Our People

Siraj was appointed Senior Counsel in 2019, one of a very select few to have been accorded that honour.

He has an active trial and appellate practice in the Singapore courts with more than 25 years’ experience in litigating complex, high-value commercial disputes.  He has litigated several landmark matters before the Courts in areas as diverse as banking, consumer protection, debt restructuring and insurance. He also has an active international arbitration practice, regularly appearing as counsel as well as sitting as arbitrator.

He serves on the Board Executive Committee of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) and holds Fellowships at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (SIArb) and the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL).  He is recognized in all the leading legal directories, including being globally ranked in Chambers and recognised as a leading individual in The Asia-Pacific Legal 500.  He has been described as “a star”, an “outstanding advocate” and “a formidable litigator”.

Outside of practice, he serves as Chief Examiner for the Dispute Resolution module in the Singapore Bar Examination administered by the Singapore Institute of Legal Education.  He is also a civilian panel member of the Military Court of Appeal and Deputy Commissioner of the Government Procurement Adjudication Tribunal.

He is a former member of the Council of the Law Society and also volunteers as an Assigned Solicitor with the Legal Aid Bureau and as Secretary of the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA).

Siraj has litigated several landmark disputes, including:

• Representing the owners of a hotel in Phuket in a claim under a business interruption insurance policy for losses arising from the forced closure of the hotel because of measures imposed by the Thai Government to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic.  This was the first decision in the Singapore Courts dealing with the applicability of business interruption clauses to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

• Representing the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) in a prosecution of 6 entities and individuals under the Singapore Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (CPFTA). This was the first exercise of the CCCS’ enforcement powers under the CPFTA.

• Representing Blue Ocean Resources Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of a company listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange, in a successful application to the Singapore High Court to sanction the restructure of a US$325 million note. This was the first successful application of its kind in Singapore in relation to the restructuring of such a note using the scheme of arrangement provisions in the Singapore Companies Act.

• 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 the applicant in a Criminal Reference before the Court of Appeal which definitively addressed the question of whether a sentencing judge could impose more than one penalty when an accused person has been convicted of two or more offences for the acceptance of gratification under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

He has also represented clients in significant litigation in a wide range of range of areas, including:

• Representing two high net-worth individuals in their respective US$40 million claims against Goldman Sachs International and Deutsche Bank.

• Representing a Singapore property development company in defending a claim by United Overseas Bank Ltd for damages amounting to more that $92 million.

• 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 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 an Indonesian palm oil conglomerate in two related SIAC arbitrations in relation to breaches of a sale and purchase agreement and a deed of undertaking involving an amount of approximately US$57 million. The dispute was in relation to the sale and purchase of several palm oil plantations in Indonesia and inter alia involved expert evidence on Indonesian laws and procedures.

• Representing an investment fund in three related SIAC arbitrations involving an Indonesian restaurant chain.  The disputes involved a total sum of more than US$50 million and involved issues Singapore law and Indonesian law, and the legality of various transactional documents.

Chambers Asia-Pacific and Chambers Global:

• • Dispute Resolution (Litigation) – Band 3 (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024); Recognised Practitioner (2020)

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific:

• • Dispute Resolution – Leading Individual (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
  • International Arbitration – Recommended lawyer (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)

Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards:

• • Winner, Impact Case 2024 – QBE Insurance & Anor v Relax Beach Co. Ltd

Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards:

• • Commercial and Transactions – Litigation Star (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
  • Insolvency – Litigation Star (2020)

asialaw Leading Lawyers:

• • Dispute Resolution – Elite Practitioner (2023, 2024)
  • Dispute Resolution – Distinguished Practitioner (2021, 2022)

Best Lawyers International (Singapore):

• • Arbitration & Mediation – Endorsed Individual (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
  • Litigation – Endorsed Individual (2022, 2023, 2024)

Lexology Index (previously Who’s Who Legal):

