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Adam Maniam

Deputy Head, Criminal Law Practice

Director, Dispute Resolution

Director, Competition Law Practice (Disputes)

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Practice Areas

Qualifications

  • LL.B (Hons) National University of Singapore (2008)
  • Advocate & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore (2009)
Overview

Adam has a very active practice handling complex and cross-border litigation and international arbitration matters. Adam also handles extremely high-profile criminal matters and investigations. These criminal matters include several notable cases where Adam has successfully compounded charges or obtained acquittals for his clients.
 
He has acted for high-profile clients at all levels of the Singapore Courts as well as in both international and domestic ICC, SIAC and ad-hoc arbitrations. He is a member of the Core Committee of the ICC Singapore Arbitration Group. He has also successfully handled cases as lead counsel before the Singapore International Commercial Court and regularly handles multi-jurisdictional disputes involving parties located in ASEAN, Asia-Pacific, India and other countries such as PNG, Australia and the United Kingdom.
 
Adam has wide experience in both obtaining and resisting injunctions in Court proceedings as well as in obtaining emergency orders for arbitration proceedings.
 
Adam was named as the Young Lawyer of the Year at the Asian Legal Business SE Asia Law Awards in 2022. He was also identified by the Asia-Pacific Legal 500 as a Next Generation Lawyer while Who’s Who Legal has identified Adam as a Global Elite Thought Leader, Future Leader and Recommended Lawyer.  The Legal 500 has described Adam as “excellent” while Who’s Who Legal describes Adam as a lawyer who provides “first-rate advice on complex litigation matters” and as a “thorough, concise and relentless litigator” who is applauded for his “impressive preparation of briefs”. When being ranked as one of the top 50 Disputes lawyers in Asia by Asian Legal Business in 2022, Adam was described as an “excellent lawyer” with “top of the line” capabilities.
 
Adam is routinely engaged to act in matters against Senior Counsel and he has a very successful track record in such matters. The 2022 edition of Asialaw noted that sources say that Adam’s “advocacy is first class and he prevails over senior SC in court in an unpresumptuous manner that delivers clarity and persuasion” and that Adam is “excellent on his feet” and “runs rings around more senior opposing counsel”.
 
Adam graduated on the overall Dean’s List from the National University of Singapore (NUS), having been a consistent feature on the Dean’s List during his time there.
 
Adam is on the panel of counsel for the Law Society of Singapore and has also been appointed by the Honourable the Chief Justice to the Inquiry Panel. Adam is regularly engaged by the Law Society of Singapore to prosecute its highest profile cases.

Some of the matters in which Adam has acted include the following:

1.Trust dispute involving assets estimated to be worth US$600 – US$800 million - Adam successfully acted for members of the De La Sala family in a trust dispute involving assets estimated to be worth US$600 – US$800 million. Adam acted for three directors of the companies involved in the dispute and successfully defended claims against them for breach of fiduciary duties and conspiracy.

2. Lead counsel in successful SIAC Emergency Arbitration – Adam was lead in an SIAC Emergency Arbitration application. He successfully obtained emergency orders preventing the respondent from terminating a highly lucrative licensing agreement for novel technology in the oil and gas industry.

3. Dispute involving alleged damage to more than 300 Chinese ink paintings – Adam was lead counsel for one of two defendants in an assessment of damages proceeding and subsequent appeal involving claims of more than S$2 million for alleged damage to more than 300 Chinese ink paintings. Under cross-examination by Adam, the plaintiff’s expert made several key admissions that the Court relied on in reducing the amount of damages claimed by the plaintiff by more than 70%.

4. S$80 million infrastructure arbitration – Co-counsel in an SIAC international arbitration involving a Singapore government-linked company and an Australian listed company. The dispute arose out of a major infrastructure project relating to the construction an electrical services tunnel, and involved significant legal and technical engineering issues. The quantum of the claim exceeded S$80 million.

5. S$18 million Private Banking Dispute – Successfully represented UBS AG in a S$18 million dispute where two customers sued the bank for negligent advice and various other allegations surrounding the losses suffered by a US$60 million investment portfolio in the aftermath of the global financial crisis in 2008.

