Asialaw Profiles (2021)
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 and M&A (Elite practitioner)
Tiv Sophonnora - Corporate and M&A (Distinguished practitioner)
Analysis:
General Business Law
Acting for InNature Berhad, the retailer and distributor of The Body Shop products across Southeast Asia, from Cambodian law perspective in relation to its Malaysia IPO.
Advising Etiqa Insurance and its Cambodian subsidiaries on the matters of bancassurance, data protection, data sharing and storage as well as governance and compliance under Cambodian law.
Assisted ABA Bank in its corporate bond issuance on the Cambodia Securities Exchange.
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 and 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 - Highly Recommended
Real estate - Highly Recommended
Restructuring and insolvency - Outstanding
Tax - Recommended
Technology and telecommunications - Outstanding
Leading Lawyers:
Ahmad Fikri Assegaf - Banking and finance, Corporate and M&A (Elite practitioner)
Ahmad Maulana - Labour and employment (Distinguished practitioner)
Bono Daru Adji - Capital markets, Corporate and M&A (Elite practitioner)
Chandra Hamzah - Dispute resolution (Elite practitioner)
Eri Hertiawan - Dispute resolution (Elite practitioner)
Ibrahim Assegaf - Banking and finance, Corporate and M&A (Distinguished practitioner)
Kanya Satwika - Banking and finance (Distinguished practitioner)
Putu Suryastuti - Capital markets (Distinguished practitioner)
Rikrik Rizkiyana - Competition/antitrust (Notable practitioner)
Analysis:
Banking and finance
Acting as Indonesian counsel to Masdar, an Abu Dhabi government-backed renewable energy company, in relation to its floating solar power plant project in West Java, which is the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia.
Capital markets
Assisted Kirana in increasing its capital by issuing 1.1 billion new shares to its shareholders.
Competition/antitrust
Advised Gojek on the competition laws in relation to its acquisition of four fintech companies in 2018.
Construction
Assisting Satelit Nusantara Tiga in the procurement and financing phase of the $1.5 billion satellite project.
Corporate and M&A
Advised Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional on its merger with Bank Sumitomo Mitsui Indonesia.
Dispute resolution
Represented Coca Cola Indonesia before the Supreme Court on appeal from the decisions of the Manado District Court and Manado High Court in relation to a contract renewal dispute.
Intellectual property
Advised TikTok on the royalty applicable for the use of music in digital platforms.
Labour and employment
Represented Asian Development Bank in relation to a civil claim filed by an ex-employee to the Central Jakarta District Court.
Restructuring and insolvency
Represented a list of offshore creditors, including Raiffeisen Bank, HSBC and Intesa Sanpaolo, in the secured syndicated facility during the suspension of debt payment proceedings.
Tax
Provided a tax analysis to HB Fuller in relation to a share transfer within its subsidiaries in Indonesia.
Technology and telecommunications
Advised Gojek on its AI-development joint venture with Indonesian conglomerate Astra.
Client Feedback:
“They are one of the few truly full service law firms in Indonesia, and are able to provide practical and timely advice on matters.” – Corporate and M&A
“AHP has a very deep and well-rounded understanding about the law in the Indonesian energy sector which help us a lot in term of preparing our bond prospectus, understanding our legal risks and clarifying any legal uncertainty.” – Energy
Rajah & Tann (Laos) Co., Ltd. (Lao PDR)
General business law - Highly Recommended
Banking and financial services - Recommended
Infrastructure - Recommended
Leading Lawyers:
Syackhaphom, Khanti - Corporate and M&A (Rising star)
Analysis:
General Business Law
Acted as local counsel to Oppenheimer in the inaugural international sovereign bond issue by Laos’ government.
Assisted a Korean bank in drafting the share pledge of a majority stake in a local financial institution.
Advised GTS Detico on the closure of the Mercure Hotel Vientiane.
