Akesh Abhilash
Director
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) - Singapore Management University
Masters of Laws (LL.M) - University of Hawai'i at Manoa
Akesh is a Director at Silvester Legal, with over a decade of post-admission experience spanning commercial litigation, international arbitration, shareholder and director disputes, sports and media law, and criminal defence. His practice is deliberately cross-border: he regularly acts in matters touching Singapore, the BVI, Taiwan, the PRC, Papua New Guinea, and continental Europe, working closely with foreign counsel to coordinate strategy across jurisdictions.
He read law at Singapore Management University, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2013 - receiving the Drew & Napier Prize as the top student in advocacy - and went on to complete a Master of Laws at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa in 2014. He was called to the Singapore Bar in 2015. During his time at SMU, he was a finalist in both the Bain & Company Case Competition 2012 and the 7th ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition.
Akesh is a regular presence in the regional disputes community. He was a delegate at the 13th APAC ADR Conference and the 2024 International Bar Association Arbitration Group Event in Seoul, and was an invited speaker at the 2026 LegalPlus Singapore & Southeast Asia International Arbitration and Corporate Crime Summit. In 2025, he was recognised as an ALB Rising Star and named an honoree on both the LexisNexis 40 Under 40 Asia and Southeast Asia lists. In 2026, he was nominated for ALB Southeast Asia Young Lawyer of the Year.
Beyond the law, Akesh is a committed advocate for animal welfare, a lover of theatre and poetry, and a lifelong supporter of Liverpool Football Club.
What it means to have Akesh fight for you.
A dispute is never just a legal problem. It is a disruption to a business, a relationship, or a life - and how it is handled matters as much as how it is resolved.
Akesh's first task is to give clients an honest picture: the strength of their position, the weight of the evidence, the realistic range of outcomes, and what the journey is likely to cost in time, money, and management attention. Strategy follows from that assessment, not from reflex. He identifies early whether negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation best serves the client's actual objective - which is rarely just winning, and almost always about what comes after.
In cross-border matters, he coordinates with foreign counsel from the outset, aligning pleadings, preserving enforceability, and ensuring that decisions made in one forum do not foreclose options in another. In shareholder and director disputes, he prepares clients for what the process actually involves: access to financial information, valuation disputes, management deadlock, and the personal dynamics that courtroom procedure cannot always contain. In commercial litigation and breach of contract claims, he keeps the client's operations in view - protecting cash flow, limiting disruption, and avoiding the trap of pursuing a judgment that costs more to obtain than it delivers.
Court advocacy matters. So does everything that happens before and between hearings: disciplined case management, clear communication, and the judgment to know when to press and when to settle. Akesh's involvement rarely ends with the verdict. The goal is not simply to obtain a result - it is to help clients move forward.
Civil & Commercial Litigation
Shareholder and Minority Oppression Disputes
International Arbitration (SIAC / SICC)
Corporate and Regulatory Disputes
Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Employment Disputes
Sports and Media Law
Criminal Defence
Regulatory Compliance
Asia Legal Business: Southeast Asia Young Lawyer of the Year Finalist (2026)
Asia Legal Business: Rising Stars (2025)
LexisNexis: Asia 40 Under 40 (2025)
LexisNexis: Southeast Asia 40 Under 40 (2025)
Judiciary Volunteers Appreciation: Certificate of Appreciation (2025)
Advising and acting for an international logistics company in a multi-million-dollar dispute in mediations and arbitrations before SMC and SIAC - ARB 127/128 of 2019.
Acting on behalf of the Law Society in Disciplinary Tribunal Proceedings in 2023.
Lead counsel for the successful Defendant in Absolute Maintenance Services Pte Ltd v S11 Granuity Management Pte Ltd [2023] SGDC 173.
Lead counsel representing an estate agency and its director in Haw Wan Sin & Anor v Faber Property Pte Ltd & others [2018] SGDC 143, and acting in the appeal of the same representing the said director before the High Court in Haw Wan Sin David and anor v Sim Tee Meng and anor [2018] SGHC 272.
Lead counsel for a high net worth individual in proceedings commenced in actions for defamation and malicious falsehood in Fok Kah Hon v Quek Ban Tung Edmund [2022] SGDC 92, successfully obtaining judgment in favour of the Plaintiff, and resisting the appeal before the General Division.
Lead Counsel for a local social media personality, Rachel Wong, taking over an action for defamation which was then resolved successfully.
