Chambers Global (2021)
Banking & Finance - Band 2
Ranked Lawyers: Angela Lim (Band 2), Ng Sey Ming (Band 3, Foreign Expert for Indonesia)
What the team is known for
Sought after by major banks and corporate borrowers, with an excellent track record in both large and mid-sized work, from traditional banking and syndicated lending to project and real estate finance. Capable of handling Shari'a-compliant financings and green financing. Additionally offers notable regulatory expertise regarding fintech issues and digital licence application mandates. Well placed to handle cross-border instructions due to its network of offices across the region, including in Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and China. Team roster also includes a high number of foreign jurisdiction experts.
Foreign desks
The group is well placed to assist foreign and local entities with banking matters in Indonesia, including acquisition finance. It often advises on deals in the energy sector. Ng Sey Ming is a key contact.
Notable practitioners
Angela Lim maintains her position as a leading banking and finance lawyer, offering specific infrastructure expertise and heading the banking and finance team. A delighted client calls her "technically sound and very commercially astute," adding: "She is also very responsive and able to address clients' needs thoughtfully."
Regina Liew has a market-leading regulatory practice and receives praise from clients. "She understands things quickly and picks her position clearly. That's not common for a corporate counsel," one pleased client says.
Ng Sey Ming has built a strong reputation for cross-border transactions and acts for major banks and companies, including on deals involving Indonesia. "He is able to adopt a practical approach to resolve any impasse," a client says, and another adds praise for his "clear and concise" and "solution-based" advice.
Banking & Finance: Regulatory - Band 2
Ranked Lawyers: Regina Liew (Band 1)
Banking & Finance (Foreign Expertise) - Spotlight Table (Indonesia)
Capital Markets - Band 2
Ranked Lawyers: Chia Kim Huat (Eminent Practitioner and Foreign expert for China), Danny Lim (Band 4), Evelyn Wee (Band 3)
What the team is known for
Offering expertise across both debt and equity capital markets, the team is recognised for being involved in many complex transactions in the market. Highly regarded for advising on IPOs and listings, rights offerings and hybrid issuances, alongside multicurrency debt issuances. Its client roster includes issuers as well as underwriters. A network of offices across ASEAN and beyond adds to the team's ability to handle cross-border work in jurisdictions such as Vietnam, Japan and Indonesia.
Notable practitioners
Danny Lim is recognised for his capabilities in a wide range of capital markets topics. He advises clients including Singaporean and foreign listed companies on rights issues and share placements.
Evelyn Wee is regarded by market commentators as "a very good and very competent practitioner." She is well placed to assist clients with IPOs, follow-on offerings and other equity issuances.
Chia Kim Huat is deeply experienced in capital markets transactions related to domestic listings and secondary issuances. He is also well versed in assisting Chinese clients with a wide range of listings and offerings.
Corporate/M&A - Band 2
Ranked Lawyers: Chester Toh - Corporate/M&A (Foreign Expertise) – Myanmar, Danny Lim (Band 5), Lawrence Tan (Band 5) , Sandy Foo (Band 3)
What the team is known for
Highly regarded team that leverages the strength of its network of Asian offices to handle complex cross-border M&A mandates. Active in a range of sectors, including property, manufacturing, education and healthcare, acting for major banks and corporate clients on public and private M&A transactions as well as private equity deals. Effectively leverages the firm's wider practice areas on related issues, including capital markets, finance and real estate.
Foreign desks
The team in Singapore is well versed in corporate transactions involving Indonesia, often advising on matters in the manufacturing, real estate and healthcare sectors. Well placed to handle multi-jurisdictional deals encompassing different South-East Asian jurisdictions, including Indonesia. Cheng Yoke Ping is a key contact.
The Singapore team has significant experience of advising domestic and international companies on acquisitions, divestments and joint ventures in Myanmar, acting in collaboration with its Yangon office. It has expertise regarding transactions across different sectors, including retail, insurance and healthcare. The team advised the Kachin State Government and a consortium of local investors on a proposed tender for an economic zone in Myanmar. Chester Toh leads the Myanmar-focused team.
Notable practitioners
Chester Toh stands out for his expert knowledge of Myanmar's corporate legal market. He often assists foreign investors with transactions in the local insurance and hospitality sectors, among others.
Danny Lim is recognised for his capabilities in both public and private M&A, with particular expertise in corporate restructuring and exit offers. He is experienced in advising multinational companies, as well as Singaporean entities.
Lawrence Tan co-leads the firm's M&A team and is recognised for his experience in M&A deals. He is active on takeovers relating to public companies, alongside general corporate issues.
Sandy Foo regularly advises corporate clients from a wide variety of sectors on sophisticated commercial transactions, including real estate and healthcare. She is additionally experienced in supporting private equity funds with investments.
