Skrine > Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia > Firm Profile

Skrine > The Legal 500 Rankings

Malaysia > Antitrust and competition Tier 1

The competition practice at Skrine comprises of advising a wide range of clients within the pharmaceutical, shipping, and insurance industries, among others. Acting for reputable local and global companies, government-linked corporations, and trade associations, the team advise on cases often concerning block exemption applications, complaints and leniency applications, and cartel and abuse of dominance investigations. Notably, the department frequently works on dawn raids and competition audit matters. Praised as 'an excellent lawyer with impeccable industry knowledge and commercial savvy', Tan Shi Wen, who has demonstrable experience representing companies and industry groups at the Malaysian Competition Commission, jointly leads the team alongside To’ Puan Janet Looi.

Malaysia > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Skrine advises its roster of clients on the full scope of domestic and cross-border transactions, ranging from M&A and takeovers to corporate governance, regulatory and compliance matters, in addition to foreign investments and joint ventures. To’ Puan Janet Looi leads the team and has demonstrable experience in M&A and takeovers, joint ventures and corporate governance mandates, while 'exceptional' Fariz Abdul Aziz focuses on private equity transactions, as well as M&A arising out of the oil and gas, and renewable energy arenas. Sheba Gumis advises on foreign direct investments and Tan Wei Xian is a 'dedicated and hardworking' senior associate in the group.

Malaysia > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Skrine has a fine record in acting on multi-jurisdictional civil and commercial disputes, with their know-how also extending to intellectual property, construction, and banking litigation. Ivan Loo, who draws strengths from his experience in construction disputes, leads the team together with Koon Huan Lim, an expert in fraud and asset recovery matters. The department also houses Preetha Pillai, who has demonstrable experience in fraud and tax matters, Sharon Chong, who is particularly skilled in handling aviation disputes, and Khoo Guan Huat, a highly regarded litigator.

Malaysia > Intellectual property Tier 1

Skrine’s department offers advice on the full range of IP matters including the protection and management of IP rights portfolios, enforcement work, and acting on copyright and franchising disputes. Engaged by clients from a host of industries such as life sciences, telecoms, and financial services, the practice is co-led by Charmayne Ong, an expert in the registration of IP rights, and Khoo Guan Huat, a renowned IP litigator who has a niche specialism in technology-related patent matters. Kuek Pei Yee has a fine record in the field and is regularly appointed as lead counsel for complex IP disputes, while Teh Hong Koon has experience in advising clients on the acquisition and prosecution of international trademark portfolios.

Malaysia > Labour and employment Tier 1

Housing a team of practitioners with ‘impressive track records and impeccable legal skills’, Skrine acts for employers on the full scope of mandates, including investigations into breaches of employee confidentiality, disciplinary actions, reductions in workforce and general compliance issues. The team also advises clients on maintaining minimal exposure throughout disputes, in addition to handling civil actions and cases at the Federal Court, namely in relation to breaches of contract or restrictive covenant, and recovery of funds matters. Selvamalar Alagaratnam leads the practice and Foo Siew Li advises on contentious and non-contentious employment issues, while Siva Kumar Kanagasabai is noted for her expertise in shipping-related employment mandates.

Malaysia > TMT (including Fintech) Tier 1

Core to the TMT offering at Skrine is the negotiation and drafting of industry-specific contracts and licensing agreements, with the team offering expertise across a wide range of industries including healthcare, banking and media and entertainment. 5G mandates, the establishment of data centres for cloud computing services and the leasing of sub-sea and terrestrial fibres are additional areas of strength for the cohort. Practice head Charmayne Ong’s practice straddles IP and TMT; Ong frequently advises on complex regulatory compliance and licensing matters. Jilian Chia leverages her expertise in data protection and privacy issues to advise both local and multinational companies. Natalie Lim Yen Kuan is noted for her capabilities in mandates concerning satellite communications and traditional broadcasting, while Cheam Tat Sean further boosts the team’s TMT expertise.

Malaysia > Banking and finance Tier 2

The department at Skrine represents clients in a variety of financial matters, frequently working on cases concerning debt restructuring engagements, financing arrangements and the drafting of relevant documentation. Recent work includes the representation of local and international financial institutions in corporate rescue proceedings against public listed companies. With Claudia Cheah and Lim Koon Huan leading the team, the practice benefits from strong know-how in the banking and finance disputes arenas. Sharifah Shafika Alsagoff is experienced in Islamic finance matters and capital markets, while Lee Ai Hsian is recognised for her syndicated loan facilities and foreign exchange control regulations.

Malaysia > Projects and energy Tier 2

Projects and infrastructure specialist Richard Khoo Boo Hin, ‘well-known for his expertise and experience in the field’, and Fariz Abdul Aziz, who advises on oil and gas, and energy-related transactional work, jointly lead the ‘dedicated’ practice at Skrine. The team’s workload varies from advising key energy clients on M&A, financing and transactions, to acting for clients on the key elements of large-scale developments and due diligence aspects therein. Its client roster includes well-known national companies from sectors including aviation and construction. Senior associate Rachel Chiah is another key contact in the group.

Malaysia > Real estate and construction Tier 2

Skrine’s well-established practice is collectively led by Ivan Loo and Ashok Kumar Mahadev Ranai, who specialise in construction and infrastructure-related disputes, projects-focused Richard Khoo, and consultant Theresa Chong, who handles various project development matters. The firm has demonstrable expertise in handling large-scale property development projects, advising on agreements for rail infrastructure works, and helping clients navigate financial and regulatory concerns. Tatvaruban Subramaniam is a valuable member of the group and primarily focuses on construction and engineering disputes, as is Jesy Ooi, who frequently advises on the acquisition and disposal of properties.

Malaysia > Shipping Tier 2

The shipping cohort at Skrine has demonstrable experience representing clients in maritime disputes, involving issues including shipbuilding and failures to meet contract specifications therein, the pursuit of outstanding sums from ship mortgages, illegal port entries, and circumstances surrounding damage to or destruction of vessels. Practice co-head Siva Kumar Kanagasabai spearheads the contentious offering and handles a broad range of cases, from arrests of vessels, charterparty disputes and oil pollution claims to vessel detentions, collision claims and cargo claims, among others. Other key contacts in the team include Fariz Abdul Aziz and senior associate Dhanyaa Shreeya Sukumar, while Trishelea Sandosam departed to Wong & Partners in January 2023.

Malaysia > Tax Tier 2

Skrine’s tax department is led by Preetha Pillai, a ‘great lawyer and tactician’ who frequently handles tax disputes. The team is well-placed to advise on and represent clients in a full range of tax concerns, including sales and service tax, corporate matters, real property gains, and employment tax, in addition to stamp duty and customs duties. In addition, the practice aids its local and international roster of clients in navigating tax audits and investigations. Lim Koon Huan is a valuable member of the team and acts for exporters in anti-dumping and safeguard challenges, while Vijay Raj has acts for oil and gas company clients in disputing the imposition of rates.