Azmi & Associates is pleased to announce the appointment of Rueben Mathiavaranam as Partner in the Litigation & Arbitration Practice Group, effective 3 September 2026.

The appointment further strengthens the Firm's dispute resolution capabilities and senior leadership, particularly in complex and high-value litigation, arbitration and commercial disputes.

Rueben brings 36 years of legal experience since his admission to the Malaysian Bar in 1990. He has held senior positions at several leading Malaysian law firms, established and led his own practice, and most recently served as a Senior Partner.

His practice covers commercial litigation, appellate advocacy, defamation, construction disputes, employment litigation, insolvency and arbitration.

Qualifications & Professional Admissions

LL.B (Hons), University of Kent at Canterbury, England (1987)

LL.M, University of Malaya (2002)

Barrister-at-Law, Lincoln’s Inn; admitted to the Bar of England & Wales (1989)

Advocate & Solicitor, High Court in Malaya (1990)

Barrister & Solicitor, Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory (1990)

Barrister & Solicitor, High Court of Australia (1990)

Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration (Dip. ICArb.), Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK (2013)

Certificate in Adjudication, Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) (2014)

Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb.)

Fellow, Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators (FMIArb.)

Rueben is also the co-author of the third edition of Evans on Defamation in Singapore and Malaysia and has contributed to the legal profession through teaching, professional committees and other roles. He is currently a Notary Public and has previously served as a Malaysian Bar Ethics Examiner, as well as on various Bar Council sub-committees and the Arbitral Committee of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK (Malaysia Branch).

Among his representative matters are:

Acted as counsel and co-counsel for World Sport Nimbus Pte Ltd (WSN) in proceedings to register a foreign arbitral award against Sri Lanka Cricket, from the High Court through to the Federal Court. The matter was eventually settled in favour of WSN.

Represented individuals and organisations in libel claims, including actress Sofia Jane Hisham, the charitable organisation behind Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang, and Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, former Deputy Minister and MCA CWC Member. He has also defended major media organisations, including New Straits Times, TV3, Utusan Melayu and Star Publications, in libel claims brought by various prominent individuals, including Lim Guan Eng, Tan Sri Adnan Yaakob and Dato’ Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.

Advised and assisted Star Publications, publisher of a leading English-language newspaper in Malaysia, in relation to its nationwide Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS).

In addition, Rueben has advised and acted in matters involving:

Commercial and Civil Litigation

Tort

Negligence

Bankruptcy

Winding-up

Arbitration

Defamation

Employment Law

Landlord and Tenant

Insurance

Debt Recovery

Construction

Commenting on the appointment, Dato’ Azmi Mohd Ali, Senior Partner of Azmi & Associates, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Rueben Mathiavaranam to Azmi & Associates. His extensive experience and technical expertise will significantly strengthen our Litigation & Arbitration Practice. We look forward to his contribution to our clients, our people and the continued development of the Firm.”

His extensive experience will also support the Firm’s talent development and succession efforts through mentoring, knowledge transfer and the development of younger lawyers.

Azmi & Associates warmly welcomes Rueben to the Partnership and looks forward to his contribution to the Firm’s continued growth and development, as well as its continued commitment to delivering high-quality, client-centric legal solutions.

Corporate Communications
Azmi & Associates
3 September 2026