Lim Chong Kin

Managing Director, Corporate & Finance

Head, Telecommunications, Media & Technology

Co-Head, Data Protection, Privacy & Cybersecurity

Co-Head, Competition Law & Regulatory Practice

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Qualifications

  • LL.B. (Hons), National University of Singapore
  • LL.M., National University of Singapore
  • Admitted to the Singapore Bar (1996)
  • Solicitor, England & Wales (1999)

Chong Kin is the Managing Director of our Corporate & Finance department and co-heads the Competition Law & Regulatory Practice and Data Protection, Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice. He also heads the Telecommunications, Media and Technology (TMT) Practice.

Chong Kin has played a key role in the development of sectoral competition regulation in Singapore, in particular, in the telecommunications, media and postal industries.  Since 1999, he routinely advises the sectoral competition regulators on liberalisation, market access, licensing, competition regulation, merger reviews and enforcement issues, including successfully defending the regulators in various Ministerial appeals.

Chong Kin has consistently been recommended as a leading lawyer by major international legal publications such as The Asia Pacific Legal 500, Global Competition Review, Chambers Asia-Pacific, The Guide to the World's Leading Competition & Antitrust Lawyers/Economists, Who’s Who Legal, Practical Law Company Which Lawyer?, Asialaw Leading Lawyers and Best Lawyers. He is also highly regarded by his peers, clients and rivals alike for his expertise. The practices that Chong Kin heads have also been widely recognised as leading practices in Singapore.

He has also been recognised as a Senior Accredited Specialist in Data and Digital Economy Law by the Singapore Academy of Law.

Here are some notable matters handled by Chong Kin:

  1. Successfully represented and advised All Nippon Airways, Continental and United Airlines in their notification for decision to the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) in relation to their joint venture agreement.

  2. Successfully represented Singapore Airlines Limited and Virgin Australia Pty Ltd in their notification to the CCCS for a decision in respect of a proposed alliance agreement between them.

  3. Successfully filed and obtained merger approval from the CCCS for Seagate’s proposed acquisition of Samsung's hard disk drive business.

  4. Advised the leading global internet content, search and ad-services provider on infrastructure development in Singapore (including legal issues concerning the establishment of a data centre in Singapore) and infrastructure licensing requirements relating to undersea cable capacity.

  5. Advised leading global and local telecommunications and broadcasting operators on corporate, commercial, licensing and regulatory issues. Successfully assisted a new entrant to obtain a Facilities-based Operator (FBO) Licence to deploy a regional sub-sea cable system.

Asian Legal Business
Asia Top 15 TMT Lawyers 2023 – Named as one of Asia's top 15 TMT lawyers by ALB for three consecutive years 
Asia Super 50 TMT Lawyers 2024 – Named as one of Asia’s Super 50 TMT lawyers by ALB for four consecutive years

Clients praise Lim Chong Kin’s role in “liberalising strategic industries” and his work on “sectoral competition laws.” They value his “care” and “superb communication,” highlighting his ability to think creatively and provide “legal workarounds” while ensuring compliance. - Asia Super 50 TMT Lawyers 2024

"Chong Kin is a very technically proficient and commercially savvy lawyer. He has an in-depth understanding of the regulator and is a competent, professional, and experienced legal adviser. Their TMT team under his lead is superb and knowledgeable." - Asia Super 50 TMT Lawyers 2023

“His long and dependable track record is second to none. He is creative in advancing his clients’ position by striking a balance between regulatory requirements and supporting client’s business imperatives, treating matters not only expeditiously but judiciously.” - Asia Super 50 TMT Lawyers 2022

“Chong Kin is an exceptional lawyer who approaches legal and regulatory issues with a business-centric and practical mindset,” says a client. “It is easy to quote the law and tell your clients to comply - any lawyers can do that. It takes a skilled and experienced lawyer to apply his/her knowledge of the law to a client's specific scenario (or conundrum) and to counsel on various different ways to reach compliance.” - Asia Super 50 TMT Lawyers 2021

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
Antitrust and Competition 2024 – Leading Individual for 8 consecutive years
TMT 2024 – Hall of Fame for 5 consecutive years; Leading Individual for 9 consecutive years (2012-2020)
Data Protection and Cyber Security 2024 – Recommended Individual
Employment 2024 – Recommended Individual for 4 consecutive years; Leading Individual for 4 consecutive years (2016-2019)

"Drew & Napier’s telecoms team, and especially its leader Chong Kin Lim, are simply fantastic. Chong Kin is responsive, friendly, and thorough. He has deep expertise and he also maintains an active understanding of our business needs and requirements."

"Lim Chong Kin has been stellar in his own area of practice, considers macro and micro views and incorporates into sound practical advice."

"Lim Chong Kin is appreciated for his client-oriented approach and the level of assurance he strives to provide."

"Lim Chong Kin – Responsive and practical."

‘offers very pragmatic and practical advice’

‘is a genuine subject matter expert [in TMT] and is also remarkably responsive and friendly’

‘fantastic’ and ‘deserve strong recognition for their client focus’

"excellent legal knowledge and in-depth understanding of the regulator"

“understands regulatory thinking like no other lawyer in the field”

“Practice head Lim Chong Kin wins plaudits for ‘consistent, well-balanced advice and practical solutions’.”

Chambers Asia-Pacific
Competition/Antitrust 2024 - Band 2 (Band 1 Leading Individual for 9 consecutive years)
TMT 2024 - Band 1 Leading Individual for 17 consecutive years

"He is very senior but also hands-on. He is good at organising his team but also knows the details of the deal. He is very responsive and a safe pair of hands."

"Chong Kin is really fantastic, very approachable, very knowledgeable, and very commercial."

