Criminal Law
About
Facing a criminal investigation or regulatory proceeding is one of the most stressful and high-stakes situations an individual or business can encounter. When it matters most, you need lawyers who understand the system, who will give you frank and clear advice, and who will stand firmly in your corner from the earliest stages of an investigation through to trial and appeal.
Our team advises and represents clients in criminal proceedings and regulatory investigations involving white-collar crime, corruption, financial offences and securities law violations. We act for both individuals and corporate entities, and our involvement begins at the pre-charge and investigation phase — because early, well-considered advice can make a significant difference to the outcome of your matter.
We represent clients at trial before the State Courts and High Court, and on appeal before the Court of Appeal. Where regulatory proceedings are involved, we advise companies and financial institutions on anti-money laundering and compliance matters arising from the oversight of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, drawing on our team’s direct experience working with the MAS and law enforcement agencies during their tenure at the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
Singapore takes a strict and uncompromising approach to financial crime, corruption and regulatory breaches, with serious consequences for individuals and entities found liable. We understand the weight of what is at stake, and we are committed to providing you with the clearest, most direct advice possible to help you navigate these matters with confidence.
We can assist you with:
- White-collar crime defence and representation
- Corruption and bribery under the Prevention of Corruption Act
- Financial and securities offences including market manipulation, insider trading and fraud
- Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism
- Regulatory investigations and proceedings before the MAS and other enforcement agencies
- Corporate governance and compliance advisory
- Internal investigations for companies facing regulatory scrutiny
- Appeals against enforcement notices and regulatory decisions
Services
Redundancy programmes, changing terms and conditions of employment, and transfer of employment.
In Singapore, the rules on business immigration and foreign workers are strict, with serious penalties and ramifications for those who fail to comply. We can work with individuals and companies on a variety of employment related immigration issues focusing on the international relocation of personnel both from and into Singapore.
Employment aspects of acquisitions and disposals (both share and business transactions), including due diligence and related reports.
Disciplinary, dismissal and grievance procedures, settlement negotiations and severance agreements
Employment law in Singapore has seen many changes in recent years, and keeping up with the changes can be a real challenge. We can provide training for managers, human resource professionals and in-house lawyers to keep you up to date on changes in law and best practices to avoid legal problems in the workplace.
Before the relevant regulatory authorities and other courts, from termination and bonus claims, to protecting trade secrets, confidential information and business interests.
Service agreements, employment contracts, secondment arrangements and employee handbooks, for all categories of staff, including directors and senior executives.
All of our training is practical, interactive, accessible and engaging, and can be tailored to your interests and the requirements of your business.
For more information, please contact Kim Seah.
- Successfully defended a client accused of receiving S$55,575.60 in gratification, facing charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Penal Code.
- Represented a foreign national visiting Singapore who was investigated for alleged credit card fraud and cheating. Successfully secured the release of the client’s impounded passport, enabling the client to return home, with the Police subsequently taking no further action.
- Successfully defended a client charged under section 338(b) of the Penal Code for causing grievous hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety. Secured the withdrawal of the grievous hurt charge and its reduction to a minor traffic offence, resulting in a fine only.
- Successfully represented a young offender facing multiple criminal charges, including theft and wilful trespass, securing a total sentence of two days’ imprisonment.
- Acted for the victim of an email compromise fraud involving a fraudulent transfer of USD 1,916,684.19, successfully recovering USD 614,820.68 that had been seized by the Police.
- Successfully represented a bona fide purchaser for value in obtaining the release of a motor vehicle seized by the Police in connection with an unrelated dispute between third parties.
- Successfully defended a client charged with grievous hurt under the Penal Code, securing a reduction of the charge to simple hurt.
- Advised and represented a client at the pre-charge stage in relation to allegations of marital rape, resulting in the Police taking no further action.
- Advised and represented a client at the pre-charge stage in relation to allegations of shop theft, where client reoffended whilst on bail. Successfully resolved the case with no charges preferred.
- Defended a client who was investigated by the Traffic Police for driving without reasonable consideration and causing hurt (accident between motorcar and motorcycle while changing lanes), successfully securing a composition fine and no further action from the Police.
Represented a client facing multiple charges under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 for relinquishing bank accounts to scammers, facilitating the transfer of more than S$100,000 through multiple bank accounts. Despite the Prosecution seeking a sentence of ten to twelve months’ imprisonment, successfully advocated for a lower sentence of nine months’ imprisonment and a fine of S$500, the latter corresponding to the financial benefit received by the client.
- Prosecuted a high-value cheating case involving 450 charges against a single accused for defrauding a victim of $2.36 million through a fabricated inheritance scheme.
- Successfully prosecuted a corruption case against a former hospital deputy director who solicited a bribe in connection with a $17 million construction tender, securing a six-week jail sentence.
