Our Expertise

Strategic Advocacy Across Complex Disputes

Modern disputes rarely fall neatly into one category. Commercial disagreements can escalate into investigations, while regulatory scrutiny may trigger parallel civil claims, resulting in reputational and personal risks.

Jerrie Tan LLC focuses on disputes where the stakes are high and the strategy must be precise. The firm advises founders, professionals, and cross-border businesses across a focused set of practice areas where commercial risk, financial exposure, and legal liability intersect.

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 

  1. Commercially-minded legal advice in the early stages of the dispute
  2. Strategic risk assessment
  3. Effective negotiation at mediation
  4. Persuasive advocacy
  5. 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.

Criminal Defence

The firm’s expertise lies in being able to act for statutory boards prosecuting regulatory offences or acting as defence counsel for accused persons facing such offences. Familiarity with how the authorities treat such regulatory offences allows the firm to successfully negotiate favourable outcomes, especially during the plea bargaining stage.

Experience

Sexual Assault Offences

Seeking legal advice early provides an advantage of preservation of potentially helpful evidence. Depending on the facts of the case, there may also be utility in writing representations to try and resolve the matter before the case is heard in Court.

  • Acted for various accused persons facing charges of outrage of modesty and rape.
  • Act for an accused person set to go for trial this year on a charge of outrage of modesty alleged to have grabbed the breasts of a service staff.

Regulatory Offences

  • Offences under the Central Provident Fund Act – Public Prosecutor v Jurong Country Club [2018] SGDC 314 – Acted for Central Provident Fund Board in prosecuting an employer for failing to pay contributions to the Central Provident Fund with respect to an employee.
  • Offences under the Electricity Act and Gas Act – Acted as prosecuting counsel for the Energy Market Authority to prosecute offenders in breach of the Electricity Act or Gas Act.
  • Offences under the Road Traffic Act – Acted as defence counsel to defend accused persons facing the charge of dangerous driving, drink driving, speeding etc.
  • Offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act – Acted for various accused persons alleged to have been in Singapore on an employment pass without any intention to work.

Death Penalty Offences

The firm generally acts for accused persons facing the death penalty. Jerrie Tan is the youngest female criminal defence lawyer that had been appointed to the Lead Counsel panel under the Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences (LASCO) administered by the Supreme Court. Acting under LASCO, providing rigorous defence in capital cases, reflecting a commitment to justice and giving back to society while maintaining the highest standards of advocacy.

  • Punithan v Genasan v Public Prosecutor [2021] SGHC 284; Punithan Genasan v Public Prosecutor [2023] 1 SLR 0199 – Acted for an accused person who was convicted of a death penalty charge for the offence of drug trafficking. The case was taken on appeal and the conviction was set aside.
  • Public Prosecutor v S K Murugan Subrawmanian [2021] SGHC 185 – Acted for an accused person who was already convicted of a death penalty charge for drug trafficking and sentenced to death. The case was taken on appeal, and both the conviction and death penalty was set aside. In the re-trial before a different High Court Judge, the High Court overturned all 7 confessions alleged to have been made by the accused person. This took place in an unprecedented 40-day trial within a trial. The ruling by the High Court led to a successful plea bargaining with the Prosecution. (see also: Capital drug offender avoids gallows following retrial; jailed for 12 years | The Straits Times
  • Public Prosecutor Uchechukwu Chukwudi v Public Prosecutor [2021] 1 SLR 67; Public Prosecutor v Ilechukwu Uchechukwu Chukwudi [2019] SGHC 161; Public Prosecutor v Ilechukwu Uchechukwu Chukwudi [2015] SGCA 33; Public Prosecutor v Hamidah Binte Awang and another [2015] SGHC 4 – Part of the legal team that acted for a Nigerian man who was acquitted of a capital drug trafficking charge after a 5 Judge Court of Appeal revised its 2015 decision to convict him. (See also: Court of Appeal clears Nigerian man of drug trafficking after 9-year legal saga | The Straits Times )
  • Acted as Lead Counsel for various accused persons who were initially facing charges attracting the death penalty, and successfully managed to get these charges reduced to non-capital charges. (see for example Public Prosecutor v Jeganathan Balan [2022] SGHC 37 – An accused person who was initially facing a death penalty charge but subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge of trafficking not less than 9.99g of diamorphine).
  • Public Prosecutor v Rasheed Muhammad and another [2017] SGHC 29 – Acted for one of the accused persons facing a charge of committing murder with common intention under Section 302(1) read with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
Who we are and what we’ve built
E X P E R T I S E

Six practice areas.
One counse
across the
whole problem.

Jerrie Tan LLC is a founder-led Singapore disputes boutique. We act where commercial litigation, employment exposure and criminal or regulatory scrutiny arrive together — for founders, directors, shareholders and businesses who would rather not brief three firms on the same set of facts.

13
YEARS IN PRACTICE SINCE 2013
40+
REPORTED JUDGMENTS
6
PRACTICE ARE AS, ONE COUNSEL
EN / 中文
ENGLISH AND MANDARIN
IN SHORT

Jerrie Tan LLC practises across six areas of dispute resolution in Singapore: commercial and civil litigation, employment disputes and investigations, personal and corporate insolvency, arbitration,
white collar defence and investigations, and criminal defence. The firm is built around the overlap
between them.

