Asialaw Profiles (2020)

R&T Sok & Heng Law Office (Cambodia)

Banking and Financial Services - Highly Recommended
Consumer Goods and Services - Highly Recommended
General Business Law - Highly Recommended
Industrials and Manufacturing - Highly Recommended

Leading Lawyers:

Chhay Heng - Corporate/M&A (Elite practitioner)
Tiv, Sophonnora - Corporate and M&A (Distinguished practitioner)

Analysis:

General Business Law

Advised Oriental Payment Group, a merchant acquirer providing payment processing services, on its $60 million IPO on the HKSE.

Assisted Phnom Penh SEZ in its $10 million private offerings. This is the first private offering of a listed company in Cambodia.

Advising Visa Worldwide on the applicability of the Cambodian law in relation to the various products and policies it intends on expanding to the market.

Assegaf Hamzah & Partners (Indonesia)

Aviation and Shipping - Outstanding
Banking and Finance - Outstanding
Banking and Financial Services - Outstanding
Capital Markets - Outstanding
Competition & Antitrust - Outstanding
Construction - Highly Recommended
Consumer Goods and Services - Recommended
Corporate/M&A - Outstanding
Dispute Resolution - Outstanding
Energy - Outstanding
Industrials and Manufacturing - Recommended
Infrastructure - Highly Recommended
Insurance - Recommended
Intellectual property - Other Notable Firms
Labour and Employment - Outstanding
Private Equity - Outstanding
Real Estate - Highly Recommended
Restructuring and Insolvency - Outstanding
Tax - Recommended
Technology and Telecommunications - Outstanding

Leading Lawyers:

Ahmad Fikri Assegaf - Banking & Finance, Corporate/M&A (Elite practitioner)
Ahmad Maulana - Labour and employment (Distinguished practitioner)
Bono Daru Adji - Capital Markets, Corporate/M&A (Elite practitioner)
Chandra Hamzah - Dispute Resolution (Distinguished practitioner)
Eri Hertiawan - Dispute Resolution (Elite practitioner)
Ibrahim Sjarief Assegaf - Banking & Finance, Corporate/M&A (Distinguished practitioner)
Kanya Satwika - Banking & Finance (Distinguished practitioner)
Putu Suryastuti - Capital Markets (Distinguished practitioner)
Rikrik Rizkiyana - Competition & Antitrust (Notable practitioner)

Analysis:

Banking & Finance
Advised Bank Danamon Indonesia on the sale of nearly 180 thousand non-performing loans comprised of unsecured personal loans issued by BDI to Collectius Group, a multinational credit management service and asset management company.

Capital Markets
Advised the Republic of Indonesia on the issuance of government samurai bonds comprising of four series.

Competition & Antitrust
Defending Japfa Comfeed Indonesia, the second biggest poultry breeder, on appeal before the District Court of South Jakarta for failing to notify the KPPU of its acquisition of Multi Makanan Permai within a prescribed timeframe pursuant to government regulation. This is the first instance in which a district court decided to reduce a fine imposed by the KPPU in context of a failure to notify the KPPU of an acquisition.

Construction
Acted for Meindo Elang Indah in reviewing its onshore EPC contract regarding the Jawa-1 Project.

Corporate/M&A
Advising Mitra Pinasthika Mustika on executing a divestment of its 100% stake in Federal Karyatama, one of Indonesia’s largest manufacturers and marketers of motorcycle lubricants, to Esso Petroleum and ExxonMobil UK.

Dispute Resolution
Representing Coca-Cola Indonesia in its dispute against Bangun Wenang Beverage Co concerning the non-renewal of a bottling agreement.

Intellectual Property
Represented FIFA in preparing and sending a demand letter to Nestlé for promoting their products in association with the 2018 FIFA World Cup without being one of the licensees of FIFA.

Labour and Employment
Advised British Standard Institute on a dispute between its Indonesian-subsidiary and the labour union of BSI Indonesia.

Restructuring and Insolvency
Represented Royal Industries Indonesia in relation to its suspension of payment proceedings before the Central Jakarta District Court. The matter involved negotiating with creditors as well as drafting and finalising the settlement agreement.

