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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 both 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.

  1. Successfully acted for clients in matters before the Singapore Courts 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 [2020] SGHC 1.

  2. 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.

  3. Obtained a favourable result for an entrepreneur in three international SIAC arbitrations instituted by a listed telecommunications company and its subsidiary. The claimants alleged breaches of non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality clauses in sale and purchase agreements entered into between the parties as part of a joint venture and sought payment of sums in excess of S$60 million.

  4. Acted for Singapore’s major rail operator, SMRT Trains Ltd, in a national inquiry into two train service disruptions in December 2011. In the course of the Committee of Inquiry proceedings, about 100 witnesses and more than 12 experts gave evidence on incident management procedures and complex technical and engineering issues.

  5. Successfully defended a global investment bank, at trial and on appeal, against claims in excess of S$20 million brought by a private banking customer for investment losses arising from accumulator transactions.

Asian Legal Business
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.

  • Member, Law Society of Singapore
  • Member, Singapore Academy of Law