• • Thought Leader Guide: Commercial Litigation – Thought Leader (2023, 2024)
  • Arbitration – Recommended Lawyer (2023, 2024)
  • Commercial Litigation – Recommended Lawyer (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
  • National Guide (Southeast Asia): Arbitration – Recommended Lawyer (2023, 2024)
  • National Guide (Southeast Asia): Litigation – Recommended Lawyer (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)

• Contributing Author, Singapore Civil Procedure

• Co-Author, Singapore Chapter Insurance Disputes 2024 published by The Legal 500

• Member, Civilian Panel, Military Court of Appeal

• Member, Board of Directors and Board Executive Committee, Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)

• Member, Board of Directors, Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA)

• Member, Working Group of the Professional Conduct Council

• Member, Practice Advisory Committee, Singapore Management University School of Law

• Member, Board of Governors, Raffles Institution

• Chief Examiner for the Dispute Resolution Module of the Singapore Bar Examination administered by the Singapore Institute of Legal Education (SILE)

• Deputy Commissioner, Government Procurement Adjudication Tribunal

• Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)

• Fellow, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (SIArb)

• Fellow, Singapore Academy of Law (SAL)

• Member, International Association of Defence Counsel (IADC)

• Member, Law Society of Singapore

With over 16 years of legal experience, he has earned a reputation for successfully handling complex, high-stakes litigation and arbitration cases for a diverse clientele, including ultra-high net worth individuals, multinational corporations, state-owned entities, and financial institutions. His practice spans a range of industries, including banking and finance, insurance, infrastructure, energy and commodities, and technology.

In the insurance sector, Allister’s expertise is highly sought after by insurers, reinsurers, brokers, and policyholders alike. His technical expertise and strong commercial acumen make him a trusted advisor and counsel of choice for clients navigating complex insurance disputes in Singapore and the region. He excels at balancing legal strategy with practical business considerations to achieve optimal outcomes.

Allister’s expertise is recognised by leading legal publications. He is ranked in Chambers Asia-Pacific for Insurance (2025) and is commended by the industry and his peers for his “brilliant legal mind” and for being “an extremely persuasive advocate”. He is also described as “not only an excellent legal advisor but also a savvy negotiator with a good understanding of both commercial as well as insurance requirements”, and as “a technical expert in the sparse world of insurance disputes, and a trusted adviser who balances commercial needs with the legal position.”

Allister has also been recognised by Asian Legal Business as one of Singapore’s Rising Stars (2022 and 2024), and by Singapore Business Review as one of Singapore’s most influential lawyers under 40 (2023).

Allister graduated from the University of Nottingham and is admitted to the Singapore Bar, as well as the English and Malaysian Bars. Beyond his legal career, Allister serves as the Honourary Secretary for Dementia Singapore.

• Representing an insured international chain of luxury hotels in a coverage dispute involving an insurance claim in excess of US$40 million for business interruption losses arising from the restrictions imposed by the authorities following the COVID 19 pandemic.

• Representing a leading global provider of data centre and colocation solutions in multiple insurance claims arising from a major fire at one of its key data centres.

• Representing an insured Singapore public hospital in a coverage dispute in respect of a claim made under a fidelity guarantee and which concerns fraudulent and dishonest acts perpetrated by an employee over a period of 8 years.

• Representing the liquidators of a P&I club based in Bermuda in an appeal relating to the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency before the Court of Appeal.

• Representing an insured global invoice financing platform in a coverage dispute against several insurers involving multiple claims under a trade credit insurance policy for losses in excess of US$65 million in respect of financing provided for the trading of commodities.

• Representing an insurer in two SIAC arbitrations involving a major Singapore based bank in a coverage dispute under trade credit insurance policies involving a sum in excess of US$60 million.

• Representing an ultra-high net worth in a dispute against a major financial institution for losses arising from one of Singapore largest penny stock crashes which wiped out S$8 billion from the Singapore stock exchange.

• Acted in two related SIAC arbitrations in relation to breaches of a sale and purchase agreement and a deed of undertaking involving an amount of approximately US$57 million. The dispute was in relation to the sale and purchase of several palm oil plantations in Indonesia and inter alia involved expert evidence on Indonesian laws and procedures.

