Daryl Ong founded LawCraft LLC in 2016, having practiced as a Commercial Litigator since he was called to the Bar in 2002. Prior to founding LawCraft LLC, Daryl was a Partner in the Litigation and Arbitration department of Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP.

 

Daryl has represented clients across all levels in commercial matters, frequently handling high-value and complex matters in the sphere of commercial law and policy. His areas of expertise are:

 

• International Arbitration

• Trusts and equity including private wealth management litigation

• Insolvency

• Commercial disputes

• Pre-emptive emergency relief

• Corporate fraud and investigations

• Shareholders’ disputes

• Employment disputes

 

Daryl has been involved in several legally significant cases including the following reported cases: 

• Poh Soon Kiat v Desert Palace Inc (trading as Caesars Palace) [2010] 1 SLR 1129; [2009] SGCA 60

• Yong Kheng Leong and another v Panweld Trading Pte Ltd [2012] SGCA 59

• Sandz Solutions (Singapore) Pte Ltd and others v Strategic Worldwide Assets Ltd [2014] 3 SLR 562.

 

In 2012, Daryl was appointed by the Thai District Court to give expert evidence on Singapore Law concerning the enforceability of arbitral awards in Singapore under the International Arbitration Act.

 

Aside from his role as the Managing Director of LawCraft LLC, Daryl also serves on the Law Society Inquiry Panel (which looks into solicitor misconduct matters), adjudicates matters as a Referee of the Small Claims Tribunals, and teaches Advocacy for the Singapore Bar Exams.

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND EXPERIENCE

 

Major Arbitration Matters

 

• 2017: Acting for a listed technology company in SIAC proceedings in relation to alleged termination of a platform services agreement.

 

• 2017: Advised a marine services company in relation to arbitration proceedings before the SIAC.

 

• 2016: Acted for an Indian listed company in SIAC proceedings pertaining to certain alleged infringements of intellectual property rights.

 

• 2016: Acted for a high-net worth individual in a dispute over certain security deposits placed with a joint venture party and obtained a stay of proceedings in favour of arbitration.

 

• 2015: Acted for Singaporean investors and obtained an urgent injunction against a joint venture partner for breach of shareholder undertakings.

 

• 2013: Acted for a Singapore Joint Venture Company in SIAC proceedings relating to property investments in South America.

 

• 2012: Appointed by the Thai District Court to give expert evidence on the enforceability of arbitration awards in Singapore under the International Arbitration Act.

 

• 2011: Acted for and advised a listed technology company in SIAC proceedings in relation to claims for the assignment of commercial contracts and other payments in connection with banking services and infocomm platforms.

 

• 2010: Acted for a US-listed MNC in SIAC proceedings pertaining to disputes concerning the employment of senior management.

 

• 2010: Represented a major Hong Kong luxury chain and obtained a stay of High Court proceedings in favour of arbitration.

 

• 2008: Successfully defended a client in SIAC proceedings commenced by a major banking services technology company in relation to the alleged infringement of intellectual property rights.

 

• 2006: Acted for a main contractor in SIAC proceedings pertaining to the construction of an MRT line.

 

Career Highlights

 

• Represented a listed company and its subsidiaries in relation to a debt restructuring exercise in excess of S$100million.

 

• Represented a joint venture company in the Singapore International Commercial Court in relation to disputes over a US$170 million property development in China.

 

• Represented a group of high net worth individuals and successfully obtained a significant settlement from a Singapore bank in relation to banking disputes.

 

• Represented a local ship management and services company and its directors in relation to a Scheme of Arrangement under Section 210 of the Companies Act.

 

• Currently representing one of Singapore leading retailers of Apple products in relation to its disputes with its inventory and accounts management service providers.

 

• Currently representing an Indian listed company in relation to disputes with other parties in relation to the use of certain technology platforms.

 

• Represented the owner of a development project in Orchard Road in relation to its commercial disputes with third parties.

