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Kong Man Er

Director, Dispute Resolution

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Practice Areas

Qualifications

  • LL.B (Hons), King’s College London (2007)
  • BCL, Oxford University (2008)
  • Admitted to the Singapore Bar (2011)
Overview

Man Er handles complex disputes.  She has successfully represented clients in litigation and international arbitration proceedings, covering a wide range of subject matters such as contract, tort, banking and finance, property law, equity and trusts, company law and shareholder disputes, insolvency and the enforcement of arbitration agreements and arbitral awards. 

Man Er also has significant experience in corporate, anti-money laundering and regulatory investigations. She has advised companies in the banking and financial services, transport, hospitality, construction and manufacturing industries on all aspects of their investigations as well as regulatory enforcement and compliance issues.

Man Er graduated with First Class Honours in law from King’s College London in 2007 and obtained a Bachelor of Civil Laws from Oxford University in 2008. Before joining Drew & Napier LLC in 2010, Man Er was a Justices’ Law Clerk and an Assistant Registrar at the Supreme Court of Singapore.

Man Er has assisted clients to resolve a variety of disputes. These include disputes relating to contract, tort, banking and finance, property law, equity and trusts, company law and shareholder disputes, insolvency and the enforcement of arbitration agreements and arbitral awards.   

Man Er also has significant experience in corporate, anti-money laundering and regulatory investigations. She has advised companies in the banking and financial services, transport, hospitality, construction and manufacturing industries on all aspects of their investigations as well as regulatory enforcement and compliance issues.

Some of the matters which Man Er has acted in include:
  • Successfully acted for clients in matters relating to the setting aside and enforcement of international arbitration awards. One of such cases is Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels Inc and another v Global Gaming Philippines LLC and another [2021] 2 SLR 1279.
  • Successfully struck out a multi-million dollar claim brought by a foreign joint venture partner against a Singapore listed company.  
  • Successfully struck out a claim brought by an investor against an international bank for losses suffered in respect of foreign exchange derivative transactions.
  • Successfully represented a Senegalese company in persuading the Singapore Court of Appeal to refuse leave to a Singapore company to serve claim documents on the Senegalese company out of jurisdiction: [2021] 1 SLR 342.
  • Successfully represented the owner of a business marketing government-funded training programmes in an appeal to the Appellate Division against findings of fact made by the trial Judge, after taking over conduct of the matter for the purposes of the appeal: [2022] SGHC(A) 36.
  • Successfully represented a Singapore listed company in appeals before the Court of Appeal relating to an application by that company for legal proceedings to be stayed in Singapore on the ground that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was the more appropriate forum to hear the dispute: [2017] 1 SLR 907.
  • Successfully represented the “effective wife” of a prominent doctor, at trial and on appeal, in a dispute over assets valued at more than $20 million. The case involved the application of the Mental Capacity Act.  Indemnity costs were ordered in favour of the client: [2012] 1 SLR 549.

Asian Legal Business
ALB Asia 40 Under 40 2024 – Recognised lawyer
Singapore Rising Stars 2024 – Recognised lawyer
“Man Er's expertise in high-stakes litigation is evident. She has a proven track record of success” and “is a trusted advisor in complex shareholder disputes”. She also boasts a stellar “record of successfully defending clients against various claims”.
“Her impressive portfolio extends to international arbitration, where she has also acted for clients in challenging international arbitration awards.”

Asia Business Law Journal
Identified as one of Singapore’s Top 100 lawyers 2019

Sources say: "[Kong Man Er] is responsive, proactive, knowledgeable, practical, commercially perceptive, strategic, meticulous and flexible if required”

asialaw Leading Lawyers 2023/2024 edition

“Kong is qualified and brilliant at what she does. Very reliable and flexible. In terms of advocacy skills, Kong is astonishing. Kong is very patient towards the clients and has the deep understanding of the law. Further, Kong respects the time and is responsive. Case management is top-notch as well. We have obtained grand knowledge when we discuss the interpretation and the conflicts of law.”

“Intelligent, sharp, efficient and effective.”

“Man Er is an excellent lawyer! Confident, intelligent and diligent, she is never fazed by anything thrown at her. She easily understands complex legal issues and is always on top of her game. A true joy to work with!” 

Singapore Business Review 2023
Identified as one of Singapore’s 30 most influential lawyers under the age of 40.