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TAN KOK QUAN PARTNERSHIP is a full service law firm providing legal services across a broad spectrum of industry sectors. Our firm's principal founder and first managing partner was Tan Kok Quan, Senior Counsel, a well-respected litigator who was among the first batch of lawyers to be appointed senior counsel in Singapore. From 2007 to early 2015, our firm was helmed by Kannan Ramesh, Senior Counsel, the first senior counsel to be groomed from within our firm and under whose stewardship, our firm grew to more than 35 lawyers, becoming one of the leading legal practices in Singapore. Today, our firm is jointly led by Marina Chin and Eddee Ng, and continues to have a reputation for top-quality legal services, frequently garnering plaudits from clients and independent leading legal publications such as Asian Legal Business, Euromoney and Chambers Asia-Pacific. We recognise the importance of our legal advice integrating with our clients' larger commercial picture. We are passionate about our work and actively look for ways to build upon the success of our clients and our firm. We are also well aware of our corporate social responsibility role. We are strongly committed to giving back to the society and making a difference. Our lawyers regularly handle pro bono matters under the various legal assistance initiatives led by the Singapore Law Society, such as the Community Legal Clinic and the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.
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PARTNERS & CONSULTANTS
Chew, Alcina Lynn
POSITION: PARTNER
PRACTICE GROUP:
EMAIL: alcinachew@tkqp.com.sg
Advocate & Solicitor, Singapore, 2013
Bachelor of Laws (Hons), National University of Singapore, 2012
Commercial litigation and arbitration
Alcina has assisted in various civil and commercial matters covering a wide spectrum of industry sectors such as private banking, securities, hospitality, and clubs and societies.
Alcina is ranked as a Next Generation Lawyer for Dispute Resolution by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2019. She was also recognised by Singapore Business Review as one of Singapore's "20 Most Influential Lawyers 40 and Under 2017".
Alcina's experience includes:
acting for a plaintiff in a complex case where there was a dispute on whether the fire broke out in the plaintiff's or the defendant's property, and the cause of the fire was unknown. Following a nine-day trial in which many witnesses including fire experts and personnel from the Singapore Civil Defence Force were cross-examined, the team obtained a favourable judgment for 100% of the quantum claimed by the plaintiff: see Te Deum Engineering Pte Ltd v Grace Electrical Engineering Pte Ltd [2016] SGHC 232. The defendant then filed an appeal. The Court of Appeal, after hearing the appeal, accepted our arguments on a novel point of law, and upheld the decision: see Grace Electrical Engineering Pte Ltd v Te Deum Engineering Pte Ltd [2017] SGCA 65;
acting for an international group of manufacturing companies against a former director and CEO over issues of bribery and corruption, conspiracy, diversion of a multi-million business and serious breaches of fiduciary duties: see Beyonics Technology Ltd and another v Goh Chan Peng and others [2016] SGHC 120, and Goh Chan Peng and others v Beyonics Technology Ltd and another [2017] SGCA 40;
acting for United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) in its claims for fraud and conspiracy against, amongst others, Lippo Marina Collection Pte Ltd (Lippo Marina), a property development company within the well-known Lippo Group, relating to UOB's grant of mortgage loans amounting to an aggregate sum of S$181 million for the purchase of luxury condominium units at The Marina Collection at Sentosa Cove developed by Lippo Marina. This case included an interlocutory application involving a complex area of law pertaining to whether the fraud exception applies to prevent attribution of the knowledge of an employee who had been fraudulent and/or who had committed a breach of duty to the employer. See: United Overseas Bank Ltd v Lippo Marina Collection Pte Ltd and others [2016] 2 SLR 597; and United Overseas Bank Ltd v Lippo Marina Collection Pte Ltd [2017] SGHC 140;
representing Mdm Kwik Poh Leng, the matriarch of the Thio family, in a dispute over approximately S$1 billion of family-owned assets. The Thio family owns one of the largest dairy products businesses in South-East Asia through their company, Malaysia Dairy Industries Pte Ltd, which produces well-known brands such as Vitagen, Marigold, HL Milk, Peel Fresh, Cowbell, Lady General, King of Kings and Double Happiness. See: Thio Syn Kym Wendy and others v Thio Syn Pyn and others [2017] SGHC 169;
representing a prominent international group in a S$30 million claim before the Singapore International Commercial Court in connection with a large government-supported petrochemical plant;
acting for Mr Chandra Winata Lie, an Indonesian high net worth individual, in his claims for unauthorised trading, failure to advise and misrepresentation against Citibank NA. See: Chandra Winata Lie v Citibank NA [2015] 1 SLR 875;
advising and acting for a major international hotel chain in respect of their dispute with a Singapore landlord;
advising and acting for a leading Asia-Pacific hotel chain in a dispute with the Singapore subsidiary of an international provider of membership programmes, which was appointed as their agent;
advising and acting for Malaysian clients in claims for misrepresentation against a major Swiss bank;
advising and acting for an Indonesian client in claims for unauthorized trading, failure to advise and misrepresentation against a major US bank;
advising and acting for Indian clients in claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duties, and breach of trust against their former private banker;
advising and acting for a local stockbroking firm against its remisier for contra losses suffered as a result of the collapse of Sky One share prices; and
advising and acting for a former President of a club in relation to a dispute arising out of the suspension and removal of a committee member of the club.
Appointments / Membership
Law Society of Singapore
Singapore Academy of Law
Chin, Marina
POSITION: JOINT MANAGING PARTNER
EMAIL: marinachin@tkqp.com.sg
Postgraduate Practical Law Course (awarded the Tan Ah Tah Book Prize), 1990
Defamation law
Marina is one of the senior and founding partners of the firm. With more than 28 years of experience, Marina has advised market participants on disputes and general business matters across a broad spectrum of industry sectors in Asia.
Marina also writes on a wide variety of litigation and arbitration law related topics. Upon invitation, she has contributed to three important Singapore publications for litigators:
The Singapore Court Practice
Singapore Precedents of Pleadings
Commercial Litigation in Singapore.
Marina is the recipient of the Euromoney Legal Media Group Asia Women in Business Law Awards 2016 – Best in Dispute Resolution award. She is ranked as a Recommended Lawyer for dispute resolution by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2017-2019. She is also ranked as a Recommended Lawyer for Restructuring and Insolvency by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2019. In addition, Marina has been recognised as one of the leading lawyers in the fields of Arbitration and Mediation by the Best Lawyers, 2019-2020.
Marina's experience includes:
acting in a longstanding corporate dispute in excess of US$160 million involving various individuals and companies in various jurisdictions;
acting in a widely publicised dispute involving claims brought by an information technology company against the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers and other leading property consultancy firms;
acting for a major foreign bank to claim S$54 million as well as to assert the bank's rights over equipment purchased for S$52 million and used in a major infrastructure project;
acting for a major international hotel chain in relation to claims in excess of US$30 million arising from the aborted acquisition of a hotel in Bangkok;
acting for a major export and import bank in relation to its claim against a Singapore listed company;
acting for one of the largest shipping companies in its claim against fraudulent employees of its Singapore subsidiary; including securing a worldwide Mareva Injunction to freeze assets up to the value of US$30 million as well as an Anton Piller order to preserve evidence;
acting in a US$30 million claim commenced by a multinational that has been referred to arbitration in Singapore and conducted in accordance with the arbitration rules of the International Chamber of Commerce;
acting for a Singapore listed company in respect of fraud committed in relation to its Indonesian subsidiary;
acting for majority shareholders of a Singapore listed company in its dispute with the minority;
acting for and advising a creditor in the winding up of a debtor company and successfully challenging the debtor's company application to implement a scheme of arrangement instead; acting for the liquidators thereafter in arbitration proceedings commenced by the debtor company to claim in excess of S$16 million and to defend a counterclaim of more than S$8.7 million;
acting for a defendant in a dispute between him and a joint venture partner on the division of profits after selling investment properties for more than S$60 million. Marina succeeded in defending the claim, and on appeal, the Court of Appeal affirmed the decision, holding that the suit was an abuse of process: see Lim Geok Lin Andy v Yap Jin Meng Bryan [2016] SGHC 234; and Lim Geok Lin Andy v Yap Jin Meng Bryan[2017] SGCA 46;
acting for a plaintiff in a complex case where there was a dispute on whether the fire broke out in the plaintiff's or the defendant's property, and the cause of the fire was unknown. Following a nine-day trial in which many witnesses including fire experts and personnel from the Singapore Civil Defence Force were cross-examined, Marina obtained a favourable judgment for 100% of the quantum claimed by the plaintiff: see Te Deum Engineering Pte Ltd v Grace Electrical Engineering Pte Ltd [2016] SGHC 232. The defendant then filed an appeal. The Court of Appeal, after hearing the appeal, accepted our arguments on a novel point of law, and upheld the decision: see Grace Electrical Engineering Pte Ltd v Te Deum Engineering Pte Ltd [2017] SGCA 65;
acting for liquidators in relation to a major fraud and conspiracy involving subsidiaries in various jurisdictions in South East Asia and tax havens;
acting for a minority shareholder in a derivative action for the benefit of the company based on a multi-million fraud involving the timber industry operated through numerous subsidiaries;
representing a claimant in an application for the judicial review of a decision to seize monies totalling US$14 million, and in an application for the release of monies under section 370 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cap 68, 2012 Rev Ed);
representing a claimant in proceedings commenced pursuant to section 29, read with paragraph 7(1) of the Third Schedule, of the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act (Cap 190A, 2001 Rev Ed);
representing a client in ongoing investigations conducted by various Singapore government agencies including the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Commercial Affairs Department of the Singapore Police Force, and the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority;
being appointed by the Court of Appeal of Singapore as the independent legal adviser to representatives of a substantial estate;
acting in numerous matters involving property law including landmark cases;
acting in landmark cases on issues of defamation law;
acting in a landmark case on matrimonial assets under family law;
acting in matters involving competition law; and
acting for the Public Trustee (in her capacity as litigation representative) to make submissions before the Court of Appeal for appointment of deputies under the Mental Capacity Act on behalf of a high net-worth individual.
Board Member and Audit Committee Member,
Singapore Land Authority
Member of the Specialist Mediator Panel (Singapore), Singapore International Mediation Centre
Fernandez, Christopher
POSITION: SENIOR PARTNER
EMAIL: chris@tkqp.com.sg
Christopher is a Partner in the Insurance Litigation Department.
Christopher was called into the English Bar in 1995. In February 1996, he was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor in Singapore.
Professional Indemnity Claims
Disputes Arising from Insurance Guarantees
Insurance Policy Disputes
Criminal Proceeding under the Road Traffic Act
Christopher's main areas of practice are in matters relating to Insurance Law and Workmen's Compensation. Christopher brings to Tan Kok Quan Partnership a wealth of experience in these highly specialized fields of practice.
His clientele include some of the largest insurance companies in Singapore.
Christopher is a member of the Law Society of Singapore.
Lee, Amy
POSITION: CONSULTANT
EMAIL: amylee@tkqp.com.sg
Solicitor, England and Wales, 2005
Bachelor of Laws (Hons), National University of Singapore), 1982
Amy specialises in infrastructure developments and government advisory work. Prior to joining our firm, Amy was with an international law firm for eight years.
