Honours
- Officer, Order of Australia (AO).
- Pingat Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Medal), Singapore (PBM).
Peer Recognition
- Who’s Who Legal – Thought Leaders Global Elite 2023 recognises Michael as a
“Global Elite” Thought Leader in arbitration and a Leading Individual, described
by market sources as a “world-class” arbitrator who is “very smart and
hardworking”. - Chambers Asia-Pacific 2023 lists Michael as a Star Individual and one of the
region’s Most in Demand Arbitrators. Michael “continues to enjoy recognition as
one of the region’s leading players in this space”, is “well versed in the procedures
of key arbitral institutions around the world” and “one of the legends of the
Singapore arbitration scene.” - Best Lawyers 2022 lists Michael in Best Lawyers in Australia for Alternative
Dispute Resolution. - Who’s Who Legal 2022 Asia-Pacific lists Michael as a “Global Elite” Thought
Leader, describing him as “a top name in the region for arbitration expertise”.
Market sources recognise Michael as “undoubtedly among the top five arbitrators
in the world”. - Who’s Who Legal 2021 lists Michael as a Leading Individual with market sources
noting he is a “globally recognised expert” who is well known as “one of the top
figures in international arbitration in the Asia-Pacific region”. - Chambers Global and Asia-Pacific 2020 lists Michael as a Star Individual and says
that he is “a highly popular choice for complex and high-value commercial and
investor state arbitrations” with “an outstanding reputation”. Michael is “a leading
authority in the Asia-Pacific region” who, according to market sources, is “on
everyone’s shortlist”. Sources describe him as “always well organised”, “definitely
on top of the issues” and “very commercial”. - Who’s Who Legal – Arbitration 2020 lists Michael as a Leading Individual and
highlights that he is “a smart, very experienced and very influential practitioner”
who “delivers prompt and decisive advice while always being on top of the issues”. - Who’s Who Legal – Thought Leaders Global Elite 2020 recognises Michael as a
“Global Elite” Thought Leader in arbitration. - Who’s Who Legal – Arbitration 2019 lists Michael as a Leading Individual and
says that Michael is ‘the arbitrator extraordinaire’ with an approach that
“encourages and enables each side to clearly articulate its position on the core, and
often most controversial, issues’ and that he is ‘methodical and fair’. - Best Lawyers 2019 lists Michael in Best Lawyers in Australia for Alternative
Dispute Resolution. - As a Most in Demand Arbitrator , Chambers Global 2019 says that Michael
maintains his position among “the most prominent names in the international
arbitration circuit” and among the pre-eminent arbitrators in Asia-Pacific. Sources
cite his “work throughout the region,” his appearance on “really high-profile cases”
and his “superb and well prepared” handling of them. His no-nonsense approach –
“running a tight ship,” as one interviewee calls it – and the fact that “he is usually
acceptable to all parties” are further considerations which make him “definitely
sought after,” in the opinion of many market sources. - Chambers Global and Asia-Pacific 2019 lists Michael as a Star Individual and says
that he is “in a class of his own,” according to market sources. A former president
of SIAC and ACICA, he maintains a stellar reputation in Singapore and is
appointed to arbitrate high-level matters across various business sectors. “He was
superb and well prepared,” an interviewee reports. - Chambers Asia-Pacific 2018 lists Dr Pryles as a Star Individual and says, “Michael
Pryles maintains his position among “‘the most prominent names in the
international arbitration circuit’” and among the pre-eminent arbitrators in Asia-
Pacific. Sources cite his ‘“work throughout the region,’” his appearance on ‘“really
high-profile cases”’ and his ‘“superb and well prepared’” handling of them. His no-
nonsense approach – ‘“running a tight ship,’” as one interviewee calls it – and the fact that ‘“he is usually acceptable to all parties’” are further considerations which make him ‘“definitely sought after,’” in the opinion of many market sources.” - Chambers Global 2017 lists Dr Pryles in Band 1 and says: “Sole practitioner
Michael Pryles is a well-known figure in the Singaporean arbitration arena, and in
the Asia-Pacific region more generally. He is noted for his regular involvement
with China-related cases, undertaking arbitral appointments governed by the
complete spectrum of institutional rules.” - Best Lawyers 2018 lists Michael Pryles as one of the best lawyers in Melbourne,
Australia for alternative dispute resolution. - Who’s Who Legal – Arbitration 2017 lists Dr Pryles as one of the 25 “Most Highly
Regarded Individuals”. - Chambers Asia-Pacific 2017 lists Dr Pryles as a Star Individual and says “Michael
Pryles’s stellar reputation continues to be endorsed by commentators, who speak of
him in such terms as ‘the biggest name out here’ and testify to his high level of
activity and consistent recommendation ‘for the highest-value, most complex
cases.’ His ability to focus on the essential elements of a case is emphasised by a
