Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP

Co-Head, Private Client

Chandra has been a partner with Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP for more than 20 years with an active practice in commercial litigation and arbitration. He is the key contact with regards to Middle East disputes and is the Co-Head of the Private Client practice group.

Chandra is recognised as one of the best lawyers in Singapore in the areas of litigation and trust & estates by his peers in the 11th Edition of The Best Lawyers in Singapore.

Chandra has been appointed by the President as a Justice of the Peace (JP) for a term of 5 years with effect from 1 September 2020 for his significant contributions to social services and the community at large in Singapore.

He remains very active as a Council Member in the Northwest Community Development Council (NWCDC). He was appointed as the Chairman of the SkillsFuture Standing Committee since September 2017 and has been the Chairman of the Organising Committee for Club 100 @ NWCDC annual dinner (which raises funds for the NWCDC Food Aid Fund for needy residents) from 2010 to date. Chandra also chairs the Rajah & Tann Foundation since its inception in 2011.

In recognition of his commendable contribution towards community services in Singapore, Chandra was presented with Bintang Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Star) (BBM) and the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Medal) (PBM) at the 2015 and 2011 National Day Awards respectively.

Alongside his active practice, Chandra has been appointed as one of the Chairmen of the Citizenship Committee of Inquiry by the Minister for Home Affairs since June 2018. He is also a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators and the UK Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He was also a member of SINDA Executive Committee from 2017 to 2021.

To-date, Chandra is active in his alma mater where he previously served on the ACS Board of Governors from 1996 to 2015 and currently sits on the Anglo-Chinese School (International) Board of Management.

Experience

Chandra has extensive experience in various types of international arbitration and commercial litigation work with special emphasis on professional negligence claims involving accountants, auditors and lawyers. He has extensive experience in shareholders’ and partnership disputes and minority oppression claims. He handles employment disputes as well as property disputes. He acts for clients in a number of cross-border arbitration proceedings and also handles family matters including divorce proceedings, probate and trusts.

Reported Cases

Probate & Trusts

Cheo Yeoh & Associates LLC and anor v AEL and others [2015] SGCA 29 AEL & others v Cheo Yeoh & Associates LLC & another [2014] SGHC 129 Lee Chang-Rung and others v Leonard Loo LLP and another [2012] SGHC 174

Divorce Proceedings

Wong Kok Yee v Ng Ming San [2008] SGHC 8 Wong Ser Wan v Ng Cheong Ling [2002] SGDC 93 Teo Guan Seng v Tian Ah Poon in OS No. 1493/2004/W

Professional Negligence

Anil Singh Gurm v J S Yeh & Co and anor [2020] SGHC 151 Anil Singh Gurm v J S Yeh & Co and anor [2020] SGCA 05 Anil Singh v J S Yeh & Co and anor [2018] SGHC 221 Streetsine Singapore Pte Ltd v Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers & 21 others [2019] SGHCR 1 Streetsine Singapore Pte Ltd v Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers & 21 others [2018] SGHCR 18 The Law Society of Singapore v Wong Sin Yee [2018] 5 SLR 1261 The Law Society of Singapore v Wong Sin Yee [2017] SGDT 13 Law Society of Singapore v Chong Wai Yen Michael and others [2012] SGHC 9 Ong Jane Rebecca v PricewaterhouseCoopers and others [2012] SGHC 106 Ong Jane Rebecca v PricewaterhouseCoopers and others [2011] SGHC 203 Ong Jane Rebecca v PricewaterhouseCoopers and others [2011] SGHC 146 Frantonios Marine Services Pte Ltd & anor v Kay Swee Tuan practising as ST Kay & Co [2008] SGHC 91 Ong Jane Rebecca v PricewaterhouseCoopers and others [2009] SGHC 29 Vita Life Sciences Limited & Anor v Arthur Andersen & Anor [2008] SGHC 85 JSI Shipping (S) Pte Ltd v Messrs TeoFoongWongLCLoong (a firm) [2007] SGCA 40 JSI Shipping (S) Pte Ltd v Messrs TeoFoongWongLCLoong (a firm) [2007] 2 SLR 447 ; [2006] SGHC 223 Ong Jane Rebecca v Lim Lie Hoa [2002] SGHC 254

