Tapping into the ‘knowledge and experience from other related areas’, the restructuring and insolvency team at Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow frequently has a seat at the table for key stakeholders in high-value, complex mandates across the construction, technology, energy and financial services sectors. Leading the team is Nandakumar Ponniya, who has specialist expertise in international arbitration, commercial litigation, and corporate restructuring and insolvency. Elsewhere in the team, Emmanuel Chua, praised for his ’exceptional communication skills’, stands out for his work on cross-border and contentious matters, while Emmanuel Hadjidakis is a key port of call for financial institutions, borrowers, and private equity funds throughout Asia Pacific.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Baker McKenzie Singapore team has shown dedication and expertise in negotiating with the opponent's counsel during the court proceedings.'

  • ‘Emmanuel Chua shown his impressive understanding on the issue and exceptional communication skill in arguing with the opponent's counsel during the SICC proceeding.’

  • ‘The practice is able to draw on knowledge and experience from other related areas, and is set up to allow for cross-border collaborations.'

  • ‘Emmanuel Chua is especially sensitive to board and shareholder dynamics, and able to carefully calibrate guidance despite often high pressure situations.’

  • ‘Their professionalism is very high, to maintain the outcomes and services provided to clients. There are a lot of dynamics in some of our cases and they still maintain work results and professionalism.’

Key clients

  • The consortium of local institutional holders of the international sovereign bonds issued by the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
  • Universal Terminal (S) Pte. Ltd.
  • UT Singapore Services Pte. Ltd.
  • PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk
  • Thai Airways International Public Company Ltd.
  • PT Bank Central Asia Tbk
  • Gulf Energy Development Public Company Ltd. and Gulf International Holding Pte. Ltd.
  • PT Garuda Indonesia Persero Tbk
  • Kingly Profits Corporation / Chan How Chung, Victor
  • Tessa Therapeutics Ltd. and Tessa Therapeutics Ltd.'s appointed liquidators
  • JTrust Asia Pte. Ltd.

Work highlights

  • Advising a consortium of local institutional holders of the international sovereign bonds issued by the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ("GOSL") in connection with the restructuring of the GOSL's liabilities under these bonds.
  • Advising Universal Terminal (S) Pte. Ltd.  and UT Singapore Services Pte. Ltd. in the wake of the collapse and insolvency of Hin Leong Trading Pte Ltd, which has left it with debts of over SGD 4 billion.
  • Advising PT Garuda Indonesia Persero Tbk in its efforts to obtain recognition of its successful Indonesian restructuring (PKPU) proceeding, and resultant composition plan, in a number of jurisdictions.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Nandakumar Ponniya

Other key lawyers

Emmanuel Chua, Emmanuel Hadjidakis, Richard Allen