I.R.B Law LLP was founded with a vision to build a law firm that delivers effective and efficient legal services to everyone, from the man on the street to large corporations. IRB Law now has over 50 employees, allowing us to maintain a highly personalised level of service, whilst enabling us to cover a significant range of service areas across individual and corporate law.
We are able to offer top-quality legal services at affordable prices by leveraging technology and falling costs of information. Unlike other law firms, we transfer these cost savings to our clients, which keep our prices very reasonable. Our areas of practice range from family, probate, criminal, personal injury, and personal debt recovery, to international arbitrations, construction and infrastructure, start-ups, mergers and acquisitions, commercial agreements, asset tracing, and enforcement actions.
The firm’s matrimonial practice has dedicated lawyers who regularly undertake both contested and uncontested ancillaries such as divorce, adoption matters, pre-nuptial agreements, division of matrimonial assets and care and control of children. IRB boasts Singapore’s largest Syariah law practice, advising and representing clients in all aspects of Syariah law, such as wills and inheritance matters and divorce.
On civil and commercial matters we have represented clients at all levels of the Singapore Courts, including the Court of Appeal. Elsewhere in the world, our international arbitration team has been representing large international contractors, companies and consultants in arbitrations in Singapore, Malaysia and the wider region, as well as in more distant jurisdictions such as India, China and Romania, primarily in construction, infrastructure, engineering, and commercial disputes.
IRB advises and represents clients on all aspects of family and matrimonial law, such as divorce, annulments, disputes over maintenance or custody, personal protection orders, and adoption.
IRB Law focuses on exploring all possible outcomes for resolving your situation, and we are committed to dealing with cases in a non-confrontational, and constructive manner. Our aim is to find an amicable agreement between all parties, with court proceedings being the last resort.
We also regularly advise clients on matters of adoption, guardianship applications, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.
Business succession and estate planning are an increasingly essential part of our lives. At IRB Law LLP we offer our legal knowledge and experience to help clients in a wide range of estate planning areas. This includes, but is not limited to wills, trusts, business succession planning, and lasting powers of attorney.
In addition to helping our clients plan for the future, we offer services in after-life areas such as grants of probate and letters of administration. We also regularly assist our clients with applications under the Mental Capacity Act when a loved one has lost the mental capacity to manage his or her own affairs.
IRB Law’s corporate lawyers have substantial experience across many areas of corporate and commercial law. Our size enables us to provide a personalised level of service, whilst having the capacity to handle large scale international transactions and cross-border corporate legal matters.
Unlike other law firms, we commonly operate on fixed fee arrangements, which provides you with certainty and transparency in planning your legal budgets. We advise a broad clientele, ranging from software and technology start-ups, family-owned businesses, to listed companies in Singapore and other jurisdictions.
Having professional advice on the structure and formation of your business will go a long way towards avoiding costly and protracted disputes in future, especially when the business does well and is profitable.
Contact us for a non-obligatory discussion on your possible requirements. Our team regularly assists clients at the various stages of a business:
Starting a business
Investing in, acquiring or selling a business
Growing your business – financing and raising capital
Handing over the reins
Retirement – winding up the business
Other areas of specialty
Employment law is a broad area, and I.R.B Law are experts across this field of law, acting for both employers and employees.
The Employment Act of Singapore (Chapter 91) is the principal statute that regulates the employer/employee relationship. It expresses the terms and conditions for the employee covered by the Act. Compared to European standards, it is lightly regulated. This is to help secure foreign talent and capital. However, in recent years employees have received more entitlements, such as maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave, and shared parental leave.
Singapore has two categories of employees:
For employees, we can represent and advise you on matters including:
If you’re an employer, we represent and advise you on matters including:
IRB Law’s corporate lawyers have substantial experience across many areas of corporate and commercial law. Our size enables us to provide a personalised level of service, whilst having the capacity to handle large scale international transactions and cross-border corporate legal matters.
Unlike other law firms, we commonly operate on fixed fee arrangements, which provides you with certainty and transparency in planning your legal budgets. We advise a broad clientele, ranging from software and technology start-ups, family-owned businesses, to listed companies in Singapore and other jurisdictions.
Having professional advice on the structure and formation of your business will go a long way towards avoiding costly and protracted disputes in future, especially when the business does well and is profitable.
Proper criminal defence work begins even before the case is brought before the judge. The team will negotiate with the prosecution to reduce, compound, or even drop the charges that you are facing.
