Private Client Disputes
Drew & Napier has a team of distinguished and capable lawyers handling private client disputes which include private wealth and family issues, international cross-border multi-jurisdictional conflicts as well as conventional family and matrimonial litigation.
Private wealth, family and matrimonial matters require careful and sensitive handling, calling for discretion and judgment. Inter-personal disputes that cross national boundaries also demand strategic and thoughtful management.
Our lawyers are experienced in handling delicate private wealth, family and inter-personal matters, often involving multiple parties, different jurisdictions, conflicting national laws, substantial stakes and interests.
Practice Areas
Private Wealth Disputes
A current phenomenon is the emergence of superlatively high-net-worth individuals and families in Singapore and abroad. Such clients spend a lifetime amassing considerable personal affluence world-wide. They often put together sophisticated wealth transfer plans for transfer or management of business interests, use of Family Offices, creation of family and philanthropic trusts and structures as well as instruments and mechanisms aimed at continuity of family governance. Sometimes, these arrangements fail. In some instances, “Family Education”, which entails educating family members on financial matters and instilling agreed family values to minimize intergenerational conflicts, do not work out as planned. Issues and disputes may arise under such circumstances, jeopardizing the achievement of legacy and other long term desires of such well-off individuals and families. Our practice group assists in implementing strategies to de-conflict disagreements, improve arrangements and also to act in any unresolved litigation, mediation, adjudication or arbitration.
Family Law
Our family law practitioners are experienced in providing specialist solutions for all family and inter-personal relationship disputes. Our experience can be gauged by our involvement in a number of landmark reported decisions from our courts. A defining feature of our practice is the diligence, tact, and professionalism with which we handle such intricate and demanding legal situations.
Divorce, Judicial Separation and Annulment
We help our clients navigate through the complexities of establishing the most appropriate jurisdictional and legal grounds for divorce, separation or annulment proceedings. We also advise on and execute optimal solutions for issues related to children and finances that are connected to such proceedings.
Family Assets, Maintenance and Child Support Disputes
A financial dimension exists in divorce and separation proceedings as well as in standalone children and inter-personal relationship cases outside of marriage. We offer sound guidance and innovative support in achieving negotiated and contested solutions to disputes involving maintenance and all manner of property and assets.
Custody and Guardianship
Our lawyers are well-versed in handling custody and guardianship applications in both contentious and non-contentious situations. In high conflict cases, we ensure that the interests of both the children and our client are protected. We also undertake sophisticated cross-border cases that involve child relocation disputes and child abduction.
International Relationships Disputes
We offer timely and well thought out legal approaches to cases with an international dimension. We handle complicated multi-jurisdictional disputes in collaboration with foreign counsel where necessary, to ensure that the interests of our clients and their children in every jurisdiction are safeguarded. Our lawyers are also well-versed on the full range of relevant international jurisdictional and conflict of laws disputes and remedies.
Family Finance & Asset Protection Planning
We provide expert advice in drafting pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements and separation deeds. We act in negotiations to arrive at mutually acceptable agreements. Our lawyers are also conversant in handling disputes arising from such deeds and agreements.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is sometimes an unfortunate adjunct to family disputes. We advise clients of their rights and assist them in obtaining protection and redress where necessary. Our lawyers also provide representation for clients who are faced with domestic violence applications.
Adoption
We advise on adoption procedures and liaise with the relevant authorities for necessary approval, as well as make court applications for the adoption process.
Accolades
Asian Legal Business Southeast Asia Law Awards
Matrimonial and Family Law Firm of the Year 2021, 2022 and 2023
Chambers High Net Worth
Private Wealth Law 2023 – Leading firm for 8 consecutive years
Singapore: Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth 2023:
Randolph Khoo – Band 1 for 2 consecutive years
Hoon Shu Mei – Band 1
"These are some of the smartest people I have ever met - experienced and high IQ," says a source, adding: "They do extensive and thorough research, understand my situation completely, understand the laws applicable to my situation, alert me to the potential pitfalls, and give me sound advice after having discussed with me the possible avenues and potential outcomes."
“Drew & Napier is one of the few firms that is all rounded and possesses the capability and in-depth knowledge to advise on both the corporate side and private wealth planning.”
Another source says their “strengths are that they are knowledgeable about the subject matter and able to share relevant experience when it comes to trust-related matters.”
“They were attentive and always available. They had a high degree of professionalism and knowledge around the issues discussed.”
Clients described the team as “very, very professional in their approach” with “very good, solid reputation" in the local market.
The team was praised for being "very versatile", our lawyers are "very in-tune with the industry, and with what the clients, banks and trust companies are thinking; you have a melting pot of experience there."
A source says that "I think the quality is very high; it's excellent. They are very liked by their clients, they're trustworthy and very up-to-date on what's happening. They understand from the trustees' point of view what they need and what's going on. I also think their regulatory framework is a lot stronger than that of other firms. When there are any changes in rules and regulations, they're first on it too."
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
Private Wealth and Family Law 2023 – Tier 1 for 7 consecutive years
Recommended lawyers - Randolph Khoo, Ong Sim Ho, Ong Ken Loon, and Hoon Shu Mei
Next Generation Partners: Seah Ching Ling
Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific
Family and Matrimonial 2023 – Tier 1 for 2 consecutive years
Identified as a Future Star for Family and Matrimonial 2023 - Hoon Shu Mei for 2 consecutive years
Identified as a Litigation Star for Family and Matrimonial 2021 – Randolph Khoo for 3 consecutive years
Private Client 2023 – Highly Recommended
Private Client 2022 – Recommended for 4 consecutive years
Identified as a Litigation Star for Private Client 2023 – Randolph Khoo for 2 consecutive years
“The lawyer I dealt with is caring and understanding, very professional and knowledgeable.”
Doyles Guide
Leading Family & Divorce Law Firms - Singapore, 2023 – Tier 2 (4 consecutive years)
Identified as Leading Lawyer 2023 – Hoon Shu Mei
Identified as Recommended Lawyer 2023 – Randolph Khoo
Identified as Leading Lawyer 2022 – Randolph Khoo (2 consecutive years)
Identified as Recommended Lawyer 2022 – Hoon Shu Mei
Identified as Recommended Lawyer 2020 – Johnson Loo
The Straits Times – Singapore’s Best Law Firms 2024
Rated full marks (5 stars) for Family Law for 3 years in the Singapore’s Best Law Firms 2024 survey by Singapore’s largest circulating broadsheet, The Straits Times, and international research company, Statista.
Citywealth Leaders List
Ranked by Citywealth Leaders List as one of the “Top 100 International Private Client Litigation Lawyers 2023” – Hoon Shu Mei
Top 50 Private Client and Family Legal Heroes 2022 – Recommended - Hoon Shu Mei
“Recommended Lawyer” in Family and Matrimonial work in 2021 – Hoon Shu Mei
Ranked by Citywealth Leaders List as one of the “Top 100 Private Client Lawyers 2021” – Hoon Shu Mei