Chambers Asia Pacific (2019)
Banking & Finance - Band 3
Corporate/M&A - Band 3
Intellectual Property - Band 4
Projects, Infrastructure & Energy - Band 1
Shipping - Band 2
Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) - Band 1
Ranked Lawyers:
Christopher Lee - Corporate/M&A (Band 3), Projects, Infrastructure & Energy (Spotlight Table)
Clive Navin Selvapandian - Shipping (Up and Coming)
Deepak Pillai - Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) (Band 1)
Ng Kim Poh - Intellectual Property (Recognised Practitioner)
Ong Chee Kwan - Shipping (Band 2)
Yon See Ting - Competition & Antitrust (Band 3), Corporate/M&A (Recognised Practitioner)
Banking & Finance
What the team is known for
Established and experienced team handling a comprehensive range of finance matters, on behalf of both Malaysian and international banks. Particularly well placed to advise on energy-related project finance, the team also handles syndicated loans, acquisition and asset finance, restructuring and Islamic finance. Conversant in both conventional and Islamic finance, the firm has additional expertise regarding DCM and fintech.
Notable practitioners
Christopher Lee and Fiona Sequerah co-head the department and are key contacts.
Corporate/M&A
What the team is known for
Robust corporate team, advising on a broad range of transactional and regulatory issues. Acts for domestic and international clients on M&A, including cross-border deals, with particular activity in the real estate and private equity sectors. Also handles equity capital market offerings.
Strengths
Clients describe this as a "very good" and "accessible" team, and appreciate that the lawyers are "willing to help and explain" issues.
Work highlights
Acted for Top Glove in connection with its acquisition of Aspion from Adventa Capital, a transaction valued at MYR1.37 billion.
Represented Regent Wise Investments in relation to its acquisition of 17.24% interest of the issued and paid-up share capital of MCT Berhad from Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Goh Ming Choon for MYR202.5 million
Notable practitioners
Christopher Lee is well regarded for his experience handling M&A deals, with commentators describing him as "a pleasure to work with." He also handles joint ventures and takeovers, and is especially adept at advising on infrastructure projects.
Intellectual Property
What the team is known for
Advises on the full gamut of IP work, from trade mark prosecution and litigation to advisory and enforcement.Assists multinational companies as well as domestic clients.
Strengths
One interviewee comments: "My impression is that they meet expectations and deliver excellent services. Its particular strength is the high professionalism and experience in handling any matter."
Another client highlights the team for its "quick response, clear-cut explanations, wide and deep knowledge - considering the client’s interest very much - and cost-efficiency."
Work highlights
Advised Coca-Cola on its trade mark filing strategy and potential issues pertaining to a similar trade mark filed by another company in Malaysia.
Advised Top Glove, following an acquisition, on the transfer or assignment of various trade marks and patents to a subsidiary across multiple international jurisdictions.
Notable practitioners
Sri Sarguna Raj is the key point of contact for clients.
Projects, Infrastructure & Energy
What the team is known for
Leading projects team, known in the market for its extensive regional expertise in power and infrastructure. Able to advise on both project finance and development, it frequently acts on renewable energy projects, including waste and solar energy, as well as infrastructure projects. Recent activity includes investment into renewables projects through the issuance of green sukuk. Additionally well placed to assist clients with construction and O&M agreements.
Strengths
The team is praised in its ability to "translate whatever commercial deal has been struck into a legally binding arrangement, and also to advise on any risks from a legal standpoint."
Clients have commented on the team's ability to deliver under pressure: "They understand the tight timelines, and assist us in working around the clock with urgent matters."
Value for money
Clients believe "the services are definitely worth the money charged," and the quality of work provided "justifies every penny you pay."
Work highlights
Advised Scatec Solar on a USD300 million equity investment into a solar power project in Malaysia.
Assisted the YTL Group–Tabung Haji consortium with the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail project, including advising on documentation.
Notable practitioners
Christopher Lee is described by a client as "one of the pioneers of negotiating PPAs in Malaysia." He regularly assists clients on high-profile infrastructure and renewable energy projects. A client notes his "remarkable ability to understand and dissect complicated supply contracts and the risks associated with such contracts," adding that he is "truly impressive in handling challenges."
Shipping
What the team is known for
Offers significant cross-border capability owing to its membership of the Rajah & Tann Asia network. Frequently represents clients in litigation and arbitration proceedings, as well as handling ship arrests. Handles both wet and dry disputes, including collisions, salvage and marine pollution cases, alongside charter party and cargo matters. Also handles maritime insurance and ship finance, regularly acting for shipowners.
Strengths
One client remarks upon their "impressive responsiveness," adding: "They respond very quickly to whatever enquiries we have and I would definitely recommend them for anyone working in Malaysia."
Sources describe the firm as "very friendly, client-centric and practical."
Work highlights
Represented Bureau Veritas in its attempt to recover unpaid classification fees by the owners of the vessel 'Newlead Victoria'.
Acted for Maersk Malaysia in a dispute with a logistics company involving the transport of cargo from Penang in Malaysia to İzmir in Turkey.
Notable practitioners
Ong Chee Kwan is admired for his adept handling of charter party, cargo and bill of lading disputes. Clients commend his "expertise in litigation, his dedication and his practical approach in addressing disputes." He is also frequently sought to act as an arbitrator.
Clive Navin Selvapandian is an up-and-coming practitioner who has a strong track record on both wet and dry shipping disputes. One client reports: "He is knowledgeable, very prompt and offers clients a lot of comfort as he speaks in very simple terms and delivers what is needed."
Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT)
What the team is known for
Pre-eminent TMT group in Malaysia, regularly instructed by leading international corporates, as well as domestic industry associations and mobile operators. Advises on a diverse range of matters, including data protection, fintech and IT contracts. Also advises on TMT regulatory issues in the banking, telecoms and insurance spaces.
Strengths
The department is very commercially aware, according to clients, who appreciate "their ability to understand the business aspects of a request, and to then put that into legal practice."
Further clients are also impressed, reporting: "They are very responsive, reliable and articulate in their opinions, and always go back to the law to make us understand any impacts."
Work highlights
Acted for an independent power producer on the migration of its existing data centre infrastructure to a cloud-based system.
Advised a mobile tower provider on compliance with the Mandatory Standard on Access regulations, in relation to its existing arrangements with its clients.
Notable practitioners
Deepak Pillai is regarded by market commentators as a standout TMT practitioner and is renowned for his knowledge of personal data protection and IT matters. Clients describe him as "a very meticulous lawyer who knows the law well, understands business" and "communicates effectively." Further interviewees describe him as "one of the references in Malaysia" for TMT work, and his practice encompasses a range of outsourcing, e-commerce and telecoms matters.