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Javier Yeo

Director, Intellectual Property & Dispute Resolution

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Practice Areas

Qualifications

  • LL.B. (Hons), National University of Singapore
  • Admitted to the Singapore Bar in August 2016
Overview

Javier specialises in intellectual property dispute resolution. He has acted for many clients across different industries such as the pharmaceutical, chemical and mechanical engineering as well as semiconductor industries in trademark and patent matters.  

Javier is ranked a “Rising Star” for Intellectual Property for three consecutive years since 2022 by Legal 500 Asia Pacific. He was also named the regional Rising Star of the Year at the Legal 500 Southeast Asia Awards 2023. In its 2024 edition, Asian Legal Business (ALB) identified Javier as an outstanding young lawyer in the “40 under 40” survey.

Apart from his intellectual property practice, Javier has also practised in a wide array of commercial matters including company law, contract law, defamation and employment law, for both international and local clients.

Counsels that have worked with him have described him as a “superb lawyer whose work in this complex case has been nothing short of amazing” and was also commended for “acquir[ing] an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the very challenging technical aspects of the disputes and of the volumes of evidence”.

Clients have described Javier as “very smart, quick and efficient” and that his “work rate is simply outstanding”.

Javier has handled many types of cases before the Singapore Courts across different areas of practice. These include numerous high-value Court matters, in particular, intellectual property disputes ranging across a wide variety of industries. Amongst his clients are well-known international brands in their respective industries.

Intellectual Property Matters

  • Successfully represented IIa Technologies Pte Ltd, an industry leader and manufacturer of lab-grown diamonds with the largest diamond growing facility in the world, in a patent infringement suit commenced by Element Six Technologies Ltd, a subsidiary of the De Beers Group, in IIa Technologies Pte Ltd v Element Six Technologies Limited [2023] SGCA 5. It is safe to say that this Suit is one of the most and possibly the most complex patent infringement case that the Singapore High Court and Singapore Court of Appeal has heard. Javier was also lead counsel in highly contentious costs proceedings that went on appeal before the High Court and successfully obtained more than S$3m in costs for the defendant.
  • Acted for a Fortune 10 company in a high value patent infringement claim commenced by Salutica Allied Solutions Sdn Bhd involving Bluetooth technology. This action is part of a global patent dispute. Javier second-chaired the hearing where the team successfully struck out Salutica’s claim, without prejudice to Salutica’s right to refile. Salutica has since refiled the suit in the General Division of the High Court.
  • Acted for KuDOS Pharmaceuticals Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca in a patent-linkage matter against Natco Pharma Asia Pte Ltd involving 4 patents concerning Olaparib. This is part of a global litigation for Natco’s generic product Olanat.
  • Acting for Singapore Airlines in a series of trademark opposition and revocation actions for its iconic “Singapore Girl” mark.
  • Represented Eisai Co Ltd and its related companies in a patent linkage matter for HALAVEN, an anti-cancer mediation used to treat breast cancer and lipsarcoma. This is the first litigation globally in relation to HALAVEN.

Other contentious corporate matters

  • Acted as lead counsel and successfully defended a client in a matter involving amongst others, breach of director’s duties, passing off and conspiracy to injure. Javier obtained a swift victory for the client by obtaining a declaration from the Court that matters were already settled in an agreement, thereby preventing the matter from escalating further. The application for declaration dealt with the novel issue in Singapore of whether a settlement agreement could settle unknown and even fraudulent claims, as well as claims that arose after the date of settlement. 
  • Acted for Edge Capital Fund SP2 Pte Ltd, an asset management firm in a suit against doctors in Singapore involving the manufacture, supply and storage of mesenchymal stem cells under the new Regulations in the Health Products Act. This case involves tackling novel issues in relation to interpretation and application of the Regulations. The case also involves breach of directors’ duties, breach of contract and misrepresentation.
  • Successfully represented BW Automobiles Pte Ltd in the State Courts ([2018] SGDC 189) and in the appeal to the High Court in a landmark case concerning the interpretation of named driver insurance policies.
  • Represented a Singapore holding company in the business of acquiring aesthetic practices in a suit canvassing various issues including a breach of contract, minority shareholder oppression and equitable winding up pursuant to s254 of the Companies Act. The claim was in excess of SGD20m.
  • Appointed as a mediator for a multi-million estate matter involving assets in various jurisdictions and successfully assisted the parties in reaching a settlement for a dispute that lasted for more than 2 years.

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
Intellectual Property 2025 – Recommended Lawyer
Rising Star for 3 consecutive years 

Javier Yeo "is very cautious, hardworking and resourceful in his work.” 

“Both Tony Yeo and Javier Yeo are very professional, work swiftly and I find them very creative. They attention to details and I am very comfortable when handling my matters to them.” 

Javier Yeo "is very smart, quick and efficient. His work rate is simply outstanding. I have received important and urgent emails/WhatsApp messages from him late at night and even on weekends. He is always energetic and full of passion. A very nice and comfortable person to work with.” 

The Legal 500 Southeast Asia Awards 2023
Named regional Rising Star of the Year for Intellectual Property

Asian Legal Business
Identified as one of 40 bright legal minds in the region under the age of 40 – “40 Under 40 list” (October 2024 issue)

Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific
Intellectual Property 2025 – Future Star

“Javier is exceptionally hardworking and meticulous, with a deep understanding of complex legal issues and a strategic approach to case management. His clear and, persuasive communication skills stand out, making him an effective and reliable lawyer.” (2024)

Javier “is quick to understand the key points of the patents and background of the industry.” (2023)

“Meticulous, super-hardworking, extremely perseverant, and excellent in simplifying complex matters.” (2023)

asialaw Leading Lawyers 
“Very fast work rate and able to grasp the core of the matter very well.” (2024)

“Javier Yeo has good commercial sense and a quick turnaround rate.” (2024)

“Knowledgeable and has expertise in laws regarding intellectual property. Provides strong support in the litigation.” (2023)

  • Member, Singapore Academy of Law
  • Member, Law Society of Singapore
  • Member and Convenor of the Sports Committee, Law Society of Singapore
  • The Singapore chapter of Life Sciences & Pharma IP Litigation, Chambers Global Practice Guides, 2024 and 2025
  • The Singapore chapter of Patent Litigation Country Comparative Guide, The Legal 500, 2022 to 2024
  • Co-author of the Singapore section of the Chapter on Countries with Historical Connections with UK Registered Designs in Russell-Clarke & Howe on Industrial Designs, 10th Edition, Sweet & Maxwell, 2022 
  • Co-author of the Singapore chapter of Patent Enforcement in the UK and Trans-Pacific Countries, Globe Law and Business, 2021
  • Author of the chapter The Facilitative - Evaluative Divide: Have We Lost Sight of What's Important? in Contemporary Issues in Mediation: Volume 1, Singapore International Mediation Institute, 2016