Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP has demonstrated deep commitment to the insurance and reinsurance field, handling a significant volume of contentious and non-contentious matters year-on-year. It continues to lead the market in corporate and regulatory matters, including insurance-linked securities, where it has worked on a series of catastrophe bonds and also represented a multilateral agency on the first-of-its-kind Southeast Asia Disaster Risk Insurance Facility in Asia. It also remains hugely active in insurance disputes. Simon Goh is hugely experienced in both contentious and non-contentious insurance with a big reputation locally, regionally and internationally. Elaine Tay is another experienced figure in property and energy insurance, and Wang Ying Shuang specialises in coverage disputes, recoveries, defence work and regulatory matters.
Insurance: local firms in Singapore
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Practice head(s):
Simon Goh
Other key lawyers:
Elaine Tay; Wang Ying Shuang
Testimonials
‘The core strength of the team is in relation to Singapore insurance regulatory matters – in this aspect it is second to none.’
‘I have worked with all current members of the team. Simon Goh strikes me as an excellent mentor to the more junior members of his team, for which the quality shines through impeccably through their advice.’
‘Client relationship – very good client management skills.’
‘Wang Ying Shuang is a listener which enables her to work collaboratively with clients.’
‘The R&T insurance team is one of the strongest in Singapore, with extensive knowledge of local laws and regulations. Simon Goh and Wang Ying Shuang are one of the best in the country and have provided very strong and solid advice to us over the last few years.’
‘Wang Ying Shuang is very knowledgeable, and has a wealth of experience across the regulatory, commercial and dispute aspects of the insurance sector in Singapore. This has allowed us to get a well rounded view of opinions from her team, for various matters and challenges that we face in Singapore.’
Key clients
Zenkyoren (the Japanese National Mutual Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives)
China Taiping Insurance (Singapore) Pte Ltd
AIG Insurance (Singapore) Pte Ltd
United Overseas Insurance Limited
Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. Ltd
Hannover Reinsurance
Great Eastern Life Assurance Co Limited
Swiss Reinsurance
Aon
India International Insurance Pte Ltd
The Britannia Steam Ship Insurance Association Limited
Work highlights
- Acted for a multilateral organisation in the first-of-its-kind Southeast Asia Disaster Risk Insurance Facility (SEADRIF) in Asia.
- Acted for National Parks Board in claims for injuries sustained by members of the public in Singapore due to widely-reported wild boar attacks.
- Acted for a Singapore electricity transmission company in recovery proceedings against owners of a jack up construction vessel.
Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow
Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow has extensive local and international expertise within its Singapore ranks, while having the ability to tap into the knowledge and experience of colleagues in multiple other jurisdictions in Southeast Asia and globally. The Singapore team has specialist expertise in corporate and regulatory matters, disputes and compliance. Stephanie Magnus leads the Singapore insurance team and has a strong background in local and cross-border insurance, including M&A transactions, negotiating bank assurance matters, post-acquisition integration and restructuring, and insurance regulatory and compliance. Nandakumar Ponniya heads the disputes practice and has a fine background in insurance cases. Senior associate Darren Yang impresses in regulatory and compliance matters.
Practice head(s):
Stephanie Magnus; Nandakumar Ponniya
Testimonials
‘They have a team of lawyers who are located in different jurisdictions as we may need to seek for advices outside of Singapore or Hong Kong due to our nature of business.’
‘We have engaged Baker McKenzie SG and HK for their legal opinions for years. We usually work with Stephanie Magnus (SG) and Martin Tam (HK). They are very experienced.’
‘The firm provides a one-stop solution where they have offices and presence in other jurisdiction which promotes efficiency and is cost-effective to their clients.’
Key clients
Allianz Insurance Management Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
Allied World
Aon Insurance Brokers
AXA Life Insurance Singapore Pte.Ltd
IAG Australia
Muang Thai Life Assurance Public Company Limited
Sompo Japan
Standard Life
Sun Life Financial US
Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd
Tokio Marine Asia
Work highlights
- Advised Muang Thai Life Assurance Public Company on its $400m debut issuance of regulatory-compliant tier 2 capital notes.
Dentons Rodyk
Dentons Rodyk has a strong association with the insurance sector, particularly in the disputes field. It handles claims defence work across multiple disciplines, including the recent spate of business interruption claims linked to the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, the team has further expertise in regulatory and compliance matters linked to transactions and market authorisations. Edric Pan is noted for claims defence work, including D&O, business interruption and professional negligence claims. Christopher Chong is another senior figure with an extensive record in personal injury and professional indemnity claims, and Jacqueline Loke is a key figure for regulatory and compliance matters, including in M&A and joint ventures.
Practice head(s):
Edric Pan; Christopher Chong; Jacqueline Loke
Other key lawyers:
Huai Yuan Chia
Testimonials
‘The team is able to find out more out of their usual area of practice. They are willing to listen to you to find out and know more before they give any advice. Their knowledge is diverse, thus able to understand the situation fast and well.’
‘Huai Yuan Chia is a very detailed and proactive lawyer. He is able to give good and all rounded advice as well as clear and concise. He is also very empathetic and does not just look matters in terms of money.’