Amy's experience includes:
advising GIC Special Investments on its €1 billion investment in Sintonia, the Benetton family's infrastructure holding company;
advising Energy Market Authority of Singapore (working with Tokyo Gas Engineering and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation) on a feasibility study relating to the development of a LNG refinery and associated infrastructure in Singapore;
advising JTC Corporation on its development of a hydrocarbon rock cavern storage facility in Singapore;
advising Sport Singapore (previously Singapore Sports Council) and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports on the redevelopment of the Singapore National Stadium – the flagship and demonstration project under the Singapore government's PPP initiative and the world's largest sports infrastructure PPP project. This project garnered numerous international awards including Project Finance Magazine's Global Deal of the Year;
advising one of the largest municipal state-owned enterprises in China on all aspects of the first successful state-owned toll road divestment in China – the first time a foreign investor gains a foothold in the China toll road sector; the first Indian company to enter into the China toll road business; and the first transaction in China to have a structure designed to allow for the sale of a key state-owned toll road asset from a China government entity to a foreign investor;
advising Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (working alongside World Bank, Indonesia Infrastructure Guarantee Fund, the Indonesian Ministry of Finance and its Risk Management Unit, the municipal government of Bandar Lampung and local PDAM) on the development of the Bandar Lampung water treatment and distribution PPP project – the first water PPP project under the PPP supporting legal and regulatory framework in Indonesia;
advising Keppel Merlimau Cogen Pte Ltd on all aspects, including financing of its 500MW greenfield merchant power project in Singapore and all land, planning and permitting aspects, including negotiations with JTC Corporation;
advising the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) on the enabling legislation and contractual arrangements for the Sungai Liang Industrial Park, a US$4.5 billion project in Brunei;
working with the master planners, in conjunction with the BEDB on finalising draft Proponent Agreements for the provision of shared infrastructure services (water, power, road and jetty) for the Sungai Liang Industrial Park in Brunei;
advising the Government of Brunei on the preparation of the country's privatisation masterplan;
advising Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Indonesian Ministry of Finance on the enabling framework required to allow PPP transactions to be implemented at the sub-sovereign level in Indonesia; and
advising ADB on the enabling legislation and supporting regulatory framework to establish an effective PPP procurement regime in Thailand.
Advisory Council Member, National University of Singapore, Faculty of Law
The Private Infrastructure Development Group Ltd's Risk Committee
InfraCo Asia Development Pte. Ltd.
InfraCo Asia Investments Pte. Ltd.
Low, Lawrence
INFRASTRUCTURE AND PROJECT FINANCE
EMAIL: lawrencelow@tkqp.com.sg
LPC – Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, BPP Law School, UK, 2001
CPE – Graduate Diploma in Law, City Law School, City University, UK, 2000
Masters of Research in Environmental Sciences, University College London, UK, 1996
Bachelor of Science in Human Sciences (Hons), University College London, UK, 1995
Lawrence has more than 15 years of experience advising public and private participants on banking and finance transactions in Asia, the Middle East and the UK, with a particular focus on project finance, acquisition finance, trade finance and syndicated finance.
Lawrence has also been directly involved with the development of several fintech projects relating to blockchain based payment settlement systems and trade and receivables financing platforms whilst on a secondment to Standard Chartered Bank in 2016.
Lawrence's experience includes advising:
DBS as agent and a syndicate of more than 20 local and international lenders on the financing and refinancing facility for Genting International's development of US$4.4 billion integrated resort and casino in Singapore, Resorts World at Sentosa – Project Finance Magazine's Asia Pacific Leisure Deal of the Year;
BNP Paribas, Calyon, DBS, Fortis Bank, OCBC and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation as the arrangers on the financing of China Huaneng Group's S$4.2 billion acquisition of shares in Tuas Power Ltd;
Sembcorp Utilities as sponsor on the US$1 billion financing of an independent water and power project in Salalah, Oman which involved lenders such as KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH and China Development Bank (CDB) – Asian-MENA Counsel's Deal of the Year 2010 and Global Water Intelligence's Global Water Awards – Desalination Deal of the Year 2011;
BTMU as agent and a syndicate of banks on the development and financing of one of the largest independent crude oil and petroleum product storage terminals in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates — Project Finance Magazine's Middle Eastern Oil & Gas Deal of the Year and Global Transport Finance's Port Finance Law Firm of the Year;
Standard Chartered Bank on its:
restructuring of a US$1 billion loan to PT Borneo Lumbung Energi, an Indonesian coal mine operator;
US$270 million receivables purchase facility to PT Huawei Tech Investment, the Indonesian subsidiary of information communications and technology company, Huawei Technologies;
US$43 million external commercial borrowing financing to a subsidiary of IL&FS Transportation Networks Limited, an Indian sponsor, for an annuity based project to fund the development of the longest tunnel in Asia and extension and rehabilitation of a road in Jammu and Kashmir states in northern India; and
US$35 million loan to An Giang Plant Protection Joint Stock Company, a Vietnamese company for acquisitions, capital expenditure and investment in rice production;
International Finance Corporation (IFC) on its:
first debt and equity investment in a concession based water treatment and distribution project in Tangerang City, Indonesia;
first loan in Myanmar (since the lifting of sanctions) for business enabling infrastructure in Yangon comprising the renovation of Traders Hotel Yangon and the development of Shangri-La Residences Yangon;
debt and equity investment relating to the acquisition by Singaporean company, Jubilant Pharma Limited, of pharmaceutical assets in India, Canada, USA and Belgium;
proposed debt and equity financing of a Sri Lankan waste to energy plant;
financing to a subsidiary of ACLEDA Bank Plc to establish a business school in Cambodia; and
US$400 million loan to Power Grid Corporation of India, a state owned enterprise, for electricity transmission projects;
CDB on its loan to the Ministry of Finance of Zambia;
HSBC as agent and the bank syndicate on a S$660 million guarantee facility to a joint venture (involving the Singapore Economic Development Board, German and Korean sponsors) in relation to the financing of a silicon wafer fabrication plant;
RedMart Limited, an e-grocery service in Singapore, in relation to the acquisition of all of its issued share capital by Lazada, an Alibaba-backed online shopping and selling platform;
a consortium of lenders, including CDB and Sinosure on their financing to GNPower Mariveles for a 600MW greenfield power plant in the Philippines – Project Finance International's Power Asia-Pacific Deal of the Year;
IFC, DEG, FMO and PROPARCO on the US$264 million facilities to a joint venture (involving Vicat SA of France and Sagar Cements of India as sponsors) for the financing of a cement plant in Karnataka, India;
Scotiabank, BTMU, HSBC and Westpac as the arrangers on a US$300 million syndicated loan to Bharat Oman Refineries Limited;
a property developer on the greenfield development, management and operations of a serviced residence property in Singapore;
Asian Development Bank on its:
loans to XacBank and TenGer Financial Group in Mongolia for on-lending to provide loans and leases to micro, small and medium sized enterprises;
loan to Industrial and Infrastructure Finance Company Limited in Bangladesh for on-lending to support energy efficiency infrastructure programmes; and
US$200 million loan to an AXIS Bank Limited to strengthen its rural financial inclusion programme and extend finance to low-income smallholder farmers in India;
Westpac on a US$100 million loan to Yashili New Zealand Dairy Co., Ltd for the development of a milk product plant in New Zealand;
a Malaysian conglomerate on its numerous acquisitions in the Mongolian mining, manufacturing and hospitality sectors; and
ANZ in connection with a corporate loan to PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals, an Indonesian mining company.
Law Society of England and Wales
Ng, Eddee
EMAIL: eddeeng@tkqp.com.sg
Postgraduate Practical Law Course, National University of Singapore, 1996
Eddee has acted for international clientele in a wide spectrum of corporate and commercial litigation cases ranging from fields as diverse as banking, telecommunications, hospitality and wealth management. He has also been engaged in some of the most significant cross-border insolvency and restructuring matters in Singapore, notably acting for a US bank creditor in the restructuring of Asia Pulp & Paper in 2000 and for the Drydocks group of companies (subsidiaries of Dubai Ports World) in applying for a scheme of arrangement in 2012.
Eddee's work has garnered plaudits from clients and the Best Lawyers where he has been named as one of the leading lawyers in the fields of Banking and Finance, and Litigation in Singapore since 2014. He is also ranked in Band 3 for Restructuring/Insolvency by Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2020. In addition, he is ranked as a Recommended Lawyer for Dispute Resolution, and Restructuring and Insolvency by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2017-2019. He was a finalist for Asian Legal Business SE Asia Law Awards' Singapore Managing Partner of the Year 2017 award and Asialaw Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Awards' Disputes Star of the Year 2016 award.
As a testament to his expertise, Eddee was invited to be a member of the prestigious, invitation-only International Association of Defense Counsel. He is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators. He is also a member of INSOL International and the Insolvency Practitioners Association of Singapore.
Eddee's experience includes:
representing Malayan Banking Berhad before the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) in a dispute with Barclays Bank PLC, involving SWIFT payments. The case is the first of its kind, involving novel issues of banking law relating to the allocation of risk/liability in the area of cross-border funds transfers. The SICC's decision will have ramifications on the jurisprudence and practice of bank payments around the world;
representing a working group of bank lenders comprising approximately S$874.6 million of the unsecured debt of Hyflux Limited, in the ongoing restructuring of the Hyflux Group;
acting for and advising the Judicial Manager of Opus Offshore Pte Ltd, the Singapore subsidiary in a larger group that provides marine and drilling services; as well as acting for the Joint Provisional Liquidators of Opus Offshore Ltd (the parent company of Opus Offshore Pte Ltd) in proceedings in the High Court of Singapore;
representing the Judicial Manager in proceedings arising from the falsified accounts of a Singapore public listed company with operations in China;
advising in the restructuring of a company involved in the distribution of electronic components internationally;
representing a shipping company in a complex claim (worth approximately US$50 million) commenced by its former parent company concerning, among other things, questions of foreign illegality and the breach of a deed of counter guarantee;
representing one of Singapore's largest banks, United Overseas Bank Ltd (UOB) in a widely reported multi-million dollar intellectual property dispute involving a currency conversion system – Dynamic Currency Conversion for Card Payment Systems, which spanned more than a decade;
acting for UOB in its claims for fraud against, amongst others, a property developer company within the Lippo group, relating to UOB's grant of mortgage loans amounting to an aggregate sum of S$181 million for the sale and purchase of luxury condominium units at The Marina Collection at Sentosa Cove developed by the Lippo entity. This case included an interlocutory application involving a complex area of law pertaining to whether the fraud exception applies to prevent attribution of the knowledge of an employee who had been fraudulent and/or who had committed a breach of duty to the employer. Eddee also successfully argued against an appeal by the defendants before the High Court;
acting for a Singapore commodities-trading company in an SIAC arbitration involving a dispute arising out of a back-to-back agreement with a Swiss and a Chinese company for the sale and purchase of non-ferrous metals;
acting for a Singapore incorporated company against a subsidiary of a Chinese State Owned Enterprise in relation to the supply of alumina in an SIAC arbitration;
advising and acting for a government ministry in relation to numerous issues arising out of the construction of a government complex;
advising and acting for a state-linked entity in China in respect of a dispute arising out of the sale of soy beans from an international commodity conglomerate to the state-linked entity in China;
acting for a telecommunications company in a dispute arising from the procurement of a marquee sports program;
acting for a telecommunications company in claims arising from the unauthorised tapping off of its cable network;
acting for a regional education chain in a dispute with its private equity investor in respect of investments in Dubai, Kuwait and Vietnam;
acting for a major international hotel chain in respect of their dispute with a Singapore landlord;
acting for the Silverlink Holdings Limited (Silverlink), the holding company of Amanresorts, a major luxury resort chain in a dispute between Silverlink and one of its shareholders and in a second related dispute involving the directors of Silverlink;
acting for Starwood Asia Pacific in relation to a claim arising from the acquisition of the Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok;
acting for a local Singapore bank in claims against a property developer and other defendants for alleged fraud/conspiracy;
acting for a Middle Eastern bank in relation to fraud committed by a bank employee where funds were transferred to Singapore;
acting for a BVI company in claims amounting to US$88 million against a major US bank for misrepresentation and mis-selling of currency derivatives;
acting for a Philippines client in claims for unauthorised trading against a German bank;
acting for an Indonesian client in claims for unauthorised trading, failure to advise and misrepresentation against a major US bank;
acting for Malaysian clients in claims for misrepresentation against a major Swiss bank;
advising and acting for a Singapore listed company in respect of fraud committed by employees in respect of the company's Mexican subsidiary;
advising a major US bank in relation to the debt standstill of Asia Pulp & Paper Ltd;
advising and acting for a major coal producing company in Indonesia in respect of disputes arising from the supply of coal to a Hong Kong-based entity;
acting for majority shareholders in relation to an application for an injunction to restrain the payment of an interim dividend of S$90 million;
assisting PricewaterhouseCoopers with the investigations into the oil trading losses of China Aviation Oil which amounted to US$550 million and which has been described as the second Barings in Singapore – Asian Legal Business' South East Asia Deal of the Year 2005;
acting for the Singapore Diamond Exchange in a passing off dispute;
advising SGX on infringements of stock market regulations; and
acting for a Hong Kong client in claims made against the Marina Bay Sands for breach of contract and in the tort of conversion in respect of gambling chips.
