Skrine > Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia > Firm Profile

Skrine > The Legal 500 Rankings

Malaysia > Antitrust and competition Tier 1

To’ Puan Janet Looi and Tan Shi Wen co-head the competition collective at Skrine. The team’s workload focuses in large part on advising and acting for various companies from a wide array of industry sectors, including such areas as insurance, aviation and shipping, on complex matters brought by the Malaysian Competition Commission. Such cases regularly include issues including cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, complaints and leniency applications, as well as block exemption applications. In addition, competition audits, dawn raids, the provision, training and assistance in the implementation of Malaysian competition law, all fall in the remit of the team’s regular work. Sharon Chong has a particular specialism in cross-border and competition disputes.

Malaysia > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Praised as ‘experts in M&A’, Skrine has demonstrable experience across the healthcare, financial institutions, insurance, energy, private equity and oil and gas sectors. The practice is led by To’ Puan Janet Looi, who advises on M&A, corporate governance, regulatory work, foreign direct investments and compliance matters, while Fariz Abdul Aziz leverages expertise in private equity transactions and counts HSBC, Ekuiti Nasional Berhad and BP among his key list of clients. Sheba Gumis focuses on foreign direct investment and associate Tan Wei Xian is another key member of the group.

Malaysia > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Skrine has demonstrable experience in cross-border commercial and civil disputes, in addition to IP litigation, construction cases and insolvency. Key areas of expertise include commercial fraud, aviation and oil and gas, with arbitration remaining a core strength of the practice. Ivan Loo, who advises on construction disputes, jointly leads the team alongside banking and finance expert Koon Huan Lim. Other key members of the practice include seasoned litigator Khoo Guan Huat, Preetha Pillai, who handles contentious fraud, stock broking and tax matters, and Sharon Chong, who ‘provides timely and practical advice’ in aviation disputes.

Malaysia > Intellectual property Tier 1

Charmayne Ong Poh Yin, noted for her ability to ‘see the bigger picture’ on complex IP cases, and specialist in Malaysian IP disputes, Khoo Guan Huat, co-lead the offering at Skrine. The team advises on the full range of IP matters; it provides assistance and advice on the protection and management of rights, in addition to its work concerning licensing and enforcing rights. The practice’s client list is formed of high-profile companies across an array of sectors, including technology and pharmaceutical companies. Standout work includes its action for Nokia in defence of its patent rights. Kuek Pei Yee has expertise in matters involving counterfeiting, whilst Teh Hong Koon has a growing specialism in international and cross-jurisdictional trademark enforcement work. Two internal partner promotions in 2021, including Joshua Teoh and Melissa Long, have bolstered the team.

Malaysia > Labour and employment Tier 1

Skrine’s team is led by employment and human resources specialist Selvamalar Alagaratnam. A large portion of its focus is on advisory work; it is well-equipped to advise its domestic client base, which spans a range of industry sectors, when they are faced with complex issues including investigations into breach of trust, breach of confidentiality, unethical conduct and mass reduction in workforce. In addition, the practice is able to handle contentious matters, Siva Kumar Kanagasabai’s area of expertise, and is praised for its ‘unique’ capabilities. The team has demonstrable experience before the High Court and Court of Appeal, acting on cases pertaining to retrenchment and termination of fixed-term contracts. Partner Foo Siew Li, who focuses on human resource advisory work, is another key member of the group

Malaysia > TMT (including Fintech) Tier 1

Skrine offers both advisory and contentious services to clients across numerous sectors, including energy, healthcare, banking and financial services, as well as media and entertainment. The team advises on telecoms issues, including 5G, OTT service offerings, establishment of data centres and leasing of subsea and terrestrial fibres, in addition to negotiating and drafting contracts, such as licensing agreements. Charmayne Ong leads the practice and has demonstrable experience working with regulators, public institutions and clients who provide technology and telecoms services. Other key members of the team include Jillian Chia, who focuses on privacy and data protection work, with the support of Natalie Lim Yen Kuan.

Malaysia > Banking and finance Tier 2

Skrine has close links to local and international lenders, and benefits from a steady pipeline of financings, refinancings and debt restructuring engagements. It also has a well-developed banking and finance disputes team. Claudia Cheah and Lim Koon Huan are experienced banking disputes specialists, while Lee Ai Hsian, who is highly rated by clients, is noted for her expertise in syndicated loans and term loan facilities. Wong Chee Lin is a leader in restructuring and insolvency. Former banking and finance department head Theresa Chong is now a consultant at the firm.

Malaysia > Projects and energy Tier 2

Skrine has an established energy practice, with demonstrable expertise in renewable energy projects, such as solar, waste to energy and geothermal, in addition to upstream and downstream oil and gas, petrochemicals and gas transmission matters. The team provides full-service capabilities, from concession, financing and land acquisition to project management and advisory services. Fariz Abdul Aziz, who focuses on transactional and corporate mandates in the oil and gas sectors, co-heads the practice alongside Richard Khoo Boo Hin, who specialises in construction and engineering matters.

Malaysia > Real estate and construction Tier 2

Ivan Loo and Ashok Kumar Mahadev Ranai, who specialise in construction-related disputes, lead the practice at Skrine alongside corporate construction expert Richard Khoo and consultant Theresa Chong. The team is well-versed in large-scale property development projects, whilst also advising on multi-claimant disputes involving novel issues, such as a building’s safety for occupancy. Key work highlights include representing Malaysia Airports (Sepang) in a construction case concerning allegations of negligence and breach of contract. Senior associate Tatvaruban Subramaniam is another key member of the team.

Malaysia > Shipping Tier 2

Skrine’s maritime and shipping team is co-led by head of the contentious team Siva Kumar Kanagasabai, who has experience in ship arrests, charter party disputes, detentions and oil pollution claims, and head of the non-contentious group Fariz Abdul Aziz. Noted for its full-service capability, the practice’s maritime workload involves high-value matters, advising on such areas as the creation, validity and enforcement of securities against cargo and vessels, possessory liens, as well as the insolvency of shipping and oil entities. Trishelea Sandosam stand outs for her expertise in international arbitration, as highlighted by her work on the team’s case advising ICON on a shipbuilding dispute at the High Court.

Malaysia > Tax Tier 2

Skrine’s tax team is led by Preetha Pillai and is well-equipped to handle litigious cases relating to the full spectrum of tax matters, including corporate, real property, employment and anti-dumping. In addition, the team supports its roster of clients in navigating complex tax audits and investigations. A work highlight includes the cross-jurisdictional civil matter brought against multiple Malaysian entities by the Danish government in respect of a significant tax fraud. Vijay Raj has demonstrable experience acting for oil and gas company clients, and has done so in cases involving the imposition of rates by local governments on pipelines and refineries.

Malaysia > Islamic finance Tier 3

Skrine has built its presence in Islamic finance in recent years, now acting on a range of engagements such as Sukuk issuances under medium-term note programmes, reviewing template documents and assessing the enforceability of documents under Islamic principles. Sharifah Shafika Alsagoff and Hafidah Aman Hashim have experience in Islamic finance, while Claudia Cheah provides further expertise in Islamic finance disputes.