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500

Dispute Resolution 2021 – Recommended Lawyer; Previously a Next Generation Lawyer for 2 consecutive years

“Adam Maniam is a very strong practitioner.”

Sources say “Adam Maniam is exceptional. His comprehensive knowledge of the case, understanding of legal nuances and timely advice has been invaluable.”

White-Collar Crime 2025 – Recommended Lawyer
International Arbitration 2023 – Recommended Lawyer

Chambers Asia-Pacific and Chambers Global
Dispute Resolution: Litigation – Singapore 2025 – Up and Coming 

"Adam is very good at what he does. He is very talented and meticulous and a person who carefully plans his strategies."

Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific
White-Collar Crime 2025 – Future Star

Asialaw Leading Lawyers
Dispute Resolution 2025 – Notable Practitioner

Best Lawyers International: Singapore
Construction Law 2025 – Endorsed individual for 2 consecutive years

Lexology Index (previously Who’s Who Legal)
Thought Leaders Global Elite Guide – Under 45: Commercial Litigation - Future Leaders 2025 for 4 consecutive years
Commercial Litigation - Future Leaders 2024 for 4 consecutive years
Southeast Asia: Litigation 2025 – Recommended Lawyer for 5 consecutive years

Adam Maniam impresses market sources with his “excellent negotiating skills” and “commercial approach towards solving the legal issue”.

“Adam Maniam is singled out by clients for his first-rate advice on complex litigation matters.”

"Adam Maniam at Drew & Napier is a ‘thorough, concise and relentless’ litigator applauded for his ‘impressive preparation of briefs’.”

Asian Legal Business SE Asia Law Awards
Named Young Lawyer of the Year 2022

Asian Legal Business Asia Super 50 Disputes Lawyers 2025
Recognised as being amongst the top 50 disputes lawyers in the region for 4 consecutive years

“demonstrates remarkable patience and thoughtful ness in his approach to the case. He carefully considers the needs and perspectives of his client, taking the time to listen attentively and provide thoughtful guidance. His patient demeanour and thoughtful insights contribute to effective problem-solving.”

“Adam consistently took a pragmatic approach throughout the case. He clearly understood my goals and focused on achieving the best possible outcome within realistic expectations. He didn’t waste time on unnecessary pursuits and always kept the focus on achieving a successful resolution.”

“Adam has very good subject knowledge, is cooperative and goes the extra mile to help the client, I found his capabilities top of the line. An excellent lawyer having equally good personal traits."

asialaw Client Service Excellence 2020 edition

Identified as one of the highest rated lawyers to work with for Dispute Resolution in Singapore.

Only lawyers with the highest overall aggregate ratings have been included. Scores are also backed up with detailed feedback based on the quality of service received.

asialaw Leading Lawyers 2023/2024 edition

“He is D&N personified. Altogether exceptional in terms of service, advocacy, attention to client's concerns and knowledge of the law. He’s a brilliant lawyer. In my opinion better than some senior counsel.”

“Mastery of the law, tactics and service to the client. First-rate advocacy.”

Sources say Adam is “a brilliant thinker with a sharp mind and a calm demeanour. His advocacy is first class and he prevails over senior SC in court in an unpresumptuous manner that delivers clarity and persuasion.”

“Smart with a sharp mind and detailed knowledge of the matter. Quiet achiever and excellent on his feet. Runs rings around more senior opposing counsel.”

Doyle’s guide 2025
Leading White-Collar Crime & Regulatory Investigations Lawyers, Singapore - Recommended lawyer

Singapore Business Review - Legal Luminaries 
Listed as one of Singapore’s 18 most influential Lawyers under 40 in 2021

  • Appointed to the Inquiry Panel of the Law Society of Singapore
  • Appointed to the panel of counsel for the Law Society of Singapore
  • Appointed to the Core Committee of the ICC Singapore Arbitration Group
  • Member, Singapore Academy of Law
  • Member, Law Society of Singapore
  • Member, Law Society’s Criminal Legal Aid Scheme
  • Adjunct tutor in advocacy courses at the National University of Singapore