If the matter proceeds to trial, our team is ready and prepared to fight all the way to defend your innocence. We do not simply tell our clients to concede. Even if our clients have to plead guilty, we ensure that they receive punishment that is fair and just.
To do all of this well, takes days and hours of diligent work by our team of committed lawyers.
Being charged with an offence can be a terrifying experience. A good lawyer will make the difference. At I.R.B Law, we stake our reputation on getting results.
Managing Partner
Baiross is one of the founders and managing partners of IRB Law LLP. He is an experienced lawyer who was admitted to the bar in 2008. He has an excellent reputation across a broad selection of practice areas. He advises clients on matters relating to divorce, insolvency, crime, probate, Syariah law, and general civil litigation.
Baiross is known for delivering effective solutions to legal problems with empathy and patience.
Partner
Cherie was called to the Bar in 2015. Her primary focus is on matrimonial matters where her empathy, sensitivity and patience has won her many cases involving divorce, maintenance and custody. Cherie comes to law with a strong inclination towards traditional notion of justice and a profound respect for its establishment.
With international experience and involvement in a range of law firms, Cherie is skilled in her art. She is passionate about her work and her dedication towards her clients defines who she is. With a strong work ethic, Cherie’s interest in law stems from her belief that everyone deserves a fair trial despite their socioeconomic background, demographic origins or purported culpability. With this disposition, she is committed to representing her clients to the best of her ability with a focus on the human element of a technical profession.
Beyond the workplace, Cherie enjoys partaking in community initiatives and animal welfare causes. In her free time, Cherie appreciates travelling to new places and learning about new cultures. From traveling across Australasia and Europe, she aspires to backpack across the world.
Besides being dual qualified to practice law in both Singapore and Western Australia, Cherie volunteers her time with Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) and Legal Aid Bureau.
Partner
Muntaz is a partner at I.R.B. Law and oversees the work of associates as well as manages the firm with the Managing Partner. She holds two degrees from the National University of Singapore – one in Law with Honours and another in Arts (Political Science). She also holds a Diploma in Law with Merit from Temasek Polytechnic. Muntaz was admitted to the Bar in 2015.
Muntaz’s work experience includes working in Government’s legal departments of both the Ministry of Manpower and Central Provident Fund Board, making her very familiar with Employment Matters.
Her practice over the years also focuses on Criminal and Family matters. In the recent year alone, Muntaz has had two Court of Appeal matters in which she was involved. In both cases, the ruling was in her client’s favour. One was to award a housewife with a hefty division after drawing an adverse inference against a husband who was hiding his asset and the other was to secure reformative training for an intellectually disabled client who had committed a serious crime. On top of these cases and along the years, Muntaz has undertaken a wide range of litigation cases in family and criminal matters and gone for numerous hearings/trials which resulted in good outcomes for her clients.
Despite being a strong litigator and being involved in many protracted matters, Muntaz also recognises the importance of an amicable and expeditious resolution to matters. To hone her skills in this area, she undertook mediation courses and is now an Accredited Mediator with the Singapore Mediation Centre and Singapore International Mediation Institute. She regularly volunteers as a Judge for mediation events. She regularly uses her mediation experience to explore settlements for clients.
Muntaz is fluent in both English and Malay.
Current and past committees
Reported cases (crime)
Publications
Partner
Admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor since 2016, Ashwin is working as a partner of the firm with a keen passion in criminal defence and contested matrimonial matters. He has gained a reputation for fearlessly fighting for the defence of accused persons in all types of criminal offences under the Penal Code as well as offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Misuse of Drugs Act.
Ashwin has also co-authored sections of the Criminal Law chapter in Halsbury's Laws of Singapore, published by Lexis Nexis.
Partner
Azri graduated with a First Class Honours law degree from the National University of Singapore. Post-graduation, he joined the Singapore Legal Service and served as a Deputy Public Prosecutor, State Counsel, and Assistant Director of Legal Aid (Ministry of Law). He has significant court experience at both trial and appellate level - having acted in a broad spectrum of matters ranging from criminal prosecutions, civil claims, probate, and highly contentious family disputes.
Azri has also rendered legal advice to ministries and other government agencies on various issues, including the legality of executive decisions, draft responses to parliamentary questions, statutory powers, and regulatory frameworks. He was called to the bar in 2018 whilst working at a boutique law firm focusing on constitutional law and public-interest litigation. In the same year, he concurrently taught the Part A Bar Course.
