Asher Chin

I am a Senior Associate in Bird & Bird's Dispute Resolution Practice Group in Singapore. I specialise in high-stakes cross-border litigation, arbitration, and investigations work, and have advised both local and international clients in a variety of disputes, across a wide range of sectors and practice areas.

My approach towards advising clients and handling matters stems from an understanding that no two matters are alike, and the best solution is always one which is specifically tailored to the issues at hand and the interests of each client. I believe that every client relationship is a partnership; a strategic and deliberate approach towards resolving disputes, which combines legal proficiency, commercial nous, and a problem-solving mindset, can significantly enhance outcomes and reduce business risk.

As part of my civil and commercial litigation practice, I have acted for clients at all levels of the Singapore Courts across a variety of practice areas and sectors, including technology, construction, credit and security, civil fraud, charities and trusts, property disputes, commercial disputes, company law matters such as minority oppression and joint venture disputes, as well as public law matters. I was appointed by the Singapore High Court as a Young Independent Counsel, to advise the High Court on complex and novel areas of law.

My practice also involves both domestic and international arbitration administered under various arbitration rules, including the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre Rules, and the Singapore Institute of Architect Rules. I participated in and was the winner of the Delos Dispute Resolution ROAP Asia 2023 Oral Submissions Course.

I have also advised and acted for both local and international clients in white-collar prosecutions and investigations, dealing with Singapore authorities such as the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Commercial Affairs Department, Corrupt Practices Investigations Bureau, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, as well as foreign authorities such as the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

I regularly work with overseas counsel to formulate a practical, commercial strategic and global approach towards addressing client concerns. I firmly believe that with our team's wealth of experience in complex cross-border issues, and our integrated network with our colleagues in our global offices, we are well-placed to help our clients effectively and efficiently deal with any issues that they may face.

Prior to joining Bird & Bird, I practiced in one of Singapore's 'Big 4' firms, under a Senior Counsel.

• Singapore High Court Action against joint venture partner – I acted for a Singaporean listed company and its joint venture ("JV") company against the JV partner and the JV partner's directors in respect of a breach of the JV agreement by the JV partner and breach of director's duties by the JV partner's directors. This matter involved extensive forensic examination of electronic devices as the JV partner's directors had deleted evidence from the electronic devices. A positive settlement was eventually obtained.
• SIAC Arbitration – I acted for a Samoan company and its Singaporean shareholders in a multi-jurisdictional shareholders' dispute with a British Virgin Islands ("BVI") company and its Chinese shareholders over ownership in a Chinese energy company. This dispute involved concurrent proceedings in 3 jurisdictions: a Hong Kong-seated arbitration under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules administered by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, winding-up proceedings in BVI, and a dispute in the Singapore High Court.
• Investigation of cryptocurrency founder and company – I acted for the founder of a major layer one cryptocurrency and associated entities in respect of investigations by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission as well as South Korean authorities in relation to the cryptocurrency and global events involving it. The work involved coordination with United States and Korean counsel.
• Singapore High Court Action over ownership of property – I acted for one of Singapore's largest clan associations in a dispute with a charitable foundation over the clan association's right to own and occupy a building that both had occupied for more than 50 years. This dispute engaged complex and novel issues of trust, equity and charities law. We were able to secure a number of important victories in interlocutory matters, and ultimately a positive settlement.
• Prosecution of corruption by the AGC – I acted for a Chinese state-owned construction company in respect of charges brought by the Singapore Corrupt Practices Investigations Bureau in the Singapore Court. The individuals who gave the alleged bribes had fled Singapore, and the work involved extensive investigations within the company, involving individuals in various jurisdictions, to assess the extent to which the company and its management were privy to the alleged bribes.