Skrine has carved out an exceptional position built upon steadfast practices and a hard-earned standing within the market. The firm has an enviable track record spanning most practice areas and industries, serving a blue-ribbon clientele including state-linked enterprises, listed companies within the growth sectors of TMT, financial services, energy and infrastructure and prominent real estate developers. The firm has demonstrated expertise in adeptly navigating cross-border transactions and disputes throughout the region. Among Skrine’s foremost advisers are Ivan Loo, an authority on construction matters, Lai Heng (Janet) Looi for corporate and M&A matters, Guan Huat Khoo, a go-to counsel for dispute resolution, Poh Yin (Charmayne) Ong for intellectual property and technology and Selvamalar Alagaratnam for employment law. They are all widely regarded as leaders within their fields.
Client feedback
“They are well versed in construction law and provided not only legal advice but also practical and commercially viable methods in order to resolve matters expeditiously.” – Construction
“Skrine is highly knowledgeable and skilled in their area of practice. They have a deep understanding of the law and are up to date with legal developments concerning the construction industry. Skrine has strong analytical skills to assess complex situations, analyse evidence and develop sound legal strategies for us. They have a robust team dedicated to serving their clients. They prioritise their client’s best interests while upholding legal and moral principles." – Dispute resolution
“Deep subject matter knowledge. Multiple prior engagements by Skrine on similar transactions facilitated efficient and practical discussions. Very responsive and accommodated changes in priorities very professionally.” – Oil and gas
“Very client-centred and has the experience and knowledge in supporting the client.” – Oil and gas
“Skrine has demonstrated a profound level of knowledge and expertise, being rapidly responsive to our legal issues as subject matter experts.” – Real estate
“They are one of the most experienced litigators in assessment tax areas as most of the landmark cases within Malaysia are conducted by them.” – Regulatory
Abdul Aziz Fariz
“An in-depth knowledge of the subject, familiarity with oil and gas as a business. An excellent communicator.”
“Knowledgeable and experienced. Able to provide workarounds and practical solutions.”
Richard Khoo
“Delivers complete and dependable advice within timelines. Providing specialised support and delivering at short notice to meet clients’ expectations."
Yean Tse (Jocelyn) Lim
“Jocelyn possesses extensive knowledge in resolving construction field disputes. She understands our needs and concerns. She demonstrates empathy by actively listening, showing compassion, and providing support throughout the legal process. She thinks strategically to develop effective legal strategies, anticipate the opposing party’s moves, assess risks and make solid decisions to achieve the best possible outcome for us while upholding legal and moral principles. In addition, she expresses ideas clearly and argues convincingly in court.”
Vijay Raj
“He communicates well and is able to explain the strategy related to the litigation to clients.”
Loshini Ramarmuty
“Loshini is meticulous in her work and is responsive whenever we have any queries or issues to check with her.”
Richard Khoo and Rachel Chiah
“Skrine is a long-established legal firm known for its multitude of practice areas. Richard Khoo and Rachel Chiah handled our matter. They provided clarity and resolution to the engineering construction and commissioning contract under a tight timeline and amid festivities to meet deadlines. They delivered professional and innovative services quickly, transcending borders and jurisdictions. Richard and Rachel formed an excellent, dedicated team, working diligently from the office and from home, day and night. In short, they were utterly dependable.”
Work highlights
Represented Germanischer Lloyd Industrial Services Asia, DNV GL International, and DNV GL Malaysia in defending a constructive dismissal claim brought against Germanischer Lloyd by its former country manager, who was the most senior management personnel in Malaysia. DNV GL International and DNV GL Malaysia were joined as additional parties to the Industrial Court action. This was a rare case involving questions about the responsibility of senior management for subordinates inflating hours billed to customers. While the Industrial Court found constructive dismissal had occurred, it dismissed the claim from the country manager, ruling that his dismissal was with just cause despite lack of involvement, as he bore responsibility as senior management for the practices of his subordinates.
Key clients
Aerodome, Hess Exploration and Production Malaysia, TH Properties
Work highlights
Representing Nokia in a patent litigation involving standard essential patents (SEPs) for mobile devices against two local entities of the China-headquartered Vivo technology corporation. This is the first case in the Malaysian courts where SEP and Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory (FRAND) issues in the context of patent infringement will go to trial. The Malaysian suit is also running concurrently with global litigation in China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Germany.
Key clients
N2N Connect, Nuctech Company, Singham Sulaiman
Work highlights
Acted as counsel for Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Johor Bahru (PTD), the land administrator for Johor Bahr, in its appeal at the Federal Court arising out of land acquisition for the construction of a centralised sewerage treatment plant (CSTP) in upstream Sungai Segget, Johor Bahru, Johor. The project is part of a RM240 million ($52 million) rehabilitation and rejuvenation project of the river.
Representing TS Global Network in its appeal to the Communications and Multimedia Appeal Tribunal against the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)’s decision on spectrum planning for the provisioning of 5G network services in Malaysia. MCMC’s decision required TSGN to migrate its Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) operations from the 3.4GHz to 3.7GHz frequency band to the 3.8GHz to 4.2GHz band at its own expense. The appeal is the first appeal before the Appeal Tribunal since its appointment by the Minister of Communications and Multimedia. This case is significant because the implementation of MCMC’s policy on 5G roll-out would affect the provision of satellite services by TSGN throughout Malaysia.
Key clients
HSBC Amanah (Malaysia), Petronas Carigali, PT Sandipala Arthaputra, United Overseas Bank (Malaysia)
Work highlights
Advised GIC (Ventures), an affiliate of Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, in a $180 million investment in Sunway’s healthcare arm. The deal was legally innovative because it dealt with equity concerns relating to a foreign sovereign wealth fund’s investment in Malaysia’s heavily regulated healthcare industry and involved detailed pre-planning considering the construction of a number of new hospitals while structuring the deal. In addition, it required a great deal of niche knowledge and expertise relating to the construction and operations of private hospitals in Malaysia.
Advised Sheba Gumis on a $1.5 billion joint-venture deal on the Malaysian level following a Japanese multinational cosmetic company’s absorption type company split. The deal requires a sound understanding of a unique and complex transaction structure and its implications on the regulatory requirements in Malaysia, particularly in respect of the marketing and distribution of cosmetic products.
Key clients
Bridgestone Corporation, CVC Capital Partners, Foot Locker, Setia HC Ventures
