Projects & Infrastructure: International - Singapore
What the team is known for
Ashurst's Singapore-based legal team is highly rated for its South-East Asia experience, particularly in Indonesia. The firm is active advising lenders on the development and financing of oil and gas, power, petrochemical, mining and infrastructure projects. The team demonstrates key expertise in renewable energy projects, including solar, wind and waste-to-energy. The team also advises major oil and gas clients on transactions across the region, demonstrating particular expertise in M&A. The team regularly advises on production sharing contracts and sale and purchase arrangements. The firm has deep experience in the LNG sector and power industry credentials across a range of South-East Asian jurisdictions, including Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as further afield. Ashurst maintains a varied client roster featuring such names as Deutsche Bank, DBS Bank and British International Investment.
Foreign desks
Ashurst Singapore's Brunei-focused desk maintains an active practice on project finance and development mandates. Rob Palmer is a key contact.
The firm's Indonesia desk in Singapore is highly regarded for expertise in the energy and natural resources sectors. The team handles complex construction, development and transactional matters for international and domestic clients. Alfred Ng is a key contact.
Ashurst in Singapore is active on energy and infrastructure matters in the Philippines, including M&A and financing. The firm acted for AC Energy on its bid to acquire 49% equity interest in Solar NT. Alfred Ng is a key contact.
Strengths
"Ashurst has a very knowledgeable team."
"Ashurst's team managed the complexities of our transaction well and ensured successful completion. They provided excellent and professional service. "
"Ashurst seek to understand the commercial drivers of all parties but ensure that lenders' interests are protected within that context."
"They are able to provide value-added services to the client."
"The associates are always very good and we also get excellent access to partners and counsel."
Work highlights
Ashurst advised the senior finance parties on the early termination of the Sports Hub concession agreement, the return of the Sports Hub facilities to the Government of Singapore and the prepayment of the senior debt.
Notable practitioners
Chen Chin Chuan retains a strong portfolio of clients in the financial and public sectors, and is frequently mandated on cross-border project financing and infrastructure matters. "He's really knowledgeable and always gives practical advice on moving things forward. He does a lot of large-scale projects and is always available and ready to consult." "Chin Chuan is among the most experienced project finance lawyers we've worked with. His experience spans an array of infrastructure subsectors and he has worked on deals in many South-East Asian countries and other regions."
Alfred Ng is a respected project finance lawyer in Singapore who acts on conventional and renewable power mandates across the region. "He's a very commercial and practical partner who has a strong track record and experience in delivering work requested." "Overall Alfred was fantastic on this financing. It took a long time to close the deal due to various issues, but Alfred was brilliant throughout." "Alfred is user-friendly, very commercial and very experienced - we all really like him." "His high level of professionalism, knowledge on legal matters, as well as composure helped him to win the trust of all parties and to coordinate successful completion." "He's the go-to person for project development and financing transactions in the projects and infrastructure space. His combination of leadership, diligence, knowledge, intellect, transaction experience, value-add and connections is rare."
Jean-Louis Neves Mandelli is an emerging name in the Singapore projects market, well noted for his abilities on international renewable and oil and gas projects. "He's very fast, commercial and detail-oriented. He closed the most difficult financing for us, and if he had not gone above and beyond the deal would have not happened." "Jean-Louis is an incredibly bright and effective lawyer who has phenomenal commercial understanding and brings that to the negotiating table in a manner that ensures the deal is done on an expedited basis and with our best interests always taken care of." "He's an excellent legal adviser who I value a lot. He provides cogent and commercial advice on complex project development issues in emerging markets." "He is always very calm and measured, and is able to quickly get to the heart of an issue and advise accordingly." "He is a young, dynamic practitioner who approaches his work and interaction with clients and counterparties with measured calm and maturity, and when necessary, is able to advocate firmly and strongly for his clients’ interests."
Rob Palmer offers clients extensive experience on construction matters. He regularly assists Brunei-based clients, advising on a range of matters including complex disputes. "Rob is excellent in client relationship management and also managing the deliverables effectively."