Construction: Local firms

WongPartnership LLP

WongPartnership LLP has one of the largest teams in the market with partners typically handling a mix of front-end and dispute resolution matters. The firm has extensive connections to developers/employers and main contractors, along with additional subcontractor and consultant clients. Outside of Singapore, the team has a wealth of engagements in Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam and other Southeast Asia jurisdictions, along with further business in the Middle East; ‘outstanding’ partner Ian de Vaz is head of the infrastructure, construction and engineering team and is a partner in the Middle East practice where the firm has offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Tay Peng Cheng leads the energy, projects and construction group and is another leading figure in front-end and disputes matters. Lee Hwai Bin and Lesley Tan are emerging talents. Christopher Chuah left in October 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The market-leading and our go-to construction disputes lawyer is without doubt, Ian de Vaz. He is incredibly insightful, knowledgeable and has a mind as sharp as a surgeon's scalpel. He is the head of the largest construction practice in Singapore and Southeast Asia.’
‘WongPartnership's team is balanced and composed of individuals best fitted for the case.’
‘Ian de Vaz is a brilliant lawyer who thinks out of the box and proposes innovative solutions while dealing with difficult cross-border cases.'
'Vishi Sundar is a hard-worker, who is always willing to best accommodate any request of his clients and in very short time. He is very attentive to all the details of the case and is effective in dealing with complex technical matters what is of absolute essence while dealing with engineering and construction cases.’
‘Deep bench of top class litigators. Exceptional advocates and strategists.’
‘Ian de Vaz is very responsive and provides sound commercial advice, even in the most challenging cases.'
‘Tay Peng Cheng has top industry knowledge and is exceptional at the negotiation table.'
'Vishi Sundar is, in my view, a sure bet as a future market leader. I can reach him 24/7 for quick advice and information, which I value the most from him.’

Work highlights

Acted for Or Kim Peow Contractors Pte Ltd in an arbitration against its design consultant arising out of the collapse of an uncompleted section of a highway viaduct in Singapore.
Acting for Tiong Seng Contractors (Pte) Ltd, the main contractor (“2nd Defendant”) for “Eco Sanctuary” (“Development”) against the Management Corporation of Eco Sanctuary (“Plaintiff”) in an ongoing suit in the General Division of the Singapore High Court (“Suit”) involving disputes relating to alleged defects in the Development.
Advising a reputable luxury resort hotel operator in relation to disputes with a management contractor arising out of a S$68 million project in respect of the conversion of a performing arts theatre, involving complex variation claims, prolongation claims and back charges.