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Yap En Li

Director, Dispute Resolution

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Practice Areas

Qualifications

  • LL.B. (Hons), The University of Manchester (2014)
  • Admitted to the Singapore Bar (2016)
Overview

En Li has broad-based experience in litigation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution. Her practice focuses on civil and commercial dispute resolution.

En Li also regularly advises financial institutions and commercial entities in the course of their business dealings.

In 2022, En Li was named as a “Recommended Lawyer” by Legal 500 Asia Pacific, and is commended by clients for her work.  

Some of the matters which En Li was involved in include: 
  • Acted for a foreign state entity in the recovery of investment funds which were siphoned off and subsequently seized by the Singapore authorities.
  • Acted for an Indian conglomerate in proceedings before the Singapore International Commercial Court relating to the construction of offshore oil rigs.
  • Acted for a local property developer in proceedings before the High Court and Court of Appeal which concerned novel tortious issues (whether the tort of malicious prosecution should be extended to civil proceedings in Singapore and whether the tort of abuse of process should be recognised in Singapore) – see Lee Tat Development Pte Ltd v Management Corporation Strata Title Plan No 301 [2018] 2 SLR 866.
  • Acted for a foreign bank in proceedings before the High Court to enforce its security against a prominent commodities trader which was engaged in double financing fraud.    
  • Acted for an Indonesian investment company in proceedings before the High Court relating to fraud and conspiracy to divert profits and business opportunities from a multinational group of coal mining companies.
  • Acted for an offshore logistics company in an SIAC arbitration relating to the design and construction of jack-up drilling rigs.
  • Acted for two multinational investment companies in an ICC arbitration relating to share purchase agreements to purchase trust companies worldwide.
  • Acted for a Singapore conglomerate in an SIAC arbitration relating to a joint venture to construct telecommunication towers in a foreign country.
  • Acted for a fund in an SIAC arbitration relating to share purchase agreements.

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
Dispute Resolution 2026 – Recommended lawyer
International Arbitration 2022 – Recommended Lawyer

'Benedict Teo leads a strong team, including Tham Feei Sy, En Li Yap, and Sabrina Chan. They lay out clear strategies, are responsive, and provide calm, focused guidance throughout disputes.'

“Yap En Li is our main contact. She is sharp, meticulous, polite and always understanding even though our requests can be a little demanding at times. She understood our case very well and has a very high IQ and EQ to be able to understand the technology and technical terms that is in the case.”
 
asialaw 2024 edition
“Very responsive to calls and comments. Provides useful comments and feedback and thoughts on matters.”
“Easily accessible, hard-working and responsive. Produces high-quality work that is clear and concise.”

Asian Legal Business Singapore Rising Stars 2025
Recognised as one of Singapore's next-generation legal leaders (July 2025 issue)

“Yap En Li has established herself as one of Singapore's most promising dispute resolution lawyers during her career at Drew & Napier.”

“Clients consistently commend her ability to distil complex legal issues into actionable strategies, while peers highlight her rare combination of intellectual rigour and practical judgment. These qualities have made her a trusted advisor on matters where the stakes couldn't be higher.”
 
Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2022 edition
“She is very clear and concise with her communications. She picks up calls and is very diligent in her work.”

  • Member, Law Society of Singapore
  • Member, Singapore Academy of Law
  • Volunteer, Criminal Legal Aid Scheme