In order to establish a presence in Singapore's competitive legal environment, boutique law firms are endeavouring to create a distinctive formula for success. To excel beyond their size, these firms must offer specialised services to their clients, remain informed about the latest legal advancements, and leverage technology to enhance operational efficiency. Alfred Lim, managing partner at Meritus Law, shares his insights with ALB.
How does Meritus Law’s multi-disciplinary approach and conflict-free status enable you to provide more comprehensive and efficient solutions for your clients complex legal needs?
Given our generally conflict-free status, it is common for us to be instructed for conflicted work emanating from large local and international firms. Given that we have active practice areas in various disciplines, we are generally a one-stop shop for our clients. A UHNW client may instruct us for a complex commercial dispute. The same client then wishes to purchase a private aircraft and may require aircraft financing. For various reasons, the purchase of the private aircraft may be carried out using an entity incorporated outside Singapore. There may also be intragroup loan arrangement to facilitate the purchase.
In what ways does Meritus Law adapt its services to meet the unique needs of diverse clients, from local corporations to international enterprises and high net-worth individuals?
Different clients have different requirements. For disputes work, this would entail looking at the most suitable jurisdiction to file the claim as well as the process, be it litigation or arbitration. If it has to be a foreign forum, this will necessarily mean working with our trusted counterparts in those jurisdictions.
Given the popularity of the Singapore Convention on Mediation, it is not uncommon for us to advise clients to consider going for mediation with an adverse party which is based in another jurisdiction. With the Convention, there is added teeth in enforcing a mediation agreement.
For international enterprises, this invariably involves corporate structuring, corporate governance, regulatory and compliance matters as well as international and domestic syndicated secured loans and facilities.
For UHNW individuals, we assist with legacy planning and implementation and wealth structuring. There are various extra-legal considerations and invariably, this will involve working with their private bankers or family offices.