Azri firmly believes that the future belongs to 'deep generalists' - individuals who are flexible enough to fuse in-depth specialist knowledge with a broad understanding of connected disciplines and the world generally.
Partner
Kulvinder was admitted to the bar as an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in 2014. Her practice focuses on civil and commercial litigation, high net worth matrimonial litigation and arbitration. She has been involved in various Court of Appeal hearings and High Court trials across a variety of claims including claims for breaches of directors' duties, contractual disputes, insolvency, defamation, caveats on industrial land and interpretation of key legislation such as the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, to name a few.
Kulvinder has also successfully argued various interlocutory applications involving Mareva Injunctions and a stay of arbitration proceedings. She has experience in domestic and international arbitration, including enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in Singapore. She regularly advises corporations on corporate governance, compliance and regulatory matters. She also advises individuals and corporations on contentious and non-contentious issues including contractual disputes, employment matters, landlord-tenant disputes, probate and matrimonial matters.
In respect of her matrimonial portfolio, Kulvinder has successfully obtained sole custody and highly favourable access arrangements for her clients (both mothers and fathers) in family disputes. Kulvinder graduated from the Singapore Management University. She was awarded a Lexis Nexis Scholarship in Law and was also President of the SMU Pro Bono Society. She is a member of the Singapore Academy of Law, Law Society of Singapore and is on the panel of Assigned Solicitors for the Legal Aid Bureau.
Partner
Fazal was called to the bar in 2014. His main areas of practice revolve around commercial, family, probate and criminal matters.
Fazal strongly believes that everyone deserves a fair trial and is truly passionate in getting the best outcome for his clients. Since practice, he has successfully appeared in many open court trials from the High Court, the State Courts, the Family Justice Courts, the Syariah Court and the MUIS Appeal Board of Singapore.
Fazal also undertakes non-contentious matters such as the drafting of power of attorney, wills, grants of probate, letters of administration, adoption and mental capacity. He is also familiar in drafting and advising on employment disputes as well as commercial contracts.
Fazal is also an active lawyer in the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS) and in the Legal Aid Bureau (LAB). Given his outstanding contributions towards the Legal Aid Bureau, he was awarded the NOVO award.
Reported cases:
Successfully acted in a contentious probate proceeding concerning the validity of a testator’s will.
Successfully acted at appeal in a contentious divorce proceeding concerning the division of matrimonial assets.
Successfully acted in a matter involving the maintenance of children.
Successfully acted in applying for a committal application against the contemnor for numerous breaches of court order.
Non–reported cases:
Appointments:
Partner
Mohammed Shakirin graduated from the highly selective Graduate LLB program at the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons), and is admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore. Apart from his qualifications in Law, Shakirin has graduated from the London School of Economics with a Master of Science degree in Economic History (Merit). He has also obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of London with a First Class Honours.
Shakirin handles general legal work, including but not limited to matters involving aspects of commercial and civil disputes, family law practice, crime, conveyancing as well as corporate practice. Before starting practice as a lawyer, Shakirin has taught undergraduates in private institutions in Singapore. In his stint as a lecturer, Shakirin recognizes the importance of ensuring that clients understand complex legal situations they are in. He takes time to hear clients’ concerns and assist them in the best way he can.
He has handled cases in the High Court as lead counsel and attained favorable outcomes for his clients. He has also assisted the Egyptian Embassy in providing representation for their citizens here in Singapore. Shakirin is married with three children.
Partner
Hakim is a partner at IRB Law LLP. He graduated from the University of Liverpool with an LLB (Honours) and was called to the Bar in 2013. His experience lies in family law, particularly in the area of Muslim family law. He is well-versed in the Syariah law practice, having acted for clients in a wide range of Syariah Court proceedings and representing them in divorce, interim, post-divorce and variation applications.
Hakim also handles various private matters such as the drafting of Muslim wills and deed polls as well as applying for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration in the Family Justice Courts. Friendly and energetic, he is a reassuring presence. Hakim is also a criminal defence lawyer and is often recommended by accused persons. He is determined to protect his clients' rights while maintaining the integrity required of an officer of the court by providing his clients realistic and straightforward advice.
