Commercial & civil Litigation
Much of the work in a commercial or civil dispute begins before a dispute even reaches the courtroom. The firm represents clients across all levels of the Singapore courts, including the State Courts, the Supreme Court, and the Singapore International Commercial Court.
We work closely with clients through the litigation stages of a dispute, providing
- Commercially-minded legal advice in the early stages of the dispute
- Strategic risk assessment
- Effective negotiation at mediation
- Persuasive advocacy
- Decisive representation when litigation becomes necessary.
Whether pursuing or defending claims, the focus remains the same: resolving disputes in a way that protects commercial interests while positioning clients for long-term stability.
Experience
Shareholder Rights
- Acted in various shareholder disputes in the High Court relating to minority oppression and/or breach of shareholders’ agreements.
- Chan Siew Lee v TYC Investment Pte Ltd and others and another appeal [2015] 5 SLR 409 – This case dealt with the novel issue of whether shareholders have reserve management powers when the Board of Directors is at a deadlock.
Breach of Duties
- Lim Chong Teck v Wendy Kwek [2023] SGDC 222 – Acted for 85 investors who had purchased units in a hotel in the United Kingdom at a series of property exhibitions in Singapore, and suffered losses as a result. The claim was against the property agent that introduced the investors the opportunity, for among others, breach of duty of care. This was also a cross border case.
- Ramesh s/o Krishnan v AXA Life Insurance Singapore Pte Ltd [2015] 4 SLR 1 – Acted in the High Court action filed by an insurance agent against an ex-employer for breach of duty of care in the response to a reference check request by prospective employer. This claim was successful on appeal.
Defamation
- Acted for claimants seeking to vindicate their reputation, including a senior lawyer claiming against a doctor for defamation. Advised these claimants on crisis management.
- Acted for defendants facing allegations of libel or slander.
Cryptocurrency
- Acted in a Singapore High Court proceeding involving non-fungible tokens. The matter was settled amicably.
- Acted for an individual accused of misappropriating tokens on an exchange through the use of autobots. There is a criminal angle to this case as the individual’s wallet was also seized by the Commercial Affairs Department.
Employment Disputes & Investigations
At Jerrie Tan LLC, we are able to advise employers (companies) or employees on a wide range of employment-related matters, including internal investigations, contractual disputes, termination issues and workplace conflicts.
The firm approaches these matters with utmost discretion and a clear focus on resolution, helping clients navigate sensitive situations while protecting professional relationships and reputations.
Experience
Wrongful Dismissal & Termination Claims
- Acted for a Switzerland listed company in defending a claim brought by an employee for constructive dismissal.
Workplace Misconduct & Investigations
- Misappropriation
- Instructed by a company to act as Lead Investigator to investigate and prepare a report on an employee accused of diverting funds from the company.
- Instructed by a Singapore listed company to investigate an employee who had stolen supplies from the company.
- Compliance Issues
- Instructed by a multinational corporation to investigate complaints raised by company’s employees relating to issues of business, compliance and ethics. This instruction required collaboration with foreign counsel as complaints were raised in the company’s offices in Taiwan and China.
- Workplace harassment
- Instructed by the company to investigate into sexual assault allegations raised by an employee of a co-worker.
- Instructed by an employee to advise on investigations undertaken by the employer relating to alleged bias conduct against co-workers.
Personal & Corporate Insolvency
Our practice is adept at managing corporate insolvency matters including winding up proceedings, schemes of arrangement and judicial management, as well as personal insolvency cases involving bankruptcy application and voluntary arrangements.
Experience
- Acted for creditors seeking to wind up companies / bankrupt individuals, as well as companies / individuals seeking to resist a winding up / bankruptcy application.
- Acted for a defendant seeking to resist payments sought to be clawed back by liquidators on the ground of unfair preference.
- Acted in various applications involving the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency.
- Advised an Asian national oil company in relation to competing claims from creditors of Hin Leong Trading (Pte) Ltd, an oil trader that was undergoing judicial management in Singapore at the time with debts in excess of USD 3 billion.
- Acted and advised various banks on legal and enforcement proceedings against borrowers and guarantors for non-payment.
Arbitration
Arbitration has become a preferred forum for resolving complex commercial disputes, offering confidentiality, flexibility yet international enforceability. We represent clients in both domestic and international arbitration proceedings, including ad-hoc arbitrations and matters conducted under institutional rules such as the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC).
The firm provides guidance for the client throughout the arbitration process, combining strategic advocacy with practical commercial insight to resolve disputes efficiently while minimizing disruption to business operations.
Experience
Ad Hoc Arbitration
- Acted for the 1st and 2nd Respondents in a tripartite ad-hoc arbitration involving a China State-Owned Enterprise and a claim amount involving more than SGD 6 million.
SIAC Arbitration
- Acted in a High Court application to set aside portions of a partial Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) award pursuant to the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration.
- Acted for a Singapore medical device company in a SIAC arbitration to defend a claim brought by a United Arab Emirates entity for alleged repudiatory breach of contract. The claim involved expert evidence relating to the access of data on the medical device.
White Collar Defence & Investigations
The firm approaches defence for individuals or businesses facing white-collar investigations and criminal proceedings with careful evidence analysis, strategic engagement with authorities, and robust courtroom advocacy, ensuring that clients’ rights and interests are fully protected throughout the process.
Where disputes intersect with commercial litigation, we are uniquely positioned to manage both fronts of risk simultaneously, guiding clients from the earliest stages of inquiry through to trial where necessary.
Experience
High-Stakes Financial & White Collar Crime
- Corruption
- Offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1960
Act as Lead Counsel to defend two former employees accused by their employer of accepting kickbacks from a State Owned Entity.
- Cheating, Criminal Breach of Trust
- Offences under the Penal Code
Acted for accused persons facing charges of cheating and criminal breach of trust involving amounts of more than SGD 10 million. - PP v Sum Chee Keong [2025] SGDC 286 – Acted for an accused person who pleaded guilty to a charge of corruption, with three additional charges involving cheating, falsification of accounts and perverting the course of justice – taken into consideration for the purpose of sentencing.
- Money Laundering
Investigations
- Misappropriation
- Instructed by a company to act as Lead Investigator to investigate and prepare a report on an employee accused of diverting funds from the company.
- Instructed by a Singapore listed company to investigate an employee who had stolen supplies from the company.
- Compliance Issues
- Instructed by a multinational corporation to investigate complaints raised by company’s employees relating to issues of business, compliance and ethics. This instruction required collaboration with foreign counsel as complaints were raised in the company’s offices in Taiwan and China.
- Workplace harassment
- Instructed by the company to investigate into sexual assault allegations raised by an employee of a co-worker.
- Instructed by an employee to advise on investigations undertaken by the employer relating to alleged bias conduct against co-workers.
If you have received a notice to attend an interview with the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) or the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), click here to follow our step by step guide.
