Robert Whitehead, SC is the Head of Bernacchi Chambers. He is a past President of the Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators, and a past Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association. He sits as a Deputy Judge of the High Court and was a Recorder of the High Court (2015 – 2018).

Mr. Whitehead has very significant experience both as a trial and appellate advocate in commercial, contractual, and corporate litigation and arbitration, and also accepts instructions in matrimonial disputes, and in defamation actions. He regularly acts as a sole Arbitrator and on panels of three Arbitrators, on occasion as Chairman or Presiding Arbitrator.

Mr. Whitehead is recommended as a commercial dispute resolution Silk in Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific, and Chambers Global Guide.

Recent appointments as an Arbitrator include :

• Party appointed Arbitrator, ICC Administered Arbitration. English law, Hong Kong seat. Breach of contract dispute concerning the building of a solar power grid in a SE Asian country (with Sir Richard Field and Ms Cherie Blair CBE Q.C.)
• Sole Arbitrator (appointed by SIAC) in a dispute between Indian American and Singaporean parties to media rights to broadcast and transmit sporting events. SIAC Rules; Singapore law; Singapore seat
• Chairman of the Tribunal in a dispute between a Hong Kong and a Singaporean party relating to breach of contract in the shipping and quality of coal. UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules; Hong Kong law; Hong Kong seat (with Russell Coleman S.C. and Charles Manzoni S.C.)
• Chairman of the Tribunal in a dispute between a Panamanian and a PRC party relating to the breach of contract for the building and delivery of a vessel in the PRC. English law; Hong Kong seat (with Russell Coleman S.C. and Mr. Philip Yang)
• Party appointed Arbitrator in a dispute between a Swiss party and a Cayman Island incorporated entity with regard to contractual disputes relating to shipments of goods. HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules; Hong Kong law, Hong Kong seat (with William Stone Q.C. and Mr. Christopher Howse)
• Party appointed Arbitrator in dispute between Danish and PRC parties relating to the production and marketing of medical devices in the PRC. HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules; Hong Kong law; Hong Kong seat (with William Stone Q.C. and Mr. Philip Yang)
• Party Appointed Arbitrator in a dispute between American and PRC parties relating to the breach of a share purchase agreement. UNCITRAL Arbitration rules; Law of the State of New York, Hong Kong seat (with Russell Coleman S.C. and Harpreet Singh S.C.)

Mr. Whitehead has also acted as Counsel in numerous international and domestic arbitrations.