Rajah & Tann (Laos) Co., Ltd. (Lao PDR) 

Banking and Financial Services - Recommended
General Business Law - Highly Recommended
Infrastructure - Recommended

Analysis:

General Business Law
Advised EDL-Generation Public Company on the project financing of the expansion of the national grid in accordance with the development plan of the government of Lao PDR.

Advised Xelanong 1 Hydropower Company in the project financing of the development of a hydropower plant.

Christopher & Lee Ong (Malaysia)

Aviation and Shipping - Highly Recommended
Banking & Finance - Recommended
Capital Markets - Recognised
Competition/Antitrust - Highly Recommended
Construction - Highly Recommended
Consumer Goods and Services - Recommended
Corporate/M&A - Highly Recommended
Dispute Resolution - Recognised
Energy - Outstanding
Infrastructure - Outstanding
Intellectual Property - Recommended
Real Estate - Highly Recommended
Technology and Telecommunications - Outstanding

Leading Lawyers:

Christopher Lee - Capital Markets, Corporate/M&A (Elite practitioner)
Eileen Yeoh - Construction (Distinguished practitioner)
Fiona Sequerah - Banking & Finance (Distinguished practitioner)
Kuok Yew Chen - Corporate/M&A (Distinguished practitioner)
Shemane Chan - Construction (Distinguished practitioner)
Yon See Ting - Competition & Antitrust (Distinguished practitioner)

Rajah & Tann Myanmar Company Limited (Myanmar)

Banking and Financial Services - Highly Recommended
Energy - Highly Recommended
General Business Law - Highly Recommended
Infrastructure - Recommended
Real Estate - Recommended
Technology and Telecommunications - Recommended

Analysis:

General Business Law
Acted as local counsel for Myanmar Mayson Industries in its disposal of 80% of its interest in its bread and confectionery business to Lotte Confectionery.

Advised OUE Lippo Healthcare on the acquisition of Yoma Siloam Hospital Pun Hlaing and Pun Hlaing International Hospital for a combined sum of $19.5 million.

Acted for Yangon Museum Development in the $144 million financings of its four acres real estate development project from Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Mizuho Bank (Singapore) and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (Singapore).

Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) (Philippines)

Banking & Finance - Recommended
Banking and Financial Services - Recommended
Competition & Antitrust - Recommended
Construction - Highly Recommended
Corporate/M&A - Recommended
Dispute Resolution - Highly Recommended
Energy - Highly Recommended
Infrastructure - Highly Recommended
Labour and Employment - Highly Recommended
Real Estate - Recommended
Tax - Recommended

Leading Lawyers:

Ben Dominic Yap - Dispute Resolution (Distinguished practitioner)
Jaime Renato Gatmaytan - Construction (Distinguished practitioner)

Analysis:

Banking & Finance
Assisted United Overseas Bank in extending a loan facility valued at $180 million to a Singapore property company.

Competition & Antitrust
Acted for Microchip Technology to obtain Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) approval for its acquisition of Microsemi.

Construction
Assisting Leighton with downstream contracts for the NLEX exit ramp project including major works subcontract, minor works subcontract, labour supply agreement and ensuring compliance with the Philippine law.

Corporate/M&A
Assisting Ayala Corporation in its merger with Cebu Holdings and Cebu Property Ventures and Development Corporation.

Dispute Resolution
Represented Pagbilao Energy in a dispute concerning the refusal of the Municipality of Pagbilao in issuing a business permit to the client.

Labour and Employment
Assisting William Grant & Sons in reviewing employment contract templates to ensure compliance with Philippine labour and tax laws.

Tax
Represented Sanofi Pasteur in proceedings before the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in connection to a reduction of tax assessment including VAT, withholding tax and documentary stamp tax.

Client Feedback:

“The associates and partners have much specialised skillsets which the company needs. Their advice is not just theoretical but practical.” – Energy

“C&G Law is very professional and provides a top-tier legal service to its clients. The lawyers, even the partners, ensure that they are accessible to the clients at all times. It would be good to increase its current roster of associates to ensure its top level of professionalism and service. ” – Mining

Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP (Singapore)

