Meritus Law is a dynamic law firm specialising in complex dispute resolution, restructuring and regulatory matters across multiple industry sectors. The firm's distinction is in its ability to handle high-stakes, cross-jurisdictional commercial disputes involving significant financial interests. Its portfolio includes acting for clients in disputes ranging from technology startup conflicts to family business disagreements, and from commodity trading issues to corporate governance challenges.
The firm has shown particular expertise in several key areas: technology sector disputes, corporate governance challenges, cross-border commercial litigation, and restructuring and insolvency matters. They have successfully handled cases involving unicorn startups, listed companies, and family-owned businesses, often resolving complex legal issues that involve intricate financial and corporate dynamics.
The firm’s clients consist of local and international corporations, state-owned enterprises and high-net-worth individuals. The lawyers are experienced in a wide spectrum of contentious matters before the Singapore courts, as well as arbitration proceedings before the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. The firm frequently receives briefs from international law firms and picks up conflict work from larger domestic players. Managing director Alfred Lim spearheads the leadership that includes disputes-focused directors Jaime Lye and Ushan Premaratne, and corporate specialist Amos Tan.
Work highlights
Acted for a domestic auto company in a cross-jurisdictional dispute involving the purchase of a Ferrari, addressing challenges with an agent in Scotland and working to recover payments and potential loss of profit from a complicated international vehicle transaction.
Represented creditors in legal proceedings against Envy Global Trading and its founder, involving claims related to an alleged investment scheme that potentially defrauded investors of approximately S$1 billion ($780 million).
Advised the co-founder of a Singapore-based fashion e-commerce platform in investigations into fraud and breach of fiduciary duties of the other co-founder, and the subsequent sale of the company to new investors.
Work highlights
Represented an individual creditor in the USP Group judicial management case to challenge the judicial managers' conduct during a creditors' meeting, successfully obtaining court relief that discounted votes from related parties and invalidated a key resolution involving a proposed investor's restructuring plan.
Defended a domestic investment company against a loan repayment claim, raising interesting legal questions about loan agreement interpretation, potential penalty clauses, and estoppel principles in financial disputes.
Acted for an individual in a groundbreaking judicial management case, which is the first instance where a court discounted votes in a creditors' meeting and provided relief under the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act, setting potentially significant precedents for creditor protection.
Work highlights
Represented a local building contractor against charges under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, successfully persuading prosecutors to modify the original charge by demonstrating the company's limited control over subcontractor employees and providing sufficient safety information.
Defending a Singaporean design and construction company and its director from complex workplace safety charges arising from a fatal construction accident, challenging the legal principles of employer liability and exploring statutory defences in a case involving a collapsed balcony and multiple professional misconduct investigations.