• Representing a Swiss-based multinational market expansion service provider in a dispute with its competitor. The matter involves the alleged unauthorized use of confidential information and copyright infringement, as well as issues of Malaysia and Singapore law.

• Representing a Russian oligarch in a dispute spanning over multiple jurisdictions (i.e. Cyprus, BVI, Russia, Singapore and Belize) involving a major Russian based bank. The dispute involves allegations of fraud and a sum in excess of Euro 120 million, as well as freezing injunctions in multiple jurisdictions, and the appointment of receivers and managers over assets.

• Representing a high-profile oil-executive in a claim for breaches of fiduciary duties and misappropriation of funds in excess of €150 million, as well as breaches of US Sanction laws.

• Representing a Hong Kong based investment firm in a dispute over ownership of a petrochemical company based in the middle east valued at approximately US$1.5 billion.

• Representing a market-leading digital asset exchange in an internal investigation following a whistleblower complaint against key senior executives involving allegations of dishonest, breaches of local regulations, abuse of power and mismanagement.

Asian Legal Business:

• • Listed as one of Singapore’s Rising Stars (2022, 2024)

Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards:

• • Winner, Impact Case 2024 – QBE Insurance & Anor v Relax Beach Co. Ltd

Chambers Asia-Pacific

• • Insurance 2024: Up and Coming

Singapore Business Review:

• • Listed as one of Singapore’s most influential lawyers under 40 (2023)

• Co-author, Singapore Annotated Statutes: Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act

• Co-author, Singapore Annotated Statutes: Misrepresentations Act

• Co-author, Chambers Global Practice Guide: Insurance Litigation 2022 (Trends and Developments, Singapore chapter)

• Co-author, The Legal 500 Country Comparative Guides: Insurance Disputes 2024, Singapore Chapter

• Honorary Secretary, Management Committee Member, and Audit Sub-Committee Member, Alzheimer’s Disease Association

• Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)

Larisa practices civil and commercial litigation, and has experience in international arbitration and arbitration-related Court proceedings, as well as family matters and private client matters.

Larisa graduated from the National University of Singapore with Second Class (Upper Division) Honours. She represented the university in three international moots where her team clinched top positions as winner, semi-finalist and quarter-finalist respectively.

Larisa went on to score two distinctions in the Singapore Bar Examinations and was ranked the Joint 4th Candidate (that is, among the top 18 candidates of her cohort). She was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in August 2016.

• Representing a former director of a fund management company in defending a claim for unlawful means conspiracy – Asia Euro Capital SPV I LLP v Regulus Advisors Pte Ltd [2024] SGHC 279.

• Representing an e-commerce platform in defending a multi-million dollar arbitral claim for non-payment of goods before the SIAC.

• Representing an elderly couple in resisting attempts by their investment advisor to seek a re-trial of claims for deceit brought against him – Pradeepto Kumar Biswas v Sabyasachi Mukherjee [2022] SGCA 31.

• Representing a building material distributor in resisting an application to set aside an arbitral award concerning the breach of a long-term supply contract –  CIM v CIN [2021] 4 SLR 1176.

• Representing a healthcare professional in an acrimonious divorce concerning the division of negative equity – UWL v UWM [2021] 5 SLR 1012.

• Representing the CEO of a Nasdaq-listed company in a contested divorce involving financial provision for a child with special needs – TYS v TYT [2017] SGHCF 7

• Co-author, Chambers Global Practice Guide: Enforcement of Judgments 2022-2024, Singapore

• Co-author, Chambers Global Practice Guide: Insurance Litigation 2022 (Trends and Developments, Singapore chapter)

• Member, Law Society of Singapore

• Member, Singapore Academy of Law

Joelle is a disputes lawyer specialising in corporate and commercial litigation. She has advised on and acted in commercial litigation matters encompassing a wide range of issues including professional misconduct or negligence, breach of fiduciary duties, fraud, breach of confidence, and bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings. She regularly advises insurers and insureds on coverage issues, and has also acted as counsel in arbitrations as well as arbitration related applications before the Singapore Courts.

