WongPartnership LLP

Commercial & Corporate Disputes.

Partner - Commercial & Corporate Disputes Practice.

Monica has an active court and international arbitration practice, with a focus on complex, high-value and cross-border disputes across a range of sectors, including energy, financial services, business consultancy, trade and investment matters. She routinely acts (including as lead counsel) in court and arbitral proceedings conducted under a variety of arbitral rules, including SIAC, ICC, UNCITRAL and ICSID.

Matters of significance in which Monica has been involved in include the following:

Successfully defending the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG) in ICSID proceedings commenced by a Singapore investor alleging expropriation of assets relating to the Ok Tedi Mine in the Western Province of PNG. Acting for foreign investors against the Government of the Laos PDR in Singapore Court proceedings, including successfully defending the PCA Tribunal's positive jurisdictional ruling premised on the extension of a PRC BIT to Macau S.A.R. following Macau S.A.R.'s 1999 handover to the PRC. Acting as lead counsel for a Canadian management, engineering and development consultancy in ICC proceedings arising out of a joint venture dispute involving claims and counterclaims in excess of US$250 million. Successfully securing, on behalf of the liquidator of a South East Asian steel manufacturer, the rare setting-aside (on natural justice grounds) of a portion of an SIAC award in excess of US$80 million before the Singapore Court of Appeal. Acting for 209 members of the Sijori Resort Club Sentosa in a representative action arising out of alleged infringements of the club members' rights, including successfully obtaining the Court of Appeal's permission for the representative action to proceed in a landmark decision on guidelines for representative actions in Singapore. Acting for a Seychelles company in a funding dispute arising from the acquisition of a Belgian preserved food business, including securing as lead counsel summary judgment in excess of US$1 million.

Awards & Accolades:

In 2020, Monica was recognised as one out of just five Singapore lawyers to have made the 40 under 40 list, an annual listing of outstanding legal professionals by Asian Legal Business.

She is described by clients as "one of the best Singapore lawyers that we have worked with. She is super sharp, calm and always goes straight to the point. She is a pleasure to work with as she also provides solutions to difficult questions with a cultural touch" Benchmark Litigation 2021; "an expert in examining and cross-examining foreign law experts" with "the ability to quickly understand legal concepts" Who’s Who Legal – Commercial Litigation 2021 (Future Leaders); "client-friendly" and "a strong advocate who is excellent on her feet and a joy to work with" The Legal 500 – Asia-Pacific Guide 2022 (International Arbitration), and is listed as a National Leader in the Who’s Who Legal (Southeast Asia) – Commercial Litigation 2022 guide and Rising Star in asialaw's 2022 guide.

Publications & Legal Updates:

CaseWatch - Singapore Court of Appeal Partially Sets Aside Arbitral Awards and Provides Key Observations on Important Costs and Consequential Issues  Delos-Y - Making Memorials Memorable: Essential Tips for Junior Associates   Enforcement of Arbitral Awards in Singapore - Pitfalls and Strategies The Law Reviews - Objections of Manifest Lack of Legal Merit of Claims: ICSID Arbitration Rule 41(5) (chapter in The Investment Treaty Arbitration, 7th Ed) The Law Watch - Singapore Appellate Division signals that monetary contributions towards payment of Stamp Duty for purchase of property should be factored into determining beneficial shares under Resulting Trust analysis (June 2022 Law Watch article)

English

A accredited Associate Mediator at the Singapore Mediation Centre;  Executive Committee of the Asia-Pacific Forum for International Arbitration (AFIA); Co-Chair at AFIA Committee;  Deputy Subject Coordinator for the Civil Litigation Practice programme for the Singapore Bar Examinations since 2018.

National University of Singapore (LL.B., Hons.)