Praised for its ‘extensive knowledge and experience’, Zul Rafique & Partners’ labour and employment offering covers the full range of of matters. The practice is collectively overseen by industrial relations and employment expert P Jayasingam, Wong Keat Ching, who has a ’strong ability to provide a holistic view of a case’, Thavaselvi Pararajasingam, who handles matters involving forensic investigation and compliance issues, and Teoh Alvare, who regularly appears in the Industrial Court. The team acts for employers in matters concerning retrenchment, employee misconduct, and unfair dismissal, frequently brought by multiple claimants, in addition to representing clients in disputes before the Court of Appeal. Associate Loh Qiao Wen is another key contact in the group.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Wong Keat Ching and the team's effective strategy in supporting an organisation to defend a challenging case is impressive. We are very grateful for their industrial relations expertise.'
  • 'Teoh Alvare is modest and patient in handling clients' queries and providing clear explanations in layman's terms. We are confident in their provision of sound legal knowledge.'
  • 'A great team - easily contactable, fast deliverables, effective communication and extensive experience.'
  • 'Wong Keat Ching has a strong ability to provide a holistic view of a case and sound advice on what can be done to manage difficult cases that are in court.'
  • 'Extensive knowledge and experience in laws and industries, they have a firm stand, are approachable and easy to communicate with.'
  • 'Zul Rafique & Partners boasts a team of highly skilled attorneys, who are leaders in the practice of industrial relations. The team has years of experience with a passion for solving complex legal challenges.'

Key clients

  • Petroliam Nasional Berhad
  • Tenaga Nasional Berhad
  • Public Bank Berhad
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers
  • KLCC Property Holdings Sdn Bhd
  • KLCC Projeks Services Sdn Bhd
  • Sime Darby Berhad
  • Sime Darby Property Berhad
  • Sime Darby Plantation Berhad
  • Sime Darby Industrial Sdn Bhd
  • CIMB Bank Berhad
  • RHB Bank Berhad
  • Maxis Broadband Sdn Bhd
  • Megasteel Sdn Bhd
  • Gamuda Berhad
  • Malaysia Airlines Berhad
  • United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd
  • Malayan Banking Berhad
  • Putrajaya Properties Sdn Bhd
  • Etiqa Life Insurance Bhd
  • Johnson Matthey Sdn Bhd
  • Microsoft (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
  • Standard Chartered Global Business Services Sdn Bhd
  • Liberty Insurance Berhad
  • Adabi Consumer Industries Sdn Bhd
  • Seri Pacific Corporation Sdn Bhd
  • Legoland Malaysia (LL Malaysia Taman Tema)
  • Destination Resorts and Hotels Sdn Bhd

Work highlights

  • Represented Megasteel Sdn Bhd successfully at the Court of Appeal in relation to the decision of the High Court to quash the order of the Industrial Court for the Company to pay the employee’s Notice Pay within 60 days of the awards.
  • Acted for Petroliam Nasional Berhad successfully in an unfair dismissal claim made for alleged misconduct relating to conflict of interest where the claimant had attended a golf trip which was paid for by a registered contract of the company and received gifts and entertainment in the form of, among others, spa massages and meals during the trip.
  • Acted for Legoland Malaysia successfully at the Johor Bahru Labour Court in relation to the termination of the complainant for their alleged failure to obey the Company’s instructions to be vaccinated despite sufficient effort from the Company to educate the Complainant on the importance during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Wong Keat Ching is a Partner in the Employment & Industrial Relations, Litigation and the Legal Forensic Investigation & Compliance practice groups. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Law (Hons) from the University of Nottingham and a Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP). She was admitted as Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in 1998. Keat Ching is an active litigator and has appeared at all levels of the Malaysian Courts, from the Industrial Court to the Federal Court. Apart from advising on cases involving workplace misconduct, sexual harassment, poor performance and fixed term contracts, Keat Ching also provides regular advice on corporate restructuring affecting employees, in particular M&A exercises, voluntary separation scheme (VSS), restructuring of senior management positions, establishment and closure of foreign companies in Malaysia as well as labour due diligence. Keat Ching has conducted legal forensic investigations on matters relating to mismanagement of project, abuse of power, and breach of fiduciary duties. She also advised on legal actions arising from such investigations.
Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Thavaselvi Pararajasingam (“Selvi”) is a Partner of the Litigation and Employment & Industrial Relations practice groups. Selvi graduated from the University of London, UK, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws (Hons) in 1996, and obtained the Certificate in Legal Practice a year later. Selvi was admitted as an Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in 1998. Selvi’s practice focuses on employment law and industrial relations, both in the aspect of litigation and advisory work, as well as legal forensic investigation & compliance. She regularly advises on and represents clients in cases pertaining to unfair dismissal, including forced resignation and constructive dismissal, collective agreement disputes, as well as judicial review applications and appeal proceedings. She also advises on redundancy/retrenchment, change of ownership of business, and all other employment related issues. Selvi has more than 20 years of experience representing employers, employees, and trade unions, at all levels of the Malaysian court hierarchy in dealing with employment related cases. In addition to her litigation portfolio, Selvi also conducts seminars, training, and speaks at conferences on industrial relations and employment issues
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

P Jayasingam, Wong Keat Ching, Thavaselvi Pararajasingam, Teoh Alvare

Other key lawyers

Loh Qiao Wen