Antitrust and competition: local firms in Singapore

Allen & Gledhill LLP

Allen & Gledhill LLP is a preeminent firm when it comes to multi-jurisdictional merger control and foreign direct investment advice, servicing numerous high-profile domestic and international clients in their filings outside of Singapore, including jurisdictions throughout the Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Regional joint head Daren Shiau is a renowned competition law specialist, covering the gamut of antitrust litigation spanning international cartels, monopolies and dominance, and global merger control. Co-head Elsa Chen is also highly regarded in these areas and is the lead partner when advising clients on the antitrust aspects of ESG collaborations, sustainability-focused transactions and greenwashing. Scott Clements is another experienced contact in the team, having regularly assisted clients during dawn raids and on multiple leniency filings made to the CCCS.

Practice head(s):

Daren Shiau; Elsa Chen


Other key lawyers:

Scott Clements


Testimonials

‘Very responsive and clear in the communications.’

‘The partners, senior associates and associates are professional and nice to work with.’

‘The leading antitrust practice in Singapore with an astonishing share of cutting-edge M&A transactions before the agency. ’

‘This is a tight-knit group with first-rate partners and strong associates. They are particularly adept at conveying practical strategic advice in investigations where it can be difficult for outsiders to understand the agency’s posture. They seem very well respected at the agency.’

Key clients

SATS Ltd.


Singapore Airlines Limited


DBS Bank Ltd.


MOMQ Holding Company


StorHub Venture Pte. Ltd.


Singapore Clearing House Association


Oki Electric Co., Ltd.


Mercatus Co-operative Limited


CapitaLand Group Pte. Ltd.


Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited


Work highlights


  • Advising SATS, as Singapore antitrust counsel, on the Singapore antitrust aspects of the joint merger notification to the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore in relation to a US$2.3 billion proposed acquisition of Worldwide Flight Services, through its subsidiary company SATS International SAS.
  • Advised DBS, as lead antitrust counsel, in the global and Singapore antitrust aspects of its acquisition of Citigroup’s consumer banking business in Taiwan, for an aggregate consideration equal to the business net asset value plus a premium of S$956m.
  • Advised Mercatus Co-operative, as lead Singapore antitrust counsel, on the Singapore and global antitrust aspects of the proposed divestment of certain retail assets in Singapore amounting to approximately $2.1bn.

Drew & Napier LLC

A leading firm in the Singaporean antitrust and competition market, Drew & Napier LLC is consistently involved in significant CCCS investigations including acting for multinational companies facing allegations of cartel behaviour, as well as assisting clients during dawn raids and applying for leniency. The practice is also noted for its considerable regulatory expertise and is long-term counsel to key sectoral competition regulators, from telecoms and media to post and energy. The practice is headed up by the vastly experienced regulatory practitioners Lim Chong Kin and Corinne Chew, with the pair having advised a plethora of regulators on liberalisation, market access, competition regulation, merger reviews, and enforcement issues; while senior counsel Cavinder Bull leads the dispute resolution and litigation sub-group and represents various clients during investigations in Singapore and overseas.

Practice head(s):

Lim Chong Kin; Cavinder Bull; Dr Corinne Chew


Other key lawyers:

Chia Voon Jiet


Testimonials

‘The team’s experience extends to all areas of competition law practice, including assisting clients with CCCS investigations.’

‘Corinne Chew offers balanced and deep professional knowledge with understanding and empathy for commercial imperatives. She is across all of the detail in a matter with style and class.’

‘Dr. Corrine Chew is extremely competent with her profound knowledge. We really appreciate her prompt attentiveness and her expertise. Corinne always gives us the assuring feeling to be in good hands.’

Key clients

The Hanwha Group


Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited


ADB BVBA and Safegate International AB


Temasek


Heliconia Capital Management


Pathology Asia Holdings


Info-communications Media Development Authority of Singapore


Chevron International Pte Ltd


Volkswagen


Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam


Work highlights


  • Advising The Hanwha Group in its notification to the Competition & Consumer Commission of Singapore of its acquisition of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.
  • Assisted the statutory body, Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam with the drafting of the Competition Code to liberalise the Postal Industry in Brunei.
  • Supporting the regulator, Info-communications Media Development Authority of Singapore (“IMDA”), in implementing the converged telecoms & media regulatory framework.

Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP

Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP command a strong reputation in the Singapore market for handling complex cross-border merger and investigation mandates. Practice head Kala Anandarajah is one of the most prominent competition and antitrust lawyers in the region, overseeing a practice with experience spanning multiple jurisdictions including Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Tanya Tang is a trusted advisor to a number of major private clients and regulatory bodies in Singapore and the wider region, while Joshua Seet, having rejoined from Fangda Partners in August 2022, significantly bolsters the team’s expertise relating to merger control and corporate distribution and cooperation practices. Alvin Tan Yong Joon brings solid experience advising on anti-competitive arrangements across key sectors including automotives, shipping, pharmaceuticals, consultancy and defence.

Practice head(s):

Kala Anandarajah


Other key lawyers:

Tanya Tang; Joshua Seet; Alvin Tan Yong Joon


Testimonials

‘The antitrust and competition practice of Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP attracted clients in their strategic way of practice against CCCS. Also, they can cover almost all Asian countries by connecting themselves with other offices of Rajah & Tann.’

‘I mostly worked with Kala Anandarajah heading the competition and trade team. She listens to clients very carefully to grasp the essential points in the cases so that she can take strategic and practical ways forward.’

‘The antitrust team is extremely knowledgeable and reliable. It has been thriving and focuses a lot on developing and providing exposure to the young lawyers as well.’

‘Kala Anandarajah is one of the foremost leading experts in antitrust in this region and really stands out in the way she advises her clients and handling investigations.’

Key clients

Entegris


Cuscaden Peak Pte. Ltd.


HSBC Bank (Singapore) Limited


Sunseap Group Pte. Ltd.


Echo Healthcare Management Pte. Ltd.


Mandarin Self Storage Pte Ltd


MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA


City Energy Pte. Ltd.


Link Asset Management Limited (manager of Link REIT)


Work highlights


  • Acted for Entegris Inc in its acquisition of all shares of CMC Materials, Inc.
  • Advised on the proposed joint venture between The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Singapore Branch and Temasek Holdings, in a partnership to establish a debt financing platform dedicated to sustainable infrastructure projects with an initial focus on Southeast Asia, with an initial combined capital commitment of approximately US$150 million.
  • Advised on a proposed acquisition by EDP Renováveis, S.A., a renewable energy company headquartered in Spain and listed on Euronext Lisbon, of an approximate stake of 87.4% (and later, 91.4%, should EDPR choose to exercise that option) in the client, Sunseap Group Pte. Ltd., a solar energy solutions provider in Singapore.

WongPartnership LLP

Renowned for both its contentious and non-contentious competition expertise, WongPartnership LLP boasts an impressive client list spanning a number of key growth sectors including finance, insurance, energy, and shipping. Practice head Ameera Ashraf’s practice covers the full spectrum of competition issues from complex cartel matters to mergers and issues of dominance, particularly in the transport and food sectors. Another key contact is Chan Jia Hui, regarded as leading authority on the substantive probations under the Competition Act, including anti-competitive arrangements, abuse of dominance, and merger control issues. Clarissa Koh regularly handles the management of corporate dawn raid protocols across various industries including consumer products, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and real estate.

Practice head(s):

Ameera Ashraf


Other key lawyers:

Chan Jia Hui; Clarissa Koh


Testimonials

‘Accessible, able to describe or explain the issue and process clearly.’

‘WongPartnership has the best antitrust practice in Singapore. I would single out Ameera Ashraf who’s in my view hands down the best practitioner. ’

‘Ameera Ashraf is the best antitrust lawyer in town. She’s creative, efficient, always available and a pleasure to deal with. Very importantly, she does not hesitate to push the envelope in situations involving novel questions or issues. Unlike her peers, she’s not overly conservative but commercially-minded.’

‘Unrivalled, the best team in the sector. You get great service working with all levels top to bottom. ’

‘Ameera Ashraf is a superstar. Technically brilliant and commercially savvy. She knows how to get the deal done. 10 out of 10. ’

Key clients

Contitech Global Holdings Netherlands B.V.


