Rajah & Tann is a full-service firm with roots in dispute resolution. The firm enjoys a reputation for litigation and has the largest practice in Singapore and Southeast Asia. It is a go-to choice for many clients in complex, cross-border disputes. The firm has the highest number of senior counsels, with a total of eight in Singapore, which gives it the strongest advocacy power in the region. The court hearing statistics alone reflect the strength the firm has in the market, with the highest number of hearings in 2022, at 462 cases – a significant lead on the closest competitor. The team has also secured the highest number of SICC judgments, as of November 2023, with more than a third of the total. The firm has an excellent track record of securing landmark decisions and victories for its clients across a wide range of practice areas. Market watchers commend the firm’s expertise, particularly in sectors such as energy, financial services, shipping and construction.
Among the firm’s leading lawyers are key senior counsels Eng Beng Lee, Chuan Thye Tan, Andre Yeap, Gregory Vijayendran, Murali Pillai, and Francis Xavier, and partners Adrian Wong, Mark Cheng, Vikram Nair, Kelvin Poon, Patrick Ang, and Chuan Thye Tan, who are known for their work in commercial disputes. Insolvency, international arbitration and shipping specialist Kian Sing Toh is another notable figure, alongside IP-focused Kok Keng Lau, construction experts Chee Siong Sim and Lip San Soh, private client co-head Chandra Mohan, employment specialist Qinghui Luo and white-collar crime expert Hamidul Haq.
The Rajah & Tann team is acting for White Energy Company in the assessment of damages related to a nearly $1 billion coal dispute against PT Bayan for breaching joint venture obligations before the SICC.
Rajah & Tann has a strong regional footprint that makes it adept at multi-jurisdictional dispute resolution, with strategic firm alliances across Southeast Asia that allow it to appear in local courts in China, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia and Myanmar.
Client feedback
“Services are great. Planning and strategies are well thought through.”– Banking and financial services
“The team is competent and responsive. The lead lawyer is commercially savvy and offers practical solutions to issues.” – Bankruptcy
“Technically sound, coupled with practical commercial advice.” – Commercial and transactions
“Problem-solving, legal expertise, thinking outside of the box.” – Commercial and transactions
“Strategy; responsiveness; value for money.” – Energy
“Efficient service and prompt action and good advice.” – Family and matrimonial
“Experienced, practical advice.” – Intellectual property
“The firm is very responsive. The analysis was very thorough. They have good case management skills, and their practice is very sophisticated.” – International arbitration
“They provide good legal services to their clients in dispute resolution.” – International arbitration
“Excellent access to partners, clarity of advice, cross-jurisdictional network, speed and quality of turnaround.” – Shipping
“They represent their clients in arbitration with in-depth analysis of their client’s case and efficient handling of the dispute.” – Shipping
“They provide legal documents as well as advice to process the negotiation with the opponents.” – Shipping
Patrick Ang
“Commercially savvy and offers practical solutions to issues.”
Chua Beng Chye
“Good listener, positive and good at providing construction solutions in his area of expertise.”
“Good strategic thinker, very dedicated and very professional.”
Jainil Bhandari
“Jainil has developed a very strong relationship with our company since we started working with him three years ago. He is always accessible and provides astute, clear and legally strong advice in a commercial way.”
“He is industrious, careful and efficient.”
“He provides good legal submissions.”
Jansen Chow
“Prompt responses, quick reaction, creative solutions, deep knowledge.”
Kok Keng Lau
“Very sound, and his area of specialisation fits our company’s needs well.”
Kee Lay Lian
“She is a responsible, passionate and patient lawyer who listens to understand what you require. She is also a knowledgeable lawyer who understands and does her work well.”
Kelvin Poon
“Kelvin was a solid team leader, and he had a very strong team under him, led by David Tan. Kelvin knew when to delegate but stayed informed and on top of the case.”
Adrian Wong
“Technically excellent, practical advice, smart, friendly and quick.”
Andre Yeap
“Andre is an experienced lawyer. He listened to us and provided an effective strategy that landed us a favourable result.”
