Commercial Litigation
Overview
Our Commercial Litigation practice is highly regarded and widely experienced in handling complex, strategically-significant litigation. We are lawyers of choice for commercial disputes and are trusted to provide bespoke solutions that align with the clients’ commercial objectives.
The team has advised and representing clients ranging from public companies and multi-national corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises from a diverse range industries such as airlines, airport management, banking, broadcasting, construction, energy, food and beverage, real estate management and development, technology and data services and telecommunications.
Representative Experience
Banking and Finance Disputes
Representing a high net-worth Singapore businessman in his US$40 million claim against Goldman Sachs International.
Representing a Russian oligarch in a dispute with a major Russian bank involving a sum in excess €120 million. The dispute spanned multiple jurisdictions such as Russia, Singapore, Cyprus, the BVI and Belize and involved freezing orders in multiple jurisdictions and the appointment of receivers and managers over assets.
Representing a Singapore property development company in defending a claim by United Overseas Bank Ltd for damages amounting to more that $92 million.
Advising a high net-worth Indonesian businesswoman in respect of her US$40 million claim against Deutsche Bank.
Representing 14 foreign individuals and companies in defending a claim for IDR 185 billion brought against them by Medley Opportunity Fund Ltd, a US-based investment fund. The matter included successfully setting aside a worldwide freezing order that had been obtained against the clients ex parte and staying all further proceedings in the matter.
Representing a group of 212 investors in a representative action in the Singapore High Court against DBS Bank Limited in relation to their failed investment in structured notes issued by the bank. This was one of very few representative actions launched in the Singapore Court, and the only one arising out of the 2008 financial crisis.
Representing a Malaysian businessman in a dispute over trading losses with Standard Chartered Bank.
Representing a private banker in defending claims brought against her by United Overseas Bank and a customer.
Corporate / Commercial Disputes
Advising a specialist architectural firm in a dispute relating to the design and construction of a zoo in Singapore.
Advising an airport operator in a dispute relating to a duty-free liquor and tobacco concession issued to a global luxury travel retailer.
Representing a fund management company in a dispute relating to the purchase of a shopping mall in Malaysia by a syndication of investors.
Representing a Malaysian oil and gas refining company in a dispute relating to the transport and supply of cargo by a multinational oil and gas distributor, and the imposition of fines and penalties by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.
Representing Receivers appointed over charged assets in several legal proceedings involving (among other things) the enforceability of security documents and the setting aside of assets sold by the Receivers.
Representing a multinational IT consulting firm in a dispute with an international bank involving allegations of misappropriation of confidential information.
Representing the Football Association of Singapore in a claim for defamation against a sports journalist.
Representing a wholly-owned subsidiary of a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in its claims against Jurong Town Corporation and the Economic Development Board.
Disputes involving Directors / Shareholders
Representing the directors of a subsidiary of a Hong Kong-listed company in claims brought against them by an investor alleging fraudulent misrepresentations and conspiracy in relation to the aborted sale of shares in that company.
Representing the former co-CEO of Nobel Group Limited, in claims brought against him and other directors by Goldilocks Investment Company Limited on behalf of the shareholders of the company.
Representing the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sakae Holdings Ltd, a company listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, in three separate but related suits brought against him seeking an indemnity and/or contribution in respect of claims for breach of fiduciary duties and minority shareholders oppression.
Representing TWG Tea Company Pte Ltd in legal proceedings brought by minority shareholders against the company and its other shareholders in respect of alleged minority shareholder oppression and other claims.
Representing Malayan Diary Industries Pte Ltd and two other related companies in legal proceedings brought by minority shareholders against the companies and other shareholders in respect of alleged minority shareholder oppression and other claims.
Representing Brightstar International GmBH, a company incorporated in Germany, in proceedings brought against its former directors and others for fraud and breaches of fiduciary duties owed to the company.
Employment Disputes
Representing a former senior executive in a multinational logistics company in a dispute for wrongful termination following the issuance of a whistle blowing report relating to unfair practices of the company. The dispute involves issues of Singapore law and Guinea-Bissau law.
Representing a multinational shipping company in an employment law related dispute against five of its former senior executives for fraud, breach of fiduciary duties and breach of contract.
Representing a large international travel logistics and travel solutions company in an employment law related dispute which involved the company suing seven of its former directors and senior management team for breach of fiduciary duties and breach of contract.
Representing the former MD of a multinational shipping firm in an employment related SIAC Arbitration involving alleged breaches of non-compete / non-solicitation obligations. The matter also involved an application for interim relief before an emergency arbitrator.
Representing a major shipping container leasing company in a dispute against a former employee for inter alia breach of a non-compete clause.
Representing a senior bank executive in exit negotiations with a global investment bank.
Representing a senior management staff member in exit negotiations with a global trading firm.
Insolvency-related Disputes
Representing the former directors of Parakou Shipping Pte Ltd, a Singapore-incorporated company that was part of the Parakou Group of companies, in proceedings commenced by liquidators of the company alleging impropriety on the part of the former directors.
Representing liquidators appointed by the High Court of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) in their claim against the former directors of a BVI company, for breaches of fiduciary duties owed to that company. The matter included defending the liquidators against counterclaims brought against them personally by one of the former directors.
Representing the liquidators of a company formerly listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange in claims against the former directors of the company for breaches of their fiduciary duties.
Representing the joint provisional liquidators of a Bermuda-licensed insurer in an application for recognition of foreign proceedings under the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency
Professional Liability Disputes
Advising the Singapore office of a global audit firm on potential claims arising from allegations of professional negligence brought by clients.
Representing the liquidators of DMX Technologies Group Ltd in its claim for professional negligence against its former auditors.
Acting for Iconic Global Limited (formerly known as China Food Industries Limited), a company formerly listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, in its claims of professional negligence against its former auditors and one of its audit partners. for professional negligence.
Representing the Singapore office of a global audit firm in defending a claim for professional negligence brought by a client.
“Siraj Omar, SC has been identified as a Global Elite Thought Leader - among the top five percent of practitioners who have received the highest number of nominations from market sources for their exceptional ability to innovate and extensive experience in the legal field.”
The Team are “very professional, polished and give a very high quality of service.”
“Siraj ranks among the very elite of practitioners for his expert litigation on complex and difficult commercial cases.”