Aviation and Shipping - Outstanding
Banking and Finance - Highly Recommended
Banking and Financial Services - Outstanding
Consumer Goods and Services - Outstanding
Capital Markets - Highly Recommended
Competition & Antitrust - Outstanding
Construction - Outstanding
Corporate/M&A - Highly Recommended
Dispute Resolution - Outstanding
Energy - Recommended
Infrastructure - Outstanding
Insurance - Recommended
Intellectual Property - Highly Recommended
Investment Funds - Highly Recommended
Labour and Employment - Outstanding
Private Equity - Highly Recommended
Real Estate - Outstanding
Regulatory - Highly Recommended
Restructuring and Insolvency - Outstanding
Tax - Highly Recommended
Technology and Telecommunications - Outstanding

Leading Lawyers:

Andre Yeap, SC - Dispute Resolution (Elite practitioner)
Angela Lim - Banking & Finance (Elite practitioner)
Arnold Tan - Investment Funds (Elite practitioner)
Chia Kim Huat - Capital Markets, Corporate/M&A (Elite practitioner)
Chua Choon King - Shipping (Distinguished practitioner)
Danny Ong - Dispute Resolution, Restructuring and Insolvency (Distinguished practitioner)
Desmond Wee - Labour and Employment (Distinguished practitioner)
Evelyn Wee - Capital Markets (Distinguished practitioner)
Francis Xavier, SC, PBM - Dispute Resolution (Elite practitioner)
Gregory Vijayendran, SC - Dispute Resolution (Distinguished practitioner)
Jonathan Oon - Shipping (Distinguished practitioner)
Kala Anandarajah, PBM - Competition & Antitrust (Elite practitioner)
Kendall Tan - Shipping (Distinguished practitioner)
Lau Kok Keng - Intellectual Property (Distinguished practitioner)
Lee Eng Beng, SC - Restructuring and Insolvency (Elite practitioner)
Loh Chun Kiat - Corporate/M&A (Notable practitioner)
Murali Pillai, SC - Labour and Employment (Distinguished practitioner)
Norman Ho - Real Estate (Elite practitioner)
Patrick Ang - Restructuring & Insolvency (Elite practitioner)
Rajesh Sreenivasan - Technology and Telecommunications (Elite practitioner)
Sandy Foo - Corporate/M&A (Distinguished practitioner)
Shemane Chan - Energy, Infrastructure (Distinguished practitioner)
Sim Kwan Kiat - Restructuring and Insolvency (Distinguished practitioner)
Soh Lip San - Construction (Distinguished practitioner)
Steve Tan - Technology and Telecommunications (Distinguished practitioner)
Terence Choo - Banking & Finance (Distinguished practitioner)
Toh Kian Sing, SC - Dispute Resolution (Elite practitioner)
Vikna Rajah - Tax (Distinguished practitioner)

Analysis:

Banking and Finance
Acted for the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and NEC Capital Solutions, the arrangers and financiers, in the financing for the project to develop, construct, complete, own, operate and maintain a state of the art, high capacity fibre-optic submarine cable system connecting Japan, Guam and Australia, by way of syndicated senior, mezzanine and junior loan financing and equity contributions by sponsors and other individual and corporate investors into a Singapore incorporated SPV.

Acted for RHB Bank in the world’s largest Islamic bilateral hotel financing deal and Singapore’s first Islamic real estate financing to refinance the past acquisition of Sofitel SO. This deal is also a landmark deal as in the past hospitality-related assets were considered taboo to be used for Islamic financing as not all income is deemed to be Shariah-compliant.

Capital Markets
Acted for the issuer, Koufu Group, and the vendor, Jun Yuan Holdings, in the IPO and listing of Koufu on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading.

Construction
Advised Facebook, on its $1 billion investment to construct its first Asian data centre in Singapore. The project adds to Facebook’s growing presence in the ASEAN region and received support from various Singapore government agencies including the Economic Development Board of Singapore and JTC Corporation.

Corporate/M&A
Acted as Singapore legal counsel to GIC in an $11.9 billion acquisition of all the issued ordinary shares in the capital of Global Logistics Properties by Nesta Investment Holdings by way of a scheme of arrangement.

Acted for Barito Pacific in its acquisition of a 66.7% shareholding interest in Star Energy Group Holdings from Prajogo Pangestu, for a total value of $755 million.

Competition & Antitrust
Advised Toh Thye San Farm in making written and oral representations to the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) in relation to a proposed infringement decision (PID) and subsequently a supplementary PID issued by the CCCS against the client for its alleged participation in agreements to fix prices and to not compete for customers with other distributors of fresh chicken products.