Joelle graduated from National University of Singapore with an LL.B. (Hons). She obtained a distinction in Insolvency Law and Practice in Part B of the Singapore Bar Examinations, and is fluent in English and Mandarin.

• Representing a company formerly listed on the Singapore Exchange in a claim for professional negligence against its former auditors.

• Representing a Russian oligarch in a dispute spanning over multiple jurisdictions (Cyprus, BVI, Russia, Singapore and Belize) involving a major Russian-based bank. The dispute involved a sum in excess of EUR 120 million as well as freezing injunctions in multiple jurisdictions, and the appointment of receivers and managers over assets.

• Representing a subsidiary of Gunvor Group in resisting an application to set aside an arbitral award concerning the breach of two contracts for the sale and purchase of gasoil – Year Sun Chemitanks Terminal Corp v Gunvor Singapore Pte Ltd [2022] 3 SLR 1271.

• Representing a Singapore public hospital in a dispute involving an insurance claim for losses suffered as a result of fraudulent acts perpetrated by one of its employees which resulted in losses in excess of $5 million.

• Acting for 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 – British Steamship Protection and Indemnity Association Ltd and another v Thresh, Charles and another [2024] 2 SLR 317.

• Co-author, Singapore Annotated Statutes: Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act

• Co-author, Singapore Annotated Statutes: Misrepresentations Act

• Co-author, Chambers Global Practice Guide: Insurance Litigation 2022 (Trends and Developments, Singapore chapter)

• Member, Law Society of Singapore

• Member, Singapore Academy of Law

Fitzgerald read law at the Singapore Management University on a scholarship, where he was placed on the Dean’s List in all four years and won the PKWA Prize for the top student in Family Law (2019) and the Isabel Chng Mui Lin Book Prize for Intellectual Property Law (2018).  He graduated in 2019 with Honours and was called to the Singapore bar in 2020.

Fitzgerald has extensive experience in commercial dispute, particularly in high-net worth commercial fraud claims and complex banking, property and trusts disputes.

• Representing a Singapore property development company in defending a claim by United Overseas Bank Ltd for damages amounting to more than $92 million.

• Representing a Singapore company in enforcing payment of US$8.5 million pursuant to a share purchase agreement over Indonesian assets.  The dispute involved issues of fraud, illegality and restitution.

• Representing a multi-national financial institution in an appeal to recover damages in an action for fraud under a letter of credit valued at approximately US$19 million.

• Contributing Author, Singapore Civil Procedure

• Member, Law Society of Singapore

• Member, Singapore Academy of Law

Robbie is a disputes lawyer specializing in corporate and commercial litigation. He has represented clients in a wide range of disputes, including international arbitration, arbitration-related court proceedings, copyright matters, breach of confidence cases, shareholder disputes, and professional negligence cases.

Robbie was admitted to the Singapore Bar in 2023, and was awarded the Best Candidate in the Law and Practice of Arbitration in Part B of the Singapore Bar Examinations. He graduated Summa Cum Laude (with highest distinction) from the Singapore Management University in 2022 and was consistently placed on the Dean’s List throughout all academic years. Robbie represented the university in two of the world’s largest moot court competitions: the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot and the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot. In both competitions, Robbie’s teams were world championship finalists and won multiple memorial prizes for producing the best memorials internationally. He is the first student in the university’s history to reach the championship finals of both Jessup and Vis. Robbie was also ranked in the top 25 individual oralists in the world for the Jessup.

• Representing a Singapore company in a multi-million dispute involving claims of conspiracy and fraud.

• Representing a company in a dispute involving claims of minority shareholder oppression and unlawful means conspiracy.

• Representing a solicitor in an application before the Court of Three Judges for reinstatement to the Roll of Advocates and Solicitors.

• Representing a Singapore public hospital in a dispute involving an insurance claim for losses suffered arising from fraudulent acts perpetrated by one of its employees.

• 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 – British Steamship Protection and Indemnity Association Ltd and another v Thresh, Charles and another [2024] 2 SLR 317.

• Contributing Author, Singapore Civil Procedure

• Member, Law Society of Singapore

• Member, Singapore Academy of Law