Firms To Watch: Projects and energy: local firms

Under the leadership of managing director John Lim, the team at LIMN Law Corporation assists with a range of construction, projects and infrastructure mandates.

Projects and energy: local firms in Singapore

Allen & Gledhill LLP

Allen & Gledhill LLP advises on every aspect of energy projects, including in structuring and developing, financing, commissioning and operating infrastructure projects. The team has expertise in the energy and resources, petrochemicals and infrastructure sectors with projects such as gas plants, transmission facilities and desalination plants. Kelvin Wong is active in the gas sector and co-heads the practice with Kok Chee Wai who has expertise in domestic and international financing. Tan Wee Meng is involved in the PPP market in Singapore, with a focus on clients in the media and telecommunications industry.

Practice head(s):

Kelvin Wong; Kok Chee Wai

Other key lawyers:

Tan Wee Meng

Testimonials

‘A great team of lawyers with diverse domain expertise ready to come together to provide a holistic solution to issues.’

Work highlights

  • Advised Keppel Telecommunications & Transportation Limited on a sale of indefeasible right of use to Converge ICT Solutions.  
  • Advised responsAbility Access to Clean Power Fund S.A., SICAV-SIF and Global Climate Partnership Fund S.A., SICAV-SIF, with their investment manager on impact investing.
  • Acted in the original project financing for the Lenders in 2015 for the S$1.5 billion restructuring of Hyflux’s debt.

Dentons Rodyk

The energy team at Dentons Rodyk supports global clients with a broad range of experience in areas such as solar, hydropower, coal and waste-to-energy technology. The team regularly drafts EPC contracts and power purchase agreements in addition to project financing and restructuring arrangements. Co-head Kunal Kapoor covers project development and finance matters with a focus on oil and gas projects, while other co-head Jonathan Guwe works on energy-related projects spanning South East Asia. Joo Thye Tan focuses on the energy, mining and infrastructure areas, advising on M&A and direct investment.

Practice head(s):

Kunal Kapoor; Jonathan Guwe

Other key lawyers:

Joo Thye Tan

Key clients

Samko Timber Limited

Singapore Aero Engine Services Pte Ltd

Solar United Network Pte Ltd

Work highlights

  • Advised Samko Timber Limited on the development of a biomass wood pellet production line and an adjacent solar power plant.
  • Advised Singapore Aero Engine Services Pte Ltd in relation to its procurement of rooftop solar facilities on its premises.
  • Advised Solar United Network Pte Ltd on the acquisition of multiple rooftop solar projects in Indonesia.

Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP

Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP has outstanding experience in complicated cross-border matters with expertise in regulatory work, sustainability and green projects. The team headed by Sim Chee Siong are also market leaders in power projects in Singapore such as Shanxi Electric Power Engineering Co., Ltd involvement in a S$45 million EPC project for the development and installation of two battery energy storage systems. Shemane Chan has experience in advising on various procurement platforms in industries including energy, oil and gas and aviation. Soh Lip San has expertise in high-value disputes in this space, while Larry Lim  focuses on energy and commodities trading matters.

Practice head(s):

Sim Chee Siong

Other key lawyers:

Larry Lim; Shemane Chan; Soh Lip San

Testimonials

‘Knowledgeable and commercial minded individuals to work with. Very important is that the team I worked with understand the goal and outcome we want to achieve.’

‘Shemane and her team worked tirelessly to provide advice on legal documents and compliance issues and meeting tight timeline. Shemane and her team protect our interest and she will not hesitate to let us know if we interpret issues incorrectly.’

Key clients

Land Transport Authority of Singapore

Mitsubishi Corporation and Chiyoda Corporation

Skye Renewables Holdings Pte Ltd

M1 Limited

Energy Market Authority of Singapore

I Squared Asia Advisors Pte Ltd

ComfortDelGro Engineering Pte Ltd

Work highlights

  • Advised the Land Transport Authority of Singapore on the transition of the Downtown MRT Line to the new rail financing framework.
  • Advised the Land Transport Authority of Singapore on its appointment of two separate private train operators for the upcoming Jurong Regional Line and Cross Island Line.
  • Acted for the receivers in the S$331.45 million sale of power plant and associated assets of Tuaspring Pte Ltd to the subsidiary of YTL Power International Berhad.

WongPartnership LLP

The energy, projects and construction team at WongPartnership LLP has a diverse client base consisting of statutory boards, quasi-governmental bodies and construction industries. The firm acts for a variety of stakeholders in drafting, negotiating and reviewing tender documents, consortium agreements and turnkey contracts. Practice head Tay Peng Cheng represents clients in court and in arbitration proceedings. Lesley Tan has experience in front-end project advisory work, while Linda Low focuses on construction and renewable energy-related matters.

Practice head(s):

Tay Peng Cheng

Other key lawyers:

Lesley Tan; Linda Low

Testimonials

‘The practice group led by Tay Peng Cheng and Lesley Tan has deep expertise and experience in projects and energy work. They have acted for various parties in the value chain and for both commercial transactions and in litigation; giving them a rich perspective of the issues and an unparalleled reservoir of workarounds. The group led by them provide seamless coverage for one another, and this is especially important for long-drawn projects.’

‘Clear and transparent billing makes costs manageable.’

‘Tay Peng Cheng has depth and breadth of knowledge and experience, and is always able to isolate and simplify issues to progress the matter. Lesley Tan provides clear and concise advice and is able to draw from the wealth of experience to resolve legal and drafting issues.’

Key clients

Keppel Corporation Ltd.

SembCorp Utilities Pte. Ltd.

Land Transport Authority

Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

UOL Group Limited

OKP Holdings Limited

Woh Hup (Private) Limited

Santarli Construction Pte. Ltd.

