A newly featured law firm in asialaw, Halim Hong & Quek's real estate department provides comprehensive legal services to the Malaysian real estate industry. The team advises clients from project planning through completion and beyond. The firm currently advises 29 property developers and is panel counsel for most leading financial institutions in Malaysia. The practice provides transactional, regulatory, compliance and dispute resolution advice relating to project acquisitions, planning and development, and construction. Jus Tine Lim heads the real estate practice. Key partners include Yoke Wah Lim, Han Chen (Leon) Gan and Ankit Sanghvi.
Client feedback
“Responsive and supportive.” – Banking and finance
“Halim Hong & Quek provided professional advice and was attentive to our enquiries.” – Corporate and M&A
“They provide professional advice and place client interest at the forefront.” – Corporate and M&A
“The working relationship with this team is seamless as they are always available and have the knowledge to provide targeted and accurate suggestions and advice regarding the joint venture agreement.” – Corporate and M&A
“They are knowledgeable in the field, able to advise my team to manage customers’ enquiries and also manage our customers well.” – Real estate
“They provided good service to our client, keeping us up to date on market information and legal advice.” – Real estate
“They provide good service to our purchasers. They are very efficient and able to meet our requirement for shorter notice of signing the SPA and loan agreement.” – Real estate
“Attentive, helpful and professional.” – Real estate
“They provide good, comprehensive legal advice in a prompt manner.” – Real estate
“Exceptional legal support. The depth of knowledge and expertise in the legal field, combined with the meticulous attention to detail, were truly remarkable.” – Real estate
“They have helped clarify the act which has caused some confusion to many and acted promptly on the matter.” – Real estate
“They met our requirement and assisted us rightly.” – Tax
“Very attentive, responsive and provide practical advice to resolve issues.” – Tax
Leon Gan
“Giving professional advice by placing himself in the client’s shoes.”
Li Fei Goh
“Very attentive, well versed in the law and is able to provide solutions effectively and professionally.”
“Has a strong foundation of legal knowledge in the real estate and construction fields. He demonstrates understanding of relevant laws, regulations, and precedents.”
Desmond Liew
“Gives professional advice and is very helpful.”
“Very attentive and responsive. Provided practical advice to resolve issues.”
Kar Soon Sia
“Provided exceptionally professional, courteous and friendly service. All questions were clarified, and sound advice was given at each step.”
Keen Ling Tan
“Very open to feedback and suggestions. Always seeking to improve collaboration. Shares legal advice in various fields when asked – not just related to our industry.”
Yee Huan Thoo
“Professional advice with clear explanation.”
“He has in-depth knowledge in relation to real estate development in Malaysia.”
Jacqueline Woon
“Very responsive. Provides value-added services and is able to solve the client’s problem.”
Work highlights
Represented Spastic Children’s Association of Selangor & Federal Territory in successfully arguing issue estoppel to promote arbitral finality and the minimalist intervention approach in arbitration against an individual. The dispute arose regarding architectural consultancy services the individual provided the association. The individual claimed he completed the services but was not fully paid. The association refuted this, and the individual accordingly referred his claim to arbitration before a sole arbitrator. After a full hearing, the firm represented the association pro bono and the arbitrator dismissed the individual’s claim with costs. The arbitrator accepted the firm’s submissions that the individual had been adequately paid according to the Architects (Scale of Minimum Fees) Rules 2010. This decision also tested and proved the judiciary’s understanding in allowing partial setting aside of arbitrations awards.
Represented Eco Green City in challenging a tribunal decision on homebuyers’ claims. The firm succeeded in overturning the tribunal’s decision through judicial review, on grounds that it was unreasonable, irrational and perverse. The central issue concerned the cut-off point for calculating liquidated damages: whether this should be the vacant possession notice date or the date when a meter was fitted by Malaysian electric utility company Tenaga Nasional (TNB). The tribunal selected the latter, awarding the buyer liquidated damages for 130 days. The Court of Appeal decision has effectively clarified this point of law for the construction and development industry. The ruling benefits developers who previously paid excessive liquidated damages because of inconsistent interpretations of the law.
Key clients
China Company (Malaysia), DSS Capital, Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA)
