TSMP Law Corporation is especially well known for its work in finance, corporate and M&A and dispute resolution. The banking and finance group acts for financial institutions and corporate in high-value financing deals, spanning cross-border secured and syndicated lending, acquisition financing, debt restructuring, purchase of loans and refinancing. The same team also specialises in corporate real estate financing, particularly in land acquisition financing and land development financing. The capital markets team is sought after for equity and debt listings, reverse takeovers, foreign IPOs and secondary fundraisings, while the corporate M&A department runs a market-leading practice in public company takeovers.
The dispute resolution practice proudly states that it takes on difficult cases, ones that test, shape or advance the law. The disputes team covers the full gamut of litigation and arbitration, notably complex commercial and corporate litigation with a focus on boardroom, shareholder and investment disputes. There is additionally a growing practice specialising in the crypto-space, working with clients across the ecosystem from investors to exchanges.
The firm not only acts for various major corporations and financial institutions but also is frequently sought out by different regulatory bodies. Senior counsels Shen Yi Thio and Jeffrey Chan Wah Teck, corporate lawyer Stefanie Yuen Thio, construction specialists Melvin Chan and Derek Loh and labour expert Ian Lim are key figures at the firm. Jennifer Chia and June Ho are other names to note for banking and finance and M&A.
Work highlights
Advised an individual client pro bono in an appeal against parts of an order of the Employment Claims Tribunal (ECT). This was a landmark case that made law. This is only the second ECT appeal case in Singapore’s history. The matter involved statutory interpretation that had not been determined by the Singapore courts. The clarification and determination on the issue affects all future employees and employers when it comes to claims for overtime work performed. It also prevents employers from abusing the overtime work system presently in place, better protect vulnerable foreign workers and better regulate the overtime pay regime in Singapore.
Represented CCIC Singapore in claims against former employees who conspired to damage the company’s interests. This case stands to set a new precedent as it not only identifies breaches of employment agreement but calls out the defendants as conspirators.
Key clients
Accor, Bombardier, CD Travel, Citibank, DHL, EssilorLuxottica, IBM, KraftHeinz, Marsh & McLennan, Sabre, Samsonite, Seagate, Symrise
Work highlights
Acted for Asiana Airlines in its dispute with its catering agent over the applicability, validity and scope of the various arbitration agreements. This will be the first case since that of Anupam Mittal where the issue of arbitrability has come into play.
Represented the owners of 12 shop units in the Macpherson Mall against the mall’s developer, LVND Investments. This is a novel case in Singapore, which will hopefully shed light on whether common areas may be sold as private property.
Assisted a defendant in a dispute between Luckin Coffee and two of it Malaysian investors over its accounting statements.
Key clients
Citibank, Deloitte, DHL, Disney, Emerson, Facebook, GS E&C, Hyundai E&C, IBM, KPMG, Twitter, YTL PowerSeraya
Work highlights
Advised KPMG on claims of audit negligence during the restructuring of Hyflux.
Acting for AlmaStone Opportunities in the restructuring of Antanium Resources.
Engaged by the judicial managers in the liquidation of Nan Chiau Maritime.
Key clients
AFC Merchant Bank, Bank of America, DBS, OUE, Perennial Real Estate Holdings
Work highlights
Acted for Halcyon Agri Corporation on its potential mandatory general offer by China Rubber Investment Group.
Advised Stellar Asia Holdings II on its investment in Singapore Telecommunications’ regional data centre business.
Advised Axington on its reverse takeover of Serial System’s computer peripherals business.
Key clients
IFC, LOGOS Property, NTG Holdings, TE Capital Partners, utu, Worldwide Webb Acquisition Corporation
Work highlights
Acted for mm2 Asia on its one-for-two rights issue. The rights issue was half underwritten by two prominent Singapore tycoons, who undertook to subscribe to excess rights shares not taken up by otherwise entitled shareholders, subject to a cap. This underwriting structure is rarely seen outside of REITs equity financing in Singapore.
Represented Impact Investment Exchange in relation to its capacity as portfolio manager in the issuance of $88 million 7.25% Women's Livelihood Bond 6 due 2027 by a Mauritian issuer.
Key clients
Credit Suisse, DBS Bank, Morgan Stanley, UBS
Work highlights
Successfully represented Asiabuild Engineering as plaintiff in resisting an application to set aside an adjudication determination made against counterpart Soilbuild.
Acted for Architects 61 and an individual who are defendants in an MCST claim in relation to defects at the V on Shenton condominium in the Singapore central business district.
Key clients
GS Engineering & Construction, Hyundai E&C, Menard Geosystems, Soletanche Bachy, YTL Cement, YTL Power
Work highlights
Advised BDx Singapore as the purchaser of a high-tech industrial building that houses a datacentre.
Represented Ten SC as the purchaser in the purchase and financing of Serene Centre
Key clients
DBS, OCBC, Oxley, UOB
