Kah Wah Leong
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLPRajah & Tann Singapore LLP’s well-established shipping practice advises on the gamut of matters across the maritime space. Its workload includes related insolvencies and restructurings; financings; cargo claims; collisions disputes; and marine casualty matters. Clients consist of a range of both local and international financial institutions, P&I clubs, shipowners, charterers, and commodity houses. The team is well-versed in complex cross-border and multi-jurisdictional matters. It is led by Kendall Tan, who has over 20 years’ experience and has advised on a number of high-profile marine, oil and gas insolvencies, alongside disputes-focused V Bala, and shipping finance specialist Chua Choon King. Arbitration and shipping disputes expert Kah Wah Leong and maritime specialist Toh Kian Sing SC are also noteworthy team members.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP has a good understanding of maritime law and the shipping industry and has considerable experience in handling the cases and guiding the legal advice and compared to other law firms, they sympathize with the client's needs and seek the solution in the client's shoes.'
‘I think Leong Kah Wah is one of top negotiators and legal advisors in the world in terms of maritime law. He's not just someone who gives a textbook answer, he actually explains how to deal with things to reach the ultimate solution.’
‘They are very much the go-to firm for us for all work.’
‘Our primary contact is with Jainil Bhandari, who we have been working with in relation to wet matters. He is a precision lawyer, and one able to answer any question we put to him quickly, clearly and comprehensively.’
‘The shipping team has great and varied skills offerings which allows innovative solutions to be available to their clients.’
‘Kendall Tan understands his clients' concerns well and is always quick to get to the nub of the issues. He breaks down complex issues into simple bitesize packages for the clients to better appreciate the situation and makes decisions.’
‘They have outstanding, relevant legal skills in the field. Combined with their understanding of industry and commercial aspects, clients can smoothly collaborate with them. Further, with their network in Asian region, clients in shipping field can enjoy one-stop legal service from Rajah & Tann.’
Key clients
- Hin Leong Trading (Pte) Ltd
- Ocean Tankers (Pte) Ltd
- Agritrade International Pte Ltd
- Roberto 16 Pte Ltd
- ING Bank N.V.
- Bank in Singapore
- Swiber Holdings Limited
- Swiber Offshore Construction Pte Ltd
- MS First Capital Insurance Ltd
- SP PowerAssets Limited
- FIMBank plc
- Lemarc Agromond Pte Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised on a $4bn debt restructuring exercise of Hin Leong group, one of Asia’s biggest oil traders, involving more than 23 creditors from multiple jurisdictions.
- Acting for various banks in Singapore over US$1 billion suspected massive fraud by Agritrade International.
- Advised on a dispute arising from a collision between USS JOHN S MCCAIN and ALNIC MC in the Westbound lane of the Singapore Traffic Separation Scheme.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Kendall Tan, V Bala, Chua Choon King