Daehee Lee
Of Counsel
Daehee is a dispute resolution specialist with a particular focus on onshore & offshore construction, shipbuilding, energy, maritime and international trade.
Of Counsel
Daehee is a dispute resolution specialist with a particular focus on onshore & offshore construction, shipbuilding, energy, maritime and international trade.
Languages - English, Korean
Jurisdictions - England & Wales, Australia, New Zealand
Daehee is an expert in high-profile disputes involving Korean clients, handling both specialized and general commercial matters. His recent work includes representing major onshore EPC contractors for the UAE Barakah nuclear power plants and managing large-scale arbitration and mediation for offshore construction matters involving drilling rigs, FPSOs and offshore wind projects.
He is also regularly instructed on shipbuilding and resale matters for various vessels, including drillships and LNG/LPG carriers. He frequently handles issues like defects, delay, and prolongation claims, as well as complex geopolitical challenges such as sanctions, export controls, and pandemic-related disruptions.
His clients include major Korean construction & engineering companies, shipbuilders, shipowners, insurers, and energy and logistics companies.
Qualified in England & Wales, Australia and New Zealand, Daehee has a diverse background. As a former legal officer for the Korean Navy, he was deployed to the Gulf of Aden for counter-piracy operations. His experience at a top-tier Korean law firm and as in-house counsel at a major construction company gives him a profound understanding of the inner workings and cultural nuances of Korean companies. Daehee’s bilingual fluency and deep cultural understanding, combined with his extensive experience, make him an ideal legal partner for Korean clients in English-speaking tribunals and courts.
Offshore Construction – FPSO
Acted for a Japanese global energy company in relation to a large-scale LNG FPSO (floating, production, storage and offloading) project in Western Australia, dealing with issues arising out of project delays and refund guarantee
Offshore Construction – Submersible rigs
Acted for a Korean shipbuilder regarding a US$700 mil LMAA dispute in respect of 4 semi-submersible rigs concerning design responsibility, delays and prolongation costs
Shipbuilding – LNG carriers
Acted for a Korean shipowner in relation to an LMAA US$500 million dispute concerning serious defects on two LNG carriers based on a new design for the cargo containment tank
Shipbuilding – LNG carriers
Acted for a Korean shipbuilder in a high value SIAC arbitration concerning force majeure and sanctions issues, as well as cancellation of multiple shipbuilding contracts
Offshore Wind Project – EPC construction dispute
Acted for a project owner in relation to an offshore wind project in Vietnam and prepared delay and costs claims over US$100 mil
Maritime – charterparties dispute
Acted for a Korean shipowner in an LMAA arbitration concerning issues of unseaworthiness and off-hire claims under a time charter arising out of a bulk cargo ship carrying iron ore from Australia
Onshore EPC Construction – UAE Barakah Nuclear dispute
Acted for two world-leading Korean EPC contractors in relation to an LCIA US$500 million UAE nuclear power plant dispute, covering the full spectrum of construction and engineering issues
Onshore EPC Construction – confidential newbuilds nuclear project
Advised a Korean construction contractor in connection with substantial costs claims arising out of nuclear power plants in North Africa
Insurance/Reinsurance dispute
Advised a Korean reinsurance company in relation to duty of utmost good faith (e.g. non-disclosure of material risk) and claim for recission of reinsurance policies
Various insurers
Handled various maritime accidents, from the total or constructive loss of car-carriers due to fire and grounding to cases involving crew injuries and death.
