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Singapore
5

International arbitration

Helmsman LLC

More information
Counting multinational corporations, state-owned enterprises and high-net-worth individuals in its client roster, Helmsman LLC is well-equipped to act on both domestic and international disputes across Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. Spearheaded by the ‘very intelligent, knowledgeable and capable partner’ Una Khng is highly experienced in disputes arising out of complex financing structures, joint venture and shareholder disputes, breaches of trusts,  fraud and misrepresentation. Chen Zhida is a go-to for shipping cases. Basil Lee joined the firm in August 2024, bringing strong expertise in intellectual property law.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Small and nimble firm with good expertise in Singapore law and a very strong team overall.'

  • ‘Una Khng is a very intelligent, knowledgeable and capable partner.'

  • 'Helmsman stands out for its broad capabilities in commercial disputes (led by Una Khng). The team regularly handles cross-border matters and advises a diverse range of clients. Further, Helmsman takes the time to understand its clients' objectives and constraints, which allows them to deliver clear, strategic and commercially practical advice across the different stages of dispute resolution.'

  • 'Una Khng distinguishes herself through her direct problem-solving approach to commercial disputes, skilfully tackling complex, multi-jurisdictional matters with a clear, direct communication style. Her ability to quickly grasp intricate legal and financial issues, paired with her talent for collaborating seamlessly with experts, ensures practical, effective outcomes for clients. I deeply value Una’s personable nature, which makes her approachable and relatable to everyone, from clients to appointed experts, fostering trust and strong relationships.'

Work highlights

Acted for a major steel manufacturer in resolving a long-running, multi-jurisdictional dispute over a Malaysian steel plant, which began with arbitration in 2016 with two awards in 2019, followed by challenges and enforcement proceedings across five jurisdictions, ultimately culminating in a complex €35 million settlement involving cross-border asset transfers and commercial terms.
Acted for the Claimant in a high-value ICC arbitration over repudiated steel slab sale contracts, raising complex issues relating to international sale of goods, which concluded with a full settlement offer from the Respondent during the evidentiary hearing.

Practice head

Una Khng

Other key lawyers

Chen Zhida; Basil Lee