
Silvester Legal LLC
Legal guides written by Silvester Legal LLC:
- The Liability of Directors for Company Insolvencies
- Mediation: Keeping disputes out of court
- Mediation: Parties get to meet early on
Yuen Law LLC is a highly accoladed and reputable Singapore law practice established in 2012. Our practitioners are highly experienced in their chosen fields of the law and they are ably supported by a team of approachable and effective executives recruited from a spectrum of disciplines.
Our firm has been recognised as one of the best law firms in Singapore by a variety of industry watchers¹. Yuen Law’s practitioners are also well known for providing best-in-class and cost-effective legal advice and services to discerning clients.
The four values of integrity, honesty, compassion and excellence shape our firm culture, practice and guide our interactions with clients.
Our global client base encompasses the United Kingdom and multiple key jurisdictions in Asia-Pacific, Greater China, Europe and North America. We take pride in assisting our clients in establishing or redomiciling operations in Singapore, as well as to take advantage of Singapore’s unique position as the gateway and strategic centre of Southeast Asia and the greater region.
Yuen Law is a prominent Singapore law firm among tech startups and fintech companies, as well as multinationals looking to establish their presence here or in Asia.
Our lawyers provide companies with astute legal advice on incorporation, corporate governance and strategic matters.
Our firm is known for its transactional work in Mergers and Acquisitions and fundraising. Each year, the Corporate team advised on over 30 M&As and venture capital related deals. We also help clients mitigate risk and stay ahead of the curve.
Legal Expertise:
Yuen Law’s Corporate Practice group was recognised in three prestigious legal rankings in 2020:
Yuen Law represents individual and organisational clients on either end of a dispute or lawsuit.
For clients pursuing a claim, we will objectively assess the case and advise the best course of action: to sue, negotiate, mediate or arbitrate. For clients being sued, our lawyers will mount a robust defence and/or work towards reaching the most acceptable resolution.
Our experienced lawyers handle complex litigation cases at all levels of the Singapore courts.
We litigate for cases including shareholder disputes, construction claims, property law claims, debt recovery, medical negligence, equity and trust claims, and insurance matters.
As protracted lawsuits can entail a financial and emotional toll, we advise clients if there are more preferable solutions, such as taking the arbitration or mediation route.
Our family and private wealth lawyers advise clients on the full spectrum of legal matters an individual may be concerned with.
This spans family and matrimonial matters such as prenuptials, divorce, annulments, disputes over maintenance or custody, and adoption matters. The family and private wealth team has guided many clients to reach an amicable resolution in family dispute matters.
We advise clients on asset protection to safeguard their wealth and loved ones’ futures from potential disputes.
As more people grow aware of the importance of end-of-life planning, our experienced lawyers help clients set up “estate plans”, including drafting of wills and certification of lasting powers of attorney, setting up of trusts, and family business succession planning. We also assist families with the grant of probate/ or letters of administration applications for the administration of a deceased estate.
Yuen Law’s Family & Private Wealth Practice emerged among the most-recommended law firms in 2020 in:
Yuen Law's Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) practice helps businesses in Singapore navigate the legal challenges of a fast-evolving digital landscape. We advise on data privacy, cybersecurity, intellectual property, and compliance with regulations like the PDPA.
Our team supports clients in structuring technology licensing agreements, software contracts, and managing content rights. We also guide telecommunications companies on licensing and regulatory compliance.
Led by Samuel Yuen, recognized in ALB’s Asia Super 50 TMT Lawyers 2024, our TMT practice combines legal expertise with practical industry insights to deliver commercially viable solutions.
Yuen Law's Intellectual Property (IP) practice, led by Tris Xavier, offers comprehensive legal services to help businesses in Singapore and beyond protect, manage, and maximize the value of their IP assets. We advise clients across various industries on trademark registration, copyright protection, trade secrets, and IP enforcement strategies.
Our team is experienced in managing trademark portfolios, conducting IP due diligence, and resolving disputes through litigation or alternative dispute resolution. We also assist clients in drafting and negotiating IP licensing agreements to safeguard their rights effectively.
