Appellate Advocacy

Rajah & Tann Singapore provides the rare advantage of working with the only dedicated appellate advocacy team in Singapore, specialising in Supreme Court litigation, civil appeals, and commercial dispute resolution.

Recognising the strategic value of a specialised appellate law practice, we continue to lead the way with a team of highly specialised lawyers, including former Supreme Court law clerks and judicial officers and lawyers with postgraduate specialisations and international qualifications, such as admissions to the Bars of England & Wales and New York.

We have been trusted to act in some of the most significant and complex appellate cases in Singapore, especially those involving novel issues of law, complex facts, cross-border disputes, and significant commercial implications. We have also been asked to act in cases which are likely to be appealed or challenged in court. We are well equipped to guide you through every step.

Why Appeals Require a Different Approach

Appeals are a distinct phase of litigation that demand a specialised skillset. Unlike trials, which focus on witness testimony, appellate hearings are document-driven and time-sensitive. Success depends on the ability to distill complex facts and legal issues into persuasive arguments.

You might be wondering:

How many times can a decision be appealed?

In Singapore, most civil cases heard at first instance in the General Division of the High Court can be appealed once to the Appellate Division of the High Court. Further appeals to the Court of Appeal, Singapore’s highest court, are rare and only allowed under exceptional circumstances. We will help you assess the appropriate court for an appeal and advise you on the best path forward.

What is the most common reason for an appeal?

Most appeals arise from alleged judicial errors such as misinterpretation of legal principles or incorrect assessment of evidence. We are adept at identifying and articulating these issues to maximise the chances of a successful appeal.

Appellate judges also consider the broader impact of their decisions on the development of the law. Effective appellate advocacy requires not only legal expertise but also strategic insight into the social, economic, and political context of each case.

Areas of expertise

The practice spans a wide range of domestic and international civil and commercial appeals, including:

Banking & Financial Services Litigation: Allegations of lack of mandate, fraud and negligence, disputes relating to the ISDA Master Agreement, and mis-selling of financial products
Corporate & Shareholder Disputes: Minority oppression and joint venture conflicts
Public & Administrative Law: Judicial review – the jurisdiction of the courts, and professional discipline of lawyers and doctors
International Law (Private): Cross-border disputes – enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitration-related court proceedings
International Law (Public): Disputes relating to bilateral investment and other treaty obligations, sovereign immunity, sanctions, privileges and immunities of international organisations

Landmark Appellate Advocacy Matters

Successfully defended our clients against a claim for loss of profit from the sale of Silver Futures Contracts. The investor claimed he was pressured and misled into selling his contracts during a market downturn, resulting in losses. The Appellate Division dismissed the claims entirely.

Successfully represented a professional mechanical engineer in an appeal against a finding of liability for an industrial accident. The Court of Appeal overturned the High Court’s finding and found the engineer not liable.

Successfully appealed a Singapore International Commercial Court judgment to significantly reduce compensation for breach of duty to safeguard trust assets.

Supporting You at Every Stage of the Appellate Process

Our Services

We cover every aspect of Supreme Court advocacy, including advising on the merits of an appeal and actual conduct of the appeal.

Strategic Advice: Advising at any stage of the proceedings on any aspect of the dispute, including advising the merits of a claim, trial strategy, and procedural applications
Written Advocacy: Providing thorough research capabilities and written advocacy including legal opinions, pleadings, submissions, and correspondence
Oral Advocacy: Representing clients before all levels of court and international tribunals

How We Work

Customised Legal Teams: Scalable support tailored to your needs
Collaborative Approach: Seamless integration with the trial team to ensure productivity and the best results
Flexible Fee Structures: Provide flexible fee arrangements, including flat fee assessments and tailored arrangements

Pro Bono Commitment

In line with our commitment to helping the community, we welcome pro bono legal engagements for deserving clients within our areas of expertise.

Recognition

Winner - Regional Litigation Law Firm of the Year and Singapore Litigation Law Firm of the Year

ALB SE Asia Law Awards (2024)
Top Singapore Law Firm – Arbitration, Mediation & Dispute Resolution

The Straits Times: Singapore’s Best Law Firms (2021 – 2025)
Band 1 - Dispute Resolution: Litigation

Chambers Asia-Pacific (2015 – 2025)
Tier 1 - Dispute Resolution

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2015 – 2025)
Tier 1 - Commercial & Transactions

Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific (2025)
Outstanding - Dispute Resolution & Litigation

asialaw Profiles (2016 – 2024)
Band 2 - Dispute Resolution: Arbitration

Chambers Asia- Pacific (2025)
Ranked - Arbitration (International) (APAC)

Chambers Asia-Pacific (2025)
Ranked - Dispute Resolution (International Firms)

Chambers Asia-Pacific (2025)
"Their ability to form a strong bond with clients and understand their needs enables them to guide clients seamlessly through the litigation process."

Chambers Asia-Pacific (2025)
"Their strong teamwork, ability to form a strong bond with the clients and understand their needs, enabled them to guide the clients seamlessly through the litigation process.''The team is responsive to our needs and provides advice that is both commercial and detailed."

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific (2025)
“Rajah & Tann's work is always incredibly well done and sophisticated, with a quick turnaround and good understanding of business needs.”

Chambers Asia-Pacific (2024)
“Rajah & Tann provides comprehensive advice and executes deals well. The team is very responsive to both client and the counterparty turns and requests.”

Chambers Asia-Pacific (2023)
“They possess in-depth knowledge of the laws and regulations. The team demonstrates professionalism in all situations, showing the patience and willingness to achieve the optimum outcome for the client.”

Chambers Asia-Pacific (2023)

Their ability to form a strong bond with clients and understand their needs enables them to guide clients seamlessly through the litigation process."

Chambers Asia-Pacific (2025)