Christopher & Lee Ong (Malaysia)
Banking and finance - Recommended
Capital markets - Recognised
Competition/antitrust - Highly Recommended
Construction - Highly Recommended
Consumer goods and services - Recommended
Corporate and M&A - Highly Recommended
Dispute resolution - Recognised
Energy - Outstanding
Infrastructure - Outstanding
Intellectual property - Recommended
Real estate - Recommended
Shipping - Highly Recommended
Technology and telecommunications - Outstanding
Leading Lawyers:
Christopher Lee - Capital markets, Corporate and M&A, Infrastructure (Elite practitioner)
Deepak Pillai - Technology and telecommunications (Elite practitioner)
Fiona Sequerah - Banking and finance (Distinguished practitioner)
Kuok Yew Chen - Corporate and M&A (Distinguished practitioner)
Shemane Chan Ngai Fung - 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 - Highly Recommended
Real estate - Recommended
Technology and telecommunications - Recommended
Analysis:
General Business Law
Acting for a consortium of investors from Japan, Singapore and Myanmar on the development of the $2.2 billion Yangon Central Railway Station project, a landmark matter that was the first to be listed in the local government’s project bank.
Advised Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance on its $60 million acquisition of a significant minority stake in AYA Myanmar General Insurance.
Representing Yangon Metropolitan Development on drafting and negotiating the concession agreement between the Yangon regional government and Malaysian conglomerate Berjaya Land to develop public housing and commercial projects. This $750 million project is expected to be the first foreign investment into the country for the development of affordable housing and sale of residential units. It will develop 183 acres of land.
Advised Power and Best Oil Company in its $127 million investment by SK Energy. This transaction was SK Energy’s first overseas investment and involved the restructuring of the client’s fuel terminal and retail kiosk operations.
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) (Philippines)
Banking and finance - Recommended
Banking and financial services - Recommended
Competition/antitrust - Recommended
Construction - Highly Recommended
Corporate and M&A - Recommended
Dispute resolution - Highly Recommended
Energy - Highly Recommended
Infrastructure - Highly Recommended
Labour and employment - Highly Recommended
Real estate - Recommended
Tax - Recommended
Technology and telecommunications - Other notable firms
Leading Lawyers:
Ben Dominic Yap - Dispute Resolution (Distinguished practitioner)
Jaime Renato Gatmaytan - Construction (Distinguished practitioner)
Analysis:
Banking and finance
Assisted DBS, Mizuho, MUFG and Standard Chartered in a $3 billion loan facility to Aboitiz Power Corporation in relation to a stake acquisition of AA Thermal.
Competition/antitrust
Advised LafargeHolcim and Holcim Philippines on regulatory and competition law aspects of their $2.15 billion deal, which lapsed in May 2020.
Corporate and M&A
Advised Fraser Property on its divestment of shares in Frasers Hospitality Investment Holding.
Dispute resolution
Representing Metro Rail Transit Corporation in proceedings before the Philippine Supreme Court against the City of Makati concerning the property taxes.
Energy
Advising First Gen Corporation on the development, installation, ownership, operation and maintenance of an LNG facility.
Infrastructure
Assisted Republic Cement Iligan in the structuring, drafting and negotiation of their contracts with the contractor for the construction and commissioning of a new coal mill in the Philippines.
Labour and employment
Representing a multinational financial services corporation in the inspection and enforcement proceedings conducted by the Department of Labour and Employment with respect to its contracting arrangements.
Real estate
Assisted AREIT, a subsidiary of Ayala Land, in its domestic IPO.
Acted for Jose Luis Alcuaz in seeking to exclude a parcel of land from the assets of Mañosa Properties.
Tax
Acted as tax counsel to Metro Rail Transit Corporation in relation to a deficiency taxes dispute.
