The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Kadir, Andri & Partners is a first tier firm,

Utilising its strong business and political connections, Kadir, Andri & Partners continues to act on some of the biggest deals in the Islamic and conventional finance spaces. The highly regarded Andri Aidham Badri led on several large ringgit denominated sukuk issuances and on Khazanah’s Singapore dollar denominated sukuk, which was Singapore’s largest such transaction. Adrian Chair Yong Huang recently advised the lender on a $360m loan facility for the development at Male International Airport.

Within Capital markets, Kadir, Andri & Partners is a second tier firm,

Providing ‘excellent service, with very good business knowledge’, Kadir, Andri & Partners has been advising on notable Islamic structures as well as conventional debt and equity issuances. Recent transactions include acting for the joint lead arrangers and advisers of Malaysia’s first sukuk al-amanah li al-istithmar (sukuk ALIm), worth RM1bn, and advising the arrangers of Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering’s RM2bn IPO. Tan Kong Yam is ‘technically very strong and provides sound advice’.

Within Corporate and M&A, Kadir, Andri & Partners is a first tier firm,

Kadir, Andri & Partners has strong connections to several leading domestic corporates and routinely acts on top-end matters. Practice head E Sreesanthan advised Khazanah Nasional’s subsidiary on its takeover of leading Asian hospitals operator Parkway Holdings. Samuel Hong Soo Choon acted for the special purpose vehicles of a high-profile Malaysian businessman on various privatisations, including that of pay-TV network Astro All Asia Networks, and on the $1.5bn takeover of utilities and gaming company Tanjong. Adrian Chair Yong Huang focuses on projects-related deals. The firm recently recruited Lynette Yeow from Zaid Ibrahim & Co.

Within Dispute resolution, Kadir, Andri & Partners is a second tier firm,

‘Well connected and able to bridge the gap between commercial decisions and legality in its advice’, Kadir, Andri & Partners is building its reputation nicely following some recent high-profile representations such as well-regarded practice head Nahendran Navaratnam representing the defendant in AV Asia v Measat Broadcast Network Systems, and advising developer Kuala Dimensi on the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal. Sanjay Mohanasundram handles construction cases at arbitration and in High Court litigation. For corporate and insolvency disputes, Saheran Suhendran and Mak Lin Kum are ‘well versed with the law, have in-depth knowledge, and demonstrate an ability to think outside the box’.

Within Islamic finance, Kadir, Andri & Partners is a first tier firm,

Kadir, Andri & Partners is often present on landmark Islamic issuances. Recent achievements include acting on Cagamas’ RM1bn first-of-its-kind sukuk ALIm issuance, and for Khazanah Nasional on its S$1.5bn sukuk issuance, which was the largest and longest-term deal of its kind in Singapore. It was local counsel to CIMB, Citigroup, Maybank and HSBC as lead underwriters on the Malaysian government’s $2bn sharia-compliant sovereign bond issuance. Andri Aidham Badri leads on Islamic finance matters.

Within Legal market overview,

Shearn Delamore & Co, Skrine and Shook Lin & Bok retain their position as the traditional elite, but well-connected firms such as Zul Rafique & Partners, Zaid Ibrahim & Co and Kadir, Andri & Partners continue to encroach on market share.

Within Projects and energy, Kadir, Andri & Partners is a first tier firm,

Kadir, Andri & Partners’ active and well-respected practice represents lenders and sponsors. It recently advised on a cross-border financing for the development of Male International Airport. Practice head Adrian Chair Yong Huang led advice on a joint venture to develop the RM200m Raffles University Iskandar project.

Within Real estate and construction, Kadir, Andri & Partners is a second tier firm,

Kadir, Andri & Partners’ real estate and construction law abilities include acting on property transactions, particularly for REITs. Sanjay Mohanasundram leads the construction team, which is heavily geared towards contentious matters, handling High Court litigation as well as international arbitration.