The Asset Tracing and Recovery Review, 2015-2017 (Law Business Research Ltd) – author of the Singapore chapter.
Singapore Civil Procedure 2019 - Volume I (Sweet & Maxwell) - author of chapter on Affidavits.
Singapore Civil Procedure - First Cumulative Supplement to the 2017 edition (Sweet & Maxwell) – author of chapter on Affidavits.
Contributor to Doing Business 2016: Measuring Regulatory Quality and Efficiency (13th edition) (World Bank Group).
Law and Practice of Commercial Litigation in Singapore (Sweet & Maxwell) – author of chapter on Summary Judgment, Striking Out and Preliminary Determination.
Law Society of Singapore's Insolvency Practice Committee Member
International Association of Defense Counsel
International Bar Association
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Singapore Institute of Arbitrators
INSOL International
Insolvency Practitioners Association of Singapore
SIAC Users Council
Parmar, Karam Singh
EMAIL: karamparmar@tkqp.com.sg
Barrister, England and Wales, 1992
Master of Science in Construction Law and Arbitration, King's College, University of London, 1997
Postgraduate Practical Law Course, Singapore, 1994
Bachelor of Laws (Hons), University of London, 1991
Bachelor of Engineering, Civil (Hons), National University of Singapore, 1988
Karam is one of the firm's founding partners and heads its building and construction practice. He is currently the firm's administration partner.
Karam generally practises civil and commercial litigation. While a significant part of his area of practice involves building and construction law, the nature of the commercial disputes that he handles is diverse and covers a wide area of the law.
On the non-contentious front, Karam regularly advises clients on various legal and regulatory issues, and on documentation such as bonds, letters of intent, guarantees, warranties, indemnities, deeds of assignment, insurance policies, the various types of building and consultancy agreements, PPP projects and numerous types of commercial contracts. The contentious side of Karam's practice regularly sees him appearing in the courts of law, before arbitral tribunals or in adjudications. Karam is also active in promoting non-confrontational dispute resolution procedures where he negotiates settlements on behalf of clients and/or represents them in mediations.
Karam is ranked as a Market-Leading Lawyer for Dispute Resolution by Asialaw Profiles, 2016-2019. He is also ranked as a Market-Leading Lawyer for Construction and Real Estate by Asialaw Profiles, 2018-2019. In addition, he is recognised as one of the leading lawyers in the fields of Construction Law in Singapore, Arbitration and Mediation in Singapore by the Best Lawyers.
Karam's experience includes:
acting for a multi-national health and electronics technology company in a dispute involving claims relating to the construction of its flagship building in Singapore;
acting for a large Singapore fitting-out contractor in an arbitration against a main contractor in relation to disputes over quality and payment issues;
advising Singapore project managers in a dispute with developers of a multi-storey development in Malaysia;
advising and drafting contracts for a developer of an island resort in the Republic of Maldives;
advising and acting for a government body in respect of unforeseen conditions and delay claims arising out of tunnelling works for Singapore's mass rapid transit system;
acting for a Korean specialist geotechnical contractor in an arbitration against a foreign main contractor in connection with claims arising out of sub-structure works;
acting for a Singapore contractor against a ready mix concrete supplier for failing to supply concrete during the period of a ban by the Indonesian government on the export of sand to Singapore;
acting for minority residents of a prestigious residential development in Singapore opposing an en bloc sale;
advising an Indonesian developer on a PPP to develop a township in Papua New Guinea;
advising and drafting contractual documents for a Singapore developer of a commercial complex in Lao PDR;
acting for a Singapore-listed construction company in a claim by the MCST of a prestigious development on Singapore's Sentosa island;
advising and acting for various parties in connection with disputes arising out of construction projects including developers, main contractors, consultants, MCSTs, sub-contractors and/or third parties;
acting in numerous adjudications for various parties in claims made pursuant to Singapore's Building and Construction Security of Payment Act;
advising an international container survey bureau against a German systems provider in respect of disputes arising out of a joint venture software development agreement;
advising and acting for a global hedge fund in respect of investigations into unauthorised trading losses;
advising and acting for investigators into the collapse of a Singapore listed entity;
acting for an India-linked insurance entity operating in Singapore in an arbitration in the Singapore International Arbitration Centre in a contractual dispute;
advising and acting for a multi-national insurance company in respect of a fraudulent policy claim;
advising a subsidiary of a US oil and gas services provider in a matter involving criminal breach of trust by an employee;
advising and acting in an arbitration for a major Indian exporter of iron ore against a Singapore entity; and
advising and acting for a container leasing company in a dispute with one of the largest Singapore container depot.
Society of Construction Law (Singapore)
The Institution of Engineers, Singapore
Ramasamy, Narayanan
EMAIL: nara@tkqp.com.sg
Narayanan is a Partner in the Insurance Litigation Department.
Narayanan graduated with a Bachelor of Law (Honours) degree from the National University of Singapore in 1993 and was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in 1994.
Motor Insurance and Workmen Compensation claims, representing major insurance companies in Singapore and Malaysia
Nara has conducted trials, assessment(s) of damages and appeal(s) in the State Courts, High Court and the Court of Appeal of Singapore in respect of personal/bodily injury matters, representing insurers.
Nara has presented talks and seminars for insurance companies in Singapore and Malaysia.
Member of the Criminal Law Advisory Committee (Review), Ministry of Home Affairs
Seah, Paul
EMAIL: paulseah@tkqp.com.sg
Paul's main area of practice is in civil and commercial disputes, where he has acted as lead counsel in some of Singapore's most important and high-profile cases in recent years. Paul also has a speciality in insolvency and restructuring work, and has advised Singapore's leading accounting firms and financial institutions in numerous well-publicised insolvencies.
Outside of legal practice, Paul chairs the board of Living Waters Methodist Church. He is also a council member of the Law Society of Singapore, and the co-author of a number of leading textbooks on civil and commercial litigation in Singapore.
In 2017, Paul garnered the Asialaw Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Awards' Disputes Star of the Year award. He was also recognised by the Asian Legal Business as one of "40 Under 40 – Asia's Brightest Young Legal Minds" in 2015. In 2014, Singapore Business Review ranked him as one of Singapore's "20 Most Influential Lawyers 40 and Under". In addition, Paul is ranked as a Recommended Lawyer for Dispute Resolution, and Restructuring and Insolvency by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2017-2019. He is also ranked as a Distinguished Practitioner for Dispute Resolution, and Restructuring and Insolvency by Asialaw Profiles, 2020. This is in addition to Paul being recognised as a Leading Lawyer for Dispute Resolution and Restructuring and Insolvency by Asialaw Profiles, 2017-2019.
In the City Harvest Church matter, Paul acted for a defendant in the highest-profile and longest running white-collar crime trial in Singapore's history. The matter was the subject of front-page news coverage for years through over 140 days of trial, and has gone on appeal before both a rare 3-judge bench of the High Court, and then a 5-judge bench in the Court of Appeal. This matter has garnered the Asialaw Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Awards 2017's Matter of the Year award. See: Public Prosecutor v Lam Leng Hung and others [2015] SGDC 326 and Public Prosecutor v Lam Leng Hung and Other Appeals [2017] 4 SLR 474.
In Bouvier, Yves Charles Edgar and anor v Accent Delight International and anors [2015] SGCA 45, Paul acted for one of the parties accused of defrauding Mr Dmitry Rybolovlev, a Russian Oligarch and owner of AS Monaco Football Club, of some US$1 billion from the purchase of numerous masterpieces, including works by Picasso, Monet, Rothko and Da Vinci. Paul and his team successfully obtained the discharge of a worldwide Mareva or freezing injunction that had been previously obtained against their client, and also obtained a stay of proceedings in Singapore on forum non conveniens grounds. Two landmark Singapore Court of Appeal judgments were released on this matter – one reshaping the law on worldwide freezing injunctions, and the other on forum non conveniens. This complex cross-border dispute has been publicised and followed all over the world. This matter has garnered the Asialaw Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Awards 2016's Matter of the Year award.
In Tan Choo Hoon @ Tan Cheng Gay v Ng Giok Oh and anors [2017] SGCA 13, Paul represented Mdm Ng Giok Oh in various appeals and cross-appeals before the Court of Appeal of Singapore in a S$200 million dispute over Afro-Asia Shipping Pte Ltd's shares and assets. This case dealt with important and novel concepts of law, including the duties owed by a resulting trustee to the beneficiaries. The Court of Appeal judgment in this matter is now the leading case in Singapore on the issue of resulting trusts.
In Thio Syn Kym Wendy and anors v Thio Syn Pyn and anors [2017] SGHC 169, Paul represented Mdm Kwik Poh Leng, the matriarch of the Thio family, in a dispute over approximately S$1 billion of family-owned assets. The Thio family owns one of the largest dairy products businesses in South-East Asia through their company, Malaysia Dairy Industries Pte Ltd, which produces well-known brands such as Vitagen, Marigold, HL Milk, Peel Fresh, Cowbell, Lady General, King of Kings and Double Happiness.
In Suit No. 588 of 2012/V, Paul acted for a group of investors who sued one of the Princes of Brunei in a highly-publicised dispute over a failed investment. Judgment was entered against the Prince for the full sum of the claim with costs to the plaintiffs.
In Singapore Swimming Club v Koh Sin Chong Freddie [2016] SGCA 28, Paul represented Freddie Koh in both the High Court and the Court of Appeal in another highly publicised case involving a claim on an indemnity resolution passed by the management committee of the Singapore Swimming Club. The case is now cited the leading authority on the law on unjust enrichment and mistake in Singapore.
In Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (Publ), Singapore Branch v Asia Pacific Breweries (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Other Appeals [2007] 2 SLR 367, Paul acted for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation against Asia Pacific Breweries and Chia Teck Leng in what remains one of the largest corporate fraud cases ever presented in the High Court of Singapore. One of the Court of Appeal decisions in this case is now cited as the leading authority on legal privilege in Singapore.
In Goel Adesh Kumar v Resorts World at Sentosa Pte Ltd (SATS Security Services Pte Ltd, third party) [2017] SGHC 43, Paul represented SATS Ltd, a large publically listed company, in a dispute involving Resorts World Sentosa and one of its patrons that was widely followed by both the local and international press. Paul successfully litigated SATS's case before the High Court and struck out the counterparty's appeal before the Court of Appeal.
Insolvency, Restructuring and Investigations
Paul has been appointed as counsel in regulatory investigations involving exchange rate fixings, front-running and other illegal practices by leading international banks.
Advising Koon Holdings Limited and Koon Construction & Transport Co Pte Ltd on their proposed scheme of arrangement which is attracting media attention.
In Kon Yin Tong v Leow Boon Cher [2011] SGHC 228, Paul acted for the liquidators of a company on a claim for fraudulent trading and preferential payments by the company's former directors. The case is now commonly cited as the leading decision in Singapore on numerous insolvency issues, such as fraudulent trading, preferential payments and the question of when a company is deemed to be insolvent. Paul also successfully argued against an appeal by the defendants before the Court of Appeal.
In Pereira, Dennis John Sunny v United Overseas Bank Ltd [2017] SGCA 62, Paul acted for one of the largest banks in Singapore, United Overseas Bank (UOB) and successfully argued against a debtor's appeal to halt the repossession of a mortgaged property. In its judgment in the case, the Court of Appeal noted that the Court cannot refuse an order for possession when a mortgagee is entitled to such an order under the mortgage, unless there is a reasonable prospect that the mortgagor is able to satisfy its debt to the mortgagee in full – and even then, the Court only has the jurisdiction to grant a short reprieve. This decision is now the leading judgement on the scope of the scope of the Court's power to interfere in a mortgage-holder's rights.
In Suit No. OS 506/2013, Paul also successfully acted for UOB against a construction company in judicial management for the wrongful re-routing of monies away from the bank. This case is of significant importance to the banking industry as one of the first cases in Singapore that analysed in detail the test for determining the nature of assignments and, fixed and floating charges over assets. This required an in-depth review of the leading decisions from the House of Lords and Privy Council.
Paul acted for the Judicial Managers of Indian construction firm, Punj Lloyd Ltd's Singapore unit and Sembawang Engineers & Constructors in the high-profile judicial management of these two companies.
In addition, Paul has also representing various financial institutions in various insolvency matters including (i) a scheme of arrangement of a listed construction company; and (ii) a proposed scheme of arrangement of a listed interior fit-out company.
Author of Singapore: Recent Key Legal Developments in Asialaw Singapore Report, 2017.
Author of chapter on Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments in Singapore Civil Procedure 2019 - Volume I, Sweet & Maxwell.
Author of chapter on Affidavits in Singapore Civil Procedure -First Cumulative Supplement to the 2017 edition, Sweet & Maxwell.
Contributor to the Singapore Civil Procedure 2017 - Volume II, Sweet & Maxwell.
Author of chapter on Summary Judgment, Striking Out and Preliminary Determination in Law and Practice of Commercial Litigation in Singapore, Sweet & Maxwell.
Member, Council of the Law Society of Singapore
Member, Singapore Academy of Law
Member, INSOL International
Fellow, Insolvency Practitioners Association of Singapore
Volunteers at the Community Legal Clinic organised by the Law Society Pro Bono Services
Director, Law Society Pro Bono Services, Singapore
Member of Complaints and Disciplinary Panel under the Public Accountants Oversight Committee
Chairperson, Living Waters Methodist Church
Member of the Board of Directors of MYMCA
Shahira Binte Mohd Anuar
EMAIL: shahira@tkqp.com.sg
Shahira graduated with a Bachelor of Law (Honours) degree from the University of Manchester in 2011 and was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in July 2013.
Shahira completed her pupillage at Messrs Tan Kok Quan Partnership with the Insurance Department from December 2012 to June 2013 and was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in July 2013.
She has assisted in various insurance and corporate matters.
Shahira is a member of the Law Society and the Singapore Academy of Law.
Tan, Su Ean
EMAIL: tansuean@tkqp.com.sg
Bachelor of Laws (Hons), University College London, University of London, UK, 1994
Su Ean read law in University College London, University of London. She passed the Trinity Bar Examinations in 1994 as the top Lincoln's Inn student and was awarded the Joan Denning Prize.
Su Ean's diverse practice in real estate transactions includes the sale and purchase of buildings by corporations, the purchase of state/government land parcels, acting for management corporations and handling retail property transactions which involve acting for the CPF Board in the members' withdrawal of monies in connection with the property purchase.
Su Ean has conducted property due diligence and handled advisory work and applications to government and statutory authorities on stamp duty and approvals for subleasing and subdivision. She has represented foreign corporations in the purchase and financing of investment property in Singapore.
Su Ean's experience includes:
advising a real estate holding company in the portfolio and corporate restructuring of its assets of approximately S$100 million;
advising corporations in the disposal and leaseback of multi-tenanted office/industrial buildings;
representing developers in the purchase of all units in strata-titled developments from individual owners and handling the documentation relating to the project financing;
being involved in the collective sale of units in residential developments;
representing developers in the sale of units in licensed and unlicensed housing development projects;
handling the lease documentation for landlords in the tenancy of the units in their building; and
acting for financial institutions in the mortgagee sale of residential, commercial, JTC and HDB properties.
Teo, Weng Kie
EMAIL: teowengkie@tkqp.com.sg
Weng Kie is the head of the Firm's Insurance Practice Group.
He graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree in 1989 and was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in 1990.
Weng Kie regularly handles claims involving various classes of insurance such as Public Liability, Professional Indemnity, Fidelity Guarantees, Errors & Omissions, Contractors' All-Risk, Workmen Compensation, Motor Insurance and Material Damage/Business Interruption.
In the course of his work, he has had the opportunity of arguing important points of law on behalf of insurers, such as the privilege from disclosure of the insurance loss adjusters' reports, disclosure of secret trade information and formulae in the litigation context and the right of an insurer to seek medical re-examination of the Plaintiff for personal injury claims.
His expertise is as varied as the nature of the practice. Weng Kie has represented underwriters in many large claims most notably in the area of insurance fraud litigation. He has successfully defended several fire insurance claims where underwriters raised a defence of arson and fraud. He often works with forensic accountants and scientists, handwriting experts and investigators on such matters.
Weng Kie also regularly handles material damage/business interruption claims. For instance he was involved in an intensive litigation of a large business interruption claim arising from the well publicized Pan Pharmaceuticals debacle in Australia.
Weng Kie also specializes in road traffic and industrial accident claims and has acted in some of Singapore's largest personal injury claims.
In the area of property and liability insurance, he successfully argued the policy position on behalf of underwriters as respects bailees' liability for goods in their custody, care and control, or held by them on trust and commission. Until today, the judgment in the case of Siu Brothers v Norwich Winterthur Insurance remains the only locally reported one on this question.
He has also been entrusted with various professional indemnity policy claims. For instance he led a team of solicitors in handling a S$27 million claim against a professional engineer involving a cement silo failure. He has also provided advice to professional indemnity insurers for doctors, lawyers, accountants, building managing agents and insurance brokers. In the course of his professional indemnity work he has had the opportunity to advise on a myriad of policy issues such as multiple excess questions, limit of insurance, defence costs clauses, duty of disclosure, non-reporting, claims-made basis and retroactive clauses, limitation periods and others.
He has conducted numerous seminars for insurance companies. He takes special interest in advocacy skills and has trained in advocacy under the guidance of Australian Queen's Counsel. He presently teaches advocacy to lawyers and postgraduate law pupils under the aegis of the Law Society of Singapore.
Weng Kie sits on the Law Society Disciplinary Committee's Panel and is a member of the Law Society and the Singapore Academy of Law.
Tnee, Keith
EMAIL: keithtnee@tkqp.com.sg
Keith has assisted clients in civil and commercial litigation matters covering a wide spectrum of industry sectors. He also handles insolvency and restructuring matters.
In 2016, Singapore Business Review ranked Keith as one of Singapore's "70 Most Influential Lawyers 40 and Under".
Acting for a multi-national health and electronics technology company in a dispute involving claims relating to the construction of its flagship building in Singapore.
Acting for Mdm Kwik Poh Leng, the matriarch of the Thio family, in a dispute over approximately S$1 billion of family-owned assets. The Thio family is one of the largest dairy products businesses in South-East Asia through their company, Malaysia Dairy Industries Pte Ltd, which produces well-known brands such as Vitagen, Marigold, HL Milk, Peel Fresh, Cowbell, Lady General, King of Kings and Double Happiness.
Represented Mdm Ng Giok Oh in various appeals and cross-appeals before the Court of Appeal of Singapore in a S$200 million dispute over Afro-Asia Shipping Pte Ltd's shares and assets. This case dealt with important and novel concepts of law, including the duties owed by a resulting trustee to the beneficiaries. The Court of Appeal judgment in this matter is now the leading case in Singapore on the issue of resulting trusts.
Acting for Airtrust (Singapore) Pte Ltd in proceedings in the High Court of Singapore against various parties for conspiracy and breaches of fiduciary duties.
Acting for PSL Holdings Limited, a company listed on the Singapore stock exchange, in proceedings in the High Court of Singapore in respect of an investment in an Indonesian shipping company.
Acting in a multi-million dollar arbitration claim brought by an Indonesian businessman against a major American investment bank over the sale of speculative financial derivatives.
Acting for a regional educational company in an arbitration dispute involving its private equity investor in respect of investments in Southeast Asia and the Middle-East.
Acting for Mr Freddie Koh in both the High Court and the Court of Appeal in a highly publicised case involving a claim on an indemnity resolution passed by the management committee of the Singapore Swimming Club. The case is now cited the leading authority on the law on unjust enrichment and mistake in Singapore. See Freddie Koh Sin Chong v Singapore Swimming Club [2014] SGHC 276 and Singapore Swimming Club v Koh Sin Chong Freddie [2016] SGCA 28.
Acting for and advising the developer of a major part-commercial, part-medical development project in central Singapore in dispute with its main contractor.
Acting for the Singapore subsidiary of a multi-national concrete supplier in its claim against the main contractor of a major medical development project.
Assisting Drydocks World SEA in respect of its scheme of arrangement and its subsidiaries as regards liabilities of US$2.2 billion.
Acting for the Judicial Managers of Punj Lloyd Pte Ltd (PLPL) and Sembawang Engineers & Constructors in the high-profile judicial management of these two companies. Both these companies were the Singapore subsidiaries of Punj Lloyd Ltd, a major Indian construction firm.
Acting for the Liquidators of PLPL in the liquidation of the company.
Acting for and advising the Judicial Manager, and subsequently the Liquidator of Opus Offshore Pte Ltd, the Singapore subsidiary in a larger group that provides marine and drilling services; as well as acting for the Joint Provisional Liquidators of Opus Offshore Ltd (the parent company of Opus Offshore Pte Ltd) in proceedings in the High Court of Singapore, including an application for pre-action discovery which was successfully defended.
