Oon & Bazul, Singapore’s largest conflict-free law firm, is best known for its contentious practices, notably shipping, and restructuring and insolvency. Its corporate M&A practice has been making strong headway in the past few years and is enjoying growing market prominence for its visibility on domestic and cross-border transactions. On top of its traditional strength in shipping, the firm has been frequently engaged in sectors such as energy, oil and gas, manufacturing and fintech. On the shipping side, the firm is noted for its multi-jurisdictional expertise across the entire spectrum of general dry shipping, casualty and wet work, arrests and security-taking, ship finance, trade and marine insurance, and in the highly specialised area of mis-delivery claims, and it regularly acts for shipowners and bill of lading holders. The shipping practitioners also have substantial experience applying for and defending mandatory injunctions taken up by shipowners under letters of indemnity in both the Singapore and UK courts. This has led to substantial instructions in the wake of the collapse of Hin Leong Trading and Hontop Energy, and other oil trading entities.
Bazul Ashhab heads the firm alongside key partners: shipping-focused Thian Seng Oon, head of international arbitration Elan Krishna, head of shipping Prakaash Silvam, and insolvency head Keith Han.
Work highlights
Successfully represented a major jewellery wholesaler in the Singapore High Court, obtaining a recovery order for $23 million while successfully opposing a $42 million counterclaim from a US-based counterparty.
Acted for a Singapore-based energy company in a complex arbitration involving allegations of contamination against Straits Pinnacle, successfully navigating issues of jurisdiction and interim orders.
Work highlights
Represented a secured creditor of Hin Leong Trading in interpleader proceedings related to oil cargo valued at approximately $300 million, involving multiple parties and judicial managers.
