Mohammed Reza

Acted as lead counsel for a French multinational investment bank and financial services company in a notable fraud lawsuit against a Singaporean oil trader. The case involved allegations of a complex fraud involving trade financing, leading to significant losses for multiple banks. Secured judgment for the client for approximately USD 176 million in damages plus interest and costs.

Acted for a global financial institution in a complex banking litigation trial before the Singapore High Court involving a multi-billion-dollar fraud perpetrated by a high-profile individual. The case concerned claims by customers seeking to recover investments made through accounts held with the bank in a hedge fund that had invested substantially all its assets with the individual. Following the emergence of irregularities, redemptions were suspended, and investment values declined. The case involved interesting points of law including a bank’s duty to carry out due diligence on a hedge fund and whether such due diligence would have uncovered the fraud.

Acted for a Singapore-based company with operations spanning the supply chain, energy, and consumer sectors in High Court litigation against a domestic electricity retailer. The proceedings culminated in a winding-up order against the retailer based on its inability to pay debts and suspicious financial conduct, including unauthorised fund withdrawals. The case exemplified the court's role in addressing corporate misconduct and protecting creditor interests through insolvency proceedings.

Advised a global financial intelligence firm on its regulatory obligations as a capital markets services license holder in Singapore. Provided guidance (including the formulation and implementation of company policies and procedures) on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) compliance, and advised on the risk categorisation of a diverse client base such as sovereigns, government-linked companies, trust arrangements and publicly listed companies.

Advised a leading provider of technologies and solutions for water treatment in tailoring an employment contract for a new hire, following a thorough review and revision of the contract terms to ensure that the client’s interests are well protected, including strengthening the restraint of trade and intellectual property provisions, as well as revising the terms to ensure compliance with Singapore law, in aspects such as payment of salary, insurance and leave entitlements.

Advised a multi-strategy, multi-manager hedge fund, on the appointment of a new CEO for their Singapore branch. Our guidance covered the intricacies of regulatory compliance, strategic planning, employment, and secondment arrangements. This included advising on the retrenchment and reassignment process, the acquisition of employment passes, and necessary regulatory filings, such as the mandatory notification to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Our efforts ensured that our client remained compliant with regulatory requirements while effectively pursuing their business objectives in Singapore.

Advised a Singapore branch of one of the world's largest financial institutions to successfully mediate and resolve a dispute with another global financial entity. The conflict stemmed from a trade agreement related to a term loan facility extended by our client to foreign infrastructure company.

Advised an international asset management and financial services firm on the enforceability of its restraint of trade obligations following the resignation of its Singapore managing director. This was important to the client as the managing director was joining a competing firm. In addition, the enforceability of the restraint of trade obligations had a direct effect on whether the client was able to forfeit the managing director’s deferred compensation and carried interest.

Advised leading global financial institutions on compliance with Singapore data protection laws and on the transfer of personal data to external jurisdictions, subject always to banking secrecy and data privacy regulations.

Advised numerous global financial institutions, technology companies and commodities houses on Singapore employment law issues pertaining to deferred bonus and restrictive shares schemes, restrictive covenants, summary dismissal, working hours regulations, withholdings, mass retrenchment exercises and cross-border enforceability against non-local employees.

Successfully acted for the Singapore arm of the world's largest advertising and public relations company, in a dispute with a senior ex-employee involving post-employment restrictive covenants.