Advising in the restructuring of a company involved in the distribution of electronic components internationally.
Acting for and advising the liquidators of Marinteknik Shipbuilders (S) Pte Ltd in the winding up and sale of the company, which ultimately resulted in a successful application to set aside the winding up order and "resuscitate" the company.
Acting for the liquidators of Dovechem Holdings Pte Ltd (in compulsory liquidation) in the winding up of the company and in one of the most heavily-contested applications for the taxation of the liquidators' fees.
Assisting in the preparation of an expert opinion on Singapore agency law and principles for a matter before the English Commercial Court.
Contributor to the Singapore chapter of The Asset Tracing and Recovery Review published by Law Business Research Ltd, 2015-2017
Author of chapter on Affidavits in Singapore Civil Procedure 2019 - Volume I published by Sweet & Maxwell
Author of chapter on Summary Judgment, Striking Out and Preliminary Determination in Law and Practice of Commercial Litigation in Singapore published by Sweet & Maxwell
Tng, Peck Chin
EMAIL: tngpeckchin@tkqp.com.sg
Peck Chin specialises in real estate law, advising both corporate and individual clients on acquisitions and disposals of real estate, regulatory matters, government land sales, housing developments and leasing matters. She handles financing matters for financial institutions, corporate and high net worth clients.
Peck Chin began her legal practice in 1989 at Lee & Lee, where she did her pupillage. She was in the litigation department for a year before she joined the real estate department.
In 2005, she joined Wong Partnership LLP as a partner in their Corporate Real Estate practice group. She retired from the partnership in 2009.
Peck Chin has also taught in the Practice Law Course managed by the Board of Legal Education for about 10 years.
Peck Chin's experience includes acting for:
the owners of en-bloc sales of Vermont 1 and 2, Peck Hay Mansions, Newton Meadows and The Parisian with a total transaction value of over S$400 million;
the purchasers in the en-bloc purchase of Parry Gardens, Chez Bright Apartments, Carlton Terrace, houses at Paterson and Lengkok Angsa, Asimont @ Barker and Grand Tower with a total transaction value of approximately S$350 million;
leading Singapore and regional developers in their commercial and residential developments; and
financial institutions in the enforcement and realisation of secured assets.
V. Kanyakumari
EMAIL: kanya@tkqp.com.sg
Family law and matrimonial
Probate, trusts and estate planning
Kanya's practice covers a wide range and includes commercial litigation with particular emphasis on banking litigation. She heads our matrimonial department, advising clients on all aspects of family law. She has litigated numerous contentious cases and was involved in a high profile case involving the treatment of stock options under Singapore law as matrimonial assets.
Kanya also leads our mortgage recovery team and advises clients on all aspects of banking litigation including commencement of proceedings, enforcement and execution proceedings. Her area of practice also includes landlord and tenancy matters, drafting of and advising on commercial contracts, real estate litigation, contentious probate litigation, drafting of wills and various aspects of debt recovery.
Kanya is also a member of the Inquiry Panel of the Law Society of Singapore.
Kanya regularly advises clients on the financial aspects of divorce especially the effect of divorce on the division of matrimonial assets. She has also handled numerous highly contentious cases relating to the custody care and control of minor children. She has extensive experience in adoption and other family-related matters. Many of the divorces handled by her involve jurisdictional and cross-border issues.
Kanya works closely with management corporations of strata developments, advising them on litigation, day-to-day affairs and disputes. She has given talks on the amendments to the Land Titles Strata Act and the effect of new legislation, for example, the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act.
OF COUNSELS, SENIOR ASSOCIATES & FOREIGN LAWYERS
Chan, Yi Zhang
POSITION: SENIOR ASSOCIATE
EMAIL: chanyizhang@tkqp.com.sg
Yi Zhang has assisted clients in various contentious matters, covering a wide range of areas such as contract, personal data protection, intellectual property, defamation, insolvency, private banking, real estate, and tort.
Yi Zhang's experience includes:
acting for one of Singapore's largest banks, United Overseas Bank Ltd (UOB) in its claims for fraud and conspiracy against, amongst others, Lippo Marina Collection Pte Ltd (Lippo Marina), a property development company within the well-known Lippo Group, relating to UOB's grant of mortgage loans amounting to an aggregate sum of S$181 million for the purchase of luxury condominium units at The Marina Collection at Sentosa Cove developed by Lippo Marina. This case included an interlocutory application involving a complex area of law pertaining to whether the fraud exception applies to prevent attribution of the knowledge of an employee who had been fraudulent and/or who had committed a breach of duty to the employer. The team also successfully argued against an appeal by the defendants before the High Court;
acting for a Singapore-incorporated company and its receivers and managers in multiple related suits before the Singapore High Court involving claims of breach of director's duties and unlawful means conspiracy;
acting for a major Singapore bank in an insolvency matter before the Singapore High Court involving a claim of more than S$8 million against a company in the offshore marine and engineering supplies industry and successfully obtaining a judicial management order;
acting for a major Singapore bank in a scheme of arrangement application by a corporate debtor in the offshore oil and gas industry. The matter involved advising the Singapore bank on its rights in relation to certain loans guaranteed by related entities;
advising a Singaporean liquidator on possible fraudulent trading and breach of duties by former directors of the company;
acting for a prominent corporate real estate company in enforcing a corporate guarantee;
acting for a leading web-hosting services company incorporated in Vietnam in an arbitration against a US-incorporated software giant in the Singapore International Arbitration Centre;
acting for two Singaporean directors of a Singapore-incorporated bunker trading company to commence a section 216A (statutory derivative action) application under the Singapore Companies Act;
acting for Freddie Koh in a highly publicised case involving a claim on an indemnity resolution passed by the management committee of the Singapore Swimming Club. The case is now cited as the leading authority on the law on unjust enrichment and mistake in Singapore: see Freddie Koh Sin Chong v Singapore Swimming Club [2014] SGHC 276;
acting for a major Singapore telecommunications company in a case before the Singapore High Court involving claims, amounting to more than S$34 million, relating to the widespread trespass of its cable network;
acting for an Indonesian client in a case before the Singapore Court of Appeal involving claims, amounting to more than US$7.8 million, for unauthorised trading, failure to advise, and misrepresentation against a major US bank;
acting in a case before the Singapore High Court and the Singapore Court of Appeal involving claims, amounting to more than US$3.7 million for fraud, breach of fiduciary duties, and breach of trust in a private banking matter;
acting for a prominent hotel management company in disputes before the Singapore High Court involving contractual interpretation and claims of infringement of intellectual property and defamation;
assisting in the investigations by the United States Department of Justice and its appointed solicitors on the Singapore branch of a major US bank, specifically on matters relating to the Personal Data Protection Act and the Banking Act;
acting for a UK-based art gallery in the Singapore High Court for the recovery of art works worth more than US$2.5 million;
providing expert opinion on a matter before the English High Court on agency laws;
advising a US company on their contractual negotiations with the Singapore branch of a major Hong Kong bank, specifically on matters relating to the Personal Data Protection Act, the Banking Act, and MAS guidelines;
acting for the Singapore Public Trustee (acting as litigation representative) before the Singapore Court of Appeal on the appointment of deputies under the Mental Capacity Act for an elderly member of a prominent and wealthy Singapore family;
acting for the representatives of a substantial estate in keeping intact the vast estate, and making applications in Singapore and other jurisdictions to set aside wrongful transactions and to claim what is due to the estate; and
acting for a prominent corporate group in Singapore in various real estate and construction matters.
Chin, Rachel
EMAIL: rachelchin@tkqp.com.sg
Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Singapore Management University, 2014
Rachel has assisted in various contentious matters, covering a wide range of areas such as contract, commercial law, tort, real estate, probate, construction, and insurance.
Rachel's experience includes:
acting for one of the parties accused of defrauding Mr Dmitry Rybolovlev, a Russian Oligarch and owner of AS Monaco Football Club, of some US$1 billion from the purchase of numerous masterpieces, including works by Picasso, Monet, Rothko and Da Vinci. The team successfully obtained the discharge of a worldwide Mareva or freezing injunction that had been previously obtained against the client, and also obtained a stay of proceedings in Singapore on forum non conveniens grounds. Two landmark Singapore Court of Appeal judgments were released on this matter – one reshaping the law on worldwide freezing injunctions, and the other on forum non conveniens. This complex cross-border dispute has been publicised and followed all over the world. This matter has garnered the Asialaw Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Awards 2016's Matter of the Year award;
acting for the judicial managers of an Indian construction firm, Punj Lloyd Pte Ltd, and Sembawang Engineers and Constructors Pte Ltd in the high-profile judicial management of these two companies;
acting for the Liquidators of Punj Lloyd Pte Ltd in the compulsory liquidation of the company;
assisting the judicial managers of two building and construction companies in investigating certain alleged questionable transactions in these companies;
representing SATS Ltd, a large publically listed company, in a dispute involving Resorts World Sentosa and one of its patrons that was widely followed by both the local and international press. The team successfully litigated SATS's case before the High Court and struck out the counterparty's appeal before the Court of Appeal
representing Mdm Kwik Poh Leng, the matriarch of the Thio family, in a dispute over approximately S$1 billion of family-owned assets. The Thio family is one of the largest dairy products businesses in South-East Asia through their company, Malaysia Dairy Industries Pte Ltd, which produces well-known brands such as Vitagen, Marigold, HL Milk, Peel Fresh, Cowbell, Lady General, King of Kings and Double Happiness;
acting for a victim of online harassment and cyber-bullying and successfully obtaining protection order under the Protection from Harassment Act 2014. It is noteworthy that the team was granted leave by the State Courts of Singapore to effect service of Court papers via Instagram instant messaging on the respondents
acting for United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) in its claims for fraud against, amongst others, a property developer company within the Lippo group, relating to UOB's grant of mortgage loans amounting to an aggregate sum of S$181 million for the sale and purchase of luxury condominium units at The Marina Collection at Sentosa Cove developed by the Lippo entity. This case included an interlocutory application involving a complex area of law pertaining to whether the fraud exception applies to prevent attribution of the knowledge of an employee who had been fraudulent and/or who had committed a breach of duty to the employer. The team also successfully argued against an appeal by the defendants before the High Court; and
advising a prominent tertiary institution in a contractual dispute.
Imran Rahim
EMAIL: imranrahim@tkqp.com.sg
Imran's practice includes primarily commercial litigation and dispute resolution.
While in school, Imran was on the Final Year Dean's List. Imran was also a prize winning mooter.
Imran was the champion and best speaker in the Rodyk Challenge 2011 – NUS Finals, a moot competition. He was also the first runner up in the B.A. Mallal Moots 2010, one of Singapore's most prestigious and oldest mooting competitions. In addition, he was a semi-finalist in the Red Cross International Humanitarian Moot 2013 where he was singled out for being an "excellent advocate" by a Senior Counsel from Hong Kong who was on the panel of judges.
Imran is fluent in English, Malay, and Bahasa Indonesia.
