Brunei

Established in 1986, Abrahams Davidson & Co remains one of the leading law firms in Brunei. The firm’s core practice areas are corporate, commercial, banking and finance, and property development. Managing partner Bernard Tan wins praise from clients and peers alike as a steady, knowledgeable and experienced practitioner who frequently leads the firm’s key cases and deals. Suan Chin Tan is another key partner for banking and finance.

General business law

Work highlights

Advised Viet Thai International JSC on its local law-governed franchise agreements related to its acquisition of International Coffee & Tea.

Represented an international energy company on its proposed acquisition of shares in a regional exploration and production company. It also conducted exceptions-basis due diligence on the Brunei subsidiary.  

Advised and reviewed a biotech entity, CSL Behring, on its regulatory and distribution arrangement in Brunei.

Assisted First Abu Dhabi Bank on its cross border offerings into Brunei and the enforceability of ISDA master agreements and close-out netting.

Key clients

Boeing Company, Franklin Templeton International Services, MUFG Bank

Client feedback

“Prompt and clear response.” – Banking and finance

“The firm is absolutely professional, organised, reliable, responsive and without any doubt, capable in its provision of quality legal services. The firm demonstrates a willingness to go the extra mile.” – Banking and finance

“It provided clear advice and were prompt in its turnaround times.” – Corporate and M&A

“The team provided sound legal advice in general and had good knowledge of the law. The team was very responsive and was able to meet tight deadlines.” – Corporate and M&A

“Very responsive, commercial and professional.” – Regulatory

E-Rue Peng

“She is a hardworking lawyer, who demonstrates a high level of competence and is apt in delivering  quality legal services.”

“Very responsive and attentive.”

Yvonne Sim

“Yvonne is very responsive to email and was able to meet tight deadlines. She also has sound legal knowledge and ability in general.”

Bernard Tan

“Clear, prompt and commercial advice.”

A regular feature as an elite firm in the country, CCW Partnership has expertise in corporate and M&A, regulatory, banking and dispute resolution. The firm’s respected dispute resolution practice is led by managing partner Linda Lee Lian Khing, and includes Tang Weng Leong and On Hung Zheng. Harold Ng Hann Jaun is the key partner for corporate and banking.

All reported matters and clients for the past year are confidential, but the firm has been active on local investments, share sales, restructurings and in a marquee assignment, what would be the first privatisation of a port in the country.

Cheok & Advocates has been noted by peers to be ‘doing well’ in a relatively quiet market the past year, appearing more frequently on disputes matters in addition to its banking and corporate transactions. Managing partner Robin Van Kee Cheok is a well-known name. He leads the firm along with partner Christina Li Hui Lim. Banking and real estate specialist Wai Yee Lee departed last year for Ahmad Isa & Partners.   

General business law

Work highlights

Representing an accused structural engineer for being at fault in a high profile building collapse. This was the first disciplinary inquiry against a qualified person under the new building control order.

Acting for the main contractor of the government-owned education centre, Sixth Form Centre, which is suing the structural engineer for its collapse. This dispute is likely to enter into an arbitration with the Brunei government via the Ministry of Development on loss and damages due to delays.

Advising government-linked companies acting for offshore parties.

Eponymous founder Colin Ong runs a regional practice that operates across six countries outside Brunei. The well-known queen’s counsel is frequently found on arbitration matters in Singapore and Hong Kong, and he has chambers in the UK. Locally, the firm’s practice areas cover corporate, finance, intellectual property and dispute resolution in different sectors. Managing partner Shiao Hui Koh leads the key transactions. Consultant Zubaidah Lailatul joined the firm in January 2020 from the Brunei judiciary.

General business law

Work highlights

Advised Hiap Guan in a negligence claim on a construction project. The case managed to settle outside of court for less than 50% of the original claim.

Defending an Asian national oil company in a UNCITRAL arbitration against a claim by another oil company that it breached a production sharing agreement.

Representing a major Indonesian company in a $114 million infrastructure-related dispute over issues of fitness for purpose and the denial of a time extension.

Key clients

BNP Paribas, China State Construction Engineering Corporation, Commonwealth Bank, Panasonic, Royal Brunei Airlines

HEP Law parted ways with Eversheds earlier this year and now operates as HEP Law. The firm, a younger entrant into the market, has been deepening its footprint the past few years with its expertise in corporate and commercial laws, intellectual property and dispute resolution. Corporate and commercial partner Neilia Tan is the main contact and leads the firm’s key deals.

General business law  

Work highlights

Advising a government-linked company on a transaction that involves the conversion of debt into shares in relation to debt owned by the target company which is in the aquaculture industry.

Assisting the local branch of an international bank to update its in-house security documentation and other collateral documents to secure banking facilities.

Representing a local private company in a breach of contract for procurement of goods and services dispute. The client has intended for the goods to be procured for the purpose of public entertainment, however, due to the quality of the goods provided by the supplier, it was denied import permit for the goods resulting in losses suffered.

Key clients

Bank of China, Berakas Power Company, DST, Progresif Cellular, Royal Brunei Airlines, Telekom Brunei

Client feedback

“Very friendly team who are a pleasure to work with. It also always manage to achieve the desired outcome in a timely manner, even with the occasional tight deadline. The advice provided by the team is always comprehensive and all-encompassing.” – Corporate and M&A

Neilia Tan

“Knowledgeable with extensive experience in a range of legal matters. She also communicates very well and is skilled in quickly developing an understanding of her client's desired outcomes. Neilia is also capable of providing various potential solutions to a single issue which is very valuable.”