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Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance

Singapore

We opened our Singapore office in 1981 to service South and South East Asia, making it one of the longest established international law firms in the region.

Our teams work on inbound and outbound deals across and beyond the region and these teams often include colleagues from our other Asia Pacific offices and lawyers from carefully chosen local law firms. This gives clients the right mix of local-language and local-law capability and the expertise of specialist lawyers from across the firm.

Our experience means we are familiar with the culture, market and legal intricacies in each jurisdiction, which is why we are regularly recognised by Chambers Asia Pacific as international experts in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

One platform for international and Singapore law capability

In Singapore, we have a strong team of more than 120 lawyers combining local and international talent across all key areas of our practice.

In 2008, the Singapore Government awarded one of only six new Qualifying Foreign Law Practice licences to Clifford Chance, as part of its plans to further liberalise the legal sector. This licence allows us to practice and advise on a wide range of international law, and Singapore law in the permitted practice areas. The licence was renewed in 2014 and again in 2020.          

In 2012, Cavenagh Law LLP and Clifford Chance Pte Ltd registered as a Formal Law Alliance in Singapore under the name Clifford Chance Asia. The Formal Law Alliance allows the two firms to provide the broadest range of Singapore and international law services from one platform with Singapore litigation representation provided through Cavenagh Law LLP.

Learn more about the milestones that shaped Clifford Chance and Cavenagh Law in Singapore:

Recent highlights

Directory and client comments

Chambers Asia Pacific 2024, Singapore

  • Band 1 in Aviation: Finance
  • Band 1 in Capital Markets: Securitisation & Derivatives (International)
  • Band 1 in Construction: International
  • Band 1 in Corporate and M&A: International: Elite
  • Band 1 in Investment Funds: International
  • Band 1 in Restructuring & Insolvency: International

IFLR 1000 Asia Pacific, 33rd edition (2022/ 2023), Singapore

  • Tier 1 in Banking - Foreign
  • Tier 1 in Capital markets: Debt - Foreign
  • Tier 1 in M&A - Foreign
  • Tier 1 in Project Finance - Foreign
  • Tier 1 in Restructuring and insolvency - Foreign

Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024, Singapore

  • Tier 1 in Capital Markets: structured finance, derivatives and securitisation: foreign firms
  • Tier 1 in Corporate and M&A: foreign firms
  • Tier 1 in Financial services regulatory: foreign firms
  • Tier 1 in International arbitration: foreign firms
  • Tier 1 in Investment funds: foreign firms
  • Tier 1 in Labour and employment: foreign firms
  • Tier 1 in Projects and energy: foreign firms
  • Tier 1 in Restructuring & Insolvency: foreign firms
  • Tier 1 in TMT: foreign firms

 Client comments

  • "They are efficient, on point, consistent and offer relatively competitive legal services. Year after year, Clifford Chance do not disappoint."
  • "The lawyers at Clifford Chance are definitely market leaders."

Chambers and Partners, Asia Pacific, Singapore, Aviation Finance, 2024

  • "Clifford Chance is technically very strong and the team has a lot of strength and depth, and can tap the broader CC network."
  • "They are a pleasure to work with, with deep legal and market knowledge. They provide astute advice and assistance to help parties make decisions on the issues and successfully conclude transactions."

Chambers and Partners, Asia Pacific, Singapore, Banking & Finance: International, 2024

  • "The team we work with has expertise in a range of financial services, on both the regulatory and commercial fronts - this is extremely valuable in their output of well-rounded legal advice. The lawyers are very responsive and have delivered quality advice despite tight timelines."
  • "The quality of service from the Clifford Chance team is always top notch. They are able to draw on a deep bench of seniors and have an excellent team of associates."

Chambers and Partners, Asia Pacific, Singapore, Banking & Finance: Regulatory, 2024

  • "It was a complex exercise, but Clifford Chance handled it exceptionally well, navigating the issues and resolving them with a solution every time."
  • "The partners at Clifford Chance are really excellent, technically and with client management."

Chambers and Partners, Asia Pacific, Singapore, Capital Markets: International, 2024

  • "All team members demonstrate efficient work. Their seamless coordination and ability to understand the business quickly show the depth of their expertise. Their collective knowledge and skills are apparent in their efficient handling of the task, highlighting the breadth of their capabilities."

Chambres and Partners, Asia Pacific, Singapore, Capital Markets: Securitisation & Derivatives: Domestic, 2024

  • "In addition to their detailed work, what sets them apart is their ability to provide valuable market context and explain the importance of negotiating certain points. This demonstrated their expertise in handling complex legal matters and their ability to navigate intricate contractual arrangements."
  • "They are familiar with market trends and practices of peer entities and able to advise on the practical action to be taken."

Chambers and Partners, Asia Pacific, Singapore, Capital Markets: Securitisation & Derivatives: International, 2024

  • "Clifford Chance have exceptional knowledge about the market, which the client massively appreciates."
  • "Clifford Chance have a few star players. I think they are the leading team in the region. I feel they are the definitive ones."

Chambers and Partners, Asia Pacific, Singapore, Construction, International, 2024

  • "The teamwork is excellent, almost like a family. Every member of Clifford Chance can seamlessly assist us."
  • "Clifford Chance perfectly handled complex negotiations and legal complexity."

Chambers and Partners, Singapore, Corporate/ M&A: International: Elite, 2024

  • "Clifford Chance are well equipped to handle complex and sophisticated matters, and are very responsive."
  • "The firm has one of the best arbitration teams in Singapore. It's like a well-oiled machine - very thorough and professional."

Chambers and Partners, Singapore, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration: Elite, 2024

  • "I can’t find any comparisons for their dedication and prompt responses - they are super."
  • "Clifford Chance has an outstanding team and is very sophisticated."

Chambers and Partners, Singapore Energy & Natural. Resources: International, 2024

  • "The firm is able to distil complex matters and provide commercially viable solutions. Clifford Chance's team has consistently provided high-quality advice in a timely manner."
  • "In Singapore they are a go-to firm for fund formation. We like the fact that they can work seamlessly with the tax advisers. They are well connected internationally in terms of expertise in various jurisdictions, which makes it an efficient process when you're doing fund formation."

Chambers and Partners, Singapore, Investment Funds: International, 2024

  • "They can provide solutions, think outside of the box and explain legal and financial matters to a wide range of audiences."
  • "Clifford Chance are very capable of explaining and organising a complex transaction. They go above and beyond what is typically expected of legal counsel."
  • "They are quite sophisticated on the matter, given the project is very complex and technical."

Chambers and Partners, Singapore, Projects & Infrastructure: International, 2024

  • "Clifford Chance have an excellent team, working seamlessly with their finance, disputes and corporate practices. They show excellent communication. We really like working with them."

Chambers and Partners, Singapore, Restructuring and Insolvency: International, 2024

Awards

  • Asia-Pacific Law Firm of the Year
    Chambers Asia Pacific and Greater China Region Awards 2023
  • Innovative Law Firm (headquartered outside of Asia Pacific)
    FT Innovative Lawyers Awards Asia 2023
  • Innovative Lawyers in Transforming Industries
    FT Innovative Lawyers Awards Asia 2023
  • Debt And Equity-Linked Capital Markets Team of the Year
    IFLR Asia Pacific Awards 2023
  • Specialist Award for Financial Services Regulatory – International
    IFLR Asia Pacific Awards 2023
  • International Firm of the Year
    IFLR Asia Pacific Awards 2022
  • Singapore Corporate & Finance International Law Advisers
    Chambers Asia Pacific Awards 2021

Resources

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