Imran's experience includes the following;
successfully obtained interlocutory judgment for the plaintiff in a high profile defamation suit in the High Court (awarded S$100,000 in general damages and S$50,000 in aggravated damages);
successfully defended a Government-linked company in a high profile judicial review challenge in the High Court;
successfully mediated a claim concerning the purported wrongful termination of a lease, on behalf of the defendant;
successfully obtained a S$16 million settlement for a hotel client involved in a dispute against its landlord and fellow tenant concerning obligations arising from the lease and alleged trespasses;
successfully defended a shipping company in an application for pre-action discovery commenced by ship-owners;
acting for and advising the Judicial Manager of Opus Offshore Pte Ltd, the Singapore subsidiary in a larger group that provides marine and drilling services; as well as acting for the Joint Provisional Liquidators of Opus Offshore Ltd (the parent company of Opus Offshore Pte Ltd) in proceedings before the High Court of Singapore, including an application for pre-action discovery which was successfully defended, on matters arising from the restructuring of the Opus group of companies, including the judicial management of Opus Offshore Pte Ltd;
representing the plaintiff in a S$30 million dispute concerning misrepresentations that induced the plaintiff to enter into contracts for the purchase of shares;
representing an Indonesian coal-mining conglomerate against its former Australian joint venture partner in a US$700 million dispute concerning the operation of a coal briquetting plant in Indonesia – the first case litigated in the Singapore International Commercial Court;
representing a building owner in a S$20 million construction dispute;
representing a publicly-listed company in a dispute against high net-worth individuals concerning the purchase of shares and investments in an Indonesian marine logistics company;
representing a Court-appointed Judicial Manager in an application for an inquiry into a company's dealings under section 227W of the Companies Act (Cap 50, 2006 Rev Ed);
representing a publicly-listed company, its directors, and its subsidiary in defending against claims of minority oppression and breaches of directors' duties;
advising a high profile individual on a defamation suit commenced in a foreign jurisdiction;
advising a foreign Government on a potential dispute arising from a joint venture with a major international oil and gas company;
advising a foreign Government on the extension of concession agreements awarded to a major international oil and gas company;
advising a client on a potential dispute regarding a joint venture project in Singapore;
advising a company on a potential high-profile contractual dispute concerning a key public-private partnership project in Singapore;
advising a company in a potential US$33 million arbitral claim for compensation against a Government in connection with the development of an international airport on a design, build, own, operate, and transfer basis;
advising a high net-worth client on a potential defamation suit;
advising a public listed global commodities group on a potential defamation suit;
advising a client on the consequences of the Organised Crime Bill and the Remote Gambling Act; and
advising high net-worth individuals on issues relating to their employment agreements.
Kang, Geraint
EMAIL: geraintkang@tkqp.com.sg
Bachelor of Laws (Hons), University of Bristol, 2012
Geraint has assisted in various civil and commercial matters, including matters relating to banking law, insolvency and restructuring, and building and construction law.
Geraint's experience includes:
acting for the Judicial Managers of Punj Lloyd Pte Ltd and Sembawang Engineers & Constructors in the high-profile judicial management of these two companies;
acting for one of the largest banks in Singapore, United Overseas Bank (UOB) and successfully arguing against a debtor's appeal to halt the repossession of a mortgaged property. In its judgment, the Court of Appeal noted that the Court cannot refuse an order for possession when a mortgagee is entitled to such an order under the mortgage, unless there is a reasonable prospect that the mortgagor is able to satisfy its debt to the mortgagee in full – and even then, the Court only has the jurisdiction to grant a short reprieve. This decision is now the leading judgement on the scope of the Court's power to interfere in a mortgage-holder's rights;
acting for UOB on a proposed scheme of arrangement of a listed interior fit-out company;
acting for a group of private investors against a global investment bank in relation to the wrongful retrospective repricing of Forex trades;
acting for UOB against a construction company in judicial management for the wrongful re-routing of monies away from the bank. This case is of significant importance to the banking industry as one of the first cases in Singapore that analysed in detail the test for determining the nature of assignments and, fixed and floating charges over assets. This required an in-depth review of the leading decisions from the House of Lords and Privy Council;
acting for a major property developer against a government-linked contractor and architect in relation to numerous issues arising out of the construction of a biomedical business park;
acting for one of Singapore's largest concrete suppliers in relation to a dispute arising from the supply of concrete;
advising the developers of a private hospital in relation to various disputes with the main contractor;
representing SATS Ltd, a large publically listed company, in a dispute involving Resorts World Sentosa and one of its patrons that was widely followed by both the local and international press. The team successfully litigated SATS's case before the High Court and struck out the counterparty's appeal before the Court of Appeal;
acting as an independent legal adviser to the employee of a major international bank in relation to worldwide regulatory investigations into rate fixings and trading practices; and
acting for a private sector individual charged for corruption by facilitating one of the largest illegal "U-turn" schemes where Singapore immigration officers received bribes in exchange for extending the social visit passes of foreign performance artists. This case involved novel points of law on the interaction between private sector and public sector corruption.
Contributor to Singapore chapter of The Legal 500: 3rd Edition Restructuring & Insolvency Comparative Guide published by Legalease Ltd, 2019.
Contributor to Singapore chapter of The Legal 500: 2nd Edition Restructuring & Insolvency Comparative Guide published by Legalease Ltd, 2018.
Leong, Lijie
EMAIL: leonglijie@tkqp.com.sg
Lijie focuses primarily on commercial litigation and dispute resolution.
While in school, Lijie was awarded the Punch Coomaraswamy Prize for being the best student in the law of evidence. Fluent in both English and Mandarin, Lijie has also studied at the China University of Political Science and Law for five months as part of an exchange programme. Lijie also understands basic Bahasa Indonesia.
Lijie's experience includes:
acting for a property developer against a contractor and project consultants in relation to numerous construction law issues arising out of a S$110 million development in Singapore's premier research hub for biomedical sciences;
acting for the liquidators of Indian construction firm, Punj Lloyd Ltd's Singapore unit in the high-profile liquidation of the same;
assisting in a claim brought by a building contractor against one of its sub-contractors in relation to the construction of a mixed-use hospitality and healthcare development; and
assisting in a claim against a local property developer in a building and construction dispute with the MCST of an industrial development.
Leong, Qianyu
EMAIL: leongqianyu@tkqp.com.sg
Qianyu has assisted in a wide range of high-value civil and commercial litigation involving areas such as contract, tort and shareholder disputes.
While in university, Qianyu was the winner of the Stamford Law Corporate Moot 2014, and was also part of the team that represented Singapore in the 23rd Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot 2016, where she received Honourable Mention as Individual Oralist.
Qianyu's experience includes:
representing a working group of bank lenders comprising approximately S$874.6 million of the unsecured debt of Hyflux Limited, in the proposed restructuring of the Hyflux Group;
acting for United Overseas Bank Limited in its claim for fraud against a property developer within the Lippo group, relating to UOB's grant of mortgage loans amounting to an aggregate sum of S$181 million for the sale and purchase of luxury condominium units at The Marina Collection at Sentosa Cove developed by the Lippo entity;
assisting in defending parties alleged to be a company's former directors and management against allegations of oppressive conduct on the company's minority shareholders. Midway through the six-week long trial, the opposing factions agreed to settle all claims against the alleged former directors and management;
acting for a major property consultancy firm in a dispute involving allegations of conspiracy, unlawful interference with trade, negligence, malicious falsehood and vicarious liability;
advising a major bank in defending allegations of negligence and defamation that had been made against it in the context of its duties under the Securities and Futures Act and the Financial Advisers Act;
advising a liquidator on possible methods of debt recovery from a company's debtors, following the entry of a leading player in the oil and gas industry into restructuring proceedings;
assisting a design and engineering consultancy firm in its defence of contractual and tortious claims against it before the Singapore High Court in a trial involving complex issues of fact and expert evidence relating to electrical and mechanical engineering designs for a data centre; and
assisting prosecuting counsel for a Singapore statutory board in a trial involving claims of misrepresentation.
Loh, Leonard
EMAIL: leonardloh@tkqp.com.sg
Family law and matrimonial practice
Leonard has advised and represented clients in various contentious and non-contentious matters, covering a wide spectrum of the law including building and construction law, contract law, tort law and family law.
Leonard's experience includes:
representing one of Singapore's largest banks, United Overseas Bank Ltd (UOB) in a widely reported multi-million dollar intellectual property dispute involving a currency conversion system – Dynamic Currency Conversion for Card Payment Systems, which spans more than a decade;
acting for one of the world's largest suppliers of cement, concrete and aggregate solutions in a contractual dispute with an international construction company before the Singapore High Court;
acting for a scion of a prominent Indonesian family before the High Court in a contentious probate dispute in relation of assets spanning Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and China and with an estimated worth of about US$200 million;
acting for a local property developer in a building and construction dispute with an MCST before the Singapore High Court;
acting for a group of investors in a contractual dispute with the Singapore arm of an international investment bank that involved the re-pricing of online FX trades before the Singapore High Court;
acting for a Hong Kong client in claims made against the Marina Bay Sands for breach of contract and in the tort of conversion in respect of gambling chips;
acting for a local property developer in a Singapore High Court application by a local construction company to appeal and/or set aside an arbitral award;
acting and advising a leading securities firm in a contractual dispute with a customer regarding fraudulent trades;
acting and advising a prominent securities firm on various matters such as debt recovery and bankruptcy;
acting and advising various individuals on contentious matrimonial matters such as divorce, ancillary matters and post-divorce financial arrangements;
advising a senior fund manager in an employment dispute with the Singapore arm of an international asset management company; and
advising a healthcare and hospitality company on building and construction issues.
Loh, Ling Wei
EMAIL: lohlingwei@tkqp.com.sg
Ling Wei graduated with a Bachelor of Law (Honours) degree from the National University of Singapore in 2010 was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in August 2011.
Ling Wei's main area of practice is in Insurance. She also handles some commercial and corporate matters.
Ling Wei completed her pupilage at Messrs Tan Kok Quan Partnership with the Insurance Department from January 2011 to June 2011 and was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in August 2011.
In the course of her practice, she has acted for insurance companies and handled motor insurance, personal injury and workmen's compensation claims. She has also assisted in advising Insurers on a range of general insurance matters pertaining to public liability, contractors' all risk, business interruption as well as accident and health policies. Some contested matters she has worked on include a dependency claim and a dispute on policy interpretation and contribution between Insurers.
Ling Wei is a member of the Law Society and the Singapore Academy of Law. She also volunteers at the Community Legal Clinic organised by the Law Society Pro Bono Services.
Ravi, Aditi
EMAIL: aditiravi@tkqp.com.sg
Aditi focuses primarily on commercial litigation and dispute resolution.
Aditi is fluent in English and Hindi.
Aditi's experience includes:
assisting in an appeal involving issues of bribery and corruption, conspiracy, diversion of a multi-million business and serious breaches of fiduciary duties in a multi-jurisdictional group of companies;
acting for the holder of the bank account which was seized pursuant to a CPIB investigation;
acting for a defendant in the City Harvest Church matter – the highest-profile and longest running white-collar crime trial in Singapore's history. The matter was the subject of front-page news coverage for years through over 140 days of trial, and has gone on appeal before both a rare 3-judge bench of the High Court, and now a 5-judge bench in the Court of Appeal. This matter has garnered the Asialaw Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Awards 2017's Matter of the Year award; and
acting for one of the largest banks in Singapore, United Overseas Bank and successfully arguing against a debtor's appeal to halt the repossession of a mortgaged property. In its judgment, the Court of Appeal noted that the Court cannot refuse an order for possession when a mortgagee is entitled to such an order under the mortgage, unless there is a reasonable prospect that the mortgagor is able to satisfy its debt to the mortgagee in full – and even then, the Court only has the jurisdiction to grant a short reprieve. This decision is now the leading judgement on the scope of the Court's power to interfere in a mortgage-holder's rights.