number of commentators, one of whom reports how he ‘“dealt efficiently with the
proceedings, cutting through the nonsense to deliver a very detailed award
promptly.’” - Who’s Who Legal – Arbitration 2016 lists Dr Pryles as one of the 25 “Most Highly
Regarded Individuals” and says “Melbourne-based Michael Pryles is ‘one of the
foremost arbitrators in the Southern Hemisphere’, a veteran of more than 400 cases,
both ad hoc and institutional, and respected as ‘no-nonsense and known to favour
short deadlines, which means he really gets things done.’” - Chambers and Partners 2016 wrote about Michael: “Melbourne-based Michael
Pryles offers unrivalled experience in the international arbitration field” and have
recognised Michael as one of three most in demand arbitrators in Asia Pacific and
lists him as a global wide Band 1 arbitrator. - Chambers Global 2015 (Global-wide, and, Asia Pacific Region) state that Michael
Pryles is recognised for his “balanced approach, commitment to excellence,
attention to detail and really good procedural rulings”. - Who’s Who Legal – Commercial Arbitration 2014 lists Dr Pryles as one of the 25
“Most Highly Regarded Individuals” worldwide. - Chambers (International) Most in Demand Arbitrators 2014 says Dr Pryles is
“amongst the stand out arbitrators in the Asia-Pacific market, recognised by
interviewees for his prominence in the field and his ‘extremely well organised’
approach to chairing arbitration committees.” - Chambers Global 2013 also lists Michael in Most In Demand Arbitrators (Asia-
Pacific Region) as a Star individual and describes him as “one of the most highly
respected arbitrators in the region, and has a very high profile. Peers have
‘tremendous respect’ for this Melbourne-based practitioner.” - Chambers Global 2013 lists Michael Pryles in its Most In Demand Arbitrators
(Global-wide) in Band 1 and describes him as “a dominant figure in the Asian
market, frequently active in the major arbitral centres of Singapore and Hong Kong.
He has also conducted cases in Europe, North America, and Australia, including
construction, energy, commercial, technology, and insurance disputes.” - Who’s Who Legal, Commercial Arbitration 2012 describers Michael Pryles as a
“worldwide authority” on investor-state and commercial disputes. - Michael Pryles was included in the Australian Financial Review Best Lawyers in
Australia list (2012). - Chambers Asia Pacific 2012 Michael Pryles as being “up there in the stratosphere
when it comes to arbitrators” and highlights his “truly global practice, approachable
demeanour and judicial approach”. - Michael Pryles was included in Euromoney, Expert Guides, the Best of the Best
2011. - Chambers Asia Pacific (2011) said that Michael is “a particularly highly regarded
figure in the region, noted for his wisdom, fairness and ability to “deal with an
arbitration efficiently and with good humour”. - Who’s Who Legal, Commercial Arbitration 2010, described Michael Pryles as a
“star”. - Chambers Asia 2009 described “Full-time arbitrator Pryles” as “perhaps Australia’s
most successful export in this field”. - Michael was ranked as one of the 5 leading individuals in dispute resolution in
Australia by PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook 2008 and 2009. - Michael was recognised as one of Australia’s top lawyers, as judged by their peers,
Australian Financial Review, 7 March 2008, and 6 March 2009. - Chambers Global 2008 described Michael as a ‘“world-renowned arbitrator”’ who
is “‘[a] strong contributor to the development of arbitration within the Asia-Pacific
region”’ and “‘was the founding president of the Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration
Group”’. - Who’s Who Legal 2008 described Michael as having ‘”“‘an international standing
and exposure on commercial arbitration’” that makes him the most highly-regarded
Australian in the book”’. - Chambers Asia 2008 stated that Michael “‘”‘works hard, thinks smart and always
focuses upon what is important’”. He was the founding President of the APRAG,
and few have contributed as much to the growth of the regional arbitration
community as he has. Commentators champion his ‘“independence, diligence and
speed in procedural issues’” while also lauding his “‘swift responsiveness in
dealing with parties’ requests. Win or lose Counsel will never leave with any
complaints of Pryles’”‘. - The Practical Law Company Yearbook 2007 rated Michael as a leading individual
in dispute resolution in Australia and described him as a “well-known international
corporate arbitrator”. - Chamber and Partners’ Asia Pacific 2014 lists Dr Pryles as a Star Individual in the
“most in demand arbitrator” category. - Chambers Global 2007 described Michael as “experienced and extremely sound”.
- Who’s Who Legal 2007 described Michael as “the top dog on international
arbitration in Australia” and stated that he is seen as being “head and shoulders
above everyone else”. - Cross-Border Quarterly 2006 ranked Michael in the top 20 arbitration specialists in
the world. - The Practical Law Company Yearbook 2006 ranked Michael as one of the leading
lawyers in Australia in dispute resolution. - Who’s Who Legal 2006 considered Michael to be “a level above the rest”.