Corporate/M&A (Foreign Expertise) - Spotlight Table (Indonesia & Myanmar)
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration - Band 2
Ranked Lawyers: Andre Yeap SC (Band 4), Tan Chuan Thye SC (Band 4)
What the team is known for
Impressive line-up of experienced arbitration practitioners with deep connections throughout the Singapore and Asian markets. Very good slate of work in energy and shipping disputes, and recent involvement in BIT arbitration. Involved in UNCITRAL arbitrations in Singapore, as well as matters before the ICC and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Clients include companies, states and government-linked organisations. Firm's strong reputation for court litigation also makes the team a popular choice for arbitration-related litigation. Well placed to provide specialist advice on construction-related disputes.
Notable practitioners
Andre Yeap SC is a recognised name and "very good," according to interviewees. He has defended breach of contract arbitrations for sovereign states and also sits as an arbitrator.
Tan Chuan Thye SC is acknowledged as a senior lawyer with a "court-focused practice." He has worked on ICC arbitrations.
Dispute Resolution: Litigation - Band 1
Ranked Lawyers: Andre Yeap SC (Band 3), Danny Ong (Band 4), Francis Xavier SC (Band 3), Lee Eng Beng SC (Band 1)
What the team is known for
Prolific litigation team with plentiful expertise in big-ticket domestic and cross-border disputes. Represents clients at all levels of the Singapore courts. Has particular experience in financial disputes, including those relating to cryptocurrencies, while it also possesses expertise in contentious joint venture, shareholder and insolvency matters. Well placed to act on multi-jurisdictional matters due to its network of offices and alliances in the wider region. Members of the team have notable expertise handling cases connected to the Indonesia, India and China markets.
Notable practitioners
Andre Yeap SC has acted on cross-border issues before the High Court, including those relating to investment treaties and against sovereign states.
Clients turn to Danny Ong for advice on fraud litigation and breach of contract. He is particularly sought out by companies in the finance sector.
Lee Eng Beng SC has long been an esteemed figure in the market. He continues to be seen as a "very capable advocate" and is active on complex business law disputes before the Court of Appeal.
Francis Xavier SC has experience before the SICC and the Court of Appeal, acting on cross-border disputes concerning alleged breach of obligations.
International & Cross-Border Capabilities (Singapore & South East Asian Firms) - Band 1
What the team is known for
Widely regarded as one of the foremost independent practices in Singapore and South-East Asia, Rajah & Tann performs highly on an international stage. As a member of the elite network Lex Mundi, the firm is closely aligned to leading practices worldwide, and also offers clients a comprehensive network of its own offices which spans ASEAN. The firm operates a full-service model from Singapore, and is often engaged to act as lead counsel on cross-border issues, but also frequently works in conjunction with international firms on multi-jurisdictional matters.
Rajah & Tann is regarded as having one of the strongest contentious teams in the region, which excels in both cross-border litigation and arbitration proceedings, as well as antitrust disputes and corporate investigations. Equally, the team is held in high regard for its transactional work, offering both international investors into Asian jurisdictions and local entities extensive support on financing, M&A and capital markets deals. The firm also provides clients with strong sector-specific guidance, with leading specialists offering cross-border advice in relation to the shipping, TMT, construction and insurance industries.
Strengths
One source reports: "Rajah & Tann are well placed to provide advice in multiple South-East Asian jurisdictions. Practice group leaders and partners are approachable, and responses are timely and commercial."
"Their service is of global quality. They provide sound, thoughtful and creative advice, are responsive and timely, and are very cooperative and proactive working across time zones. I highly recommend them," affirms a client.
Projects & Energy - Band 2
Ranked Lawyer: Shemane Chan (Band 1)
What the team is known for
Well known for its comprehensive regional network, with an established presence in Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia. Often instructed on notably unique deals in the Singapore market. Highly sought after for its expertise in power and strong experience on PPP infrastructure projects. Also experienced in the oil and gas sector. Noted for its focus on the construction and development aspects of projects, with additional expertise regarding project finance.
Strengths
Clients say: "They understand the local laws well and are very thorough and detailed."
One source praises their subject matter expertise related to an infrastructure project and adds: "I am very impressed with their extensive knowledge and special insights."
Work highlights
Advised the master developer on the development of One Bangkok, which includes a waste water treatment plant, a district cooling plant, an electricity distribution facility and ICT infrastructure.
Notable practitioners
Shemane Chan is praised by interviewees for her "adaptability during negotiations with tough counterparties." Clients also appreciate that she is "meticulous and able to provide practical advice." She specialises in energy, utilities and infrastructure project development and SPAs, with notable recent involvement in renewable energy mandates.