Siew, Guo Wei
EMAIL: siewguowei@tkqp.com.sg
Guo Wei's main areas of practice include insolvency and restructuring, as well as litigation and international arbitration across a wide range of matters including shareholders, complex banking and contractual disputes.
In 2019, Singapore Business Review ranked Guo Wei as one of Singapore's "20 Most Influential Lawyers 40 and Under".
Guo Wei is fluent in English and Mandarin.
Guo Wei's experience includes:
acting for a Singapore shipping company against an Indian multinational conglomerate, involving claims of illegality for breach of Indian regulations, conspiracy and breaches of fiduciary duties;
acted for a multinational telecommunications company in a multi-million dollar dispute involving contractual claims on wireless network planning against a Singapore-listed company: see Creative Technology Ltd and another v Huawei International Pte Ltd [2017] SGHC 201;
acted for the majority shareholders of a major oil-bunkering company in a minority oppression/unfair prejudice claim;
acted for a major local retail landlord in its dispute against a tenant concerning alleged misrepresentation and breaches;
acted for a Singapore statutory agency in its dispute against a tenant concerning issues of leases, licences and equitable relief for tenants;
successfully defending a Singapore-listed ship engineering company in an arbitration under the Singapore International Arbitration Centre brought by a multinational shipping company involving disputes on ship-repair;
acted for a Thai-listed media company in an arbitration brought by an English sports agency alleging breaches of a football match perimeter advertising contract in the English Premier League; and
advised a private equity fund to investigate and report on issues of corruption alleged against a high-ranking employee.
Wrotham Park, Lexology, July 2017
EMAIL: jeremytoh@tkqp.com.sg
Bachelor of Laws (Summa Cum Laude), Singapore Management University, 2016
Jeremy focuses primarily on commercial litigation and dispute resolution.
While at school, Jeremy was on the Dean's List for all semesters, and was awarded the following subject prizes:
Phang Sing Eng Prize for the Top Student in Contract Law;
Rodyk Prize for the Top Student in Corporate Law;
Rajah & Tann Prize for the Top Student in Information Technology & the Law; and
Harry Elias Partnership Prize for the Top Student in Family Law.
Jeremy was also awarded the Kwa Geok Choo Scholarship (Undergraduate) at the Singapore Management University.
Jeremy's experience includes acting for and advising:
the director of a joint-venture company against a multinational company listed in Singapore, involving claims of breach of directors' duties and defamation;
a creditor in the winding up of a debtor company and successfully challenging the debtor's company application to implement a scheme of arrangement instead; acting for the liquidators thereafter in arbitration proceedings commenced by the debtor company to claim in excess of S$16 million and to defend a counterclaim of more than S$8.7 million;
a Singapore shipping company against an Indian multinational conglomerate, involving claims of illegality for breach of Indian regulations, conspiracy and breaches of fiduciary duties; and
high-net worth individuals against the relationship manager of a financial institution, involving claims of more than US$3 million arising from the misuse of funds over a period of over five years.
Wong, Nan Shee
DEBT RECOVERY, TENANCY & SECURITIES
EMAIL: wongnanshee@tkqp.com.sg
Nan Shee graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree in 1993. She was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in 1994.
Nan Shee is presently a Senior Associate with the Firm's Banking and Insolvency Practice Group.
Nan Shee's area of practice is in banking litigation with an emphasis on debt recovery in credit facilities and tenancy matters.
Nan Shee commenced practice as a general litigation lawyer dealing with accident and insurance matters as well as personal injury claims.
Nan Shee also dealt with debt recovery matters when acting for the former American Express Bank Ltd.
In addition, Nan Shee advised clients in tenancy disputes while acting for Hong Leong Singapore Finance Limited. Nan Shee had also advised Far East Organisation Pte Ltd in matters pertaining to various Management Corporation Strata Titles portfolios.
Nan Shee has experience in matrimonial and probate matters. Nan Shee had also drafted wills and assisted in conveyancing matters. In addition, Nan Shee has experience in the criminal and traffic courts.
Furthermore, Nan Shee previously acted for Singapore Sports Council in the drafting of corporate agreements. Nan Shee also has experience in construction law, civil commercial litigation and arbitration matters.
In practice, Nan Shee has appeared frequently in the Subordinate Courts, High Court, Criminal Courts and Family Court. Nan Shee has also assisted in Court of Appeal matters.
Nan Shee is a member of the Law Society and the Singapore Academy of Law.
She also volunteers at the Community Legal Clinic organised by the Law Society Pro Bono Services.
Yip, Vinna
EMAIL: vinnayip@tkqp.com.sg
Master in Public Policy, National University of Singapore, 2015
Vinna practises primarily commercial litigation and international commercial arbitration. She has assisted on a range of high-value and complex cross-border disputes.
Vinna's experience includes:
representing an Australian public-listed company and its subsidiaries in a US$750 million dispute arising from a joint venture agreement involving a coal upgrading plant in Indonesia, in the first-ever case before the Singapore International Commercial Court;
representing subsidiaries of an Indian listed company in defending claims of S$55.76 million in an SIAC arbitration in relation to a share purchase agreement arising out of a joint venture;
representing a Singapore company in defending claims for declaratory relief relating to the provision of financial statements and accounts and for an interim injunction over sale proceeds of a hotel;
representing a Singapore subsidiary of an Indian listed company in relation to a claim of professional negligence;
representing a former director in the setting aside of an SIAC award involving a claim sum of US$173 million, on grounds of breach of the rules of natural justice and dealing with a dispute falling outside the terms of the submission to arbitration;
representing a wife in an application for stay of proceedings pending appeal, and the appeal, involving issues of severance of title of a HDB property, promissory estoppel, purchase price resulting trust, constructive trust and the contractual rights of third parties;
representing a client in an application for leave to appeal against a decision involving the torts of nuisance in relation to a protected tree, as well as the torts of trespass and assault;
advising a BVI company on the setting aside of an ICC award on grounds of fraud and public policy;
advising a distributor of steel products on the enforcement of an ACIC award in Singapore;
advising an investor on the ownership of shares of a SGX Catalist-listed company;
advising a director of a multinational bank on claims of breaches of duty raised before an internal disciplinary hearing;
representing a client in relation to a charge under section 323 of the Penal Code in a pro bono matter under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme; and
representing a client in relation to charges under sections 34 and 379 of the Penal Code and section 8(b)(ii) of the Misuse of Drugs Act in a pro bono matter under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.
Contributor to the Singapore chapter of "Family Lawyer" in Women, Business and the Law 2018, World Bank Group.
Contributor to the Singapore chapter of "Labour Lawyer" in Women, Business and the Law 2018, World Bank Group.
Contributor to the Singapore chapter of the "Practice Guide on Litigation", Chambers Global, 2018.
Co-author of the "Proceedings in the Singapore International Commercial Court" in Civil Litigation in Singapore, Sweet & Maxwell, 2016.
Co-author of the Singapore Country Report on "Migration and Law", Reports to the XIXth International Congress of Comparative Law, 2014.
Author of "The Need for Cultural Sensitivity Amidst an International Harmonisation of Arbitral Rules", Singapore Law Review, 2013, 31, pp. 51-54.
Cham, Cindy
POSITION: ASSOCIATE
EMAIL: cindycham@tkqp.com.sg
Cindy is an Associate with the Insurance Litigation department.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Tasmania in 2013, and was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in May 2015.
Cindy's main area of practice is in Insurance.
Cindy completed her pupillage with another legal firm where she started her career doing insurance, civil litigation and matrimonial work. Upon joining Tan Kok Quan Partnership in late 2017, her focus has shifted to only handling insurance matters.
Cindy is a member of the Law Society and the Singapore Academy of Law.
Cha, Meiyin
EMAIL: chameiyin@tkqp.com.sg
Tan, Amanda Kimberly
EMAIL: amandatan@tkqp.com.sg
Bachelor of Laws, Singapore Management University, 2017
POSITION:PARTNER
EMAIL:alcinachew@tkqp.com.sg
POSITION:JOINT MANAGING PARTNER
EMAIL:marinachin@tkqp.com.sg
POSITION:SENIOR PARTNER
EMAIL:chris@tkqp.com.sg
POSITION:CONSULTANT
EMAIL:amylee@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:lawrencelow@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:eddeeng@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:karamparmar@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:nara@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:paulseah@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:shahira@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:tansuean@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:teowengkie@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:keithtnee@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:tngpeckchin@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:kanya@tkqp.com.sg
OF COUNSELS, SENIOR ASSOCIATES
POSITION:SENIOR ASSOCIATE
EMAIL:chanyizhang@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:rachelchin@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:imranrahim@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:geraintkang@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:leonglijie@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:leongqianyu@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:leonardloh@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:lohlingwei@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:aditiravi@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:siewguowei@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:jeremytoh@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:wongnanshee@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:vinnayip@tkqp.com.sg
POSITION:ASSOCIATE
EMAIL:cindycham@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:chameiyin@tkqp.com.sg
EMAIL:amandatan@tkqp.com.sg
With a wealth of experience in handling a broad and diverse spectrum of cases, we have earned a stellar reputation for the quality of our work. Our practice group covers a multitude of areas including:
administrative law: acting for both public institutions and statutory boards;
banking and securities disputes: acting for financial institutions in advisory roles as well as in litigation matters, including bank-customer disputes, employee disputes and inter-bank disputes. The firm currently represents United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) in claims against a subsidiary of the Lippo Group for fraud and conspiracy arising out of Lippo's sale of housing units in Sentosa Cove which were financed by UOB;
corporate disputes: examples of the work we have regularly undertaken include shareholders' or partners' disputes, joint venture disputes and claims against directors and other officers of the company;
fraud investigations: notable investigations include those commissioned by the Singapore Exchange into China Aviation's oil trading losses of US$550 million. The firm has also advised on a number other confidential enquiries conducted by the Singapore Exchange;
hospitality disputes: the firm acted for Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts Pte Ltd and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc in relation to claims arising out of the proposed acquisition of the Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok;
intellectual property disputes: the firm has acted in copyright and passing off claims taking place in highly sensitive factual context;
property disputes: including various landmark decisions on adverse possession;
family law: including adoption, divorce, custody care and control of minor children, maintenance and division of matrimonial assets including the landmark case in Singapore on stock options being part of matrimonial assets;
telecommunications disputes: the firm has represented SingTel in a variety of matters including the very highly publicised litigation between SingTel and Starhub Cable Vision Ltd (SCV) in relation to the unauthorised tapping off of SingTel's cable network by Starhub Cable Vision Ltd, which resulted in a favourable outcome for SingTel;
arbitration: we have a sizeable team of lawyers with substantial arbitration experience. Our depth of experience ensures that we have the ability to provide the best legal representation for our clients in arbitrations irrespective of the nature of the issues in dispute. To this end, our lawyers regularly contest both domestic and international arbitrations, and have seen the length and breadth of arbitrable disputes ranging from major infrastructure disputes to telecommunication disputes to private banking claims. We are also well versed in the various arbitration rules published by leading arbitral bodies such as the International Chamber of Commerce, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators, to name a few. Furthermore, a number of our lawyers are fellows or members of key arbitral institutions and bodies;
adjudication: substantial growth has been seen over the last few years, especially with respect to the building and construction industry. We have successfully represented our client in the first adjudication hearing in Singapore pursuant to the Building and Construction Security of Payment Act and we continue to regularly assist clients resolve disputes through adjudication; and
mediation and negotiation: there may be times when a non-confrontational settlement is in the best interests of a client. Such commercially driven dispute resolution procedures are regularly spearheaded by our lawyers to assist and ensure that our clients achieve the desired outcome to a problem. Such alternative procedures would include institutional and ad hoc mediations, and negotiations.
