Legal Life Cycle of a Business
Director Ronald JJ Wong examines the general legal issues and legal documents, contracts and agreements a business can expect to encounter through its life cycle, from start-up to acquisition, to listing and to liquidation.
Can I Sue My Doctor?
Our Associate Director Benjamin Yam sheds some light on medical negligence and clarifies some common misconceptions.
The Law on Art, Copyright, and Intellectual Property in Singapore (Part 4 - Trade marks)
Who owns rights to IP? How can they be used? Director Ronald JJ Wong and Associate Stuart Peter explore some of these questions and issues, along with possible case studies in a four-part series on the creations of the mind. This article, the fourth and final instalment in the series, focuses on trade marks and passing off.
The Law on Art, Copyright, and Intellectual Property in Singapore (Part 3 - Performers’ Rights and Industrial Design Rights)
Who owns rights to IP? How can they be used? Director Ronald JJ Wong and Associate Stuart Peter explore some of these questions and issues, along with possible case studies in a four-part series on the creations of the mind. This article, the third in the series, focuses on performers' rights and industrial design rights.
The Law on Art, Copyright, and Intellectual Property in Singapore (Part 2 - Copyright)
Who owns rights to IP? How can they be used? Director Ronald JJ Wong and Associate Stuart Peter explore some of these questions and issues, along with possible case studies in a four-part series on the creations of the mind. This article, the second in the series, focuses on copyright.
The Law on Art, Copyright, and Intellectual Property in Singapore (Part 1 - Patents)
Who owns rights to IP? How can they be used? Director Ronald JJ Wong and Associate Stuart Peter explore some of these questions and issues, along with possible case studies in a four-part series on the creations of the mind. This article, the first in the series, focuses on patents.
Case Note: High Court analyses reasonableness of non-solicitation of employees and non-compete clauses
Non-compete and non-solicitation clauses are often the most controversial and disputable terms of any contract of employment or service provider / independent contractor. There are important drafting lessons to be gleaned from this decision.
Crypto Asset Recovery in Fraud Cases After Police Seizure
There’s a huge rise in digital scams and fraud including cryptocurrency-related schemes.
If victims have reported the matter to the police, the police may investigate and seize assets relating to the crime. Such assets would include virtual assets such as digital tokens, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and cryptocurrency.
Case Update: High Court Appoints Relatives of Dementia Patient as Deputies After Fierce Legal Contest
Our team consisting of Lee Ee Yang, Wilbur Lua and James Tan successfully represented three of the defendant's relatives in obtaining a favourable outcome in the appeal.
Digital Assets in the Metaverse of Madness
Cryptocurrencies, digital payment tokens, security tokens, Non-Fungible Tokens (“NFTs”), blockchain technology, virtual land, metaverse – these “buzz words” have become commonplace in our world today – whether in the news or in our social circles.
With such vast amounts of money being pumped into the digital asset landscape, it is no wonder why more people are considering investments in digital assets. This however makes the question of the legal implications and intricacies regarding digital asset ownership all the more important to examine.
Director Ronald JJ Wong quoted in The Business Times article on regulating the crypto world
Director Ronald JJ Wong’s recommendation for cryptocurrency exchanges and digital asset wallet providers to consider implementing a mechanism for customers to freeze their accounts to foster trust and facilitate wider user adoption was featured in The Business Times.
Leaving behind digital assets as inheritance in Will / Estate
Digital assets are an often-overlooked class of assets that most people do not specifically provide for in their Wills. Given that the number of people who own some form of digital assets has risen considerably over the last few years, it would be wise to consider the question of how digital assets can be specifically provided for in a Will and practically managed for leaving behind as an inheritance.
Case Update: Singapore High Court on what constitutes confidential information
The General Division of the Singapore High Court analysed certain categories of information to determine if they were subject to implied general confidentiality obligations post-employment.
Covenant Chambers acted in partly successful appeal in the Appellate Division
Director Ronald JJ Wong and Associate Stuart Peter recently acted for the appellant in a rare case of a successful claim for the equitable remedy of rectification and in particular as to the identity of the parties to the contract, likely a first in Singapore.
Recognition in Legal 500 for Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) practice
Covenant Chambers LLC was recently recognised in leading London-based ranking publication Legal 500 for its Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) practice.
Tax treatment of payment of salary or business goods or services in cryptocurrency
Should an employee accept payment of her salary in cryptocurrency or digital tokens? Should a business accept digital payment tokens as payment for goods or services? What are the tax implications? What is the best way to structure such payments?
Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) regulatory advice and consultancy
ESG stands for environmental, social and governance. Businesses will increasingly be scrutinised based on ESG metrics. The global and national regulatory frameworks are shifting towards mandatory disclosure and reporting on ESG metrics. This article considers ESG issues, ESG-related regulations and obligations in Singapore, and what businesses should consider doing regarding ESG and ESG-related risks.
Buyers Beware: Foreign Ownership of Indonesian Residential Property
The recent dispute in Indah Puri Golf Resort in Batam, which was reported to have affected foreigners including Singaporeans, highlights a case of a lease which expired in 2018. When the resort was launched in 1993, the apartments were not available for foreign ownership. This article discusses types of title available for foreign ownership in Indonesia and possible legal recourse in event of a dispute.
Incentive Payment to Minority Owners
When incentive payments are made to minority owners to secure their consent to a collective sale, is the ‘good faith’ of the transaction impugned such that an application for collective sale will not go through?
Pitfalls to Avoid When Co-Investing in a Property
When family members or friends co-fund the purchase of a property, disputes might arise over the beneficial ownership of the property if their intentions are not properly documented. Avoid the risk of protracted legal tussles by seeking competent legal advice.