- Led the prosecution in the City Harvest Church case, one of Singapore’s most closely watched criminal breach of trust trials, involving the alleged diversion of $24 million in church funds and a further $26.6 million allegedly misappropriated to conceal the initial transactions.
- Acted in a high-profile criminal prosecution involving the misappropriation of significant charitable funds, spanning a lengthy trial requiring the management of an extensive volume of exhibits and detailed economic analysis.
- Acted in a corruption matter involving a senior public sector official who sought to obtain kickbacks in connection with a substantial public tender project.
- Advised law enforcement agencies and the Monetary Authority of Singapore on anti-money laundering regulatory and compliance matters, contributing to the development of Singapore’s AML enforcement framework.
- Acted for the Public Prosecutor in a criminal breach of trust case against a car sales representative who misappropriated more than $550,000 from his employer and a customer. The customer had paid the accused $592,000 to buy a Ferrari, but only about $144,000 was applied towards the purchase. The accused used the rest to pay off his debts and personal expenses and to fund his gambling, converting $520,000 into casino chips. He also failed to hand over more than $100,000 in sales proceeds to his employer. He pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal breach of trust, two counts of converting the benefits of criminal conduct, and one count of possessing such benefits, with ten further charges taken into consideration. He was sentenced to four years and eight months’ imprisonment.
- Acted for the Public Prosecutor in a cheating case against the masterminds and a salesman behind a scheme that cheated the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (now SkillsFuture Singapore) of $51,000 in 2016. Through a marketing company, the accused persons offered cashbacks to individuals who registered for courses funded under the SkillsFuture Credit scheme. The trainees did not actually attend the courses, and inflated claims were then submitted to the agency. One mastermind was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to 19 cheating charges and one count of obstructing the course of justice. A second mastermind pleaded guilty to the same charges, with a further 187 charges taken into consideration. A salesman who recruited 51 trainees, resulting in 102 inflated claims, was sentenced to 24 weeks’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to nine cheating charges.
- Acted for the Public Prosecutor in a case against a woman who gave false information to the police by alleging that two people had forced her into prostitution. Both individuals were arrested as a result of her false report. She pleaded guilty to giving false information to a police officer and was sentenced to two weeks’ imprisonment.
- Acted for the Public Prosecutor in a cheating case against a man who deceived a former schoolmate into paying for luxury goods, including designer handbags and watches, that he claimed could be resold for a profit. He falsely told her that his fashion industry connections allowed him to buy the items cheaply and that he already had buyers lined up. The victim transferred $66,178 to him on 21 occasions, but he never bought any of the items. He pleaded guilty to seven cheating charges, with the remaining 14 taken into consideration, and was sentenced to 17 months’ imprisonment.
- Prosecuted a high-value cheating case involving 450 charges against a single accused for defrauding a victim of $2.36 million through a fabricated inheritance scheme.
- Successfully prosecuted a corruption case against a former hospital deputy director who solicited a bribe in connection with a $17 million construction tender, securing a six-week jail sentence.
- Led the prosecution in the City Harvest Church case, one of Singapore’s most closely watched criminal breach of trust trials, involving the alleged diversion of $24 million in church funds and a further $26.6 million allegedly misappropriated to conceal the initial transactions.
- Successfully defended a client accused of receiving S$55,575.60 in gratification, facing charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Penal Code.
- Represented a foreign national visiting Singapore who was investigated for alleged credit card fraud and cheating. Successfully secured the release of the client’s impounded passport, enabling the client to return home, with the Police subsequently taking no further action.
- Successfully defended a client charged under section 338(b) of the Penal Code for causing grievous hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety. Secured the withdrawal of the grievous hurt charge and its reduction to a minor traffic offence, resulting in a fine only.
- Successfully represented a young offender facing multiple criminal charges, including theft and wilful trespass, securing a total sentence of two days’ imprisonment.
- Acted for the victim of an email compromise fraud involving a fraudulent transfer of USD 1,916,684.19, successfully recovering USD 614,820.68 that had been seized by the Police.
- Successfully represented a bona fide purchaser for value in obtaining the release of a motor vehicle seized by the Police in connection with an unrelated dispute between third parties.
- Successfully defended a client charged with grievous hurt under the Penal Code, securing a reduction of the charge to simple hurt.
- Advised and represented a client at the pre-charge stage in relation to allegations of marital rape, resulting in the Police taking no further action.
- Advised and represented a client at the pre-charge stage in relation to allegations of shop theft, where client reoffended whilst on bail. Successfully resolved the case with no charges preferred.
- Defended a client who was investigated by the Traffic Police for driving without reasonable consideration and causing hurt (accident between motorcar and motorcycle while changing lanes), successfully securing a composition fine and no further action from the Police.
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