Under Tris Xavier's leadership, Yuen Law's IP practice combines technical knowledge with a pragmatic approach, ensuring that clients' innovations and brands are well-protected and aligned with their business objectives.
Yuen Law's Dispute Resolution practice is dedicated to helping clients resolve conflicts efficiently and strategically, whether through litigation, arbitration, or mediation. Our team has extensive experience handling a wide range of disputes, including commercial, employment, shareholder, and white-collar crime matters.
We adopt a practical and results-oriented approach, focusing on protecting our clients' interests while minimizing risks and costs. Our lawyers are skilled advocates in Singapore's courts and adept at representing clients in both domestic and international arbitration.
By combining deep legal expertise with a clear understanding of business realities, Yuen Law's Dispute Resolution practice ensures that clients receive effective solutions tailored to their unique situations.
Yuen Law's Criminal Practice focuses on defending clients against white-collar crime allegations, providing strategic advice and robust representation throughout investigations and court proceedings. Our team has substantial experience handling cases involving fraud, embezzlement, corporate misconduct, market manipulation, and regulatory breaches.
We assist clients in responding to investigations by authorities such as the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Singapore Exchange (SGX), and Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). Our services include advising on compliance during raids and seizures, representing clients in interviews, and managing internal investigations for corporations.
With a deep understanding of financial regulations and corporate governance, Yuen Law's Criminal Practice ensures that clients receive clear, pragmatic, and effective counsel to safeguard their rights and interests.
Yuen Law's Family Practice is dedicated to helping clients navigate sensitive and complex family matters with compassion and professionalism. We provide a comprehensive range of services, including divorce and separation, child custody and access, maintenance, and division of matrimonial assets. Our team is also experienced in adoption, probate, wills, and deputyship applications.
We adopt a client-centric approach, focusing on amicable resolutions through mediation and negotiation wherever possible to minimize emotional and financial strain. For more contentious cases, our lawyers offer strong representation in Singapore’s Family Justice Courts.
With a commitment to practical and personalized solutions, Yuen Law’s Family Practice ensures that clients receive clear, reliable advice to safeguard their interests and those of their loved ones.
Yuen Law's Dispute Resolution practice is committed to helping clients resolve conflicts effectively, whether through litigation, arbitration, or mediation. We handle a wide range of disputes, including commercial, shareholder, and employment matters, with a focus on achieving practical and cost-efficient outcomes.
In debt recovery, we assist businesses and individuals in reclaiming unpaid dues swiftly and strategically. Our services include issuing letters of demand, negotiating settlements, and representing clients in court proceedings to enforce judgments. We also advise on secured and unsecured debt recovery, ensuring that clients' financial interests are protected.
Our Bankruptcy practice supports both creditors and debtors in navigating insolvency proceedings. We provide guidance on statutory demands, bankruptcy applications, and alternatives such as voluntary arrangements.
Combining in-depth legal expertise with a results-driven approach, Yuen Law’s team ensures that clients receive clear, practical advice at every step of the process.
Yuen Law’s Immigration Practice specializes in assisting businesses with navigating Singapore’s immigration framework, focusing on securing the right passes and visas for foreign talent and entrepreneurs. We help businesses apply for the EntrePass, Global Investor Program (GIP), and International and Regional Headquarters (IHQ) (RHQ) Scheme, ensuring that companies can access the necessary resources to expand and succeed in Singapore.
Our team offers expert guidance to businesses looking to establish or expand their presence in Singapore, providing clear and efficient solutions for obtaining work passes and setting up regional headquarters. We also advise on compliance with immigration regulations to ensure that business operations remain smooth and in line with local requirements.
With deep knowledge of Singapore's immigration policies and a practical approach to business needs, Yuen Law’s Immigration Practice helps companies effectively manage their workforce and investment strategies.
Yuen Law’s Real Estate Practice focuses on providing comprehensive legal services for property transactions, with conveyancing as our core area of expertise. We assist clients in all aspects of property transfers, including sale and purchase agreements, lease agreements, and property redemptions.
Our team also handles property gifts, advising on the legal processes involved in transferring ownership without monetary exchange. We guide clients through the complexities of conveyancing, ensuring compliance with all legal requirements while facilitating smooth and efficient transactions.