We have a strong team of experienced practitioners who are capable of advising on complex cross-border restructuring and insolvencies, including related investigations that arise. Our lawyers are well-versed in insolvency law, and are on the pulse of legal trends in the spheres of insolvency and restructuring law, being members of International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals International (INSOL) as well as contributors to the Singapore chapter of The Asset Tracing and Recovery Review published by Law Business Research Ltd in 2015. This practice group is led by Eddee Ng, our Joint Managing Partner.
Our team has been involved in and has advised on matters relating to:
claims brought by creditors: we have experience in winding up companies, as well as acting for creditors in corporate insolvencies;
This practice group is one of the largest dedicated non-marine insurance practices in Singapore, specialising in insurance litigation and advisory work. Working closely with a wide range of experts from different disciplines, such as forensic accountants, scientists, engineers and doctors, we represent a wide base of insurers and handle claims involving all classes of insurance such as public liability, product liability, industrial all risk, professional indemnity, motor insurance, fidelity guarantees, contractors all-risk, workmen's compensation, business interruption, and accident and health.
We also specialise in road traffic claims and have acted in some of Singapore's largest personal injury claims with excellent results. We are the first law firm in Singapore to introduce the use of bio-mechanic experts in dealing with whiplash claims.
We represent a wide range of clients in their real estate dealings in Singapore across the residential, retail, commercial, office and industrial sectors and asset classes. Transactions on which we are routinely involved include acquisitions, disposals, leasing, sale and leasebacks, collective purchases, property developments, real estate related corporate and financings and property-backed financings. We also advise on property law related regulatory and advisory matters, and the structuring, documentation and execution of property acquisition, construction and development loan transactions and mortgage-backed corporate banking credit facilities.
ADVISING ALL ENTITIES. ADVISING ACROSS BORDERS.
Our focus is simple. We will go where our clients' businesses or transactions are based, be it advising on a township development in the People's Republic of China (PRC), a joint venture manufacturing facility project in Vietnam or the development of a food and beverage franchise in Singapore.
Over the years, we have developed in-depth experience in handling cross-border transactions and are no strangers to managing negotiations for clients at every step of the process. In response to the needs of our clients, we have established a China Desk for clients interested in investing or operating in the PRC.
We advise overseas clients on relocating their business operations and headquarters to Singapore, whether for the purposes of the developed infrastructure or favourable tax incentives or using Singapore as a gateway to their other investments in the region.
We actively advise in the following types of transactions:
corporate finance: equity issues, including initial public offerings, bonus issues and right issues; debt issues; private placements; venture capital/private equity investments; establishment of collective investment schemes; and asset securitisation;
merger and acquisition: takeovers; mergers and acquisitions; and amalgamations;
funds/offshore: fund establishment and structuring; advising on licensing issues related to capital markets services (eg, fund management and dealing in securities) and financial advisers legislation; and establishing offshore companies and limited partnerships for tax efficiency;
corporate and commercial: cross-border transaction work including joint ventures and other forms of business collaboration; asset and business sales and purchases; establishment of business presence in Singapore; corporate restructuring; investment in or subscription of shares/equity, capital reduction, share buybacks; partnership and consortium work; distribution, agency, licensing and franchise agreements; employment and service agreements; employee share option schemes; directors' rights and obligations; shareholders' rights; and liquidation issues;
compliance: continuing listing obligations; company formation (local and overseas); funds compliance and corporate governance matters (listed entities); corporate administration and secretarial (listed and private entities); immigration (employment passes, permanent residence and citizenship); and advice on applications and submissions for business licences (eg, employment agency, real estate agency, travel agency, and the like); and
China Desk: advising clients on inwards and outbound PRC investments.
The Legal 500's Restructuring & Insolvency Comparative Guide 2019
TKQP is proud to be the exclusive Singapore firm contributor to the 3rd edition of The Legal 500's Restructuring & Insolvency Country Comparative Guide. Check out Singapore's restructuring and insolvency laws and regulations here.
TKQP Scores Victory in Precedent-Setting Case
TKQP has secured victory in a first of its kind case in the common law world involving the legal consequences of certain SWIFT messages. SWIFT is commonly used as a means of communication between financial institutions around the world.
The case, which was heard by Sir Jeremy Cooke in the Singapore International Commercial Court ("SICC"), involved issues relating to the allocation of risk/liability between a sending bank and a beneficiary bank, in a cross-border transfer of funds where the payment information and the settlement instructions are sent in two separate message flows. The SICC's decision will have ramifications on the jurisprudence and practice of bank payments around the world.
The team was led by Joint Managing Partner and Co-Head of Disputes, Mr Eddee Ng and assisted by Mr Siew Guo Wei and Ms Vinna Yip, both Senior Associates of TKQP. TKQP was very pleased to have worked alongside Mr Raymond Cox QC in its first matter before the SICC.
TKQP Senior Partner Recognised as a Leading Lawyer for Six Consecutive Years
TKQP's Joint Managing Partner and Co-Head of Disputes practice, Mr Eddee Ng has been named as one of the leading lawyers in the fields of Litigation, and Banking and Finance in Singapore by the Best Lawyers six years in a row.
Praised by clients as "impressive and clearly knows his way around the Singapore courts", Eddee has won numerous accolades from leading independent legal directories in recognition for his expertise in dispute resolution. In addition, Eddee was invited to be a member of the prestigious, invitation-only International Association of Defense Counsel – a testament to his expertise and reputation in the market.
TKQP is Learning Partner of Singapore Academy of Law's LIFTED Initiative
TKQP is proud to be one of the learning partners of LIFTED, a professional and development initiative spearheaded by the Singapore Academy of Law.
Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on 11 January, TKQP and the Singapore Academy of Law will jointly develop a series of co-branded professional development and continuing education programmes over the next three years. This collaboration initiative enables TKQP to play a pivotal role in facilitating the sharing of expertise more widely within the legal industry and the nurturing of the next generation of lawyers. It also dovetails with what we believe in – People are at the centre of who we are.
For more information on the LIFTED programme, please visit https://www.sal.org.sg/Resources-Tools/Legal-Education/LIFTED/Tools.
TKQP Strengthens Corporate and Commercial Practice
We are delighted to announce that Ms Li Li Choo has joined TKQP as a Consultant in our Corporate and Commercial practice to diversify our offerings.
Li Li commenced practice in a leading law firm specializing in loan financing transactions in domestic and cross border transactions. She also advises investors on the establishment of joint ventures and strategic alliances, sale and purchase of shares and assets, and the restructuring of companies and businesses. Li Li's practice further includes advising clients on branding and management agreements, licence and franchise agreements and distribution agreements.
Prior to joining TKQP, Li Li was part of the legal team advising a consortium of Singapore companies on the establishment of an industrial park in China. Li Li has also spent a year working in a Tokyo law firm, advising Japanese clients on their overseas investments in Europe.
NUS Centre for Banking & Finance Law Presents The Project Finance Academy Workshop – 14-16 November
A recent Asian Development Bank report indicates that Asia needs to invest US$26 trillion from 2016 to 2030 if the region is to maintain its growth momentum. Given the pressing need to accelerate the pace of energy and infrastructure upgrading and developments in this part of the world, Singapore is positioning itself as the Infrastructure Hub for Asia.
This three-day practical "hands-on" workshop will take participants through the main legal considerations in structuring project finance transactions. Participants will gain an understanding of the real-life considerations and tensions that underlie key provisions of a typical Concession Agreement, and related Project and Financing Documents. Participants will learn how to structure and negotiate documents that anticipate and deal with potential issues. The focus will be on project finance practice as it happens in Asia. Participants will also get to interact with a panel of experienced market players active in the region. Participants will be expected to participate actively in role-play exercises that illustrate the evolving dynamics of a typical transaction.
Participants may obtain up to 15 public CPD points for this workshop. For more details or registration, please click here Project Finance Academy.
Proud to be the exclusive Singapore firm contributor to the 2nd edition of The Legal 500's Restructuring & Insolvency Country Comparative Guide! Check out for Singapore's restructuring and insolvency laws and regulations.
EARLIER ANNOUNCEMENTS
At Tan Kok Quan Partnership, we pride ourselves at being a great place to work. We are always on the lookout for driven and self-motivated individuals who are good team players. If you think you might be a good fit, get in touch with us!
Our firm culture
No one is overlooked in our firm. Trainees will have a chance to interact with all the lawyers in the firm both professionally and socially. Whilst we expect our lawyers to give the best of their time and effort in their work, we also recognise that they need to have a good quality of life and develop pursuits outside the law. We also have a very collegiate environment here, and our associates are a wonderful bunch of people.
If you are a dynamic and motivated individual with good academic results and would like a challenging and exciting career with one of the leading law practices in Singapore, contact us.
By sending us your application and/or curriculum vitae, you accept the terms of our Personal Data Protection Policy.
Practice trainees
Our key areas of practice are Disputes, Banking and Finance, Infrastructure and Projects, Restructuring and Insolvency, Insurance, Real Estate and Corporate.
The emphasis of our practice training contract programme is to train our practice trainees to become competent lawyers with great depth of experience in the shortest time.
We recognise that each individual is different, and we nurture each trainee accordingly so that they can realise their own potential. In training our practice trainees, we aim to give them as much hands-on experience as possible. All our trainees will be assigned one or more supervising solicitors to guide them through their practice training. They also work directly with the senior partners, giving them the opportunity to learn from some of the very best legal minds in various fields.
We place great emphasis on nurturing the next generation of lawyers, and aim to value-add to every intern who comes through our doors. Interns are assigned two mentors each, and will be involved in their mentors' active cases. Interns are encouraged to communicate their goals and objectives for the internship, and to proactively seek exposure to areas of interest. Interns will experience real-world legal work, and will be encouraged to contribute positively to the work done by their mentors. Interns can expect a steep learning curve, but also instruction and training to guide them through work assigned.
Internships are available with our Disputes, Restructuring and Insolvency, and Insurance practice groups. Internship applications should include a Curriculum Vitae with supporting documents, and a cover letter with the desired period of internship and practice group, and explaining why you would like to intern. Please send your application to internships@tkqp.com.sg.
Lawyers/secretarial and support staff
Please contact us for current vacancies.
Please send your curriculum vitae to:
The Recruitment Partner
Tan Kok Quan Partnership
1 Wallich Street #07-02
Email: recruit@tkqp.com.sg
#07-02 Guoco Tower
+65 6225 0111 [Main]
+65 6324 5525 [Disputes/Restructuring and Insolvency]
+65 6227 6116 [Insurance]
+65 6220 9354 [Real Estate]
mail@tkqp.com.sg [General]
dpo@tkqp.com.sg [Data Protection Policy]
Marina Chin, Joint Managing Partner
Eddee Ng, Joint Managing Partner
Paul Seah , Senior Partner
Karam Singh Parmar, Senior Partner
Teo Weng Kie, Senior Partner
Christopher Fernandez, Senior Partner
Tan Su Ean, Partner
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