 

• Advised one of Singapore’s leading insurers in respect of a significant fire incident in 2016.

 

• Represented a consultancy firm in a claim for a commission payment in relation to a gas power deal of approximately US$54 million.

 

• Successfully obtained leave of the Singapore High Court to commence a derivative action on behalf of minority shareholders in respect of concealed fraud of more than S$8 million.

 

• Placed a well-known electronics distributor under Judicial Management.

 

• Successfully discharged an injunction brought against an international conglomerate of power, cable and wireless optics companies in a dispute worth in excess of US$20 million.

 

• Headed a privatisation and capital reduction exercise for a listed company pursuant to an acquisition worth S$6.7 million.

 

• Acted as lead counsel for one of Singapore’s leading construction firms in a trial and successful defence of attachment proceedings.

 

• Successfully applied to freeze various time deposits placed in Singapore and Indonesia worth US$126 million.

 

• Headed an arbitration concerning disputes over a joint venture in relation to property development in South America worth in excess of $30 million.

 

• Acted for major insurers in relation to the recovery of subrogated claims in liquidation in respect of losses in excess of $5.9 million.

 

• In 2012, gave evidence before the Thai District Court on Singapore Law concerning the enforcement of arbitral awards under the International Arbitration Act.

 

Other Notable Cases

 

• Acted for a technology company in a claim against a major local bank in respect of an unperformed acquisition of a third party company, obtaining a favourable award of damages from the High Court against the bank for S$1.7 million.

 

• Acted for a high net worth individual and successfully obtained an injunction in the High Court in relation to disputes over a well-known luxury restaurant in Singapore.

 

• Acted for and advised Japanese clients and Counsel, and American Counsel, in respect of the clients’ rights against 16 Defendants for, inter alia, conspiracy and fraud which involved misappropriation of assets worth US$30 million.

 

• Advised a local water desalination company in respect of its rights and obligations against its co-shareholders under a Shareholders’ Agreement; advised the same company in relation to the building of a S$25 million water desalination plant.

 

• Acted for and advised a media and mobile telecommunications company, and its directors in their personal capacities, in relation to various alleged breaches of the Telecommunications Act and obtaining a successful outcome.

 

• Represented a group of minority stakeholders and unwound a multi-million dollar merger and acquisition transaction, in relation to the undisclosed fraud of the CEO of an ASXlisted company, which resulted in direct losses to the company exceeding US$25 million over 4 years.

 

• Acted for minority creditors of a company placed under Judicial Management, and obtained a Court Order sanctioning the initiation of investigations into the possible wrongdoings of the directors of the company.

 

Reported decisions include:

 

• Cheong Soh Chin and others v Eng Chiet Shoong and others [2015] SGHC 173

 

• Sandz Solutions (Singapore) Pte Ltd and others v Strategic Worldwide Assets Ltd [2014] SGCA 27

 

• Transnational Recycling Industries Pte Ltd v Semac Pte Ltd [2003] SGHC 130

 

• Chong Hon Kuan Ivan and Another v Levy Maurice and Others [2005] SGHC 14

 

• Justlogin Pte Ltd and another v Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd [2007] 1 SLR(R) 425

 

• Tan Ging Hoon v MMI Holdings Ltd and another suit [2008] 3 SLR(R) 807

 

• Cheng Song Chuan v Chin Ivan [2008] SGHC 39

 

• Law Chin Eng and Another v Hiap Seng & Co Pte Ltd (Lau Chin Hu and others, applicants) [2009] SGHC 223

 

• Poh Soon Kiat v Desert Palace Inc (trading as Caesars Palace) [2010] 1 SLR 1129; [2009] SGCA 60

 

• Lew Kiat Beng v Hiap Seng & Co Pte Ltd [2012] 1 SLR 488; [2011] SGCA 61

 

• Yong Kheng Leong and another v Panweld Trading Pte Ltd [2012] SGCA 59