Ascendant Legal has been in a formal law alliance with Norton Rose Fulbright since 2018. This year, its restructuring and insolvency practice benefited from the hiring of senior specialist Meiyen Tan from Oon & Bazul. The disputes offering has long been a core area of strength for the firm, notably acting in all manners of corporate and commercial, restructuring and insolvency, regulatory compliance, shipping, competition and IP disputes. Due to its sprawling and deep regional and global network, the firm is active in numerous sophisticated and complex cross-border litigation and arbitration mandates. Its enviable client list spans household name multinationals, listed companies and Asian giants.
The 12 fee-earner team is led by managing partner Chew Kei-Jin.
Client feedback
“Responsive, able to understand company's requirements and issues, proactive and strategic.” – Dispute resolution
“Good understanding of restructuring. Good technical acumen. Easy to work with.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“They are very responsive, advise in language that is easy to understand, and they apply a pragmatic approach.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Great client contact.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Kei-Jin Chew
“Responsive, knowledgeable and helpful.”
Meiyen Tan
“She is easy to work with and she understands restructuring.”
“Extremely responsive, advises in a language that is easy to understand, and takes the pragmatic approach.”
“She is a good listener.”
Work highlights
Acting for Mirana Corp in the Singapore courts for the recovery of a debt of $13 million against prominent cryptocurrency hedge fund, Three Arrows Capital.
Defended BP Singapore in multiple suits arising from the insolvency of Hin Leong Trading.
Advised BTP, a Nasdaq-listed online travel company, in resisting applications brought by several defendants to set aside arbitration awards in favour of the client. These proceedings raised several novel questions, including whether the arbitral tribunal’s decision on res judicata in the arbitration was a negative ruling on jurisdiction; and whether the Singapore courts may grant leave to enforce arbitration awards, even where there are pending setting aside applications.
Key clients
ABN AMRO, BP, Carlsberg, DBS, EFG, Mercer and Vopak.
