Drew & Napier LLC has drawn on its extensive resources and reputation in the contentious sphere to develop an impressive body of construction and engineering expertise. It is noted for infrastructure and real estate development-related disputes. The firm has also built knowledge and experience in front-end and procurement work, including engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) and operation and maintenance (O&M) contracts, and additional front-end matters relating to public-private partnership (PPP) projects. Its client base includes a range of domestic and international employers, along with an impressive mix of contractors. Christopher Chong is head of the construction and engineering team with experience at all levels of the Singapore courts, in major arbitrations, and in adjudications. Deputy head Mahesh Rai has earned many accolades in recent years. Chairman Jimmy Yim SC provides additional senior level gravitas to high-value and large-scale disputes. Kelvin Teo  is another key member of the team.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Outstanding in every respect. Genuinely satisfied with their performance.’

  • ‘Jimmy Yim SC and Maheshi Rai are top-class advocates, thinking out of the box for solutions.’

  • ‘Comprehensive full-service firm with depth of expertise in a range of critical areas that are indispensable for our day-to-day operations. With Christopher Chong at the helm of its construction and disputes practice, Drew & Napier has been our trusted, go-to firm on a regular, consistent basis for some years’

  • ‘Christopher Chong is a singularly exceptional practitioner, that is all-rounded in terms of legal depth of knowledge, commercial acumen, client responsiveness, innovation and unmatched local knowledge. His dedication to his craft and in assisting us to find sensible, practical and mutually beneficial solutions is close to peerless.'

  • ‘Christopher Chong is first-rate counsel for construction disputes in SE Asia. He and his team have done an excellent job in guiding us through some very complex projects.

  • 'Kelvin Teo is a bright up-and-coming partner in projects disputes.’

Key clients

  • Alcon group, including Alcon Pte Ltd and CIBA Vision Asian Manufacturing Logistics Pte Ltd
  • Amara Hotel Properties Pte Ltd
  • China Machine New Energy Corporation
  • CosmoSteel Holdings Limited
  • Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd (now rebranded as DL E&C)
  • Dragages Singapore Pte Ltd
  • Essar Group including Essar Projects (India) Limited and Essar Projects Singapore Pte Ltd
  • Goldbell Corporation Pte Ltd
  • Hyundai Engineering & Construction
  • Navayo International AG
  • Noomadi Resorts & Residences AG
  • Novartis International AG including Novartis (Singapore) Pte Ltd
  • Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd
  • Ser Kim Koi
  • Singapore Liquefied Natural Gas
  • SK Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd. including SK E&C (Singapore branch)
  • Stepan Company including Stepan Asia Pte Ltd
  • Thermofisher Scientific
  • Thio Keng Thay
  • Tiong Seng Contractors (Pte) Ltd
  • UOL Group Limited

Work highlights

  • Acted for Daelim Industrial Company (now rebranded as DL E&C) in a dispute concerning an aborted L+EPC contract for the construction of the largest petrochemical plant in India and in Asia.
  • Represented Goldbell Engineering in an appeal to the Court of Appeal by Range Construction, which arose out of a Building and Construction Security of Payment Act adjudication determination which Range sought to set aside.

Lawyers

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.

Christopher Chong, Mahesh Rai

Other key lawyers

Jimmy Yim SC, Cavinder Bull SC, Kelvin Teo