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP (Singapore)
Aviation and shipping - Outstanding
Banking and finance - Highly Recommended
Banking and financial services - Outstanding
Capital markets - Highly Recommended
Competition/antitrust - Outstanding
Construction - Outstanding
Consumer goods and services - Outstanding
Corporate and 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 and finance (Elite practitioner)
Arnold Tan - Investment funds (Elite practitioner)
Chia Kim Huat - Capital markets, Corporate and 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)
Elaine Tay - Insurance (Notable practitioner)
Evelyn Wee - Capital markets (Distinguished practitioner)
Francis Xavier SC - Dispute resolution (Elite practitioner)
Gregory Vijayendran, SC - Dispute resolution (Distinguished practitioner)
Jonathan Yuen - Labour and employment (Distinguished practitioner)
Kala Anandarajah - 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)
Leong Kah Wah - Shipping (Distinguished practitioner)
Loh Chun Kiat - Corporate and M&A (Notable practitioner)
Murali Pillai, SC - Labour and employment (Distinguished practitioner)
Norman Ho - Real estate (Elite practitioner)
Patrick Ang - Restructuring and insolvency (Elite practitioner)
Rajesh Sreenivasan - Technology and telecommunications (Elite practitioner)
Regina Liew - Regulatory (Distinguished practitioner)
Sandy Foo - Corporate and M&A (Distinguished practitioner)
Shemane Chan - Energy, Infrastructure (Distinguished practitioner)
Sim Kwan Kiat - Restructuring and insolvency (Distinguished practitioner)
Simon Goh - Insurance (Distinguished practitioner)
Soh Lip San - Construction (Distinguished practitioner)
Steve Tan - Technology and telecommunications (Distinguished practitioner)
Tan Chuan Thye, SC - Dispute resolution (Notable practitioner)
Terence Choo - Banking and finance (Distinguished practitioner)
Toh Kian Sing, SC - Shipping (Elite practitioner)
Vikna Rajah - Tax (Distinguished practitioner)
Analysis:
Banking and finance
Acted for 12 banks and financial institutions—including Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, Bank of China, DBS Bank, Mizuho Bank and Société Générale—in $1.2 billion banking facilities granted to Mercuria Asia Group Holdings and Mercuria Energy Trading.
Acted for Sunseap Commercial Assets, a Southeast Asian solar energy system developer, as borrower in a S$50 million loan obtained from ING Bank (Singapore) for the construction and development of a portfolio of rooftop solar projects in Singapore.
Capital markets
Advised on the establishment of an S$2 billion multicurrency debt issuance programme by DBS Trustee and OUE CT Treasury.
Corporate and M&A
Acted for Singapore Press Holdings in the voluntary general offer to Keppel Corporation and SPH for all the issued and paid-up ordinary shares in the capital of M1.
Advised CKM (Cayman), an SPV of CITIC Environment Investment Group, as offeror in its pre-conditional exit offer for all the issued and paid-up ordinary shares of CITIC Envirotech for its voluntary delisting from the main board of the SGX-ST. This was the first exit offer made concerning an issuer listed on the SGX-ST since the SGX-ST implemented changes to the voluntary delisting regime under the listing rules in July 2019.
Competition/antitrust
Advised Toh Thye San Farm on its appeal before the Competition Appeal Board against the infringement decision issued by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) against the client and other fresh chicken distributors for alleged participation in agreements to fix prices and allocate customers. The appeal is a rare case where both the findings of liability and the penalty are being challenged.
Construction
Advised the master developer of the One Bangkok project in respect of the development of a wastewater treatment plant, a district cooling plant, an electricity distribution facility and ICT infrastructure and services. One Bangkok is the largest private sector property development initiative undertaken in Thailand, valued at $3.5 billion.
Dispute resolution
Represented Prudential Assurance Company Singapore, one of the top life insurance companies in Singapore, against its former group financial services director, Peter Tan Shou Yi, for breach of contract and fiduciary duties in soliciting 244 of its tied agents and agency leaders in his agency organisation to join an independent financial advisory firm known as Aviva Financial Advisers. The departure of such a big number of financial advisers is one of the largest in Singapore in recent history.
Insurance
Acted for the World Bank in advising on the legal structure for the Southeast Asia Disaster Risk Insurance Facility (SEADRIF), a regional facility in Asia to provide climate and disaster risk financing and insurance solutions to participating Southeast Asian member states.
Intellectual Property
Defending Sunseap Group in two suits brought by Sun Electric for patent infringement.
Labour and Employment
Represented National University Hospital in defending a claim brought by an ex-employee for alleged unfair dismissal and defamation.
Private equity
Acted for Gaw Capital Partners in the S$1.6 billion acquisition by a consortium, comprising Gaw Capital Partners and Allianz Real Estate, of the entire issued and paid-up share capital of Ophir-Rochor Commercial.
