Voon Jiet has over two decades of experience representing multinational corporations, financial institutions, statutory boards and individuals at all levels of the Singapore Court, including as lead counsel in the High Court, International Commercial Court and Court of Appeal. He has acted as both counsel and arbitrator in international arbitrations, and is on the Singapore International Arbitration Centre’s (SIAC) and the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association’s (JCAA) panel of arbitrators.
His disputes practice is diverse and spans a broad spectrum of litigation and arbitration matters. These include civil disputes relating to banking and finance, commercial contracts, company law, insolvency, professional negligence, complex tort, and employment.
Voon Jiet also specialises in regulatory and corporate fraud investigations, and has extensive experience in these matters across various industries, including telecommunications, media, energy, transport and finance. He has advised local and overseas entities on all aspects of such investigations, such as dawn raids, leniency applications, enforcement actions, appeals and judicial review proceedings.
Asia Pacific Legal 500 recommended Voon Jiet for dispute resolution, where he is described as “quick and makes the effort to understand clients’ business structures and objectives.” He is also recognised by Who’s Who Legal for investigations as an “intelligent and shrewd practitioner”, and “an authority on the sophisticated legal issues that arise in such matters.”
Voon Jiet graduated with First Class Honours from the National University of Singapore, and holds a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School.
He is presently a co-author for the Singapore Academy of Law Annual Review on Civil Procedure, and has contributed to a number of prominent publications and textbooks on Singapore law.
Voon Jiet has handled a variety of contentious matters. Here are just a few:
- Joint venture dispute - Successfully defended a Singapore-listed company and its founders in a claim brought by its joint venture partners before the Singapore International Commercial Court. The dispute arose from the development of an integrated winter resort in Shanghai, and involves issues of Chinese law.
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S$85 million international arbitration - Co-counsel in an international arbitration between a Singapore government-linked company and an Australian listed company in a dispute arising out of a major infrastructure project in Singapore. The dispute comprised various claims in excess of S$85 million, and involved several technical experts.
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Banking services dispute in the Singapore International Commerical Courte - Acted for a Dubai-based family in a dispute with a UK incorporated bank in relation to various financial and fiduciary products and services, including a universal life insurance policy. The case involves both Singapore and DIFC law, and was heard in the Singapore International Commercial Court
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Investigation into corporate fraud - Acted for a Singapore-listed company in respect of a fraud perpetuated in its Indian subsidiary. This included an investigation into the fraud as well as subsequent litigation in Singapore and India against various parties, including the auditors and former employees.
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First competition appeal on abuse of dominance - Acted for the ticketing service provider in an appeal against an infringement decision by the Competition Commission of Singapore regarding abuse of dominance arising from various exclusive agreements. This was the first case in Singapore involving abuse of dominance, and resulted in a landmark decision by the Competition Appeal Board
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
Antitrust and Competition 2023 – Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years
Dispute Resolution 2023 – Recommended lawyer
White Collar Crime 2023 – Recommended lawyer
‘Chia Voon Jiet – he is very knowledgeable in his field of expertise.’
‘Quick and makes the effort to understand clients’ business structures and objectives’
Who’s Who Legal
Global Leader: Investigations 2022 – Recommended for 2 consecutive years
National Leader: Southeast Asia Investigations 2023 – Recommended for 3 consecutive years
National Leader: Southeast Asia Commercial Litigation 2023 – Recommended for 2 consecutive years
Investigations Future Leaders 2020 – Ranked as an eminent lawyer under 45 in the field of investigations, anti-corruption and white-collar crime for 3 consecutive years from 2018 to 2020
Telecommunications Media & Technology 2016 – Leading Lawyer
“Voon Jiet draws praise from market respondents who commend his expert handling of corporate fraud and regulatory investigations.”
"He provides strong attention to detail and excellent commercial advice"
"He has the great ability to analyse legal concerns and offer practical solutions"
"He's an exceptional commercial litigator"
"He has a strong regulatory focus"
"He is a great choice for investigations thanks to his hands-on approach"
“Voon Jiet Chia wins plaudits for his exceptional knowledge of corporate fraud and regulatory investigations.”
Voon Jiet is hailed as an “intelligent and shrewd practitioner who is able to manage the client’s expectations effectively” and is praised for his “meticulous approach”.
Voon Jiet is an "intelligent and shrewd practitioner" according to observers who praise his ability to handle issues ranging from corporate fraud to regulatory investigations.
Voon Jiet is praised “for his work in competition and regulatory investigations where he is known as an authority on the sophisticated legal issues that arise in such matters.”
Global Investigations Review 100 (GIR 100) 5th edition (2019)
Recognised as a leading individual for investigations. The GIR 100 identifies top 100 firms worldwide that handle complex cross-border government-led and internal investigations.
Best Lawyers International: Singapore
Arbitration and Mediation 2024 – Endorsed individual for 4 consecutive years
Litigation 2024 – Endorsed individual
asialaw Leading Lawyers 2022 edition
“Understands issues very quickly. Open to listening and considers all alternatives. Explains legal basis and offers sound advice. Able to build a good rapport and we are confident he has our back.”
Singapore Business Review
Singapore’s 40 most influential lawyers aged 40 and under in 2015 – Listed lawyer
Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific
Litigation Star 2023 – White Collar Crime