Property Dispute

Autoacc Trading Pte Ltd v Collector of Land Revenue [2003] SGAB 3 Christina Au Mei Yin & Goh Bak Heng v Adela Lo Sook Ling [2001] SGHC 314 Grace Development Pte Ltd & Anor v Kassim Syed Ali and other actions [1998] 1 SLR 730 Kassim Syed Ali & Ors v Grace Development Pte Ltd & Anor [1998] 2 SLR 393 Group Exklusiv Pte Ltd v Diethelm Singapore Pte Ltd [2003] 4 SLR 582; [2003] SGHC 247 Kwee Seng Chio Peter v Biogenics Sdn Bhd [2003] 2 SLR 482; [2002] SGHC 298 Koh Ewe Chee v Koh Hua Leong & Anor [2002] 3 SLR 643; 2003] SGHC 24 Koh Ewe Chee v Koh Hua Leong & Anor [2002] SGHC 100 Biogenics Sdn Bhd v Group Exklusiv Pte Ltd [2002] CA Koh Tat Wan (Pte) Ltd v Collector of Land Revenuen in AB 2001.047

Minority Shareholders’ Disputes

Kathryn Ma Wai Fong v Trillion Investment Pte Ltd & 2 ors [2020] SGHC 79 Ma Wai Fong Kathryn v Trillion Investment Pte Ltd and other matters [2018] SGHC 88 Ho Yew Kong v Sakae Holdings Ltd and other appeals and other matters [2018] 2 SLR 333; [2018] SGCA 33 Sakae Holdings Ltd v Gryphon Real Estate Investment Corp Pte Ltd and others (Foo Peow Yong Douglas, third party) and another suit [2017] SGHC 100 Sakae Holdings Ltd v Gryphon Real Estate Investment Corp Pte Ltd and others (Foo Peow Yong Douglas, third party) and another suit [2017] SGHC 73 Petroships Investment Pte Ltd v Wealthplus Pte Ltd (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) [2017] SGHC 122 (CWU No. 119/2016) Petroships Investment Pte Ltd v Wealthplus Pte Ltd and others and another matter [2016] SGCA 17 Petroships Investment Pte Ltd v Wealthplus Pte Ltd and others [2015] SGHC 145 PT Makindo (formerly known as PT Makindo TBK) v Aperchance Co Ltd and 2 others [2011] SGCA 19 PT Makindo (formerly known as PT Makindo TBK) v Aperchance Co Ltd and 2 others [2010] SGHC 221 Low Tuck Kwong v Sia Sukamto [2010] SGHC 159 Low Tuck Kwong v Sia Sukamto [2009] SGHC 147 David H Wong v Timothy Seow Group Architects Pte Ltd (In Liquidation) & Timothy Seow [2007] 3 SLR (R) 698; [2007] SGHC 110 Jeffrey Henry Yap v Timothy Seow & 4 others [2006] SGHC 6

Others

The Republic of the Philippines v Maler Foundation and others and other appeals [2013] SGCA 66 WestLB AG v Philippine National Bank & 9 others [2012] SGHC 162 Max Media FZ LLC v Nimbus Media Pte Ltd [2010] SGHC 30 Holcim (Singapore) Pte Ltd v Kwan Yong Construction Pte Ltd [2008] SGHC 231; [2009] 2 SLR 193 Alliance Management S.A. v Lane P Pendleton n another [2008] SGHC 76 Republic of the Philippines v Maler Foundation and others [2008] SGCA 14 Republic of the Philippines v Maler Foundation and others [2008] SLR(R) 857 Alliance Management S.A. v Lane P Pendleton n another [2007] 4 SLR 343; SGHC 133 The Government of the Republic of the Philippines v Philippine International Air Terminals Co., Inc [2007] 1 SLR (R) 278 ; [2006] SGHC 206 A Kanesananthan v Singapore Ceylon Tamils’ Association [2003] 3 SLR 539; [2003] SGHC 93 Teo Soy Kin vs UOB & anor, Chu Chee Kuen & anor vs UOB & anor & Koh Kam Hah & anor vs UOB & anor (Consolidated) [1998] SGHC 184 Seah Teck Hoe v Hong Ah Leng & Ors [1998] SGHC 184

