Wu Junneng is a Partner of the Shipping and International Trade practice group at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP. 

Junneng acts in a wide array of commercial and corporate disputes, including international trade, shipping, joint venture, and civil fraud disputes. In recent times, he has received increasing instructions to act on matters which are China-centric. Junneng has extensive experience and regularly handles complex and high-value disputes, which are often international in nature. These disputes include shipping and international trade disputes, trade finance (particularly letters of credit) disputes, energy, oil and gas disputes, joint venture and shareholder disputes. He is especially adept at handling cases involving civil fraud and is an expert in carrying out thorough investigations. Junneng’s investigative skills have been instrumental in uncovering critical evidence and achieving favourable outcomes for his clients. Junneng also has a proven track record in handling urgent injunctions, including the obtaining of and discharging of Mareva injunctions, anti-suit injunctions, quia timet injunctions, injunctions arising from breach of confidentiality, and injunctions restraining the exercise of shareholder rights.

He has successfully represented banks and financial institutions, state-owned entities, and high-net worth individuals in various forums, including before the Singapore Supreme Court, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre (EMAC), and ad hoc arbitrations. 

Junneng is effectively bilingual in English and Mandarin and has a keen understanding of the legal and cultural nuances of doing business in China and the region. He was selected by the firm to attend the 2nd China Ready Programme conducted by the Singapore Ministry of Law, specially tailored for legal professionals who work regularly with Chinese companies and law firms. Through this programme, he received specialised training in Chinese law, as well as business Chinese. He has advised and acted for numerous PRC clients in matters involving Chinese-related elements, such as PRC law, PRC witnesses, and Chinese documents and contracts. He has also assisted clients in obtaining interim and final relief from the Singapore courts in support of arbitration, such as injunctions, security, and enforcement orders. 

Junneng graduated with a LLB from the University of Bristol, and in 2015 he emerged National Champion of the Institute of International Shipping and Trade Law, Commercial and Maritime Law UK National Mooting Competition as well as Runner Up in the UK National Universities Mooting Competition. In 2018, he represented the firm at the Maritime Law Association of Singapore Mooting Competition and achieved 2nd Runner Up. He currently serves as a member of the Law Society’s Public and International Law Committee.

EXPERIENCE

Shipping, International Trade, Trade Finance

  • Successfully acted for a PRC State-Owned petrochemical and oil company in Singapore legal proceedings concerning payments of more than US$20 million owed by a bank under letters of credit: Sinopec International (Singapore) Pte Ltd v Bank of Communications Co Ltd [2024] 3 SLR 476

  • Acted for a group of more than 15 banks concerning alleged fraudulent trading transactions (in excess of US$1 billion) carried out by Agritrade International Pte Ltd. Successfully obtained Mareva Injunction against Agritrade International Pte Ltd and its directors within a short2-week period. Successfully led and carried out investigations across multiple jurisdictions, including the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and Indonesia.

  • Acting for liquidators of a commodities trading company (arising from foreign insolvency proceedings) in SIAC arbitrations and court proceedings concerning disputes in excess of US$100 million.

  • Acted for a trade finance bank in a US$76 million claim for misdelivery before the Singapore Courts.

  • Acted for two trade finance banks in conducting investigations and in legal proceedings before the Singapore Courts pertaining to alleged circular oil trading transactions carried out by an oil major in excess of US$60 million.

  • Successfully acted for a ship management company in the first ever maritime arbitration administered by the Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre (EMAC).

  • Acted for a PRC commodities trading company in respect of Singapore legal proceedings and SIAC arbitrations arising out of an oil trading company’s smuggling of light cycle oil in the PRC.

  • Advising and acting for various commodities suppliers, traders, bunker supplies in various contractual disputes involving a range of commodities such as iron, steel, nickel, coal, fuel oil, palm oil.

  • Acted for two trade finance banks against a PRC oil trading company , concerning inter alia alleged fraudulent transactions, in both trading disputes and insolvency proceedings in excess of US$700 million. Successfully led and carried out significant investigations both onshore and offshore in China and Hong Kong.

Commercial, Joint Venture and Shareholder Disputes

  • Acting for a PRC Property Development Company in SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore, arising out of an approximately US$400 million joint venture and shareholder dispute. The matter also involved obtaining urgent injunctions from the Singapore courts in aid of the arbitrations.

  • Acting for a Japanese pharmaceutical company in SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore concerning a joint venture dispute, with dispute in excess of US$40 million.

  • Acted for a PRC Executive Director of a Singapore public listed company relating to shareholder dispute: Shanghai Turbo Enterprises Ltd v Liu Ming [2019] 1 SLR 779.

Injunctions

  • Successfully acted for a PRC State-Owned Bank in obtaining a quasi contractual Anti-Suit Injunction in the Singapore Courts, arising from an arrest of vessel and proceedings commenced in the UAE in breach of an arbitration clause: Hai Jiang 1401 Pte Ltd v Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd [2020] 4 SLR 1014.

  • Successfully set aside Mareva injunction and injunction restraining exercise of shareholders rights: Shanghai Turbo Enterprises Ltd v Liu Ming [2019] (Summons No 155 of 2018) (Unreported)

  • Acted for and successfully obtained Mareva injunction on behalf of a PRC State-Owned ship-management company against its former Managing Director concerning commercial breach of trust and receipt of secret profits.

MEMBERSHIPS / DIRECTORSHIPS

  • Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb)
  • Committee Member, Law Society of Singapore Public and International Law Committee
  • Member, Young International Council for Commercial Arbitration
  • Member, Young Singapore International Arbitration Centre
  • Member, Maritime Law Association of Singapore

PUBLICATIONS

  • The extended Angelic Grace principles (Hai Jiang 1401 v Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd (the “Seven Champion”)), LexisNexis PSL Practice Series
  • The Reign of Party Autonomy and Contractual Sanctity: Vinmar Overseas (Singapore) Pte Ltd v PTT International Trading Pte Ltd [2018] SGCA 65, Singapore Law Blog
  • Shipowner’s lien and interim measures of protection in aid of International Arbitration – Reflections from The Moscow Star and Five Ocean Corp v Cingler Ship Pte Ltd, Singapore Law Blog
  • Of prima facie standard(s), bare arbitration clauses and constituting arbitral tribunals: KVC Rice Intertrade Co Ltd v Asian Mineral Resources Pte Ltd and another suit [2017] SGHC 32, Singapore Law Blog

ACCOLADES

  • National Champion, The Institute of International Shipping and Trade Law Commercial and Maritime Law National Mooting Competition 2015

  • 2nd Runner Up, Maritime Law Association of Singapore (MLAS) Mooting Competition 2018

     

Location(s)

Practice Area(s)

Qualifications

  • LLB, University of Bristol
  • Advocate & Solicitor, Singapore
  • Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb)

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