Founded in 2018, the primary focus of boutique firm Ooi & Ooi is dispute resolution. The founders are a sibling duo that have practiced at other premier law firms in the country, such as Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill and Skrine. The firm has expertise in corporate and commercial, construction, and white-collar crime litigation and arbitrations. Last year, the team handled more than 380 matters alone and impressively won all 80 litigations it entered into for clients. It also won four out of five of its construction adjudication cases. Notably, both partners are empanelled as adjudicators by the Asian International Arbitration Centre and are fellows of the Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Last year, Ooi & Ooi secured its position as a panel firm for BCB, Fuji Xerox Asia Pacific, Geoforce and Qingdao Municipal Construction Group.
Partners Nicholas Ooi and Natalie Ooi are the main contacts.
In commercial and transactions, the firm represented BCB in an ad hoc arbitration claim against Sinlexon Construction & Decoration. The case resulted in a groundbreaking decision where the arbitrator was removed by the High Court. The firm successfully argued that the arbitrator had breached natural justice by determining his own fee and dismissing BCB's challenge without allowing parties to address the issue of costs. The High Court held that the arbitrator's direct financial interest in the outcome necessitated his disqualification on the grounds of bias, as nobody should be a judge in their own cause. This is the first case where an arbitrator was removed pursuant to the new Section 15 of the Arbitration Act 2005, as all previous removals were conducted under the repealed Section 24 of the Arbitration Act 1950.
The firm’s recent client roster includes Chin Leong Plumbing Construction, E-Pro Medical Supplies and Lion Global Forwarding.
Client feedback
“They possess extensive knowledge of case law pertaining to professional negligence.” – Construction