Whether you are buying, selling, or gifting property, Yuen Law’s Real Estate Practice offers tailored legal solutions to protect your interests and ensure a seamless experience in all real estate matters.
Called to the Singapore Bar in 2001, Samuel heads our firm’s Corporate and Business Practice Group, which advises our clients on:
Prior to founding our firm in 2012, Samuel practiced in the corporate and securities law departments of a large local firm as well as local boutique law practices. Samuel also enjoyed a fruitful stint as a head of department and group legal counsel of an internationally renowned conglomerate headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Samuel had and continues to represent clients from diverse and specialized sectors that included banks, manufacturers, pharmaceuticals, medical clinics, F&B chains, defence contractors, fashion labels and manufacturers. His clientele includes large MNCs, listed companies, SMEs, Start-ups, social entrepreneurs and private individuals, notably hailing from Singapore, ASEAN, USA, India, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Russia, UK, Germany, Italy, France, South America, Morocco. Samuel does not like to kiss and tell, but will share his detailed resume personally, if requested.
Samuel is perhaps best known for being a creative thinker that provides out of the box but practical and efficient legal solutions. Samuel believes that an effective lawyer is a collaborator for growth and he prefers to work closely with his clients to meet their needs.
Samuel is the honorary legal counsel for the Institute of Public Relations of Singapore. In his spare time, Samuel volunteers with Law Society, the Guide Dogs Association of the Blind. Samuel worships at Covenant Evangelical Free Church and enjoys exploring the world. He is a proud father of a precious little girl and grateful husband to the vivacious mother of his daughter. Samuel currently stewards 4 cats (Bobby, Billy, Bruno the snowball and Hairy Barry) with his family.
Kevin Chua is a senior director at Yuen Law. He heads Yuen Law’s Regulatory and Compliance team under our Corporate Practice Group. Kevin has a depth and breadth of expertise in corporate and commercial law.
During his distinguished career of over 20 years in both public service and private practice, Kevin has developed a special focus on regulatory laws and compliance.
His public sector record saw him serving in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He had a critical role in the team (secretariat) overseeing the 2003 amendments to the Companies Act, among other legislation administered by ACRA, where he held management positions in the Compliance Division and the Registration Division.
Kevin later joined MAS, and became one of its Assistant General Counsels. Advising on a spectrum of legal issues, his responsibilities centred particularly on investment agreements, commercial contracts, and government tenders.
With diverse experience in the private sector, Kevin is also steeped in on-the-ground legalities that impact to clients at every level of business – from solopreneurs and startups, to SMEs and MNCs.
He brings to the table practical counsel gleaned from stints in a Big Four law firm WongPartnership, as in-house counsel in an MNC, and as Head of Regulatory Practice in a boutique law firm, ranked in The Legal 500 for its work in financial services regulation.
Kevin has an extensive experience in payment services and digital tokens such as in cryptocurrency and blockchain services; AML/CFT (anti-money laundering / countering financing of terrorism); as well as full- suite corporate and commercial legal services with regards to mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures, investment agreements, government tenders, and commercial contracts.
Fung Peen is our Director and the Head of Private Wealth Practice.
Fung Peen is a veteran of the legal industry and has been in practice since 1996 during which he specialised in Private Client matters. These include matters and proceedings relating to adoption, bankruptcy, conveyancing, divorce, Mental Capacity Act, personal protection orders, personal injury, power of attorney, as well as wills and probate/administration applications. Fung Peen has accumulated substantial experience in conveyancing and conveyancing related matters such as tenancies and leases, actions for distress, recovery of rental in arrears and applications in the High Court for forced sales.
Fung Peen is also known for pioneering the successful defence of clients charged with fraudulent trading at the Court of Appeal and his work in corporate and commercial matters to debt recovery, disputes, building and construction matters, winding up, personal injuries claims, landlord and tenancy matters, employment disputes. His clients include Government Statutory Boards and well known MNCs and SMEs.
Fung Peen has guided his clients who have had brushes with the law in criminal matters to achieve a fair outcome.
The mediation process is something Fung Peen has been actively involved in since its inception in the Singapore Courts and he has successfully guided many clients to reach an amicable resolution to their law suit be it a commercial matter or a divorce.
