Stephenson Harwood LLP > Singapore, Singapore > Firm Profile

Stephenson Harwood LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Singapore > Asset finance: foreign firms Tier 1

Well-regarded for its ability to find ‘pragmatic solutions to difficult matters and achieving results that work for all parties’, the team at Stephenson Harwood LLP specialises in structured and aviation finance as well as shipping and offshore finance. Counting major financial institutions, banks, lessors, and lessees among its key roster of clients, the team’s expertise covers both contentious and non-contentious issues, with extensive experience in handling restructurings and refinancing, as well as lease transactions, sales, purchases, and portfolio management within the aviation sector. Co-head Gregg Johnston is involved in loan portfolio transfers related to international bank mergers and group reorganisations. Fellow co-head Saugata Mukherjee stands out for his expertise in derivatives and structured products. Huay Yee Kwan continues to assist on high-profile matters, focusing on PRC leasing, and Pedram Norton advises on all aspects of ship finance, workouts, debt structuring and financing. Other notable individuals include: Jeffrey Tanner, who is noted for his strong sector focus on maritime and offshore energy; Gregory Xu, who is recommended for his experience advising on complex financing; and Clement Leung, who regularly advises on the hedging aspects of aviation finance transactions.

Singapore > Private wealth and family law – Foreign firms Tier 1

Stephenson Harwood LLP has a well established private wealth practice in Singapore that works closely with other offices in the network, particularly London and Hong Kong. Centred on team leader Suzanne Johnston, the department has made an impression in succession and estate planning, UK tax advice and trusts. The team now represents a range of high net-worth individuals and families from around Asia Pacific, including those based in Singapore, Hong Kong, mainland China, Indonesia and India. Yi Lee is also rated by clients.

Singapore > Shipping: foreign firms Tier 1

‘A truly full service firm for shipping clients’, Stephenson Harwood LLP showcases unrivalled experience in the gamut of contentious and non-contentious mandates, encompassing advisory and risk mitigation issues, cross-border shipping and offshore financings, ship sale and purchases, chartering arrangements, corporate matters, restructurings and high-stakes disputes. Key clients range from shipping and offshore companies, energy service companies, and oil and gas businesses to shipyards, insurers, sponsors, lenders, and private equity providers. An expert in international ship and offshore finance mandates, Gregg Johnston jointly leads the practice alongside Michelle Yong, who maintains a track record in high-profile restructurings, insolvencies and enforcements. Huay Yee Kwan stands out for her expertise in PRC leasing and Gregory Xu advises on financing transactions, while Jeffrey Tanner ‘is an exceptional young partner who demonstrates a keen commercial awareness’. Other key contacts in the group include Pedram Norton and Justin Gan. John Simpson left in April 2024.

Singapore > Restructuring and insolvency: foreign firms Tier 2

The team at Stephenson Harwood LLP is well-versed in debt restructuring and refinancing, debt for equity swaps, judicial management, and insolvencies, standing out for its expertise in the transportation and offshore sector. The team is spearheaded by Gregg Johnston, who specialises in shipping and offshore financing, including secured and unsecured lending, syndicated and bilateral loans, limited recourse, sale and leaseback structures, and tax-driven structured financings. Elsewhere in the team, Huay Yee Kwan stands out for her focus on PRC matters, while Michelle Yong continues to work on high-profile and complex shipping, oil & gas and international trade disputes.

Singapore > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms Tier 3

Commended for ‘the quality of service and responsiveness, all delivered with humility and efficiency’, Stephenson Harwood LLP advises on private equity and venture capital investments across South and Southeast Asia. The team is also well-placed to collaborate with its Formal Law Alliance partner Virtus Law LLP, advising on the domestic and international aspects of transactions across the healthcare, technology and telecoms, maritime and energy sectors. Tom Platts leads the team and handles M&A, joint ventures and corporate restructurings, while Jonathan Goacher is noted for his expertise in regulated industries.

