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Singapore In Brief
Singapore In Brief
Despite being the smallest state in South-East Asia, Singapore is economically one of the ‘Four Asian Tigers’, alongside Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea. The economy has seen five consecutive years of expansion, and is particularly strong in manufacturing, especially electronics.Singapore is also enjoying high levels of activity in the construction and financial sectors; it is the largest real estate investment trust market in Asia outside Japan, with eight new REITs listed on the Singapore Exchange in 2006, while in February 2007 the first infrastructure finance trust was also floated. The city-state is also a major foreign exchange centre, the fourth-largest in the world, according to the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
In addition, Singapore is the busiest port in the world in terms of shipping tonnage, and it is also a world-leading hub for container trans-shipment. Overall, Singapore was the fifth most economically competitive country in the world in 2006, according to Forbes, and was the most business-friendly economy in the world in 2005–2006, according to a report by the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation.
This dynamic economy leads to high levels of work for the leading law firms. Lawyers from both local and international firms are featured in the following pages, and we have identified 281 eminent professionals in specific fields. They have been recommended by clients and peers, both for their local work and in some cases for work throughout the region. We have classified these experts in 22 practice areas. The following firms stood out for the depth and breadth of the expertise they command, and should be regarded as the leaders in Singapore.
Editorial
Editorial: Singapore
Editorial: Arbitration in Singapore
Commercial arbitration has been recognised for some years as a viable alternative to the court system, and the confidentiality, speed and international dimension it offers contribute to its ongoing popularity. This chapter identifies 14 individuals, whether acting as neutrals, panellists or counsel or combining these roles, that are leaders in arbitration.
Editorial: Aviation in Singapore
Our research indicates that Singapore does not possess a large pool of aviation lawyers. What our findings do uncover, however, is that the seven individuals profiled in this chapter are not only well-known on the domestic scene but – judging by the levels of international nominations – are also some of the most respected practitioners in the global market.
Editorial: Banking in Singapore
Singaporean companies remain extremely vigorous investors and the city state’s banking sector is party to some of Asia’s biggest transactions. Singapore’s high level of political stability and economic development mean that its law firms often act as a bridge between East and West, working as a hub for wider Asian business interests, hence the strong presence of joint-venture law firms in the area.
Editorial: Business Crime in Singapore
Business crime defence is an increasingly important area in Singapore, where a number of recent high-profile cases have been dominating the headlines. This chapter identifies a select group of nine lawyers with expertise in the representation of companies, corporate officers and individuals in criminal litigation arising from their business activities.
Editorial: Capital Markets in Singapore
Ten firms feature in this chapter. Allen & Gledhill LLP dominates the rankings with a formidable eight-lawyer contingent. The firm excels in both debt and equity capital markets. The “fantastic” equity team oversees the listings of companies on the Singapore Stock Exchange, including dual listings in Singapore and on NASDAQ, and gives advice to unlisted companies regarding equity, and related, fundraising for unregistered offerings of shares and options. The “very successful” debt capital markets team’s experience covers stand-alone bond issues, commercial paper programmes, medium-term note programmes and depository receipts, acting for issuers and lead managers and arrangers. Recent highlights include the DBS Bank’s issue of US$900 million upper Tier II floating-rate subordinated notes.
Profiled Firms
Firm Profiles: Singapore
Rajah & Tann
Founded in the 1950s, Rajah & Tann was one of the first firms to be founded entirely by Singaporeans. With strong practices focusing on China, Japan and South Asia, the firm boasts formidable Asia expertise. Twenty Rajah & Tann practitioners were recommended for their excellence in twelve practice areas, gaining the respect of their peers in disciplines ranging from litigation and arbitration to corporate and maritime law.
Rodyk & Davidson LLP
Robert Carr Woods and James Guthrie Davidson founded Woods & Davidson in Singapore in 1861 and Rodyk & Davidson LLP traces its beginnings to this early partnership. The 2002 merger with HelenYeo & Partners brought together Singapore’s oldest law firm with one of the newest and created an entity with close to 100 lawyers with offices in Singapore and Shanghai. The firm’s core practice areas revolve around corporate, finance, IP, litigation, arbitration and real estate. Fourteen Rodyk lawyers appear in 10 chapters on the following pages.
Shook Lin & Bok LLP
Malaysian firm Shook Lin & Bok LLP established its presence in Singapore in 1964, creating a full-service corporate, finance and banking firm, offering “first-class advice” on transactions and the resolution of disputes in Asia for their Singapore and multinational clients.
White & Case LLP
White & Case LLP established its Singapore office in 1983, concentrating on US and UK law in this key area for the Asia markets. Three of the firm’s lawyers appear in our study of the Singapore legal market, featuring in four separate practice areas. Energy, finance and the development of infrastructure are highlighted as strong areas for the firm, where White and Case boasts nominees in the oil and gas, project finance, and insolvency and restructuring sections.
WongPartnership
Established in 1992 as Wong Meng Meng & Partners, WongPartnership has enjoyed a rapid rise to become one of Singapore’s most respected firms. With over 180 lawyers WongPartnership is also one of the city-state’s largest firms, with an impressive practice that spans beyond Singapore and runs offices in China and the Middle East. In January 2003 the firm formed a joint venture with the international powerhouse Clifford Chance (Clifford Chance Wong Pte), which affords WongPartnership a network through which they can provide international and cross-border advice.
Focus On Corporate Counsel
Corporate Counsel Q&A: Singapore
Singapore Corporate Counsel: Sharon Craggs
Head, Group Legal and Compliance DBS Bank
DBS Bank was established in 1968 as a development financing institution and is now a full-service bank with the largest network of branches in Singapore and further branch networks in Hong Kong, Indonesia, China and India. It is a specialist in banking in Asia, and is active in the corporate, retail and investment fields. It is also one of Singapore’s main sources of medium and long-term financing. DBS also has international branches or representative offices in countries such as Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, the US and the Middle East. DBS Bank is held by DBS Group Holdings Ltd, one of the largest companies in terms of market capitalisation on the Singapore Exchange.