Sharing up to-date and tailored knowledge to benefit his clients is something he also enjoys, whether it is a talk in a small group or a seminar with a larger group.
Amos is our Director and the Head of Disputes Practice.
Amos graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree in 2011 and was called to the Singapore Bar in 2012. He completed his training and practised with several other medium sized firms before joining Yuen Law LLC in 2018.
Amos’s main areas of practice are civil /commercial litigation and criminal litigation. Amos has also acted for and advised clients in many other areas of law including probate, bankruptcy, and construction arbitrations/adjudication applications.
Some of the notable cases that Amos has handled include:-
Amos is also a volunteer lawyer with the Singapore Law Society’s Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS), a non-profit initiative by the Law Society of Singapore to provide assistance to the underprivileged in criminal cases, as well as a Singapore NGO that works with migrant workers.
Outside of legal practice, Amos is actively involved in sports such as football and tennis and participates in such activities on a regular basis. Amos represents the Law Society football team in the annual Bench and Bar competition. Amos also plays board games regularly.
Prior to joining Yuen Law LLC, Wendy served with the National University of Singapore’s Faculty of Law from 2007 to 2020 where she played a pivotal role in transforming the administration of key corporate services functions. During her tenure, she served as head of HR, Finance, Procurement and Corporate Communications, and was instrumental in the staffing and set-up of processes within each unit when the functions were decentralised. She also led the overhaul of the Alumni Relations and Development section’s operations and developed a functional workflow for student financial aid administration. At the University level, Wendy successfully implemented improvements to finance systems through business process reengineering initiatives, as co-lead of the team tasked to review Accounts Receivables processes.
Wendy’s most challenging role to date is that of “minister for home affairs” – a position that she has held for almost 2 decades. A mother of two and mother to three (including a fur-kid), she feels that being at work offers a refreshing break from her morning and night shifts juggling household chores and parental duties. Wendy’s experience in managing a diverse scope of responsibilities on both the home front and work front has gained her invaluable and in-depth working knowledge of relational, operational, and administrative matters within an organisation. She believes that employees make the organisation and subscribes to Konosuke Matsushita’s “people before products” philosophy. At Yuen Law, she aims to provide contextualised recommendations and solutions in the areas of human resources and general administration, and assist the management in effective policy formulation and strategic decision-making that will enable the organisation by first enabling the employees.
Cheryl is our Manager (IP and Business Development).
Cheryl possesses a rare mix of artistic sensibilities, procedural know how and business acumen that will prove valuable to our clients. Cheryl received formal education in graphic design at the prestigious LaSalle College of the Arts and possesses considerable artistic flair and a keen eye for detail. She is experienced in matters relating to trade mark and design protection.
Cheryl applies her innate and considerable artistic talent in assisting our Intellectual Property Practice clients, by assisting them in positioning and optimising the strategic value and protection of their trademarks and designs through the marriage of functionality and artistry. A free spirit with a can do attitude, Cheryl cut her teeth in the business world by overseeing the planning, sourcing and operational activities of a local footwear retail and manufacturing company.
In her free time, Cheryl paints, reads, plays the piano and ukulele and is the proud owner of a Pomeranian named Lilo.
Serene is our Manager (Private Client).
Serene is a veteran of the conveyancing practice, with more than 30 years’ experience. Serene has variously been a member of the conveyancing practices of various large and medium sized Singapore law practices and has over the years gained a vast wealth of know-how in property transactions and documentation work.
A highly organised person, Serene is quietly effective and an indispensable asset in any property transaction. Her vast experience allows her to anticipate and pre-empt potential problems in each transaction. Serene excels particularly in supporting sale and purchase, redemption, refinancing and mortgage transactions.
In her free time, Serene ushers at her local church and serves with its local chapter of the Women’s Society of Christian Service. Serene also plays the ukulele as a member of a bluegrass band. Serene is a proud mother of 2 lovely young adults Cassandra and Ericson.
Born and raised in the Philippines, Tara graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management.
Over the years, Tara has served in various hospitality companies which includes hotels and airlines, where she excelled in providing exceptional customer service to clients. She also enjoyed a fruitful stint in corporate events planning.
