One of the ‘big four’ law firms in Singapore, Allen & Gledhill has one of the largest teams, with more than 130 lawyers – including more than 50 active partners and senior counsel. The firm is universally praised by peers and clients for having one of the strongest disputes teams in the market, with noted senior practitioners leading the group, including two senior counsels. It has a proven track record of representing sophisticated clients in bet-the-company litigation. This year, the firm continues to dominate the top tiers for all commercial dispute-related tables.
Allen & Gledhill’s specialisms include banking and commercial disputes, international arbitration, insolvency, intellectual property and white-collar crime. The firm also runs a comprehensive cross-border disputes service supported by its regional network.
In addition to its robust coverage, the firm has four relatively new practice groups that were launched with the goal of helping organisations navigate the increasingly complex regulatory environment post-Covid. This included practices for cybersecurity and data protection and private wealth, and the expansion of two existing practices to enhance the scope of service in the areas of employment, health and safety, and ESG and public policy. As struggling businesses were forced into bankruptcy litigation, the Allen & Gledhill team starred in various disputes linked to the high-profile insolvencies of Hin Leong Trading and Agritrade Resources.
Key names in the team include Andrew Yeo for commercial disputes, Chien Mien Ho for construction, Edward Tiong for insolvency, Yee Leong Chong and Dinesh Dhillon for international arbitration, Yong Seng Tay on the employment side, Stanley Lai for commercial litigation and intellectual property, and Jason Chan for white-collar crime and investigations. William Ong co-heads the disputes department and specialises in international arbitration and intellectual property.
In one seminal case the commercial disputes team is defending two individuals as receivers against claims for wrongful appointment and breach of duties by a Japanese healthcare provide, Nishiki Group. The dispute is related to a defaulted loan agreement entered into between Nishiki Group and a private equity firm lender as part of a suite of loan and security documents including debentures and share charges over assets of Nishiki Group. There are generally few recent reported decisions by the Singapore courts on the duties and powers of receivers. The judgment and these proceedings will have an impact on the duties and responsibilities of private receivers in accepting their appointment, including whether they are required to look beyond the terms of the appointment and the security documents to verify the validity of the claim, and the legal effect of a notice of appointment of private receivers and whether receivers are entitled to continue exercising their powers as receivers in circumstances where the receivership is challenged.
In two other highlights for the same client, the team represented Kiri Industries in valuation proceedings pursuant to a buyout order that was made in an action for minority oppression and in a claim for breach of preferred supplier obligation. The former case is the largest valuation dispute relating to a joint venture company that has been heard by the SICC, while the latter dispute and matter on minority oppression have generated 11 reported decisions from the Singapore courts.
In a seminal case on the IP front, the litigation team acted for Tiger Pictures Entertainment to commence an action in the High Court of Singapore against film distributor Encore Films for alleged infringement of copyright of one of the highest-grossing movies in the PRC in 2022. The litigation presents an opportunity for the Singapore courts to consider novel issues in the law on copyright infringement in Singapore including, among other things, the definition of a statutory ‘exclusive licensee’ under the Copyright Act 2021 and the remedies available to an exclusive licensee of copyright. The litigation is also significant as the very first case to be heard on Singapore’s recently introduced ‘fast-track’ for IP litigation known as the ‘Simplified Process for Certain Intellectual Property Claims’. The litigation has already given rise to two reported judgments at the interlocutory stage. The IP team was additionally instructed by General Hotel Management for an appeal to the appellate court in relation to a claim for breach of copyright.
An international tobacco conglomerate enlisted the firm to advise on the Singapore sanctions regime arising from investigations by the US Department of Justice and Office of Foreign Assets Control. In another coup, the white-collar crime team represented two senior member of a large cryptocurrency exchange in ongoing investigations by the Commercial Affairs Department of the Singapore Police Force. The insolvency team continues to act for a group of major banks and non-bank creditors in the massive restructuring of Hin Leong Trading, Ocean Tankers and Xihe Holdings.
Key clients include DBS Bank, Credit Suisse, Noble Group, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation, Perennial Group, Sentosa Development Corporation, Singapore Tourism Board and SingHealth.