"Chong Kin is a true leader who comes with invaluable industry experience."
"understands our commercial requirements and limitations", "able to provide sound, practical advice we can use immediately."

"He is very knowledgeable and knows the answers to our questions quickly"

"understands business needs and is very responsive."

"a very impressive practitioner" 

"a leader in this space [TMT]; his advice is both thorough and attuned to the regulator's intentions, which is really helpful."

"… provides excellent practical, pithy and timely advice."

"commercially savvy and experienced lawyer."

"incisive, insightful and knowledgeable."

"clever, able, bright and estimable man; he is terrific"

"he's really exceptional - he has the pragmatism, he's plugged-in, and he gives solid, clear advice."

"He is an expert in telecoms and he has demonstrated his expertise and experience in every query and goal that I have forwarded."

"Provides practical solutions to unlock opportunities in the business, rather than risk-averse legal advice."

“Clients particularly highlight his outstanding insight and succinct legal analysis, while one peer commented: ‘You cannot ask for a better collaborator than him.’”

“…an outstanding lawyer who is savvy, intelligent and quick, and possesses excellent business judgement.”

Global Data Review - GDR 100
One client notes Chong Kin’s “impressive” knowledge of personal data protection law and appreciates ability to provide advice on a “regulator’s stance and rationale for the law”. – GDR 100 2022

"Whether you have a fat or lean legal budget, Chong Kin remains consistent as a true partner and far-sighted adviser. His knowledge of data protection law is impressive but, best of all, he is able to advise about the regulator’s stance and the rationale behind the law. He is also incredibly responsive and gives matters his personal attention.” – GDR 100 2021

Global Competition Review
“Antitrust specialist Lim Chong Kin is well known for his telecommunications, media and technology practice, and rivals say he combines the two practices flawlessly.”

The Guide to the World's Leading Competition & Antitrust Lawyers/Economists
Competition & Antitrust 2016 - Leading Antitrust Lawyer in Singapore.

"…one of the outstanding practitioners in this field…"

​asialaw Profiles
Competition & Antitrust 2023 - Outstanding practice for 5 consecutive years; Highly Recommended for 5 consecutive years
Technology & Telecommunications 2023 - Outstanding practice for 8 consecutive years; Highly Recommended for 3 consecutive years

Chong Kin is “proactive, client- and solutions-focused, quick, knowledgeable, experienced and capable”.

"Breadth and depth of subject matter knowledge."

“‘He’s provided excellent client service and demonstrated depth of knowledge. Always responsive and available for ad hoc assistance,’ comments one client.”

 “He is a competent, professional and experienced legal adviser. It is not often that heads of department personally do the work for a client…”

“Clients praise the TMT practice, which is headed by Lim Chong Kin. ‘Their TMT team is superb and knowledgeable,’ says a client, with Lim singled out for praise: ‘Lim Chong Kim’s work is consistently exceptional.’”

asialaw Leading Lawyers  
Competition & Antitrust 2023/24 – Elite Practitioner for 4 consecutive years
Technology & Telecommunications 2023/24 - Elite Practitioner for 4 consecutive years

Drew & Napier's team, and Chong Kin Lim in particular, are deep experts in the tech and telecom space. They provide crisp guidance that we can share rapidly with our internal business clients. They also proactively monitor the horizon, and they let us know in advance about legal/regulatory developments that may impact us. Finally, they are fantastically responsive and literally never late in getting us the information we request.”

“Prompt, knowledgeable and responsive.”

“He has incredible relationships in his peer network. Deep expertise and incredibly responsive.”

Who’s Who Legal
Global Guide: Competition 2023 – Recommended Lawyer for 5 consecutive years
Global Guide: Data – Information Technology 2024 – Recommended Lawyer for 6 consecutive years
Global Guide: Data – Data Privacy & Protection 2024 – Recommended Lawyer for 3 consecutive years
Global Guide: Telecoms & Media 2024 – Recommended Lawyer for 6 consecutive years
National Guide: Southeast Asia – Competition 2023 – Recommended Lawyer for 3 consecutive years
National Guide: Southeast Asia – Data 2023 – Recommended Lawyer for 3 consecutive years
Global Guide: Regulatory Communications 2013 – Leading Lawyer for 4 consecutive years

"Chong Kin is a renowned competition practitioner."

"He has long standing experience in competition, especially in the telecoms market."

“He is usually the first port of call for clients in the telecommunications sector when they encounter competition issues.”

"He is a very knowledgeable and efficient operator for merger control filings in Singapore."

Chong Kin Lim is a ‘true leader at the Singaporean competition bar’, say sources, who note his ‘fine sense for how to navigate the enforcement regime’.

Chong Kin Lim is highly sought-after by clients across the IT sector who commend his great ability to ‘brilliantly resolve complex matters’.

“Chong Kin Lim is held in high esteem by sources thanks to his adept handling of competition-related matters across the telecoms and media sector.”

Best Lawyers International: Singapore (2024 edition)
Competition/Antitrust – Endorsed individual for 12 consecutive years
Information Technology Laws – Endorsed individual
Media Law – Endorsed individual for 10 consecutive years
Regulatory Practice – Endorsed individual for 10 consecutive years
Telecommunications Law – Endorsed individual for 10 consecutive years

Telecommunications Lawyer of the Year Singapore 2020 

Asia IP Experts 2016
Leading individual in IT & Telecoms, Media & entertainment

Practical Law Company Which Lawyer?
Competition/Antitrust 2012 – Endorsed individual
TMT 2012 – Endorsed individual

  • Senior Accredited Specialist (Data and Digital Economy Law), Singapore Academy of Law
  • Member, Law Society of Singapore
  • Member, Singapore Academy of Law
  • Member, Law Society of England and Wales
  • Member, Pacific Telecommunications Council
  • Associate member, American Bar Association