Halim Hong & Quek

Construction, Land & Real Estate, ESG & Regulatory Compliance

Partner

Ankit R. Sanghvi is a partner of Halim Hong & Quek and leads the Construction Practice Group.  He has over 15 years of experience in advising developers, contractors, investors and corporates in high value, complex and often contentious matters. He is trusted by clients for his ability to combine deep technical mastery of construction and land law with a commercially grounded, solutions driven approach.

Ankit is regularly engaged at critical stages of projects and disputes – where risk exposure, regulatory scrutiny and commercial outcomes intersect.  He provides strategic judgment, decisiveness and calm handling of pressure sensitive matters.  He acts as both lead advocate and as a long-term legal partner to clients navigating sophisticated construction, property and regulatory challenges.

Key Expertise Over 15 years’ experience in construction, land and real estate disputes across all levels of the Malaysian courts and arbitral forums. Has an MSc in Construction Law & Dispute Resolution (King’s College London) which has provided him with international and comparative perspectives. Certified adjudicator with the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC). Frequently engaged by developers and corporates facing parallel civil, regulatory and enforcement exposure. Provides commercially pragmatic advice that aligns legal strategy with project and business realities. Strong track record in urgent and high-risk applications, including injunctions and performance bond disputes. Work Highlights

Construction & Infrastructure

Acted as lead counsel for developers, main contractors and subcontractors in high-value construction disputes involving delays, extensions of time, liquidated and ascertained damages, variation claims, defective works, termination for default, and performance bond calls. Regularly conducts complex, document-heavy construction disputes spanning the full project lifecycle from procurement disputes, architect’s instructions to defect rectification regimes, certification disputes and final account claims. Represented parties in arbitrations, adjudications (CIPAA) and court proceedings arising from mixed-use developments, luxury hotels, serviced apartments, high-rise residential projects, commercial buildings and infrastructure works. Successfully obtained and resisted urgent interim relief, including Mareva, prohibitory and mandatory injunctions, to restrain performance bond calls, preserve retention monies, protect cashflow and prevent dissipation of assets. Advised and represented stakeholders in large-scale infrastructure and energy projects, including solar power developments, providing strategic advice on construction risk, regulatory exposure and dispute avoidance. Frequently engaged in high-pressure, time-sensitive matters where commercial leverage, project continuity and reputational risk are critical.

Land & Real Estate

Acted for property developers, landowners and investors in complex land and real estate disputes involving joint ventures, land development agreements, sale and purchase agreements and investment structures. Regularly represents clients in caveat removal proceedings, land related injunctions and urgent proprietary disputes under the National Land Code, safeguarding land rights and commercial interests. Successfully advised and represented developers in purchaser-initiated claims, defect disputes and statutory proceedings under housing legislation, including judicial review proceedings to quash tribunal awards. Experienced in disputes arising from adjoining land issues, construction impact claims and landowner grievances linked to development activities.

Regulatory & Compliance / Quasi Criminal

Advises and represents corporates, directors and senior management in investigations and prosecutions under the Environmental Quality Act, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, Anti Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, and capital markets legislation. Regularly engaged from the earliest stages of investigation by enforcement authorities, managing regulatory exposure, dawn raids, document production and interviews through to prosecution and trial. Provides robust, strategic defences in parallel civil, regulatory and quasi criminal proceedings, while preserving business continuity and managing reputational risk. Acts for construction and property sector clients facing regulatory exposure arising from project execution, environmental compliance, procurement practices and corporate governance issues.

English, Malay, Hindi

Advocate & Solicitor, High Court of Malaya Certified Adjudicator (AIAC) Member, ASEAN Law Association Member, The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn Malaysia Member, Society of Construction Law

Advocate and Solicitor, High Court of Malaya (2011) Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Aberystwyth University Wales (2009) Barrister-at-Law of England and Wales (Lincoln’s Inn, UK) (2010) Master of Science in Construction Law & Dispute Resolution, King’s College London (2021)