Singapore > International arbitration Tier 3

Stephenson Harwood LLP regularly advises on matters within the maritime, construction, and energy sectors. The team’s collective experience spans across numerous major arbitral institution rules such as the SCMA, ICC, UNCITRAL, and SIAC. The practice is co-headed by Chris Bailey, Michelle Yong, and Daryll Ng. Bailey focuses on complex cross-border commercial disputes. Both Ng and Yong are recommended for arbitrations related to shipping. Rebecca Crookenden is also noted for her experience advising on international trade cases. John Simpson departed the firm in April 2024, and Chris Bailey left the firm in January 2025.

Singapore > Banking and finance: foreign firms Tier 4

Stephenson Harwood LLP’s Singapore team is primarily focused on shipping and offshore finance, aviation finance, and restructuring and insolvency, though its extensive team brings in wider swathe of banking and finance engagements. It has made a further mark in ESG and sustainability-linked financings. Gregory Xu is an experienced and versatile practitioner that covers both asset finance and general lending; he led the team that advised MUFG Bank, through its Tokyo branch, on its initial loan to State Bank of India.

Singapore > Projects: foreign firms Tier 4

Stephenson Harwood LLP’s project team provides project support across different project stages, including strategy and planning, procurement and bidding, project financing, and construction. Gregg Johnston is recognised for his expertise in international shipping and offshore finance mandates. Gregory Xu specialises in financing that requires structuring/re-structuring in the maritime industry, while Chris Bailey focuses all forms of alternative dispute resolution, representing clients in a wide variety of disputes across the energy, resource, transport, and infrastructure sectors.

Philippines > Foreign firms Tier 3

With a broad client base that includes banks, financial institutions, and private equity funds, Stephenson Harwood LLP has a strong track record within the Philippine market for handling foreign investment and asset financing, particularly in the aviation sector. Jointly leading the practice is Tom Platts who advises international businesses on market entry and M&A, Saugata Mukherjee who is experienced in handling capital markets transactions, and Gregory Xu who is well-regarded for advising financial institutions on corporate finance matters.

Vietnam > Foreign desks Tier 3

Having recently acquired Jonathan Goacher from Hill Dickinson LLP, the growing practice at Stephenson Harwood LLP is noted for its expertise across the aviation, consumer goods, and energy and natural resources sectors. Leading the practice is Tom Platts, who advises on cross-border M&A and capital markets transactions, while Saugata Mukherjee acts for banks, lessors, and funds on lending structures and portfolio acquisitions. Also leading the practice, Simon Wong specialises in aircraft financing, leasing, and trading, and Gregory Xu has experience in handling banking and finance mandates, including documentation, restructuring, and enforcement of transactions.

South Korea > Shipping: foreign firms

Stephenson Harwood has a distinguished track record in representing Korean global corporations, international banks, insurance companies, and shipbuilding and trading firms in onshore and offshore disputes. Michael Kim co-heads the team and brings extensive experience in shipping, ship finance, and commercial litigation as well as expertise in ADR, advising on charter parties, shipbuilding, and offshore construction contracts. Stuart Burrell specialises in high-value dispute resolution and international arbitration while Stuart Beadnall is a leading expert in shipping and energy, focusing on contract negotiations in offshore oil, gas and shipbuilding. Newly promoted partner Matthew Seah acts for both financiers and shipowners on a broad range of projects, including syndicated and bilateral financings, ECA-backed financings and sustainability-linked loans.

India > Foreign firms

Kamal Shah operates at the forefront of the ‘solution oriented’ Stephenson Harwood team, which acts for an array of clients, from banks and global corporations to entrepreneurs and wealthy families in contentious and non-contentious settings. Shah specialises in international arbitration and commercial litigation and is geared to handle multijurisdictional mandates, while Diwakar Agarwal is adept at handling the full gamut of corporate and commercial issues. ‘Diligent’ Gregory Xu’s strengths in banking and project finance further bolster the team’s capabilities.

Indonesia > Foreign firms

Stephenson Harwood LLP has a strength in asset financing, especially relating to Indonesian aviation and shipping sectors. The team advises clients such as financial institutions, offshore companies, airlines, and sponsors. Further to this, the team also regularly acts for private equity and private credit funds on acquisitions and restructurings. The practice is co-headed by Saugata Mukherjee, Gregory Xu, and Tom Platts.