Keppel Corporation Limited / Keppel Offshore & Marine


Olam Group Limited


Work highlights


  • Acted for ContiTech Global Holdings Netherlands, Continental’s engineered rubber products group and Trelleborg AG, in their joint application to The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore on the proposed acquisition by ContiTech Global Holdings Netherlands of 100% of the total issued shares in Printing Solutions Sweden Holding from Trelleborg.
  • Acted for Olam Group Limited in the sale of an approximate 35.4% stake in Olam Agri Holdings Pte. Ltd. by Olam Holdings Pte. Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of OGL) to SALIC International Investment Company (a wholly owned subsidiary of The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company) for approximately US$1.24 billion.
  • Advising Keppel Corporation Limited on the merger control and other regulatory aspects of their proposed acquisition of Singapore Press Holdings Limited.

Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow

Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow has a deep bench of dedicated competition and antitrust specialists, covering the gamut of issues including pursuing merger clearances, responding to competition authorities, customising compliance programs, and advising regional governmental agencies on competition policy. Practice head Harikumar Sukumar Pillay has extensive expertise across cartel investigations, mergers and acquisitions, and abuse of dominance, as well as regulatory related-advisory work throughout Singapore and Southeast Asia. IP and technology expert Ken Chia advises governments and multinational corporations on a broad array of competition matters.

Practice head(s):

Harikumar Pillay; Ken Chia


Testimonials

‘The team led by Hari Kumar Pillay is brilliant hugely innovative, commercial and super savvy – true value for clients.

‘Hari Kumar Pillay is a force to reckon with in the antitrust world and stands heads and shoulders above the rest. He brings his significant experience with the CCCS.

‘Diversity of the team. The team was able to provide advice not only from the legal perspective but also economic/commercial perspective, in the best interest of our company.’

Key clients

ACCIONA Energía


Malaysia Competition Commission


Keppel Corporation and Keppel Asia Infrastructure Fund LP


CapitaLand Investment Limited


Yageo Corporation


APG Asset Management N.V.


Philippine Competition Commission


Work highlights


  • Advised APG Asset Management N.V., the investment manager of the largest pension provider in the Netherlands, on its joint venture with CapitaLand Investment Limited, a leading global real estate investment manager with a strong Asia foothold, to establish an Asia-focused self-storage platform, with an approximate deal value of SGD1.14 billion.
  • Advised CapitaLand Investment Limited, a leading global real estate investment manager with a strong Asia foothold, on its strategic partnership with Ally Logistic Property and Pruksa Holding PCL, to establish a SGD1 billion CapitaLand SEA Logistics Fund.
  • Advised YAGEO Corporation (a Taiwan stock exchange-listed entity) in its binding commitment with Schneider Electric to acquire its Telemecanique Sensors business.

Dentons Rodyk

Dentons Rodyk utilises a strong network of expertise throughout Singapore and the Asia Pacific, with practice head Gerald Singham overseeing a practice which assists clients with a diverse range of competition and antitrust issues, from M&A and JVs to anti-competitive agreements before the CCCS. Co-head Mohamad Rizuan Bin Pathie's expertise covers a number of key industries including the likes of energy, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, technology and transportation, while Ajinderpal Singh specialises in representing clients in cartel and price-fixing investigations.

Practice head(s):

Gerald Singham; Ajinderpal Singh; Mohamad Rizuan Bin Pathie


Testimonials

‘The Dentons team provided us with timely, practical, and very insightful advice. They were meticulous and prompt in reviewing the information and documents that we provided to understand our business and giving strategic advice on our responses to the regulator. It was great working with Dentons and we felt that we were working together with them as a team.’

‘In my work with the Dentons team, all of them are professional and responsive. Mohamad Rizuan Bin Pathie, the partner of the firm and the main contact point in the case made a great effort in the case such as trying to understand our industry and business well. Throughout the whole case, he supported us with wise and practical advice.’

Key clients

Singapore Poultry Hub


Tech Data Corporation


Work highlights


Ascendant Legal LLC

Integrated within the broader Norton Rose Fulbright antitrust and competition team, Ascendant Legal LLC has considerable expertise in relation to M&A competition matters and advisory work throughout Singapore, as well as CCCS investigations. Having been promoted to director in April 2023, practice head Jeremiah Chew advises clients across the full spectrum of competition issues, encompassing authority information requests, leniency applications, dawn raids, merger compliance, and compliance training.

Practice head(s):

Jeremiah Chew


Testimonials

The team is dedicated and professional.’

Jeremiah Chew understands the business needs and offers pragmatic legal advice.

Good understanding of client’s needs and has good industry and subject matter knowledge.

Work highlights