Traditionally strong in litigation, Harry Elias Partnership offers the full spectrum of dispute resolution coverage including commercial disputes, construction, IP litigation, insolvency and international arbitration. The firm’s top-tier contentious family and matrimonial practice is widely known in the market. The construction and engineering group has carved out a niche in the area of marine engineering, dredging, land reclamation and shores protection. Its clients include high-profile local and international individuals, banks and financial institutions, as well as corporations. The firm also offers solid mediation advocacy capability with trained mediators accredited as principal and associate mediators with the Singapore Mediation Centre.
Managing partner and head of the dispute resolution practice Philip Fong and partners Suressh S, Andy Lem, Chau Yee Tan, Justin Chia, Yvonne Foo and Joanna Seetoh are the key figures at the firm. The latter four are construction specialists. Francis Goh heads the international arbitration department, Esther Wee leads the IP team, while Siew Fong Foo and Tien Hua Koh are widely known for their outstanding family and matrimonial expertise.
Highlights in commercial disputes during the research period include defending one of the accused in a case involving over 300 charges of market manipulation, unauthorised trading and cheating. This case has been described by prosecutors as “the largest market manipulation case in Singapore’s history”. In a multi-jurisdictional arbitration matter, the team acted for the owners and vendors of a Singapore trust company against the buyers for breach of the sale and purchase agreement for the takeover of the company.
YTL Concrete has recruited the construction lawyers for its defence against claims by HSL Constructor and the Public Utilities Board (PUB) regarding damage caused to PUB’s water pipe and other losses due to ground stress exerted at the site for the improvement to the Bedok Canal.
Chia and his team are representing a management group in its claim against the developer, main contractor and subcontractors for building defects in the Singapore High Court. A public utilities board has instructed the firm for its defence against claims by the management committee plaintiff of alleged breach of non-delegable duty of care, breach of statutory duty and nuisance in the execution of the drainage improvement works.
The insolvency team continues to act for Ascendas REIT, Singapore’s first and largest listed business space and industrial real estate investment trust, in its high-value claims against the Hyflux Group for its premature termination of long-term leases for two buildings, Hyflux Building and Hyflux Innovation Centre. It is also representing First Abu Dhabi Bank as a creditor in the AgriTrade International restructuring.
Partner Joanna Seetoh and of counsel Chua Ming Hao joined last year from LVM Chambers and Clyde & Co Clasis, respectively.
Key clients include BRC Asia, DBS Bank, GAM Kimura Commodity Trade Finance Fund, Rich-Link Construction, Singapore Ministry of Health, Standard Chartered Bank and Vantage Shipbrokers.