Shipping - Band 1
Ranked Lawyers: Shipping: Domestic: Finance - Chua Choon King (Band 2), Shipping: Domestic: Litigation - Jainil Bhandari (Band 3, also ranked in Shipping (Foreign Expertise) - Malaysia), Kendall Tan (Band 3), Leong Kah Wah (Band 1), Toh Kian Sing (Band 1), Winston Kwek (Band 3)
What the team is known for
Pre-eminent shipping practice which is renowned for the size and strength of its litigation team. Covers the full range of contentious matters, including ship arrests, bunker payment claims, vessel collisions and casualty dispute cases. Offers additional strength in ship financing as well as shipping-related restructuring, with clients benefiting from its regional network of offices in South-East Asia. Frequently advises major banks and commodity houses as well as P&I clubs, ship owners and charterers.
Notable practitioners
Chua Choon King has well-established experience in the area of shipping finance, and regularly acts for notable banks. He offers clients knowledge of ship sale and purchase agreements as well as leasing work.
Jainil Bhandari is a distinguished practitioner with substantial experience in shipping disputes, assisting clients with ship safety and cargo damage matters. He regularly acts for Malaysia-based clients on contentious shipping matters.
Leong Kah Wah is labelled "excellent" by clients and he is widely viewed as a prominent litigator in the market. He assists clients with both wet and dry shipping disputes as well as arbitration matters. A client says: "I have been impressed with his professional working and the favourable results achieved."
Kendall Tan has longstanding experience on shipping disputes, regularly advising clients on wet matters including shipping arrests. One client reports: "Kendall has a sharp grasp of the commercial issues at the core of disputes and more often than not can quickly unsheathe the underlying issues at stake with proposals for resolution."
Toh Kian Sing SC 's clients laud him as a "highly respected Senior Counsel" who is "knowledgeable, practical and a strategist." He offers significant expertise in the full range of shipping disputes, from charter party and bills of lading cases to ship repair and marine insurance matters. One client reports: "He is extremely hard-working and is able to give practical advice. His seniority and status as an SC belies his attention to detail. He reads every document and does not depend on his colleagues or juniors to summarise documents for him. He really adds value to the file in terms of his advice and insights."
Winston Kwek offers clients a wealth of experience across a range of different matters including major restructuring-related litigation. He regularly assists corporate clients in the shipping industry and also offers knowledge of tax matters.
Asia-Pacific Region: Arbitration (International) - Band 3
What the team is known for
Leading Singapore firm, highlighted for its specialist arbitration practice and impressive regional range, extending to the Middle East, including especially notable coverage of Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam and maintaining an acknowledged profile in Philippines-related matters. Particularly noted for handling investor-state and energy cases, regularly instructed in matters involving the operations of Chinese companies in other Asian jurisdictions and highly active in disputes generated by regional construction projects. Additionally well placed to act on arbitration-related litigation in the Singapore courts, where it often provides assistance to international firms.
Strengths
One interviewee observes: "It's a classy outfit in its understanding of arbitration and in ensuring that nothing is left to chance and that both the process and the outcome are as good as possible."
Clients appreciate that team lawyers are "always on standby to be consulted every step of the way and offer substantive feedback throughout."
Notable practitioners
Andre Yeap SC is head of the firm's international arbitration department.
Asia-Pacific Region: International Trade/WTO - Band 3
Asia-Pacific Region: Gaming & Gambling - Lau Kok Keng (Band 2)
Asia-Pacific Region: Shipping: Finance - Band 3
Asia-Pacific Region: Shipping: Litigation - Band 3
Indonesia: Corporate & Finance (International Firms) (Desk based Abroad) - Band 4
What the team is known for
Leverages its network of offices across the Asia-Pacific region to advise on a significant volume of cross-border mandates. Provides Indonesia law advice through its associate firm, Assegaf Hamzah & Partners. Expertise covers banking and finance, dispute resolution, M&A and projects. Possesses notable language capabilities in the group's Singapore office, including Indonesian.
Notable practitioners
Ng Sey Ming in Singapore is a key contact.
South-East Asia: International Trade/WTO – Asia Pacific Region - Band 1
Ranked Lawyer: Kala Anandarajah (Spotlight Table)
What the team is known for
Offers in-depth expertise in trade matters concerning South-East Asian countries. Excels in a range of areas, including anti-dumping, export controls, safeguards and the structuring of trade flows, as well as handling customs regulatory compliance for international companies operating across a number of sectors, with particular expertise in the hi-tech, healthcare and agrifood spaces. Also works on matters involving free trade agreements and tariffs. Maintains a strong reputation for its handling of Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia-related matters.
Strengths
A client reports: "The team has been a great resource for us, and we appreciate its business-oriented approach, prompt service and great work product, as well as its extensive network."
Work highlights
Advised adhesives provider HB Fuller on the tax implications and anti-avoidance rules relevant to a share transfer within its Indonesian subsidiaries.
Notable practitioners
Kala Anandarajah is described by a client as a "business-focused and client-oriented attorney who balances her expertise with practical experience." The same client reports: "She's helped our company navigate several difficult trade issues, and her support has been invaluable to our operations in Singapore." She advises extensively on customs issues and trade remedies across the region.