Advised Essilor and Luxottica as Singapore joint-counsel in relation to their worldwide merger valued at $51 billion and its notification to the CCCS.

Dispute Resolution
Represented the Keppel Group as leading counsel in a matter involving allegations of corruption made by a former independent business executive regarding key individuals in the company. This was the first time that the Singapore authorities had effectively implemented a deferred prosecution agreement scheme with a corporate entity, and the case triggered a landmark review of Singapore statutory regime.

Intellectual Property
Acted for FIFA in its brand protection campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Following the detection of the unauthorised use of its trademarks and the unauthorised association with the World Cup tournament by a company with a presence in Singapore, the firm commenced enforcement action against the Singapore company which ultimately resulted in the company removing all references to FIFA from its web pages.

Insurance
Advised Insurance Australia Group in issuing a catastrophe bond within their $6.3 billion property insurance program. This was the first insurance-linked security (ILS) transaction in Singapore.

Acted for World Bank in advising on the legal structure for the South East Asia Disaster Risk Insurance Facility. The regional facility is the first of its kind in Asia to provide climate and disaster risk financing and insurance solutions to participating member states of Southeast Asia to strengthen financial resilience against climate and disaster risks in the region.

Labour & Employment
Acted for Aptiv in independently reviewing and validating the results of an internal investigation against an employee for attempting to rig the tender process for the provision of services valued at $9 million.

Represented Lloyd’s Register against a long serving senior executive’s allegations of wrongful termination, breach of employment contract, and demands for damages and compensation.

Regulatory
Acting for the Singapore Telecommunications in providing multi-jurisdictional legal and regulatory analysis on the company’s proposed cross-border payments system that will allow users of an e-wallet provider in their home country to make payments to merchants acquired by e-wallet providers in foreign countries by way of a central transaction switching and financial clearinghouse entity in Singapore.

Restructuring and Insolvency
Advising the joint and several judicial managers of Swiber Holdings and Swiber Offshore Construction in relation to issues arising from the judicial management of the two companies in one of the most significant and high-profile judicial management cases in recent years, valued at $1.2 billion and involving multiple cross-border and regulatory issues.

Tax
Advised M17 Entertainment in connection to the company’s filing for a $115 million IPO on the NYSE and also prepared and reviewed the taxation portions of the filings.

Client Feedback:

“Awesome team! Has a deep understanding of the hedge fund industry and pragmatic.”– Capital markets

R&T Asia (Thailand) Limited

Aviation and Shipping - Recommended
Banking & Finance - Recommended
Banking and Financial Services - Recommended
Consumer Goods and Services - Recommended
Corporate/M&A - Recommended
Dispute Resolution - Highly Recommended
Energy - Other notable firms
Infrastructure - Recommended
Technology and Telecommunications - Highly Recommended

Leading Lawyers:

Krida Phoonwathu - Dispute Resolution (Notable practitioner)
Melisa Uremovic - Corporate/M&A, Regulatory (Notable practitioner)
Surasak Vajasit - Dispute Resolution (Elite practitioner)

Analysis:

Construction
Advising the State Rail of Thailand on its cooperation with China Railway International Group and China Railway Design Corporation to develop Section 1 of the Sino-Thai High Speed Rail (Bangkok – Nakhon RatchasimaighHigh), which is valued at about $1.42 billion. This project is the first high speed rail infrastructure project in Thailand.

Corporate and M&A
Advising companies in the technology and telecommunications sectors on business expansion, legal implications of business structure as well as other regulatory matters.

Dispute Resolution
Representing Glow Energy in an arbitration dispute on the expiry of the power purchase agreement made with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.

Labour and Employment
Represented Sermsuk against 45 former employees in proceedings over unfair dismissal claims successfully. The Thai Supreme Court ruled in the client’s favour that termination of employment resulting from the reorganisation of the employer’s business would not be unfair.

Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers (Vietnam)

Banking and Finance - Recommended
Construction - Highly Recommended
Corporate/M&A - Highly Recommended
Dispute Resolution - Outstanding
Energy - Other notable firms
Industrials and Manufacturing - Recommended
Infrastructure - Other notable firms
Labour and Employment - Recommended
Real Estate - Recommended

Leading Lawyer:

Quang Chau Huy - Dispute Resolution (Elite practitioner)