OON & BAZUL LLP ADDS 3 LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTION PARTNERS TO THE FIRM

Published On: October 6, 20214.2 min read

Oon & Bazul LLP (“Oon & Bazul”), one of Singapore’s largest conflict-free law firms and leading commercial legal practice, is pleased to announce the appointment of three lawyers as Partners to its Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice, headed by Managing Partner Bazul Ashhab.

“We’re pleased to be deepening the strength of our firm’s largest practice group with Partners of the highest caliber. These hires reflect our firm’s ambition to attract the best talent possible. We will continue to work hard to secure talent when it becomes available,” states Bazul. “My Partners and I want to continue to attract those who have the ambition of exploring their full potential both in lawyering and as entrepreneurs.

Having two ex-Magic Circle lawyers and one former Big 4 lawyer joining us, in quick succession, reflects how the firm has grown over the years to become a leading commercial practice. I would like to warmly welcome Benedict, Priscilla and Jerald to the firm. Their track record is impressive and their ability to creatively achieve solutions that meet clients’ needs impressed us. They are a natural fit at Oon & Bazul. I look forward to the continued and strategic growth of our Litigation and Dispute Practice, especially as litigation, arbitration and mediation activity ramps up in Singapore.”

Benedict Eoon will be instrumental in the white collar and investigations space for the firm. The firm recently joined the International Fraud Group, a membership of independent fraud and asset recovery firms around the firm, as the exclusive member for Singapore. This includes advising and acting in cross-border investigations concerning bribery, fraud, anti-money laundering and whistle-blower complaints; as well as conducting internal investigations and representing clients in external investigations or enforcement proceedings brought by enforcement authorities.

Benedict has been involved in several high-profile and landmark matters such as having represented the directors of an investment company in a landmark Court of Appeal judgment which recognised a common law right of access to documents in Singapore, as well as representing an accused person in a murder appeal before the Court of Appeal where the death penalty was substituted with life imprisonment. He has represented multi-national corporations, government-linked institutions, small and medium enterprises and high net worth individuals. Benedict has appeared at all levels in the Singapore Courts, including as lead counsel against senior counsel. Benedict is a member of the Law Society of Singapore Criminal Practice Committee. He frequently takes on pro bono cases including under the Supreme Court Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences and the Law Society’s Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.

The other newly-minted Partners of Litigation & Dispute Resolution are ex-Magic Circle lawyers, Jerald Foo and Priscilla Lua.

Priscilla, who has more than 10 years of legal experience and practiced law for six years with an elite UK magic circle firm in both its Singapore and London offices, specialises in international arbitration and commercial litigation. Priscilla has been widely praised by a client for being “commercially focused in her drafting which was of a very good quality” and for being “always astute and practical in her approach”. As a result of her broad international experience, Priscilla is able to grasp complex cross-border disputes quickly and prides herself on providing effective and practical solutions to clients. Priscilla also has experience advising on regulatory and internal investigations, and has run longstanding internal investigations for clients into issues such as fraud, corruption and compliance. She has an active practice spanning a number of areas including projects & infrastructure, construction, oil & gas, shareholder (and company law) disputes, joint venture disputes, and employment. Priscilla acts as counsel in court and international arbitration proceedings and has experience with various institutional rules such as ICC, SIAC, LCIA, HKIAC, UNCITRAL as well as ad-hoc arbitrations. She has also been appointed by the SIAC as a sole arbitrator. Her practice frequently involves complex cross-border elements, and she acts for multinational companies in the construction, power, oil & gas sectors, as well as for banks and financial institutions.

Jerald started his legal career as a Justices’ Law Clerk in the Supreme Court of Singapore, before he was appointed an Assistant Registrar of the Supreme Court. He went on to practice law at a local Big Four firm and a UK magic circle firm prior to joining Oon & Bazul. Jerald specialises in commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation, having experience of complex commercial disputes both as a practitioner and as a former judicial officer. He is a well-regarded and sound advocate for various financial institutions in banking and other contractual disputes; and counts some of Singapore’s most successful listed companies as his clients. At the other end, Jerald has been a steadfast defender of private individuals in criminal, extradition and public law proceedings. Jerald was awarded a Distinction (Bachelor of Civil Law) at Mansfield College, University of Oxford, together with a college prize for distinguished performance. Jerald also obtained a First-Class Honours degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science.