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Marc is a Partner in our Singapore office and has more than 34 years’ experience in law (in both enforcement and as a barrister/solicitor).  As part of his practice he is actively involved in advising clients both globally and within APAC including in relation to business strategy in developing economies and acting for clients in the Pacific and Island Nations. 

Marc is a corporate/commercial lawyer specialising in acting for all manner of clients in relation to the energy and projects sectors.  He has extensive experience in projects, energy transition, oil and gas sector (upstream, midstream and downstream, LNG and Petrochemicals). 

Marc is praised by clients for being diligent and producing quality work.

With more than 450 energy and climate change lawyers, including over 100 partners, the CMS Energy and Climate Change practice is one of the largest of its kind in the world. Led from its centres of excellence such as London and Aberdeen, the practice works across 75 offices globally. Building on 40 years of experience advising on power, oil & gas and renewables through to energy disputes, emerging areas and Energy Transition, CMS is uniquely placed to ensure clients receive advice best suited to their commercial needs and to our collective future.

Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Quote
    "Marc Rathbone is a hugely commercially aware partner who is focused on getting the deal done, leveraging his impressive industry knowledge."
    Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2026, Energy & Natural Resources: International
  • Quote
    "Marc is responsive, creative and thoughtful in his approach to working with us. He routinely puts himself in our shoes to ensure that he is thinking about how best to provide assistance to us.”
    Chambers Asia & Pacific, 2025
  • Quote
    “We have always found Marc to be flexible, proactive and highly commercial. He understands our strategy well and is a good manager in that way. Marc is a thoughtful lawyer.”
    Chambers Asia & Pacific, 2025
  • Award
    Recognised for Energy Law.
    The Best Lawyers in Singapore, 2026 Edition
  • Quote
    "Marc Rathbone is able to coordinate everything we need and deliver on time, on budget and on target."
    Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2025 – Energy: Foreign Firms
  • Quote
    "Marc Rathbone and David Rutherford are a pleasure to work with. They exhibit excellent negotiation, analytical and drafting skills."
    Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2025 – Projects: Foreign Firms
  • Quote
    "Marc Rathbone is excellent."
    Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2025 – Projects: Foreign Firms
  • Quote
    “Marc Rathbone is a Key Partner”
    Recommended by Legal 500
  • Quote
    "Standout lawyer"
    Acritas Star, 2021
  • Quote
    "Leading Oil & Gas Legal Advisor"
    Singapore: Global Excellence Awards, 2021
  • Quote
    "Oil & Gas Sector Lawyer of the Year"
    Singapore: Corporate Intl Global Awards, 2021

Relevant experience

  • A major Green Hydrogen/Ammonia development in Middle East.
  • A major MNC in relation to risk and compliance for 3 petrochemical business units and 3 plants in Asia.
  • The pre-FEED development of Green Energy project in Oman.
  • Several companies in relation to solar projects throughout Asia.
  • LANXESS in relation to all aspects of the development and extension of a largest Butyl Rubber Plant in the Southern hemi-sphere on Jurong Island, Singapore. 
  • Denka in relation to various feedstock and utility agreements including oxygen supply contracts, SM and EB for its petrochemical business.
  • Repsol in relation to the development of a large gas asset in SEA.
  • The Tamarind Group in relation to various oil & gas assets and corporate restructuring including joint operating/venture agreements. Offtake agreements, IP issues and marketing agreements.
  • Various LNG companies in relation to contractual issues relating to COVID and force majeure.
  • CNOOC in relation to the acquisition of a gas company and the development of an LNG terminal development and distribution network in Indo-China.
  • A Chinese MNC in relation to the commercialisation of a gas field and cross border transportation in Africa.
  • A client in relation to the divestment of an interest in a Honduras oil and gas interest.
  • An energy fund in relation to an acquisition of offshore oil and gas assets in Asia.
  • Asian Development Bank (ADB) in relation to the restructuring of the Fiji power sector including rural electrification and renewable base load.
  • The Government of an Island Nation in relation to development of an island city project (estimates at $30bn completed).
  • An international merchant bank in relation to the financing of the acquisition of a refinery including advice on related Crude Oil Sales Agreements, Mogas Agreements and LPG Agreements.
  • Gail (India’s largest aggregator and regulator) in relation to its purchase of LNG on a long term contract basis from Sabine Pass and Freeport in the United States into India.
  • InterOil in relation to the monetisation and divestment of an onshore gas and condensate fields in PNG (value between USD1.5 – 3.6bn).
  • Vale in relation to various aspects of its business including its bid for and commercialisation of the Tavan Tolgoi mine, corporate contractual matters.
  • Several Governments in relation to restructuring and drafting legislation including banking & finance, corporations legislation and land.

Publications

  • Author, Time for Transition: Energy M&A 2022
  • Decarbonisation of LNG – 2021
  • Oil & Gas – ‘You reject if you want to, the Product is not for rejection’ – Law Now 2021
  • Hydrogen Law and Regulation – 2021
  • Energy Transition – Law Now 2021
     

Memberships & Roles

  • Executive Committee – Singapore Sri Lanka Business Assoc.
  • Energy Committee for Law Asia.
  • Energy Committee for British Chamber of Commerce.

Education

  • 2001, Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor to the Supreme Court of Western Australia
  • 1998, Bachelor of Laws (Honours) – University of London
  • Marc also holds a Bachelor of Education, Diploma of Teaching (Major in Science & Minor in Social Science), Graduate Certificate of Commercial Law (International) and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.
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