Singapore has been her home for eight years since she landed a job in one of the leading banks in the country prior to joining Yuen Law.
Tara is a team player with a strong work ethic, and has the aptitude to foster positive relationships. This allows her to deliver the highest level of customer service and to build long-lasting relationship with our clients.
Tara is a lover of music and an adrenaline junkie. Outside work, if she’s not dancing or playing the piano, you can find her trying out a new sport or jumping off planes and waterfalls.
Ever dependable, Brendan is a pillar of strength to the Yuen Law community. He is also the go-to executive for a wide spectrum of our legal practice, including conveyancing and other real estate transactions, notarial services, as well as matters related to the Mental Capacity Act, such as Lasting Powers of Attorney.
Brendan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University at Buffalo, State University of New York in 2013. Thereafter, he travelled the world, living in Italy, the UK and Australia for some time before returning to Singapore.
Outside work, he enjoys family time, Theological discussions, Gregorian Chant, trying not to forget his Italian and playing with Leila – his Singapore Special.
Daniel is our Finance Executive.
Daniel started his career in Singapore shortly after graduating from the University.
Prior to joining Yuen Law, he worked as an accountant in various industries such as food & beverage, logistics, manufacturing, and banking & finance.
Daniel believes continuous learning is the key to success. “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty – Henry Ford.”
Outside of work, Daniel enjoys having a few good sips at pubs or playing computer games.
Ken was born and raised in Malaysia. Prior to joining Yuen Law, Ken worked at Resorts World Sentosa as Finance Executive, where he handled AML/CFT (anti-money laundering/countering financing of terrorism) matters.
Ken is currently assisting the Disputes Practice Group with civil litigation work. Ken is a keen listener and actively seeks to understand clients’ needs.
In his free time, Ken enjoys diving as he finds exploring coral reefs and the deep blue the best way to relax and recharge.
Riikka is our Business Development Manager (Foreign Desk).
Riikka has extensive experience in the international banking industry, specializing in fields such as corporate banking, compliance and management of share-based incentive schemes. Before joining Yuen Law, Riikka was in charge of the Danish customer portfolio in a Nordic bank where she helped to grow her customers’ business in Southeast Asia.
Inspired by the startup culture, Riikka is also responsible for the investor relations at Slush Singapore, an event and a movement developing the startup ecosystem in Singapore. The first event was held in September 2016 with over 2000 attendees, 160 investors and 200 startups participating.
Riikka is a Finn and a Singapore PR, and she has been calling the Little Red Dot her home for the past six years. She is also a board member of Finnish Business Council of Singapore, a position where she can support Nordic companies to expand their operations into Southeast Asian market. Riikka loves to travel to explore new cultures and cuisines. And in 2017 she will finally run that full marathon.
Tris Xavier is an Associate Director at Yuen Law and Head of the Integrated Property Practice Group, specialising in Real Property, Intellectual Property and Insolvency.
He thrives on building interconnected solutions for clients and believes that law cannot be approached in silos but must be seen holistically. Tris’ breadth of experience in diverse fields is testament to his ability to find and finetune effective solutions to solve problems and issues as they arise.
Tris offers legal guidance to clients on various real estate transactions such as sales and purchase of commercial, industrial, and residential properties. His services include drafting and reviewing agreements, loan and financing documents, conducting due diligence and title searches, and advising on legal implications and stamp duties during a sale of property.
Tris is experienced with intellectual property matters and provides comprehensive legal support for protecting and registering clients’ assets, including trade marks, geographical indications, and designs. Additionally, Tris and his team are experienced in managing and renewing international intellectual property portfolios to keep them in good standing.
Tris also brings a strong grasp of the ins and outs of insolvency and restructuring legalities from his years in the Insolvency and Public Trustee’s Office and the Ministry of Law. He provides expert legal counsel for companies and individuals looking to restructure their debt, moving forward when shareholder or financial issues plague the company, or when individuals are looking for a fresh start on their debt. Tris also acts for creditors looking to recover their debt. Tris is also able to represent creditors looking to recover their debt. He is also a licensed insolvency practitioner, and is able to act as a private trustee in bankruptcy, or as nominee for individual voluntary arrangements.