Arbitration Matters

Acted for the Claimant in ARB53/09/CV. Acted for the Claimant in ARB128/09/JW. Acted for the Respondents in ARB87/11/AU. Acting for the Respondents in ARB089/19/PPD. Acted for the Claimants in arbitration proceedings under ICC Rules relating to the termination of a construction contract and lease agreement in the Philippines. The quantum involved in the arbitration proceedings was at least US$7.5million, and notwithstanding other types of declaratory relief sought, which encompassed a substantial portion of the value of the lease agreement. Acted in a claim by an international group of companies against a Sri Lankan institution in respect of the termination of a sports agreement. Acted for the Respondents, Nimbus Sport International Pte Ltd, in arbitration proceeding under the UNCITRAL Rules. Acted for the Claimants in an arbitration commenced pursuant to section 91 of the Co-operative Society Act read within the Arbitration Act.

Accreditation Notary Public and Commissioner for Oaths (Solicitors & Advocates) Advocate & Solicitor, Supreme Court of Singapore Practising Solicitor, England & Wales Fellow, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK Primary Panel, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators Professional Deputy (Personal Welfare and Property & Affairs), Office of the Public Guardian Current Appointments Deputy Registrar of Marriages, Singapore. Licence to solemnize marriages (16 November 2020 to 30 June 2025) Member, Local Enterprise and Association Development (LEAD) Programme Evaluation Panel (October 2020 to September 2021) Justice of the Peace (1 September 2020 to 31 August 2025) Chairman, SME Centre SICCI Council Member, Northwest Community Development Council (NWCDC) (2011 - Present) Chairman of SkillsFuture Standing Committee, NWCDC (2017 - Present) Chairman, Citizenship Committee of Inquiry (2020 - 2023) Chairman, Organising Committee for NWCDC Food Aid Fund (2010 - Present) Chairman, Club 100 @ NWCDC (2008 - Present) Member, Law Society of Singapore Inquiry Committee Independent Director, Centurion Corporation Limited (FKA SM Summit Holdings Limited) Member, Anglo-Chinese School (International) Board of Management (1995-1996, 1998 - Present) Previous Appointments Member, SINDA’s Executive Committee (2017 - 2021) Chairman, NWCDC Finance Standing Committee (2009-2017) Member, Anglo Chinese Schools’ Board of Governors (1996 – 2016) Member, Law Society of Singapore Inquiry Panel (2012 – 2015) Member, Anglo-Chinese School Board of Governors (1996 – 2015) Member, Selection Panel for the WeINNOVATE Aware of the People’s Association Awards Scheme (2012 – 2015) Member, Northwest Community Development Council (NWCDC) (2001 – 2011) Member, Anglo-Chinese School Old Boys’ Association Management Committee (1991 – 2011) Member, Law Society of Singapore Practising Certificates & Accountants’ Report Committee (2010) Member, Law Society of Singapore Investigative Tribunal (2009) Chairman, NWCDC Corporate Communications Standing Committee (2006 – 2009) Honorary Secretary, Anglo-Chinese School Old Boys’ Association Management Committee (2007 – 2009) Vice-Chairman, NWCDC Corporate Communications Standing Committee (2004 – 2006) Member, NWCDC Youth Executive Committee (2001 – 2006) Honorary Secretary, Anglo-Chinese School Old Boys’ Association Management Committee (1995 – 2005) Member, NWCDC Corporate Communications Committee (2001 – 2004) Member, Bouna Vista Inter-Racial Confidence Circle (2002 – 2004)

LLB (Hons), National University of Singapore (1986) LLM, University of Cambridge (1989) Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Private Wealth (2020) STEP