Recent News

Covid-19: How has this impacted Singapore as a dispute resolution forum?

21.05.2020 | Dispute resolution
By Kimarie Cheang and Adrian Koh

The outbreak of Covid-19 has had a significant impact on how parties are able to commence and continue the conduct of dispute resolution proceedings, especially at the transnational level.

The challenges faced by all involved in litigation and arbitration are unprecedented. Legal practitioners, in-house counsel, arbitrators and judges alike are no longer able to rely on traditional procedural and administrative practices. Social distancing measures have resulted in court closures globally (save for urgent matters). Telecommuting has become a way of life. We have witnessed the inevitable increase in use of virtual platforms to support remote court and arbitration hearings. Electronic exchange and service of documents have become the new normal.

We consider in this article the main draws for litigants, and how Singapore continues to attract litigants in the region and globally, amidst the outbreak of Covid-19.

Please click here  to read the rest of the article.

 

Litigation specialist Loh Wai Yue appointed as new Joint Managing Director of Incisive Law LLC

8 April 2020 – Incisive Law is pleased to announce the appointment of litigation specialist Loh Wai Yue as the new Joint Managing Director with immediate effect. Wai Yue will serve alongside current Joint Managing Directors Bill Ricquier, who has led the firm since its inception, and Edgar Chin whose appointment was in 2016.

Wai Yue has two decades of experience advising on all types of commercial disputes including the trading of oil and gas, dry bulk cargoes, and wet and dry shipping matters across Asia.

He has been consistently ranked in distinguished legal directories such as Chambers and Legal 500 and is well-known in the legal industry for his role in representing various international clients (including Chinese enterprises) in both ad hoc and institutional arbitrations across multiple jurisdictions.

Wai Yue concurrently holds the title of Chief Representative of Ince’s Beijing office and Head of China Practice in Singapore, where he plays a strategic role in leading the firm’s offering in servicing Chinese enterprises internationally. He has also led on projects where international clients have interests or disputes in China or with Chinese entities.

In addition to working in Ince’s offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing over the course of his career, he is also qualified to practise Singapore, Hong Kong and English law. This makes him one of the few triple qualified Singaporean lawyers in Asia, with knowledge of and experience across a number of legal systems, and with a firm understanding of clients’ commercial needs across the region.

Earlier in the year, Wai Yue joined the ranks of a select group of senior practitioners at the Singapore bar as a Senior Accredited Specialist in maritime and shipping law. The accreditation is awarded by the Singapore Academy of Law in recognition of those with extensive expertise in this area of practice.

Commenting on the appointment, Adrian Biles, Chief Executive of The Ince Group said:

“Wai Yue brings with him a huge amount of maritime knowledge, as well as the ability to practice across multiple jurisdictions. He will enable us to offer an even greater level service and understanding to our clients, while we continue to work on some of the most technical and pressing cases in the region.”

Bill Ricquier said:

“We are proud to welcome Wai Yue to the leadership ranks of the firm in Singapore. He is a very experienced maritime lawyer, who has the right vigour and ability to inspire as well as lead the firm in continuing to provide the highest level of advice to our clients.”

Commenting on his appointment, Loh Wai Yue said:

“I am grateful for this opportunity and am excited to work closely with the current directors in growing the firm and levels of service we offer our clients. The firm’s commitment to clients and staff is unwavering and continues to strengthen as the firm grows. I look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with everyone in the firm as well as our global network.“

 

Singapore’s ‘Circuit Breaker’ measures – Office closure and working from home 

Following recent developments in relation to COVID-19 and the government’s announcement on ‘circuit breaker’ measures, our office premise will be closed from 7 April until further notice

During this period, our lawyers and staff will be working from home and shall remain contactable via email and telephone/mobile. We are equipped with the right technology and secure IT infrastructure to work, correspond and meet virtually. We will continue to be accessible and aim to respond to queries effectively.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Joint Managing Director, Bill Ricquier at bill.ricquier@incisivelaw.com or your usual contact at the firm.

Our alliance firm Ince also has a dedicated COVID-19 helpdesk in place which can be reached through coronavirus@incegd.com.

As your trusted advisers, we remain dedicated to support you during this crisis. Get in touch with us if you need support or want to have a conversation about how COVID-19 might impact your business or you personally.

 

Edgar Chin and Loh Wai Yue Honoured as Senior Accredited Specialists by the Singapore Academy of Law

We are pleased to announce that Joint Managing Director, Edgar Chin and Director, Loh Wai Yue have been recognised as Senior Accredited Specialists, by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL), for their expertise in maritime and shipping law.

Accreditation from the SAL is awarded to individuals who, over the course of their career, have contributed to the well-being of the industry and legal community in a profound and substantial way. The purpose of the scheme is to recognise legal practitioners with high levels of proficiency in their chosen practice area. Both senior lawyers were selected after a stringent selection process, which requires the relevant candidate to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the relevant area of specialisation, before an independent selection panel comprising of luminaries in the legal profession including judges of the Supreme Court, makes their decision. 

Edgar Chin is Joint Managing Director of Incisive Law and head of the firm’s disputes team. Edgar has extensive and in-depth experience in shipping and admiralty legislation, international trade, insurance and commercial sectors, with a strong focus on contentious legal matters.

Loh Wai Yue is a Director at Incisive Law, Chief of Ince’s Beijing office and also heads the China desk in Singapore. A litigator with expertise across all types of commercial disputes including the trading of oil & gas, dry bulk cargoes and wet and dry shipping, Wai Yue has constantly been ranked as a leading lawyer in numerous legal directories, such as Chambers and Legal 500.

The recent recognition by the SAL for both Edgar and Wai Yue symbolises our level of commitment to provide service of the highest standards to clients across all markets.

 

Boaz Chan Promoted to Director of Incisive Law

We are pleased to announce the promotion of Boaz Chan from Associate Director to Director with effect from 1 December 2019.

Qualified in both Singapore and England, Boaz is a maritime and shipping law specialist who handles both contentious and non-contentious shipping matters. He is also a litigator who regularly represent clients in disputes before the Singapore courts and in arbitration under the auspices of SIAC, SCMA and LMAA.

Boaz’s recent promotion is significant to the team and further illustrates the firm’s continued commitment in servicing our clients in Singapore and the region.

To know more about Boaz, please click here.

 

Loh Wai Yue Appointed As Director of Incisive Law 

Litigator and specialist in commodities and shipping, Loh Wai Yue, has been appointed Director of Incisive Law with effect from 21 August 2019.

Triple qualified in Singapore, England & Wales and Hong Kong, Wai Yue brings with him over a decade of experience in handling disputes both in court and before arbitral tribunals in Singapore, London and Hong Kong. Wai Yue is also part of the Admiralty team in Asia and remains actively involved in investigation and handling of maritime casualties and claims.

Ranked as a leading lawyer in various legal directories, Wai Yue practised at the Singapore bar before his stint overseas, and prior to his appointment in Singapore, served as the Chief Representative of Ince’s Beijing office for the last 7 years. He continues to head the Beijing office and enjoys a formidable reputation with private and Chinese state-owned enterprises operating in the shipping, international trade, offshore and insurance sectors.

Wai Yue’s recent appointment is a significant addition to the Incisive team and will help to further strengthen the firm’s services for clients in Singapore and the region. Wai Yue serves concurrently as head of Ince Singapore’s China Practice.

To know more about Wai Yue, please click here.