In his time as a civil servant, he undertook a breadth of work including court work, policy planning and stakeholder management, and was heavily involved with the 2015 reforms of the then “Bankruptcy Act”, and the 2018 passing of the new omnibus Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act.
He then joined the Singapore University of Social Sciences as a lecturer, teaching subjects as diverse as Equity and Trusts, Wills, and Constitutional Law, as well as spearheading the inaugural Legal Clerkship Programme.
Tris also enjoys explaining and demystifying what the law can mean for businesses and individuals. To this end, he has contributed two chapters to LexisNexis’ Annotated Laws of Singapore (the Constitution and the Moneylenders’ Act), and was featured as one of Singapore Academy of Law’s
Lim Yun Heng is an Associate Director with Yuen Law’s Dispute Resolution Practice Group.
With experience as lead counsel at all levels of court, he has meticulously refined his legal acumen in dispute resolution and litigation, enabling him to excel in high-stakes environments and effectively navigate complex case scenarios. He finds particular purpose in conducting trials, recognising that the process is the crucible where cases are made or broken.
Yun Heng’s zeal for dispute resolution is vital to striking commercial solutions in situations where resolutions may not be readily apparent. Known for his sharp wit and dogged preparation, he leaves no stone unturned in his relentless pursuit of favourable outcomes for all his clients.
Yun Heng was previously a partner in a prominent Singapore law firm where he cultivated his passion for dispute resolution, with a primary focus on civil and commercial litigation, arbitration, and mediation. His legal expertise also extends to criminal defence, divorce cases, landlord-tenant matters, and contentious probate matters.
Beyond the courtroom, Yun Heng dons the mantle of a trusted legal advisor, providing expert guidance on a spectrum of matters, from legacy planning to trusts and residential and commercial leases. He brings a personal touch when he engages with clients, taking the time to understand their needs and concerns with patience and understanding.
This holistic approach underscores Yun Heng’s versatility and commitment to delivering client-focused legal solutions. He adeptly leverages technology such as automated workflows and transcription to enhance accuracy and efficiency when servicing clients.
From time to time, Yun Heng volunteers with the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS) to provide criminal legal assistance to the poor and needy who are unable to afford a lawyer when facing charges in a Singapore court for non-capital offences.
His fluency in Mandarin and conversational Korean serves him well with clients who prefer communicating in their native tongue, which gives them assurance that their legal issues are well understood.
Yun Heng nurtures a passion for languages and indulges in travel photography, particularly in the rustic countryside. Currently, he is on a personal mission to explore all the main islands of Japan while immersing himself in the study of both the Japanese and Korean languages.
Denise Teo is a highly accomplished legal professional, she joined Yuen Law as a Director in 2023. With extensive experience in both civil and criminal law, Denise provides expert advice on a range of legal matters, including civil disputes and criminal investigations.
Prior to joining Yuen Law, Denise spent several years as an associate director at one of the Big Four law firms, where she honed her skills in providing legal counsel to clients. She has a vast experience advising on commercial contracts, shareholder agreements, trusts, insolvency, defamation, negligence and conspiracy.
Denise has worked with a diverse client base, including MNCs, listed companies and unincorporated associations from various industries such as insurance, construction, shipping, real estate and food & beverage. She has a wealth of experience in guiding her clients through internal investigations or investigations by the authorities. Her combined civil and criminal experience allows her to provide holistic advice to clients, approaching their issues from all angles.
Denise’s dedication to clients is evident in her belief that success is not limited to Court room victories, it can take many shapes and forms, depending on each client’s unique goals. Denise employs a puzzle-solving approach to her cases, meticulously scrutinising every detail while never losing sight of the big picture.
When not at her desk poring over client’s documents, Denise can be found poring over the pieces of large and complex jigsaw puzzles, which she sees as her training ground for patience and perseverance, skills that she applies in her legal work. She is also an avid rugby fan and can often be found at the pub watching live matches over pints of beer or at home feeding her two very greedy guinea pigs, Hercules and Zeus.
Legal guides written by Silvester Legal LLC: