Chambers Global (2024)

Banking & Finance: Domestic – Band 1
Ranked Lawyers: Angela Lim (Band 2), Ng Sey Ming (Band 3), Weilin Lee (Band 4)
Banking & Finance (Foreign Expertise) – Indonesia
Ranked Lawyers: Paul Ng (China), Ng Sey Ming (Indonesia)
Banking & Finance: Regulatory - Band 2
Ranked Lawyers: Regina Liew (Band 1)

What the team is known for
Rajah & Tann Singapore's lawyers are sought after by major banks and corporate borrowers due to an excellent track record in both large and mid-sized work, from traditional banking and syndicated lending to project and real estate finance. The team is capable of handling Shari'a-compliant financings and green financing. It additionally offers notable regulatory expertise regarding fintech issues and digital licence applications. The regional offering is well placed to handle cross-border instructions due to its network of offices across the region, including in Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and China. Key clients of the department include Pace Enterprise, HSBC and OCBC.

Foreign desks
Rajah & Tann Singapore is well placed to assist foreign and local entities with banking matters in Indonesia, including acquisition finance. It often advises on deals in the real estate sector. Ng Sey Ming is a key contact.

Strengths
"The Rajah & Tann team are comfortable with complexity and have the ability to simplify complex topics into core points."
"They don't rest on their laurels. They are able to bring their best to bear on each new financing transaction. They are very customer-focused and their service is top notch."
"Rajah & Tann are acutely aware of the commercial context in rendering legal advice to navigate a regulatory minefield instead of delivering textbook answers."

Work highlights
Rajah & Tann advised Citigroup Global Markets Singapore, BofA Securities and DBS Bank as mandated lead arrangers book runners and underwriters on the granting of EUR300 million term loan facilities to Perpetual Asia.
The firm provided Pace Enterprise with a range of regulatory advice including in respect of its Payment Services Act licensing application.

Notable practitioners
Regina Liew has a market-leading regulatory practice in Singapore. She has expertise across a wide range of issues, including digital banking and bank restructuring. "Regina is very dedicated, responsive, knowledgeable and insightful."

Angela Lim is a well-respected banking and finance lawyer in Singapore offering specific infrastructure expertise. She also regularly advises on term and bridge loan facilities.

Ng Sey Ming has built a strong reputation for cross-border transactions and acts for major banks and companies. His areas of expertise include real estate finance and sustainability-linked facilities. He often handles work involving Indonesia. "Sey Ming is knowledgeable and responsive. He is able to understand issues and make good solution-based recommendations."

Weilin Lee is a strong transactional practitioner who is well placed to advise lenders on both onshore and offshore financings. She boasts particular expertise in real estate financing mandates. "Weilin is a stellar performer. She is technically excellent, commercially astute and adept at managing difficult clients and counterparties." "She understands what the bank needs when it comes to financing."

Paul Ng is a well-known aviation finance lawyer who earns recognition from Chinese clients for his expertise.

Capital Markets - Band 2
Ranked Lawyers: Chia Kim Huat (Foreign expert for China), Danny Lim (Band 4), Evelyn Wee (Band 4), Raymond Tong (Band 1 and Foreign expert for Malaysia)
What the team is known for
Rajah & Tann Singapore offers legal expertise across both debt and equity capital markets and is recognised for being involved in many complex transactions in the market. The firm is highly regarded for advising on IPOs, SPACs and rights offerings, alongside multicurrency debt issuances and convertible notes. The client roster includes issuers as well as underwriters, with key names such as DBS Bank, CLSA Singapore and Japfa. Rajah & Tann has a network of offices across ASEAN and beyond, which adds to the team's ability to handle cross-border work. Lawyers at the firm in Singapore often assist clients with overseas listings.

Strengths
"They provide a lot of value-add. They are very aware of our requirements internally and make it a point to ensure that our requirements are considered."

Work highlights
Rajah & Tann Singapore represented CLSA Singapore as issuer manager on the spin-off and introductory listing of Yangzijiang Financial on the SGX-ST Mainboard.

Notable practitioners
Raymond Tong possesses over two decades of experience in the capital markets field. He regularly advises major financial services clients on ECM deals in particular, including IPOs, secondary listings and private placements. He is an expert in handling Malaysia-related capital markets mandates. "Raymond Tong has always assisted us with various deals. He understands the region and the requests of his clients, whether acting for the banks or the issuer."
Danny Lim regularly advises clients including Singaporean and foreign listed companies on rights issues and share placements.
Evelyn Wee is well placed to assist clients with IPOs, follow-on offerings and other equity issuances. She has experience of handling deals in the real estate sector.
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. "He is a smart and commercial lawyer who is fluent in both English and Chinese."

Corporate/M&A - Band 2
Ranked Lawyers: Danny Lim (Band 5), Sandy Foo (Band 2)
Corporate/M&A (Foreign Expertise) - Myanmar
Ranked Lawyer: Alroy Chan (Up and Coming), Chester Toh (Band 1) (Foreign expert for Myanmar)

What the team is known for
Rajah & Tann Singapore has a highly regarded team of lawyers, utilising the strength of its network of Asian offices to handle complex cross-border M&A mandates. The firm is active in a range of sectors, including property, manufacturing and healthcare, acting for major banks, funds and corporate clients on public and private M&A transactions, including privatisations, as well as private equity deals. The group offers further expertise in handling REIT-related transactions. The corporate team effectively leverages the firm's wider practice areas on related issues, including capital markets, finance and real estate. Clients advised include Temasek, Keppel Infrastructure Trust and Sunseap.

Foreign desks
The Singapore team has significant experience of advising domestic and international companies on acquisitions, divestments and joint ventures in Myanmar across a range of sectors, acting in collaboration with its Yangon office. The team advised Ooredoo South East Asia Holding W.L.L. on the sale of its interest in Ooredoo's mobile operating business in Myanmar. Chester Toh leads the Myanmar-focused team.

Strengths
"The team are proactive and responsive, and provide sound and practical advice. They display a strong understanding of the transaction and can coordinate various workstreams seamlessly."
"They are a pleasure to work with - very client-friendly and commercially savvy."

Work highlights
Rajah & Tann Singapore acted for Sunseap and its founder shareholders on the sale of a 91% stake to EDP Renewables for SGD1.1 billion.

Notable practitioners
Sandy Foo is a lawyer in Singapore who regularly advises corporate clients from a wide variety of sectors on sophisticated commercial transactions, with significant experience in public M&A and takeover deals. She is additionally experienced in supporting private equity funds with investments, including REITs. "She is a veteran in her field with great connections. She provides practical and sound advice while at the same time fighting for clients' interests."
Danny Lim is recognised for his capabilities in both public and private M&A transactions, with particular expertise in corporate restructuring and exit offers. He is experienced in advising multinational companies, as well as Singaporean entities. "Danny is very practical and, due to experience, he can advise readily. He is very fast."
Alroy Chan is a partner based in Singapore with extensive experience of Myanmar matters. He has key expertise in transactions as well as undertaking financing mandates for domestic banks.
Chester Toh in Singapore is noted for his expertise in corporate legal matters. He regularly acts on cross-border M&A, joint ventures and real estate development work, having particular expertise in the telecoms and energy sectors.

Dispute Resolution: Arbitration: Elite - Band 2
Ranked Lawyers: Andre Yeap SC (Band 3), Francis Xavier SC (Band 5), Kelvin Poon SC (Band 5), Tan Chuan Thye SC (Band 4)
Andre Yeap SC in Singapore has defended breach of contract arbitrations for sovereign states and also sits as an arbitrator.

Strengths
"Andre is wise and experienced. His strategy has helped us land a favourable dispute settlement. He's also responsive, which really helped during the dispute."

Tan Chuan Thye SC in Singapore has worked on ICC and SIAC arbitrations, with recent experience advising on disputes within the hospitality sector

Francis Xavier SC is a well-respected lawyer who acts in commercial and investor-state arbitrations. He is well versed in shareholder and land disputes.

Strengths
"Francis has terrific energy and is extremely smart on his feet."
"Francis is a very intelligent lawyer who thinks out of the box."

Kelvin Poon SC is recognised for his credentials in construction and commercial arbitration. He is a strong counsel for matters arising out of joint venture agreements.

Strengths
"Kelvin is very customer-focused and well versed in handling complex arbitration."
"Kelvin is a great strategist and on top of the legal issues. He is calm, measured and very persuasive."

Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (Foreign Expertise) – India
What the team is known for
Rajah & Tann's legal practice in Singapore harbours an impressive line-up of experienced arbitration lawyers with deep connections throughout the Singapore and Asian markets. The firm often handles energy and shipping disputes, and BIT arbitration. The practice is involved in UNCITRAL arbitrations in Singapore, as well as matters before the ICC. The department is well placed to provide specialist advice on construction-related disputes. The Republic of the Philippines, FIMBank and Vedanta feature among the firm's client roster.

Foreign desks
Rajah & Tann Singapore often handles international arbitration relating to Indian entities, including SIAC and UNCITRAL proceedings. It represented Vedanta in two matters relating to a Singapore-seated treaty arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules against the Republic of India under the United Kingdom-India Bilateral Investment Treaty. Kelvin Poon is a key contact for clients in relation to India.

Strengths
"Rajah & Tann has highly competent lawyers who have delivered results in a complex matter in an extremely short timeframe."
"The team invest time to get themselves aware of the root cause and perform analysis to suggest next steps. They also take proactive steps to involve experts on a timely basis."

Work highlights
Rajah & Tann represented Phnom Penh SEZ in SIAC proceedings brought by its joint venture partner Colben System and its subsidiary Colben Energy Holdings for alleged breaches of a joint venture agreement.

Dispute Resolution: Litigation - Band 1
Ranked Lawyers: Andre Yeap SC (Band 4), Francis Xavier SC (Band 2), Kelvin Poon SC (Band 4), Lee Eng Beng SC (Band 1)
What the team is known for
Rajah & Tann Singapore's prolific litigation team offers plentiful expertise in big-ticket domestic and cross-border disputes. The firm represents clients at all levels of the Singapore courts. The firm has particular experience in financial disputes, including those relating to cryptocurrencies, while it also possesses expertise in contentious joint venture, shareholder and insolvency matters. The team is 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 in handling cases connected to the South-East Asia, India and China markets. Senda International Capital, Vedanta and Keppel are notable clients of the firm.

Strengths
"Rajah & Tann has a good understanding of clients' needs."
"The team has depth gained from experience."

Work highlights
Rajah & Tann Singapore acted for White Energy in a damages claim against Bayan for breach of joint venture obligations, in a dispute worth SGD1 billion.

Notable practitioners
Lee Eng Beng SC has long been an esteemed figure in the market. He is active in complex business law disputes before the Court of Appeal.

Francis Xavier SC has experience before the SICC and the Court of Appeal, acting in cross-border disputes concerning alleged breaches of obligations. "Francis has been able to turn things around for us."

Andre Yeap SC has acted on cross-border issues before the High Court, including arbitral enforcement relating to investment treaties and against sovereign states. "I have great respect for Andre."

Kelvin Poon SC is well regarded for litigation in Singapore, including his handling of large international arbitral award enforcements. He is also involved in cross-border debt restructuring.

International & Cross-Border Capabilities (Singapore & South East Asian Firms) – Band 1

Projects & Energy - Band 2
Ranked Lawyer: Shemane Chan (Band 1)
What the team is known for
Rajah & Tann Singapore is a well-known law firm in the market, recognised for its comprehensive regional legal network, with an established presence in Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia. The team is highly sought after for its expertise in power and strong experience on PPP infrastructure projects. The practice is also experienced in the oil and gas, renewable energy and telecommunications sectors. The firm is further noted for its focus on the construction and development aspects of projects, with additional expertise regarding project finance.

Strengths
"They are extremely capable and well versed in all relevant matters."

Work highlights
Rajah & Tann Singapore advised AIMS APAC REIT on the structuring, negotiation and finalisation of the agreements for the installation and subsequent maintenance by SP Group of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems across six of the client's industrial, logistics and warehouse properties.

Notable practitioners
Shemane Chan specialises in energy, utilities and infrastructure project development and SPAs, including on renewable energy mandates. She has strong expertise in advising public bodies on regulatory developments in Singapore. "She's a great lawyer who is very knowledgeable, proactive and easy to communicate with. She's always on hand to help."

Shipping - Band 1
Ranked Lawyers:
Shipping: Domestic: Finance - Chua Choon King (Band 2)
Shipping: Domestic: Litigation - Jainil Bhandari (Band 3), Kendall Tan (Band 2), Leong Kah Wah (Band 1), Toh Kian Sing (Band 1), V Bala (Band 4), Winston Kwek (Band 3)
What the team is known for
Rajah & Tann Singapore's pre-eminent shipping law practice is renowned for the size and strength of its litigation team. The firm covers the full range of contentious matters, including ship arrests, bunker payment claims, vessel collisions and casualty dispute cases. The team 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. The firm frequently advises international banks and commodity houses, as well as ship owners and judicial managers. Notable clients include SP PowerAssets, FIMBank and Agritrade International.

Strengths
"With their international network and willingness to work collaboratively between offices, their offering is very attractive for complex matters."
"The team are always on the ball and able to understand our perspective. They pay attention to their clients' needs, and their responses are generally quick and timely."