Lead counsel in PP v Tang You Liang, Andruew and anor [2021] SGDC 266 and the appeal of the same in Tang You Liang Andruew v PP and anor [2023] 3 SLR 229, defending an accused person against charges of cheating various banks by failing to declare beneficial ownership of bank accounts.
Acted for Sean Tan (known as Dante Chen) in negotiations with World Wrestling Entertainment, as he became the first professional wrestler from Singapore to be signed by WWE.
Acting for high-net-worth corporate clients in a matter heard before 5 judges at the Court of Appeal concerning inter alia, sanctioning of schemes of arrangement in SK Engineering Construction Co Ltd v Conchubar Aromatics Ltd and another appeal[2017] SGCA 51.
Acting for various corporate clients and statutory bodies in debt recovery matters from commencement of proceedings up to enforcement of judgment and committal proceedings.
Advising local statutory bodies on regulatory and compliance matters.
Advising on compliance with the United Nations (Sanctions - Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Regulations 2010 and anti-money laundering regulations.
Acting as appointed prosecutor on behalf of the Energy Market Authority and the Council for Estate Agencies.
Acting in a broad range of criminal matters through participation in the CLAS scheme.
Invited panellist speaking on matters relating to regulatory compliance at a private cryptocurrency investor conference - Cryptoflow 2018.
Shiju Varghese Joyce and anor v Kidney Therapeutics Centre Ptd Ltd and anor [2026] SGHC 81
XVI v XVJ and XVK [2025] SGHCF 65
PP v Wan Ying Ming [2025] SGMC 5
CRH v PP [2024] SGCA 29
PP v CRH [2024] SGHC 34
PP v Muhammad Hairul Nizam [2024] SGDC 27
The Law Society of Singapore v Yeo Yao Hui Charles [2023] SGDT 21
Absolute Maintenance Services Pte Ltd v S11 Granuity Management [2023] SGDC 173
Tang You Liang Andruew v PP [2023] 3 SLR 229
Fok Kah Hon v Quek Ban Tong Edmund [2022] SGDC 92
PP v Tang You Liang Andruew [2021] SGDC 266
Haw Wan Sin David v Faber Property Pte Ltd [2018] SGDC 143; [2018] SGHC 272
SK Engineering & Construction Co Ltd v Conchubar Aromatics Ltd [2017] 2 SLR 898 (2nd Chair)
Accredited Mediator: Singapore Mediation Centre (SMC)
Empanelled Mediator: Bangalore International Mediation, Arbitration, and Conciliation Centre (2022–2026)
Associate Mediator: Law Society Mediation Scheme (2022–2026)
Appointed Adjudicator: Singapore Mediation Centre (2022–2026)
Panel of Neutrals: Law Society Neutral Evaluation and Determination Scheme (2024-2026)
Legal Advisory Panel: Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN) (2023–2026)
Law Society Committees:
• Admissions (2024-2026)
• Anti-Money Laundering (2020–2024, 2026)
• Social & Welfare (2020–2022)
• Commissioner for Oaths (2025-2026)
Junior Assisting Counsel – Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences
Member, Young International Arbitration Group
Member, Law Society of Singapore
Member, Singapore Academy of Law
“I’ll tell you what’s right, what’s risky, and what’s reasonable.”
Our victories.
In our clients’ words.
In times of personal distress, Ms. Huang not only handled the legal complexities with great skill but also demonstrated genuine care for my well-being. That human touch, combined with her professionalism and legal acumen, made an immense difference for me during a very vulnerable time.
I highly recommend Ms. Shari Huang for her exceptional care and unwavering dedication. Her thorough understanding of the law combined with her compassionate approach made a significant impact during my case. She not only addressed my concerns with professionalism but also took the time to ensure I felt supported throughout the process. She is one of the rare lawyers who truly cares about her clients and is committed to achieving the best outcomes.
I had some legal issues that needed immediate attention. I called up Walter Silvester and he attended to my matter right away. They were extremely professional and responsive. I am extremely grateful to them for their good work. I would for sure call them if I ever need and would recommend them very highly.
Silvester Legal assisted me in a matter that involved cross jurisdictional work. They were efficient and got the result I desired. It was great working with them.
What sets Walter and Siraj apart from their peers is their ability to break down complex legal terms and simply it for the layman. Their professionalism, expertise and dedication to their client's unique needs are truly remarkable. Kudos to Silvester Legal LLC.
Silvester Legal is a reliable law firm. When I approached them, they dealt with my matter expertly and resolved my legal issues without fuss. They know what needs to be done and do it in the most appropriate way.
