The legal industry in Southeast Asia is highly competitive with a great number of talented individuals. ALB speaks with Truong Trong Nghia, who was ranked as one of the 2024 ALB Top 15 Southeast Asia Litigators. The list features exceptional lawyers from seven different countries, highlighting the impressive talent pool in the region.
In your experience, what are some of the most challenging aspects of being a litigator in Vietnam, and how do you navigate these challenges effectively?
Vietnam’s shift from a centrally planned economy to a multi-sector market economy over the last 30 years has accelerated economic development fueled by FDI, ODA funded infrastructure projects, the regional or global expansion of Vietnamese companies and the development of a middle class. Investment transactions and follow-on disputes have become increasingly complex with increasing large stakes. More and better trained lawyers in increasingly large teams must be mobilized to handle these matters. This is the challenge of our litigation practice.
Can you share a particularly memorable case or success story from the past year that highlights the impact of your work as a litigator?
I am proud of the results we achieved for the client in a recent case involving the disposition of prime public land at an allegedly low value. The land was transferred through a series of transactions until it was transferred free and clear to a company which was then sold to my client for approximately USD 17.5 million.
The scandal broke and all the officials involved were convicted of serious crimes. We assisted the client in convincing the prosecutors of its innocence. We also convinced the courts that Art. 133 of the Civil Code, protecting innocent purchasers for value of property requiring ownership registration, should also protect innocent purchasers for value of companies whose sole asset consisted of such property.
Could you shed some light on the role of technology in modern litigation practices, and how do you integrate these advancements into your legal strategies?
Under the leadership of the Supreme People’s Court, technology continues to have a dramatic impact on litigation practice in Vietnam. 70 judgments have been designated as binding precedents. To date, another 1,366,672 reference judgments have been published on the Court’s internet portal. Litigators and judges need to search this large database for relevant binding or reference authority. Bigger and more experienced legal teams will be required for complex cases!
What advice would you give to aspiring litigators in Vietnam who are just starting their careers?
Going forward, there is only one answer for Vietnamese litigators, young and old, training, training and training, using all technological tools available. Why? Because if you don’t find the applicable case, your opponent will.
