Property and Construction

We advise and represent clients, comprising developers, contractors, consultants, sub-contractors and insurers, on contentious and non-contentious matters relating to construction.

We represent developers in the sale of new developments and support different types of clients throughout the full life-cycle of a construction project. These include assisting in the tender process, reviewing or drafting supply and construction contracts, advising on issues that arise such as the interpretation of scope of work, representing clients in regulatory offences such as from NEA and MOM, advising on payment claims and payment responses, and advising on performance bonds or Contractors' All Risks policies. In terms of disputes, we have been involved in all manners of procedures: adjudication under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act, mediation, expert determination, arbitration, and litigation.

WORK HIGHLIGHTS, representing:

• A major mechanical and electrical contractor in court, adjudication and arbitration proceedings pertaining to disputes arising out of the construction of Jewel Changi Airport, a SGD 1.7 billion retail and mixed development.
• A main contractor in relation to the setting aside of an adjudication determination under the SOP Act before the Court of Appeal. The case was one of the earliest cases dealing with the SOP Act and addressed novel issues at the time regarding the consequences of the failure to submit a payment response and the duty of an adjudicator in determining an adjudication application despite the absence of a payment response. 
• A prominent listed construction company in Singapore in domestic ad hoc arbitration pertaining to latent defects in a commercial building. The claim is in excess of SGD 1 million. The novel issue in this case is the defects were discovered after a retaining wall collapsed long after the warranty and statutory limitation periods have passed and if a claim in tort would not have expired by then. Other issues include causation and costs of rectification works. An award for the full amount claimed was successfully obtained in favour of the clients.
• Developers in the sale of both industrial and residential developments including CT Hub 1 and 2, The Creek @ Bukit, and The Octet.
• Listed construction companies and their subsidiaries in court proceedings, arbitrations, adjudications and mediations pertaining to, inter alia, payment disputes and defects in residential and commercial developments. Developments include Eco-Tech@Sunview, Florence Residences, Hedges Park, The Inflora, Jewel Changi Airport, KAP Residences, and Thomson Grand.

Find out more about our other areas of expertise, including Real Estate and Collective Sales.