PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Legal Advisor (Pro Tem) | K9Assistance Ltd | Sep 2022 – present
I have been appointed by the Charity on a contract basis for a series of special projects involving dispute resolution, compliance work, internal policies, manuals, and regulations, risk management, employment, and partnerships, as well as general legal counsel and guidance to the Board of Directors of the Charity.
General Counsel (Legal & Corporate Affairs) | RCMA Group | Mar 2016 – Jun 2022
▪ Supported and advised all product desks – cotton, coffee, sugar, energy (including electricity), rubber, vegetable oils – on physical and paper trading matters, operational issues (including storage and transport), employment matters, and disputes worldwide.
▪ Managed and led, frequently without external counsel, ICA and RSA trade disputes. Managed and frequently avoided disputes in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
▪ Supported the Group’s purchase of an interest in a production licence in Jingemia, Western Australia; advised on and negotiated tolling agreements, farm-in and farm-out agreements, rig sharing agreements, and joint operating agreements.
▪ Supported the Group’s establishment and operation of an independent electricity retailer in Singapore; advised on and negotiated reseller agreements; supported interactions with the Electricity Market Authority and CCREL compliance.
▪ Supported the Group’s acquisition and operation of CHP rapeseed production facility in Stratford, UK; advised on and negotiated shareholders’ agreements, term loans, supply agreements, and guarantees. ▪ Supported and advised on ISDAs, bilateral and club facility agreements, RCFs, and security documents, including a 2017 USD 350 million syndicated borrowing base credit facility.
▪ Supported and advised the Board of Directors on JVs and M&A deals from MOU to completion. Managed the divestment of the Group’s sugar and rubber divisions to Golden Agri and Halcyon Agri respectively.
▪ Oversaw the corporate secretarial function and corporate affairs of the Group, including internal and external communications and public relations.
▪ Oversaw the compliance function of the Group. Spearheaded and drove the Group compliance program and policies; provided advice and guidance on matters including sanctions, AML, modern slavery, and data protection; conducted in-person compliance training at global offices.
▪ Member of the Whistleblowing Committee of Jade Energy Holdings Pte Ltd. Director of RCMA Asia Pte Ltd and RCMA Europe BV.
▪ Supported and advised The Merchant Commodity Master Fund and its managers and advisors.
Legal Counsel | Gunvor Singapore Pte Ltd | Dec 2012 – Jun 2015
▪ Supported and advised all product desks (crude oil, LNG, coal, middle distillates, gasoline, LPG, naphtha, fuel oil, base metals, precious metals, iron ore) on trading and operational matters, as well as shipping and admiralty claims and proceedings. Covered the Asia Pacific region.
▪ Worked with traders and operators on inter alia spot and short-term sale and purchase contracts, tenders, long-term and framework SPAs and MSAs, storage agreements, charterparties, laytime/demurrage, letters of indemnity, bunkering-related matters, rail transportation, border rail trading, and cargo quality and quantity issues.
▪ Supported and advised the structured trade finance teams on ISDAs, bilateral and club borrowing base facility agreements and RCFs and security documents relating thereto, including a USD 911 million RCF signed in 2015.
▪ Supported and advised the project finance and investments teams on cross-border JVs, projects, and investments from MOU to completion, including an AUD 5 million acquisition in the iron ore market in Pilbara, Western Australia.
▪ Provided assistance and guidance on credit, compliance, and KYC/onboarding matters.
Legal Counsel | Commercial Intelligence Funds Group | Jul 2011 – Nov 2012
Conducted due diligence on acquisition of distressed debt and litigation funding in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia with face value of at least USD 5 million. Structured, drafted, and negotiated acquisition and funding documentation and security documents. Drafted due diligence reports, confidentiality agreements, and reports to investors. Managed and monitored debt recovery by way of judicial and arbitral proceedings and settlement discussions in, amongst others, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Legal Associate (Litigation) | M/s David Lim & Partners LLP | 2009 – 2011
Researched and drafted for and argued civil and commercial litigation matters heard in the Subordinate Courts, the High Court, and the Court of Appeal of Singapore, both in chambers and in open court. Practice areas included company law, contract law, tort, and employment law.
Pupil (Litigation) | M/s Tan Peng Chin LLC | 2008-2009
Assisted senior associates and partners in research and drafting for civil and commercial litigation matters heard in the Subordinate Courts and the High Court of Singapore
EDUCATION
Les Ateliers FL (Biarritz) | Nov 2023 – Aug 2024 | Diplôme d’études en langue française (‘DELF’) B2 (90/100)
Birkbeck, University of London | Sep 2022 – Oct 2025 (expected) | Master of Science (MSc) in Global Environment and Sustainability
Biodiversity, biosecurity, and conservation
Climate change and environmental hazard
Global food systems and health
Waste and pollution; Water and energy resources
Project module (6,000-word thesis)
Queen Mary, University of London | 2017-2020 | Master of Laws (LLM) (with Merit (Specialization: Banking & Finance Law)
Law of International Project Finance
Law of International Finance: Syndicated Loans
International Trade Law
International Natural Resources Law
National University of Singapore | 2004-2008 | Bachelor of Laws with Honours