Client feedback
“They are a highly experienced team, with a wide range of skills. All the staff that I meet are highly knowledgeable, with exceptional educational backgrounds and people skills. They are approachable and focused. I recommend the firm for their all-round skill sets.” – Banking and financial services
“Our main relationship partner has excellent team and cost management skills. She provides great insights into the areas where we have sought her advice.” – Banking and financial services
“They advised us very pragmatically and maintained a balanced and fair tone with the client’s lawyers. Their balanced and fair demeanor assisted in moving settlement along, while reducing conflict to the extent possible.” – Banking and financial services
“They provide sound and practical legal advice which comes from a depth of experience in the subject matter.” – Banking and financial services
“They are always excited to delve into areas of the law that have not been examined. Their familiarity with the law always enriches our discussions and gives us interesting insights.” – Bankruptcy
“They are technically solid, well resourced, and provide fantastic client service.” – Bankruptcy
“They are very strategic, with strong business acumen.” – Bankruptcy
“The team provided professional legal analysis for our company, provided reference opinions on dispute resolution strategies and reviewed relevant legal documents. All three of these were well done.”– Commercial and transactions
“They offer sound legal advice.” – Commercial and transactions
“Provides sensible and pragmatic solutions for the claim without being overly adversarial.” – Commercial and transactions
“Their advice is generally commercial and practical, which helps in practical implementation within our organisation. Their litigation strategy appears well thought-through and their fees are competitive to the market.” – Commercial and transactions
“Strongly client-oriented, they always present a well-staffed team that provides prompt support and spot-on legal advice.” – Commercial and transactions
“Quick turnover of drafts. Able to function relatively independently to negotiate and resolve drafting points with counterparty’s counsel, responsive to client’s calls and text messages. Highlights points needing client’s review and instructions.” – Commercial and transactions
“They provide well-summarised, strategic and balanced views with commercial sense.” – Commercial and transactions
“A&G’s highly responsive and hardworking team confidently and persistently pursued the case from mediation through arbitration, securing a win for us.” – Commercial arbitration
“A&G was very well prepared for the case and have always been very reassuring throughout the whole process.” – Construction
“They have big-picture thinking with their commercial advice. They have breadth of practice and are well versed in the law.” – Construction
“Provide advisory and strategy for positioning our case in the best possible way.” – Construction
“Lawyers give concise advice.” – Family and matrimonial
“Strong processes, clear communication and they care about the client.” – Government and regulatory
“Providing practical, sound legal advice in a responsive manner.” – Insurance
“Efficient, conscientious and professional.”– Intellectual property
“They take their work seriously, even for small clients like us.” – Intellectual property
“Great communications skills; superb case management skills, especially during the pandemic; ability to quickly grasp foreign law concepts.” – International arbitration
“They understood very well what the client was looking for. The advice was extremely helpful and spot-on.” – International arbitration
“We appreciated their professional legal advice and performance, good teamwork, language skills in both Chinese and English, and their strong communication skills.” – International arbitration
“Offered timely advice and thoroughly met the business’s needs.” – Labour and employment
“Very good at their line of work.” – Labour and employment
“Effective settlement of dispute.” – Real estate
“Good technical skills. Provides informed commercial views.” – Real estate
“It is the leading corporate law firm in Singapore. Also, it has a strong shipping and dispute resolution and arbitration practice.” – Shipping
“The lawyers are highly experienced in corporate insolvency, give sound legal advice and, more importantly, good commercial advice in resolving disputes. They are reliable and prompt, and the quality of work is impeccable.” – Shipping
“Timely and responsive turnaround.” – Shipping
“A&G is extremely responsive and is able to provide commercially driven practical advice.” – Shipping
“Strong on litigation disputes and advising litigation proceedings in PRC maritime court.” – Shipping
“They are good at strategic planning and at handling cases. They are able to understand our needs and customise practicable solutions. They are super-fast in response with excellent services by taking note of a client’s interest. They are able to appreciate and understand our corporate culture.” – Shipping
“Strong legal analysis and litigation strategy.” – Trade and customs
“Very professional. Technically very sound. Fantastic client service” – Trade and customs
“Communicate with clients effectively and in a timely manner.” – Trusts and estates
“They cover other possible angles that the court may apply to ensure that our interests are not being compromised.” – Trusts and estates
“Good with investigations and commerciality. They have ability to have robust conversations while still delivering results.” – White-collar crime
Dinesh Dhillon
“Sharp oral advocacy, very well prepared and responsive to the judges. Calm, composed, and courteous at all times. Actively manages the client and gives them informed, strategic advice.”
“Dinesh is a brilliant lawyer, always on top of the facts and leads his team with a clear vision of the case. He has a strong commercial awareness and thinks creatively and out of the box to deliver a client’s commercial goal.”
Eng Cher Goh
“We appreciate her transparency and wealth of knowledge – and that she doesn’t speak to me like an idiot.”
Sathia Jagateesan
“Very professional with deep expertise in building construction matters”
Kelvin Kek
“Very prompt replies from Kelvin and he is very familiar and knowledgeable. Both Kelvin and his associate are very well prepared for the case.”