Key clients
MS First Capital
QBE Insurance (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Lockton Companies (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Chubb
Liberty Insurance
AIG
Sompo Insurance
NTUC Income Insurance Co-operative Limited
Work highlights
- Acted for MS First Capital and its insured, Certis Cisco, in defence of a claim relating to major damage to overhead fibre and CCTV cabling in the basement loading-bay area of Marina Bay Sands.
- Acted for a doctor in a highly publicised defamation suit, where he was alleged to be preying on patients. On appeal, the firm successfully obtained an injunction against the tortfeasor with damages to be assessed.
LVM Law Chambers LLC
LVM Law Chambers LLC
has deep dispute resolution credentials with an extensive focus on the insurance field. The firm has a strong track record in representing insureds and insurers, notably representing insureds in a number of high profile incidents, and acting for insurers in public liability, professional indemnity, business interruption and trade credit cases, among others. Managing partner Joseph Lee has a significant focus on insurance disputes, including high-value claims. Waltan Pak is a genuine insurance specialist with a notable record in property damage and personal injury claims, employee compensation claims and public liability cases. The firm’s founder, Lok Vi Ming SC brings further senior-level gravitas to the practice.
Practice head(s):
Joseph Lee; Waltan Pak
Other key lawyers:
Lok Vi Ming SC
Testimonials
‘Knowledgeable and customer focus.’
‘The firm has grown significantly since its establishment some years back. Lok Vi Ming SC, the founder of the firm has successfully nurtured and developed young lawyers in his firm. Both Vi Ming and his team members work together closely on major cases.’
‘My experience with the firm has primarily been in respect of professional liability claims against professionals namely, lawyers. The team has a sound knowledge of the law, and is always responsive. Very importantly, where a case merits settlement, the firm pursues this course quickly and helps resolve the matter thereby saving costs for the clients.’
‘The firm has also embraced technology well. Its e-mail systems are efficient. Communication with the lawyers in the firms can be made via WhatsApp. Further, the firm has hosted zoom meetings, which has allowed matters to progress during the Covid 19 pandemic period.’
‘The leading lawyer in this firm, Mr Lok Vi Ming, SC, is a renowned advocate. He has great knowledge of the law, which he applies appropriately to the cases he handles. He is amiable and approachable by all. He is well respected by both the Bar and the Bench. This has significantly helped in not only advocating his cases well, but also in resolving them expeditiously.’
‘Lok Vi Ming SC, his team members are always available to clients. They give due respect to the clients, and guide them well in relation to their cases. No false hopes are given. The pros and cons of each matter are properly assessed, and clients are well advised.’
Key clients
MS First Capital Insurance Ltd
Yeow Heng Industries Pte Ltd
Cycle & Carriage Kia Pte Ltd, Cycle & Carriage Automotive Pte Limited, Diplomat Parts Pte. Limited
AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte Ltd
Etiqa Insurance Pte Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised MS First Capital Insurance on business interruption insurance and whether the issue of cover under the policy was engaged.
- Represented insurers related to a dispute between a former client and its law firm, which has links with the insolvency of the Hin Leong debacle, one of the largest corporate frauds in Singapore
- Represented insurers of Yeow Heng Industries against a tenant for spread of a fire from its leased premises which eventually caused significant damage to an industrial property.
WongPartnership LLP
WongPartnership LLP is noted for contentious and non-contentious matters. Having deep regulatory expertise, it frequently advises on M&A transactions and assists non-insurers in offering new insurance products. It is further rated for construction-related insurance and business interruption claims. Hui Choon Yuen leads the team, which includes contentious specialist Joy Tan.
Practice head(s):
Hui Choon Yuen
Other key lawyers:
Joy Tan; Marie Lim
Testimonials
‘WongPartnership have a well respected insurance team who understand the Singapore market and have a great depth of knowledge on both the creation of captive insurers and direct commercial insurers. They know the law and regulations better than many who operate in this sector and they can communicate this in a really straightforward and user friendly way. We’ve always found their advice to be timely and considered. They manage to preempt a lot of the questions we haven’t thought to ask yet. They are a delight to work with.’
‘We’ve worked closely with Hui Choon Yuen a partner in the practice, he is responsive, commercial and a fantastic lawyer. He has an excellent team of associates supporting him and Marie Lim is particularly strong, she produces fantastic, directional advice and we trust her to get to the right answer in a difficult area very quickly.’
‘The team has exception working insurance knowledge and are readily available to provide guidance/assistance when required.’
‘Hui Choon Yuen is very knowledgeable in insurance matters.
‘Marie Lim provides great support in a timely manner.’
Key clients
Avatar Property and Casualty Insurance Company
Singapore Reinsurance
IPGL Limited
Work highlights
- Acted for Singapore Reinsurance Corporation in relation to the voluntary conditional cash offer by SAC Capital Private, for and on behalf of Fairfax Asia, to acquire all the issued and paid-up ordinary shares in the capital of Singapore Reinsurance.
- Acted for ProBatus Capital as lead investor in the $9m Series A funding round of Indonesia-based insurance marketplace Lifepal.