Brunei

Abrahams Davidson & Co is one of the strongest law firms in banking and finance in Brunei for both domestic and cross border matters. Bernard Tan is the leading partner at the firm who specialises in banking and corporate practice with experience in Malaysian and Brunei securities and mutual funds laws as well as structured finance and M&A. Tan advised Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank on a banking survey on carrying out certain activities in Brunei. Tan also advised Standard Chartered Bank (Brunei) on the legal and documentation matters in partaking in an Islamic structured finance product (Sukuk documentation) issued by the Brunei government. Other leading lawyers at the firm include Ahmad Bassni Hj Abbas and Tan Suan Chin.

CCW Partnership is one of the most reputable commercial law firms in Brunei with nearly 40 years of history. Dunstan Sim and Harold Ng are the leading lawyers in the finance practice, frequently advising local banks and foreign banks on a range of issues.

Cheok Advocates & Solicitors is led by Robin Van Kee Cheok, managing partner at the firm. Cheok has extensive experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters as well as capability to deal with Islamic finance. Christina Lim is a partner at the firm.

Pengiran Izad & Lee is a commercial law firm with particular strength in Shariah law. The firm has advised clients including Shell, HSBC, and Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam. Ronnie Lee and Izad Bahrin are the leading lawyers in the corporate and finance practice.

YC Lee & Lee is led by managing partner Yew Choh Lee who has nearly 30 years of experience advising on banking, commercial, and construction matters. Key clients of the firm are Standard Chartered, UOB and Balayan Bank.

Abrahams Davidson & Co’s property development team advises and prepares legal documentation for a range of construction and real estate transactions including sale, lease and development. Tan Suan Chin heads the banking and conveyancing practice and has more than 23 years of practice experience both in Singapore and Brunei.

Full service law firm CCW Partnership is led by Linda Lee and a former managing partner and currently consultant Andrew Ong. Ong leads the litigation practice and is highly experienced in contractual and construction disputes. Lee also specialises in property where she regularly represents large construction companies in the High Court.

Robin Van Kee Cheok, founder and the managing partner, oversees the construction and real estate practice with support from Lee Wai Yee at Cheok Advocates & Solicitors. Lee assists Cheok on conveyancing matters and other property issues across Brunei. Christina Lim handles sales and leases of residential and commercial buildings as well as real estate developer portfolios in Brunei.

Ridzlan Lim provides a range of construction and real estate services including leases and tenancies, property transactions and contractual disputes. The firm has a total of 20 lawyers and professionals. Founder Ridzlan Lim has more than 30 years of legal practice experience in Brunei, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand representing land developers, banks, and oil and gas contractors.

Leading corporate firm Abrahams Davidson & Co has significant experience in advising on acquisition of local banks, vesting of assets involving foreign bank branches, joint ventures and project agreements. Leading partner Bernard Tan advised on the sale of G4S Group Holding’s equity and business to local investors. Tan also advised SBI Islamic Fund II on the arrangement of a new $100 million USD dollar denominated Islamic private equity fund. Tan and his team prepared all the necessary fund documentation and placement memorandum.

One of the most reputable law firms in Brunei, CCW Partnership’s corporate practice is led by co-managing partner Duntan Sim. Sim is renowned for his experience in representing international corporates and skills in dealing with non-contentious matters. Sim and Harold Ng often work together on corporate deals including joint venture, acquisition, and compliance matters.

Founder Robin Van Kee Choek at Cheok Advocates & Solicitors assisted a client on its acquisition of a well-established business that has been in the market for more than 30 years. Cheok advised the client in obtaining Industrial Site Management (ISM)’s approval for the change of shareholdings. The firm is advising the two largest international Registered Agents for all their legal needs for their Brunei offshore companies, banks and insurance companies that have to migrate out of Brunei by the end of 2017 due to closure of international business activities.

Abrahams Davidson & Co provides regular expert opinion and acts for clients before the High Court in areas such as construction, intellectual property, infrastructure, and corporate law. Ahmad Basuni Hj Abbas leads on litigation matters at the firm and has more than 22 years of experience.

The lawyers at CCW Partnership are highly regarded litigators across industries including corporate, banking, construction, and natural resources. “CCW Partnership is really strong in litigation and corporate matters. They are one of the best in Brunei,” says a client. Co-managing partner Linda Lee is a seasoned and skillful civil and commercial litigator, regularly appearing before the High Court and Court of Appeal of Brunei Darussalam. Tang Weng Leong is also another key litigation partner, with experience in assisting on complex disputes arising from employment, intellectual property, and insurance. Consultant Andrew Ong is a renowned litigator in the country with significant experience acting for employers and contractors in commercial, banking and construction disputes as well as arbitration.

At Cheok Advocates & Solicitors, while the founding partner Robin Van Kee Cheok oversees all the practice areas, Li Hui Lim and Chan Ching Yee assists Cheok on dispute resolution and litigation matters. Cheok advised on a dispute concerning ownership of buildings with the Brunei government and appeals against damages for contractual termination of leases.

Dr Colin Ong Legal Services is led by founder Colin Ong who has broad experience in commercial and construction arbitration including mining and minerals disputes, joint ventures, and intellectual property. Ong regularly acts as counsel or arbitrator not only in Brunei but also in UK, Hong Kong, Singapore and India.

YC Lee & Lee specialises in civil litigation, arbitration, and insurance as well as banking and finance. The firm has been a legal adviser for the French and German embassies. The firm also represents major local banks and insurance companies. Yew Choh Lee is the managing partner and is the name to note.