Partner
Called to the Bar in 2015, Anand specialises in civil, criminal, family and estate matters. Civil matters include contractual disputes, shareholder disputes, cross-border transactions, property disputes, torts ranging from negligence to unlawful imprisonment, construction disputes, insolvency etc.
Criminal matters include drug offences, regulatory breaches (e.g. CPF, IRAS, MOM prosecution), money-laundering, cheating offences, sexual crimes, offences under CAD and CPIB, criminal breach of trust. Family matters include divorce, PPO, variation of court orders, interim maintenance etc.
Estate matters include drafting of wills and power of attorneys, uncontested applications for Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration, and contested probate actions (e.g. proving/disputing a will).
Senior Associate
Lydia was called to the Bar in 2016. Lydia has a strong interest in litigation of all types and has found the experience rewarding. For the majority of Lydia's litigation journey, her practice was primarily in insurance-related litigation. She has now developed a keen interest in criminal defence and looks forward to honing her skills in this area.
Since being called to the Bar, Lydia has been given the privilege of being lead counsel before all tiers of Singapore courts, save for the Court of Appeal. This has sharpened her advocacy skills and allowed her to gain insight to the dynamics of litigation. She also has experience being lead counsel in mediations.
Most importantly, Lydia appreciates that the practice of law is a privilege. Thus, no matter how much grit it takes, she will strive to afford each client the best she can do.
Senior Associate
Izyan is a senior associate of the firm, she was admitted to the bar as an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in 2018.
She advises on civil litigation, family law, Syariah law, estate law, criminal defence, insolvency and restructuring, debt recovery and employment matters.
Senior Associate
Amalina was called to the Singapore Bar in August 2018 and is a senior associate of the firm. She has experience practising in the areas of Syariah & Civil Divorce, Wills & Probate, Adoption, Applications under the Mental Capacity Act, Civil Litigation, and Bankruptcy.
Senior Associate
Syafiqah is a Senior Associate of the firm. She graduated with Honours from University of Liverpool, United Kingdom in 2013 and was called to the Bar as an Advocate & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in August 2015.
Syafiqah is an enthusiastic and highly motivated legal professional who is experienced in resolving civil and matrimonial disputes, whether through litigation or alternative dispute resolution. She advises and represents clients in a myriad of disputes such as contractual disputes, defamation claims, personal injury and damage claims related to motor insurance, criminal matters, matrimonial disputes such as divorce, maintenance of wife and children and personal protection orders, as well as Syariah Court proceedings.
Personable and compassionate, Syafiqah believes that these two attributes are important in her practice of community law. A good listener, Syafiqah is a reassuring presence and puts her clients at ease with her solution-oriented approach.
Syafiqah also volunteers for the Legal Aid Bureau and have completed numerous LAB cases with positive results.
Senior Associate
Hongyu graduated from the National University of Singapore, and is admitted as an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore. He has acted for individual and corporate clients in a variety of contentious matters across a wide range of practice areas including commercial, shareholder and partnership disputes, corporate restructuring & insolvency, employment litigation / disputes, medical negligence / professional misconduct, and complex matrimonial litigation. He has appeared at all levels of the Singapore Court as litigation counsel.
In 2017, Hongyu took part in the Essex Court Chambers / Singapore Academy of Law Moot Court Competition with Miss Angelia Thng, where they emerged quarter-finalists.
Practice Areas: Commercial, Shareholder and partnership disputes, Corporate restructuring & Insolvency, Employment Litigation, Disputes, Medical Negligence, Professional Misconduct, Matrimonial Litigation
Associate
Caryn graduated from the University of Bristol (UK) with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Degree in 2016. Caryn was subsequently admitted to the roll of Advocate and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Singapore in 2018. Caryn has a broad general practice with a focus on litigation and dispute resolution.
She has experience in a wide range of criminal matters both as Defence Counsel and prosecution work on behalf of public organisations. She also regularly acts for clients on a diverse range of matrimonial matters, deputy applications under the Mental Capacity Act and wills and probate matters.
Associate
Ms. Chia Ming Yun graduated from the University of Western Australia in 2016 with a double degree in Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting). Coupled with her accounting financial background, she is meticulous and analytical, an added benefit to the areas she practice in. She was called to the Bar in 2020. Her primary areas of practice are Family Law, Estate Law and debt recovery matters.
Associate
Eugene is an Associate with the firm. He graduated from the National University of Singapore, and was placed twice on the Dean’s List which recognises the top performing students in each year of study. He was called to the Bar in 2015.