GrabTaxi Holdings Pte. Ltd.

Drew & Napier LLC

The projects, energy and infrastructure group at Drew & Napier LLC is headed by Jimmy Yim SC and leverages on the strengths of multi-disciplinary resources within the firm such as dispute resolution, M&A and project finance. The team’s contentious and non-contentious specialists work on projects involving power and energy, telecommunications, transportation, waste disposal and construction. Ong Sim Ho is an expert in oil and gas matters, with a focus on work surrounding national oil companies. Mahesh Rai represents clients in energy and infrastructure work while Renu Menon is experienced in syndicated and bilateral lending.

Practice head(s):

Jimmy Yim SC

Other key lawyers:

Ong Sim Ho; Mahesh Rai; Renu Menon

Key clients

Goldbell Corporation Pte Ltd

SAMART Comtech Co., Ltd

Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd

Navayo International AG

Logix Aero Ireland Ltd

ACASS Canada Ltd

Daewoo Engineering & Construction

Royal Group Investments Pte Limited

American Bureau of Shipping

Keppel Singmarine

Creative Technology Limited

Essar Group including Essar Projects (India) Limited

Essar Projects Singapore Pte Ltd

SK Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd

Emirates National Oil Company (Singapore) Private Limited

Cisco Systems Inc

Vietnam Trading Engineering Construction Joint Stock Corporation

Subash Kabini Power Corporation Limited

Noomadi Resorts & Residences AG

Multi-Gold SSDK Resources Pte Ltd

Work highlights

  • Acted as co-counsel for Daelim Industrial Company Limited in a dispute concerning an aborted L+EPC contract.

Harry Elias Partnership

Harry Elias Partnership has developed a niche in the area of marine engineering, dredging, land reclamation and shore protection work. The practice is also particularly strong when it comes to matters concerning underground tunnelling and railways. Recent projects include the development of the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort. Construction law expert Tan Chau Yee co-heads the practice with Justin Chia who advises many of the firm’s major clients comprising banks, financial institutions and real estate investment trusts.

Practice head(s):

Tan Chau Yee; Justin Chia

Testimonials

‘The team is led by Yvonne Foo and she brings a huge amount of international construction and energy arbitration experience which is being applied and South East Asia. The team is growing with lateral hires and is an exceptional practice.’

‘Yvonne Foo is the standout practitioner and continues to produce quality work and advice alongside developing and growing a new team.’

 

Key clients

Koh Brothers Building & Civil Engineering Contractor (Pte) Ltd

DBS Trustee Ltd as Trustee of Soilbuild Business Space REIT

GlaxoSmithKline Pte Ltd

Standard Chartered Bank

Surbana Jurong Consultants Private Limited

Wee Hur Group of Companies

SMRT Corporation Limited

Straco Leisure Pte Ltd (Singapore Flyer)

Meinhardt Singapore Pte Ltd

Rich-Link Construction Pte Ltd

CapitaLand Limited

Singapore Land Transport Authority

Maritime Port Authority of Singapore

Public Utilities Board

Singapore Land Authority

National Environment Agency

Ministry of Health

National Parks Board

People’s Association

Singapore Turf Club

AGC Holdings Ltd

BRC Asia Limited

Gathergates Group Pte Ltd

Systems on Silicon Manufacturing Co. Pte Ltd

Work highlights

  • Appointed as the Claims Specialist for Surbana Jurong Consultant for the Tuas Terminal Port Project 1.
  • Advised Singapore’s Ministry of Health on an ongoing basis and have been advising it in reviewing and amending its standard term contracts.
  • Acted for MCST 4122 in its claim against the Developer, Main Contractor, and Sub-Contractors for building defects.

Bird & Bird ATMD LLP

Bird & Bird ATMD LLP has strong experience in all aspects of power projects, licensing, construction and operations for regulated and unregulated entities. The team has expertise in public procurement, regulatory matters, renewables and cleantech matters. Practice head Sandra Seah is well-versed in competition law, real estate and regulatory issues in addition to experience in large-scale projects and tenders. Akshay Kishore  focuses on advising on disputes work, including both arbitrations and mediations.

Practice head(s):

Sandra Seah

Other key lawyers:

Akshay Kishore

Testimonials

‘B&B is a trustful group of people with expertise in all the fields that we require in our business. I would like to highlight their geographical coverage, as they and their local partners are able to support us in all the regions in which we are operating. One single interface for our businesses.’

‘I always reach Sandra Seah as main interface. She, supported by her team, makes us feel valued through a prompt response and a close relation. Straightness and simplicity, are two of the main attributes on our professional relation.’

‘B&B has a team with the right industry knowledge, and each team member is able to communicate well with relevant customer representative. The way of approach from B&B is very collaborative rather than “this is the way and accept it”.’

‘Sandra Seah, a friend, an adviser, and a legal counsel (in that order). This unique relationship and bond is unique and unlike other legal firms.’

Key clients

SEEIT Asia Limited

Hydrogen & Fuel Cells Association of Singapore (HFCAS)

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA)

Voltas

Borneo Benar Sdn Bhd

LYS Energy Solutions Pte Ltd

FE Energy Efficiency Inv Pte Ltd

RCMA Group

ICOP Group

Energy Market Authority of Singapore

Energy Market Company

Work highlights

  • Advised the Building and Construction Authority and consulted with key industry stakeholders to develop the first Energy Performance Contract for Buildings.
  • Advised the energy regulator in the implementation of Singapore’s first utility-scale Energy Storage System.
  • Represented the ICOP Group, in Singapore High Court proceedings against a prominent listed construction and engineering company.