“Persuasive and effective business-focused solutions.”
Sanjiv Kumar
“We appreciate his commerciality, communication, robustness and delivery of results.”
May Ling Lee
“Great at listening and showing empathy while giving clear assessment of issues and risks. She always thinks the issue and next steps through.”
Yi-Ming Leong
“She understands our feedback and information easily, even though she is not in our field.”
Vincent Leow
“Knowledgeable. Very strategic and straight to point.”
“He is always very detailed, strategic and provides good business sense.”
Daniel Liang
“Deep knowledge of the specialist law on shipping and commodities. Responsive, thorough and committed.”
Mark Lim
“Proactive and communicates well.”
Bernice Loo
“Strong interpersonal skills and legal knowledge.”
Melissa Mak
“Smart, quick on the uptake, easy to work with.”
“Attentive, efficient, prompt. Writes well, good memory of past events and legal arguments, and excellent management of documents. Listens to client’s thoughts and suggestions.”
William Ong
“Good communication skills with foreign clients. Knows how to explain complex legal issues with simple and human language.”
“His advice is clear and sound, and he is very helpful and accessible.”
Shaun See Tow
“He highlights the areas of the draft agreement where client’s instructions are needed. Able to function relatively independently to negotiate and resolve drafting points with counterparty’s counsel. He is willing and able to push to achieve the client’s position in the draft agreement and he is responsive.”
Ramesh Selvaraj
“Clear and simple advocacy skills; ability to assist client in short timeframe and responsiveness; great communication skills; ability to communicate complex concepts in simple terms.”
“Gives technical advice but commerciality is second to none. He understands the big picture and prioritises it.”
Corina Song
“Keeps the client well updated and takes the extra steps to get things going. Thinks way ahead.”
Xeauwei Tan
“Xeauwei is an intellectual powerhouse who has consistently provided very commercial-minded advice. Xeauwei is also conscious as to costs to clients and efficiently manages resources for client matters.”
“She is responsive and provides sound and practical advice.”
Kai Liang Tan
“Kai Liang’s advice is not only legally nuanced but also practical and strategic; he is always taking into consideration the commercial perspective of the client. He has never failed to provide us with solutions that achieve a desirable outcome, even for the most complex of issues. I would highly recommend him to anyone who requires support for complex commercial litigation.”
Jo Tay
“Jo is able to handle complex and sophisticated matters. She is confident in arguing her case in front of the judges and has an established team of insolvency practitioners to support her.”
“On-the-mark advice and fast turnaround.”
Yong Seng Tay
“Dynamic. Never stops thinking about the challenges at hand, and is incisive in his direction. He is also extremely personable and, having seen him in court, a very powerful advocate – using a wide range of interpersonal skills to manage the court. I cannot recommend him highly enough.”
“Extremely and consistently responsive, he adopts a practical mindset and puts himself in the client’s shoes, which builds trust with us. He is also flexible on fees, which gives him a competitive edge against other law firms.”
Hsu Hsien Tham
“His approach is a nice balance of pragmatism and grounded in firm legal principles. He doesn’t waiver from the legal principles just to meet the client’s requests, and yet he proposes other viable solutions. He also has a very fair and reasonable demeanor – this helps in negotiations and when presenting a solution to the client’s stakeholders.”
Edward Tiong
“Very client-centric and available. Pleasant disposition and eagerness to solve clients’ problems.”
“Very personable, very considerate, capable, technically sound, able to handle the most difficult clients.”
“Fantastic client network, super-considerate and able to handle high stress. Technically proficient and a problem solver.”
Erik Widjaja
“Erik was patient when taking client’s instructions and was able to provide prompt and professional feedback during discussions for our approach on the claim.”
“Erik has a sound understanding of both the legal aspects and the industry. This allows him to provide excellent and pragmatic advice.”
“Good coordination with PRC law firm which conducted the maritime court proceeding. Strong communication and an in-depth understanding of the litigation case.”
“Erik understands client’s needs, including corporate culture and industry practice. He knows the law well and has excellent strategic planning. He speaks Chinese like a local and communicates with Chinese clients smoothly. He is highly responsive and on standby 24/7. Friendly billing.”
“He issues legal opinions and provides strategic reference opinions.”
Pei Ting Wong
“Confident and hardworking, adept at quickly grasping issues at hand. Maintains decisiveness and composure at all times.”
Daryl Xu
“Patient and listens attentively to the client.”
Boon Kiat Yeo
“His advice is very clear and he tackles different business considerations and business needs.”