Work highlights
Rajah & Tann Singapore represented Lemarc Agromond against a receivables claim by the private equity financier, Almastone Capital, subject to London arbitration.

Notable practitioners
Leong Kah Wah is widely viewed as a prominent shipping litigator in Singapore. He assists clients with a range of complex matters, including in relation to debt restructuring, collisions and ship arrests. "He has considerable depth of legal wisdom and extensive experience. He is one of the most talented lawyers, able to provide reasonable and practical advice for clients in any dispute."

Toh Kian Sing SC offers significant expertise in the full range of shipping disputes in Singapore, from cargo and fraud cases to claims arising out of ship casualties. "He is intellectually robust and is very effective."

Chua Choon King has well-established experience in the area of shipping finance in Singapore, regularly acting for notable banks. He offers clients knowledge of ship sale and purchase agreements as well as leasing work.

Kendall Tan has a wealth of experience in shipping disputes in Singapore, regularly advising clients on wet matters including cargo and damages claims. "Kendall is a very focused partner who can break down complex issues into bite-size portions to offer his clients focused and innovative solutions." "He is very strong technically and in case strategy. He's also client-friendly and easy to work with."

Jainil Bhandari is a distinguished lawyer in Singapore and also has expertise in Malaysian shipping matters. He has substantial experience in shipping disputes, assisting clients with ship safety and cargo damage matters. "Jainil Bhandari is very sharp in the analysis of complex issues, and his cross-border practice and qualification is extremely helpful for dealing with shipping matters."

Winston Kwek offers clients a wealth of experience across a range of different matters in Singapore, including major restructuring-related litigation and fraud disputes. He regularly assists international banks and corporate clients in the shipping industry.

V Bala is well versed in wet and dry shipping litigation in Singapore, including restructuring and charter party disputes, as well as fraud cases. "He's very bright, knowledgeable and supportive."

India - Dispute Resolution (International Firms) – Expertise Based Abroad - Band 4
What the team is known for
Rajah & Tann is a longstanding presence in both Singapore and regional South-East and South Asian disputes, handling both arbitration and litigation, with additional capabilities for acting as arbitrator, securing interim measures and challenging or enforcing arbitral awards. The team is also well equipped to handle investment treaty arbitrations and often acts for clients in the energy, tech and logistics sectors. Its clients include Vedanta, Malayan Banking and OYO.

Work highlights
Rajah & Tann represented Vauld in legal proceedings in Singapore for a moratorium order relating to the company's restructuring.

Notable practitioners
Singapore-based Kelvin Poon is a key contact.

Indonesia – Banking & Finance (International Firms)
Ranked Lawyer: Ng Sey Ming (expertise based abroad in Singapore)
Ng Sey Ming is an active banking lawyer in Singapore who often handles Indonesia-related financing transactions, including term and revolving credit loans.

Indonesia - Corporate & Finance (International Firms) - Desk Abroad - Band 4
What the team is known for
Rajah & Tann Singapore leverages its network of law offices across the Asia-Pacific region to advise on a significant volume of cross-border mandates. The team provides Indonesia law advice through its associate firm, Assegaf Hamzah & Partners. The group's expertise covers banking and finance, dispute resolution, M&A and projects. The firm possesses notable language capabilities in the group's Singapore office, including Indonesian.

Strengths
"They come up with solutions and strategies and are always quick to respond to our enquiries."

Work highlights
Rajah & Tann Singapore advised DigiAsia Bios on its USD500 million merger with StoneBridge Acquisition.

Notable practitioners
Ng Sey Ming is an active banking lawyer in Singapore who often handles Indonesia-related financing transactions, including term and revolving credit loans.

Asia Pacific Region - Arbitration (International) - Band 3
What the team is known for
A leading Singapore firm, Rajah & Tann is 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. The firm is 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. It is additionally well placed to act on arbitration-related litigation in the Singapore courts, where it often provides assistance to international firms. The Republic of the Philippines, FIMBank and Vedanta feature amongst the firm's client roster.

Strengths
"Rajah & Tann's team are highly competent lawyers who delivered results in a complex matter in an extremely short time frame."
"The team invests time to get themselves acquainted with the root cause and performs analysis to suggest next steps. They also take proactive steps to involve experts on a timely basis."

Work highlights
Rajah & Tann represented Phnom Penh SEZ in SIAC proceedings brought by its joint venture partner Colben System and its subsidiary Colben Energy Holdings for alleged breaches of a joint venture agreement.

Notable practitioners
Kelvin Poon is head of the firm's international arbitration department.