PRACTICE AREAS

Where we are most often instructed

Each area below is a standalone practice. In most matters that reach us, more than one of them is already in play.

01
Commercial & Civil Litigation

Shareholder and joint-venture disputes, contractual claims, director and officer liability, fraud and asset tracing, and cross-border claims before the Singapore courts. We act for founders, directors,  shareholders and businesses — including matters with a China or Greater China nexus, handled in Mandarin where required.

02
Employment Disputes & Investigations

Workplace investigations, senior executive exits, wrongful dismissal claims and  restrictive covenants. We act for employers running an investigation into an employee, and for senior employees whose departure has gone wrong — including where the same facts also create a fraud or regulatory problem.

03
Personal & Corporate Insolvency

Statutory demands, bankruptcy applications and the Debt Repayment Scheme on the personal side; winding up, judicial management, schemes of arrangement and director liability on the corporate side. We act for creditors pursuing recovery and for debtors and directors facing personal exposure.

04
Arbitration

Institutional and ad hoc arbitration, including matters before the Singapore  International Arbitration  Centre. We advise on the choice between arbitration and the courts before proceedings begin, act in the reference itself, and handle interim relief, enforcement and challenges to awards.

05
White Collar Defence & Investigations

Commercial Affairs Department and regulatory investigations, corporate internal investigations for listed companies and multinationals, and offences of dishonesty. This is the overlap the firm was built for — where a commercial  dispute and a criminal  investigation are the same problem in two forms.

06
Criminal Defence

Police investigations, charges in the State Courts and the High Court, bail, representations to the Attorney-General’s Chambers, mitigation and appeals. Jerrie sits on the Supreme Court’s Lead Counsel panel under the Legal
Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences and continues to act pro bono in capital matters.

HOW WE WORK

Why the combination is the point

“Most people treat a commercial dispute and a criminal  investigation as two separate problems for two separate
lawyers. In practice they are usually the same problem
arriving in two forms.”

An employee who has been defrauding a company creates a civil claim, a police report, a regulatory exposure and a reputational problem on the same day. Where civil counsel and criminal counsel are not the same person, or at least in the same room, the strategy in one will often undermine the other.

Disputes work in Singapore is becoming more specialised, right down to individual tasks within a case, and clients are handed to a different lawyer at each stage. The problems themselves are moving the other way — crypto matters arrive with a civil claim and an authority’s interest attached; an employment exit arrives with a fraud investigation.

01
One counsel, start to finish

The person you meet at the first consultation is the person who runs your file. This is a founder-led practice, and matters are not passed down a chain.

02
Exposure mapped before merits

We map every direction a matter can travel — civil liability, criminal or regulatory exposure, employment consequences, reputational risk — before advising on the merits of any single claim.

03
Mandarin where it matters

Cross-border matters with a China or Greater China nexus are handled in Mandarin, so that Singapore procedure is explained in the client's own language.

About Jerrie Tan
YOUR COUNSEL

Jerrie Tan
Founding Director

Jerrie Tan is the Founding Director of Jerrie Tan LLC, a Singapore disputes practice  acting where commercial risk, regulatory scrutiny and personal liability intersect. She  has been in practice since 2013 and spent almost a decade at an international law firm working alongside leading Senior Counsel, developing a commercial disputes and corporate investigations practice with a particular focus on Mandarin-speaking and China-based clients.

She has more than 40 reported judgments and has appeared across the State Courts, the Supreme Court and the Singapore International Commercial Court. She teaches Advocacy to law graduates preparing for call to the Singapore Bar and serves as an Adjunct Fellow at the NUS Centre for Pro Bono and Clinical Legal
Education.

Jerrie has been my go-to lawyer for legal needs ever since I met her around 8 years ago. The long-period time of trust was built over the years due to her logical &  professional approach towards my legal needs. Not only is she professional and extremely dedicated to her job, her practical advice has helped me make the right decisions moving forward.

ALVIN LAW · FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR , AMGR CO . PTE LTD

COMMON QUESTIONS

Working with Jerrie Tan LLC

Will Jerrie personally handle my matter, or will it be passed to a junior?

Jerrie Tan LLC is a founder-led practice, and Jerrie runs the files. She is supported by Valerie Tay, an associate admitted from the SMU Yong Pung How School of Law. The firm keeps a deliberately small number of live matters, precisely so that senior attention is  not spread thin. If that is not the right fit for the size or shape of your matter, we will say so at the first meeting.

Yes. Singapore is the firm’s primary jurisdiction, and a substantial part of the practice is cross-border. Matters have involved parties in China and Greater China, Malaysia, the region and further afield, and Jerrie has appeared in the Singapore International Commercial Court as well as in international arbitration. Mandarin-language conduct of a matter is available where that is what the client needs.

Consultations are by appointment and treated in confidence. At the first meeting you should expect a candid view of your realistic range of outcomes, what evidence would move you within that range, and what it is likely to cost to get there — not a prediction of the result. Fees depend on the nature and stage of the matter and are discussed openly before any work begins.

Speak to Jerrie before the position hardens

Consultations are by appointment and treated in confidence. Tell us what has happened and what you are worried about — you will get a straight view of your exposure and your options.

This page is general information only and does not constitute legal advice. It does not create a solicitor–client relationship. Outcomes depend on the specific facts of each matter. Case references are described only  as far as they appear in publicly reported judgments. Please seek advice on your own circumstances.