Restructuring and insolvency
Advising on the $4 billion debt restructuring of Hin Leong group of companies, one of Asia’s biggest oil traders, involving more than 23 creditors from multiple jurisdictions.
Technology and telecommunications
Advised one of the world’s most valuable start-ups ByteDance—the owner of the social media app TikTok as well as other Tech2B services such as Lark—and its subsidiaries on its Southeast Asian expansion.
Client Feedback:
“Promptness and adaptability. Very client-focused.” – Capital markets
“Knowledgeable and commercial.” – Capital markets
“Great partner on the job, responsive and solution-oriented. Cool-headed too.” – Capital markets
“Very professional; quick response times; willing to push the boundaries of the norm; flexible to manage time zone issues.” – Capital markets
“Explaining choices and law terms and regulations in the most simple terms to us. Engaging us honestly and bringing out key points which we had missed earlier on.” – Competition/antitrust
“Its work was very satisfactory, and it is the number one leniency firm in the region. The case was the first leniency case in Singapore in 2012. Regarding pan-Asian compliance issues in respect of antitrust, we rely on Rajah & Tann because of its strong regional network across Southeast Asia. The firm is very responsive; we can reach it out anytime we need. It gives detailed answers even with minor questions or enquiries. Also, it is able to keep within the client's budget. Rajah & Tann is also very innovative in solving problems through digital forms which is a new trend in the legal industry.” – Competition/antitrust
“Professional, provides prompt legal advisory work and the willingness to run the extra mile for the clients.” – Corporate and M&A
“Hard-working lawyers with excellent client care and sound legal judgement.” – Dispute resolution
“Knowledgeable about the regulations. Understands the business.” – Insurance
“Timely and comprehensive advice.” – Insurance
“Succinct advice that can be applied commercially and can be understood clearly on a first reading. Timely provision of advice and good use of case law examples. Deep understanding of the Singaporean legal and regulatory landscape and trusted by regulators and insurers alike.” – Insurance
“Deep insight into local regulation and a proactive and professional approach to support the project. Relatively new regulatory framework was used in the project and the R&T team took a key role to navigate the project team throughout the entire process.” – Insurance
“The investment team is extremely knowledgeable with the Singapore funds industry, and also helped us identify potential issues in other jurisdictions.” – Investment funds
“Responsiveness, provides clear and balanced advice.” – Investment funds
“Very thorough in details and preparation, a strong group of associates to support the work.” – Shipping
R&T Asia (Thailand) Limited
Aviation and shipping - Recommended
Banking and finance - Recommended
Banking and financial services - Recommended
Consumer goods and services - Recommended
Corporate and M&A - Recommended
Dispute resolution - Highly Recommended
Energy - Other notable firms
Infrastructure - Recommended
Labour and employment - 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:
Dispute resolution
Representing Philip Morris Thailand in a dispute that involves questions both of Thai customs law and of Thailand’s implementation of the WTO customs valuation agreement.
Acting for Honda Automobile Thailand in a dispute over the return of a trademark logo from a dealer after the non-renewal of the dealer agreement.
Labour and employment
Successfully represented Sermsuk in labour court proceedings and ultimately obtained a Thai Supreme Court judgement in favour of the client over unfair dismissal claims brought by ex-employees.
Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers (Vietnam)
Banking and finance - Recommended
Banking and financial services - Other notable firms
Construction - Highly Recommended
Corporate and M&A - Highly Recommended
Dispute resolution - Outstanding
Energy - Recommended
Industrials and manufacturing - Recommended
Infrastructure - Other notable firms
Labour and employment - Recommended
Real estate - Recommended
Leading Lawyer:
Quang Chau Huy - Dispute Resolution (Elite practitioner)
Analysis:
Banking and finance
Represented CMX Sunseap as borrower in the project financing for its solar farm project.
Advising Innoven Capital on its loan debt financing to Tiki.
Capital Markets
Acted as Vietnam counsel to WMCH Global Investment on its listing on the GEM of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Corporate and M&A
Represented RBC Water in its acquisition of a 40% stake in Phu My Vinh Construction & Investment.
Advised Givaudan on its full acquisition of Vietnam-based Golden Frog.
Client Feedback:
“The team is excellent and proficient.” – Corporate and M&A