Established in 1978, Characterist is a Singaporean law firm that is active in civil and commercial disputes. In addition to its expertise in commercial and construction disputes, the firm is also active in insolvency, criminal and insurance litigation. It has an active roster of arbitration matters with international and cross-border elements.
Managing partner Daniel Goh oversees the team with support from key lawyers Dominic Chan, Adrian Wee and Noel Oehlers, who actively represent clients in both commercial and criminal disputes.
In a groundbreaking highlight, the team represented the plaintiffs in a judicial review challenge of the Vaccine-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS) and Workforce Vaccination Measures (WVM) that were introduced by the Singapore government. The applicants claimed that VDS and WVM had the effect of curtailing the constitutional rights of unvaccinated citizens and workers, and resulted in the unvaccinated being discriminated against. This case was novel and complex, involving ever-evolving issues of fact, policy, statutes and regulations, law, statistics and science pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccine differentiation measures as well as the law on
locus standi and the real controversy requirement. Ultimately, the
review was withdrawn in October last year.
The team continues to act for one defendant against a claim over fees for work allegedly completed during a 16-year period for “law-related business consultancy” services, and which related largely to various proceedings in Singapore, Australia and the British Virgin Islands. This is currently the leading case in Singapore on what constitutes the provision of legal services and acting as “an advocate and solicitor” under the Legal Profession Act for the purposes of establishing a complete statutory defence against an unauthorised person claiming for fees in respect of legal services provided when that person did not have a valid practising certificate.
Client feedback
“The lawyers provided an independent, unbiased, and holistic breakdown of my rights. Characterist does not say things that clients like to hear, they say things that clients have to hear. It weighs the success of your case in a realistic manner.” – Commercial and transactions
“The team was prompt, professional, and demonstrated genuine care and being available.” – Family and matrimonial
“Sensible and practical advice in review to protect my interests. There is prompt feedback and review of the work.” – Labour and employment
Dominic Chan
“He is understanding, very professional and willing to work hard to gather information and facts necessary for the legal case. He possesses a strong sense of justice and has beyond excellent communication and analytical skills.”
Johnston Lee
“He is patient, professional and efficient in his work.”
“He articulates ideas very clearly and substantiates the things he says with very good analogies. He listens well even when I’m flustered and probably incoherent. He stays very close or ahead of deadline and is very committed. I remember Daniel answering my call when he was on ICT reservist duties. He understands commercial and private contracts very well! I learnt a great deal from Daniel.”
Francis Wong
“He can grasp construction concepts fast and give advice from a legal standpoint.”
“He listened, and he offered excellent advice on steps forward to avoid litigation and to try to get a settlement before initiating legal proceedings.”
“Sensible and practical advice in the review of the draft agreements to protect my interests. He helped explain my options and the implications of amendments being sought to the draft.”