Asia Pacific Region - Gaming & Gambling
Ranked Lawyer: Lau Kok Keng (Band 1)
Lau Kok Keng of Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP has long been recognised as the leading expert on gaming and gambling matters in Singapore. Well versed in intellectual property law, he is particularly known for advising clients, including governments and international and domestic enterprises, on the complex regulatory structures around lotteries and wagering in the region and beyond. In recent years, his attention has turned increasingly to the world of online and virtual gaming.

Strengths
"Lau Kok Keng will always be my first point of contact. I find Kok Keng extremely good and knowledgeable."

"He has many industry connections and can reach places we need specific contacts in. He is known in the market as a reputable gaming lawyer so is a useful contact."
"He's one of the leading gaming law specialists in the APAC region and is on most of the most significant matters in and around the region."

Asia Pacific Region – Data Protection – Band 4
What the team is known for
Rajah & Tann Asia is a renowned Singapore firm with coverage of China and South-East Asia. The teams assist on a broad range of regulatory issues including multinational compliance programmes, data governance and data transfer. It is also adept at handling data breaches and investigations. The firm regularly advise clients from the financial services, insurance, manufacturing, healthcare and life sciences, retail and real estate sectors.

Strengths
"They have a good grasp of the technical legal issues but are also very practical and commercial."
"The team are very knowledgeable about the Singapore market, with a good presence in the region, and offer very clear advice."

Notable practitioners
A key contact for the firm is Steve Tan, based in Singapore.

Asia Pacific Region – International Trade/WTO – Band 3
What the team is known for
Rajah & Tann offers in-depth legal expertise in trade matters concerning South-East Asian countries. The team excels in a range of areas, including anti-dumping, export controls, sanctions 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 energy, technology, consumer goods and finance spaces. The firm also works on matters involving free trade agreements and tariffs. Rajah & Tann maintains a strong reputation for its handling of Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia-related matters.

Notable practitioners
Kala Anandarajah leads the competition and trade law department at Rajah & Tann Singapore. She advises extensively on customs and sanctions issues across the region. "Kala is very knowledgeable and responsive. She is very capable and is willing to talk through issues and review work drafted. I can always count on her to deliver the quality of product."
Melisa Uremovic demonstrates a strong South-East Asia-focused trade practice from her base in Thailand. She regularly handles anti-dumping and customs issues, as well as WTO proceedings.

Asia-Pacific Region - Shipping: Finance - Band 3
Asia-Pacific Region - Shipping: Litigation - Band 3
What the team is known for
Rajah & Tann Singapore's pre-eminent shipping law practice is renowned for the size and strength of its litigation team. The firm covers the full range of contentious matters, including ship arrests, bunker payment claims, vessel collisions and casualty dispute cases. The team offers additional strength in ship financing as well as shipping-related restructuring, with clients benefitting from its regional network of offices in South-East Asia. The firm frequently advises international banks and commodity houses, as well as ship owners and judicial managers.

Strengths
"The team are always on the ball and able to understand our perspective. They pay attention to their client's needs, and their responses are generally quick and timely."

Work highlights
Rajah & Tann Singapore acted as lead counsel for Lemarc Agromond against a receivables claim by the private equity financier, Almastone Capital.

Notable practitioners
Leong Kah Wah and Kian Sing Toh SC are key contacts for the firm.

Global Market Leaders – Gaming & Gambling – Lau Kok Keng (Band 4)
Kok Keng Lau advises a wide variety of clients ranging from technology companies to publishers. He often works on licensing disputes.

Strengths
"He has been helpful in helping us understand local rules and what they mean and how they could affect certain businesses."
"Kok Keng Lau is our go-to contact for all gaming-related matters in Singapore."

Global Market Leaders - Shipping: Litigation - Band 4
What the team is known for
Rajah & Tann has an impressive global shipping team that handles a range of matters. The firm has notable strength in Singapore and Malaysia. The law firm offers:
* Experience in a range of contentious issues, including charter party and cargo claims.
* Expertise representing clients such as banks, P&I clubs and ship owners.

Strengths
"Rajah & Tann has a very good shipping litigation practice. Their practice is well known, especially in Singapore and China."
"Rajah & Tann is a powerhouse in Asia."

Notable practitioners
Kendall Tan heads the shipping practice, while V Bala is the deputy head. Other key contacts include senior partner and senior counsel Toh Kian Sing, Jainil Bhandari and Leong Kah Wah.

South-East Asia - International Trade/WTO - Band 1
Ranked Lawyers: Kala Anandarajah, Melisa Uremovic