Eugene handles civil and criminal litigation, and has a keen interest in disputes relating to contracts, employment, and tenancies. He also regularly advises and represents clients on matters relating to the Protection from Harassment Act as well as in disputes between neighbours.
Eugene is mindful that litigation can often be a very stressful process for his clients. He spares no effort to give them the representation and advice they require, so that they can rest easy knowing that their matters have been left in good hands.
Associate
Joshua graduated in 2018 from University College London (London, United Kingdom) with a Bachelor of Laws. He has since been called as an advocate and solicitor to the Singapore Bar. His practice primarily focuses on litigation. He has good exposure in a wide range of civil and criminal cases at all levels of the Singapore courts, including before the Court of Appeal deciding on novel questions of law.
At the heart of each case lies your story. Justice requires that your story be told and that you be heard. It is the duty of your lawyer to ensure your story be told to the right parties, clearly and emphatically. Joshua takes on this responsibility with understanding and seriousness. He will be with you at every step of the way, breaking down and advising you on the relevant issues. In the end, the goal is to achieve a just result in the most cost-effective manner.
Associate
Ameera is an associateof the firm. She is an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore since 2018.
She advises on civil litigation, family law, Syariah law, estate law, criminal defence, insolvency and restructuring, debt recovery and employment matters.
Associate
Umar graduated from the Singapore Management University with a Bachelor of Laws, and is admitted as an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore.
Umar handles general legal work and has advised and acted for clients in a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters involving aspects of civil and commercial disputes, family disputes, probate and estate planning matters and in the drafting of wills. He has handled cases and appeals in the High Court, and has obtained favourable outcomes for his clients. Umar has also advised on corporate matters, such as company incorporation, shareholders' agreements, share issues and other commercial structures and agreements.
As a former prosecutor with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Umar is also well versed in employment laws and related legislation, and has experience in criminal prosecutions and trials. He has also rendered legal advice to the ministry and has played a significant role in the development of regulatory frameworks. During his stint with MOM, Umar also volunteered at the foreign worker dormitories during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, to ensure that the welfare and needs of the foreign workers were taken care of.
Associate
Marina graduated from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree and is admitted as an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore.
Marina has a keen interest in Criminal Law which saw her training at a multitude of criminal law firms. She has assisted in various criminal trials for offences ranging from Statutory Rape to NS default cases where her clients have received minimal fines for an offence which usually attracts a custodial sentence.
She has also volunteered in the Community Justice Centre where she assisted in the Criminal Registry (Bail Centre & Magistrate’s Courts) and the Family Courts where she facilitated mediation sessions.
Besides the legal industry, Marina has also trained at the Exercise and Readiness Division of the Singapore Police Force where she assisted in the planning and execution of the nation’s biggest multi-agency counter-terrorism exercise.
Associate
Meenakshi is an associate of I.R.B. Law. She graduated from the University of Manchester with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), and is admitted as an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore after completing her training with the firm.
Presently, Meenakshi is part of the litigation practice team and has experience in the areas of criminal defence work, family proceedings and representing clients in contractual and tortious disputes.
Practice Areas: Family, Estate Planning, Debt Recovery, Personal Bankruptcy, Criminal, Civil Litigation (in particular, harassment matters i.e., claims under POHA)
Associate
Ijechi graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), and is admitted as an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore. She is a dual-qualified solicitor licensed to practice both in Singapore and New York.
Ijechi began her legal career trained in cross-border, corporate advisory work. Her experience includes conducting due diligence for share and business acquisitions, and drafting a variety of commercial contracts including joint venture agreements, collaboration agreements, and loan agreements. In addition to these non-contentious corporate matters, Ijechi currently handles a range of contentious matters in civil and commercial litigation, with a focus on contractual disputes.
With her experience handling both contentious and non-contentious matters at different points in the life cycle of a contractual relationship, Ijechi strives to provide clients with holistic advice and representation for their personal and/or commercial legal issues.
Associate
Ms Ng Rui Wen graduated from the University of Tasmania and is admitted as an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore. She is a dual-qualified solicitor licensed to practice both in Singapore and Victoria, Australia.
Ms Ng began her legal career trained mainly in family law (both contentious and non-contentious works) and civil litigation matters. Presently, Ms Ng is part of the litigation and family law practice team. Her primary areas of practice are Family Law, Estate Law and Civil Litigation.”
