, discrimination, and breach of the fair and equitable treatment obligation.
Advising a State on English Law Issues: Advising (unled) a foreign law firm acting for a State on English law issues in the context of a c. USD 150 million confidential arbitration.
Enforcement of an HKIAC award: Acting unled in contested arbitration enforcement proceedings in the Commercial Court, seeking enforcement of an HKIAC award in England.
Water Seller v Water Purchaser: Assisted Richard Hanke in acting for a Middle Eastern water purchaser in a UNCITRAL arbitration concerning the operation of inflation price adjustments under a long-term desalinated water supply agreement.
Republic of Kosovo v Selmani: Assisted Yash Bheeroo and Ravi Jackson in acting for the claimant, the Republic of Kosovo, in recognition and enforcement proceedings in the Commercial Court.
Investor v State: Assisted Cameron Miles in acting for and advising the respondent, a Latin American State, in relation to proceedings for the registration and enforcement of an ICSID award.
Challenge to an arbitral award: Assisted Yash Bheeroo and Ravi Jackson in a procedural challenge to a DIAC arbitral award under Article 41(2)(a)(ii) and (iii) of the DIFC Arbitration Law (based on Articles 32(2)(a)(ii) and (iii) of the UNCITRAL Model Law).
Civil Fraud
The Conditioning House Ltd v JBG Enterprises Ltd & Anor [2025] EWHC 3260 (Ch): Defended a c. £7 million claim for unlawful means conspiracy and dishonest assistance. Led by David Simpson.
Pleading a defence to a high-value, complex civil fraud claim: Assisted Peter de Verneuil Smith KC in pleading a defence to a c. USD 80 million claim for (among other things) unlawful means conspiracy in relation to the acquisition of a mining company.
Alawwal Capital JSC v Rasmala Investment Bank Limited: Assisted Yash Bheeroo and Ravi Jackson in an appeal from DIFC CFI 038/2023 involving a c. USD 7 million claim for misrepresentation and financial mis-selling.
Confidential advice on potential claims for financial mis-selling: Assisted Adam Temple in advising on potential claims for misrepresentation and financial mis-selling in the fallout of a high-profile Ponzi-type scheme.
Banking & Financial Services
Barclays Bank UK Plc v Ellis: Acted unled for the claimant, Barclays Bank UK Plc, in successfully resisting the defendant’s set aside application and obtaining judgment on personal guarantees in the sum of c. £140,000.
IDBI Bank Limited v Axcel Sunshine Ltd and Siva Industries and Holdings Ltd [2025] EWHC 442 (Comm) Assisted Adam Temple (led by Nigel Tozzi KC) in acting for IDBI Bank in successfully pursuing a c. USD 67 million claim against Axcel Sunshine and Siva Industries and Holdings under a credit facility and guarantee / indemnity.
Litasco SA v Banque El Amana SA [2025] EWHC 312 (Comm): Assisted Will Day in acting for Litasco in an application for summary judgment raising novel issues on the application of the Ralli Bros foreign illegality rule to cross-border payment obligations.
Lay v Independent Vetcare Limited [2025] EWHC 1098 (Comm): Assisted Richard Hanke in acting for Independent Vetcare Limited in an application for strike out / summary judgment raising novel issues under the Payment Services Regulation.
Recognition
