Message from ASEAN CEO

2022 Round-Up and Looking Ahead to 2023

As we officially embark onto the New Year, I take great relief in recognising that the world has officially emerged from the shadows of the pandemic. Cross-border travel has restarted in most countries, giving businesses a much-needed boost and providing leisure travellers with long-awaited holidays. We can all look forward to the new year with optimism and reflect on the past year with pride.

Number One Law Firm in Singapore

Dentons Rodyk’s standing as one of Singapore’s Big Five Law Firms continue to solidify through rankings and recognition by various highly regarded legal publications. The firm was also voted as Number One in Singapore by The Straits Times and Statista when we received the greatest number of awarded categories in the Singapore’s Best Law Firms 2023 list. This amazing achievement is a testament to our quality of work and the trust and confidence that our valued clients and industry peers have in our legal expertise, and we must continue to build on the success.

Dentons Rodyk Dialogue

The sixth edition of our annual thought leadership event was held last October to our biggest in-person crowd since the pandemic, complete with a full lunch networking session – something we have not been able to do for a very long time. The session revolved around the theme of digitalisation and hosted esteemed speakers such as Guest-of-Honour Minister Josephine Teo, and our very own Senior Partners Gilbert Leong and Hsu Li Chuan.

Champions of Good

Charitable contributions, corporate social responsibility and pro bono work have always been at the heart of Dentons Rodyk. Our pro bono committee, led by Senior Partner Christopher Chong, is passionately committed to promoting public good and the launch of our new Philanthropy and Non-profits practice furthers our efforts in doing so. Last year, we were highly recommended as one of Singapore’s best in the Charities, Not-for-Profit Associations & Pro Bono category by The Straits Times and also received the Certificate of Appreciation from the Law Society of Singapore for our support of their Community Legal Clinics. Dentons Rodyk was also one of only four law firms to be named as a Champion of Good in 2022, a national initiative that recognises organisations that are exemplary in doing good.

Welcoming 2023

According to the Monetary Authority of Singapore, our economy is projected to slow further at a “below-trend pace” in 2023 amid growing challenges in the external environment. While we benefit from the reopening of borders, the tightening of global financial conditions and some countries’ continued Covid-19 restrictions are likely to weigh on growth.

While the national and global economic headwinds have caused us to be cautious in our forecast, we will continue to invest in prioritised strategies such as talent acquisition to further grow the firm. We are also focused on integrating the law firm and unlocking your full potential by driving inclusion, integration, client engagement and ESG.

As part of the world’s largest law firm, we will continue to infuse purpose across Dentons and drive opportunities with Dentons Global Advisors. This will enable us to be a business solutions provider for all of you and differentiate ourselves as the world’s largest.

In closing, I’d like to express my gratitude to you, our wonderful clients. It is through your trust and support that have kept the Dentons Rodyk brand relevant and innovative. I am excited for a strong year ahead, as we continue to thrive and deliver value to you.

Gerald Singham
Global Vice Chair and ASEAN CEO

Welcome to the 1^st issue of the Dentons Rodyk Reporter in 2023.

The Dentons Rodyk Reporter is a compendium of commentaries produced and published by Dentons Rodyk Academy. Articles and updates on the latest developments in the law and industry practices are conveniently categorised in the following specialist bulletins. Please click on the links to read the articles.

Business Bulletin

• Founders’ Conflict – Pre-empting Disputes when all is well
• Singapore Tax Incentives for Funds – Section 13U, 13O and 13D
• ACRA/IPOS: Public consultation for an Intangibles Disclosure Framework

Litigation Briefs

• Legal Update: Does a doctor always have to obtain consent from a patient before stopping medication?

Showing 1 - 4 of Total Results (4)

Founders’ Conflict – Pre-empting Disputes when all is well

January 6, 2023

Singapore: Disputes amongst founders can happen anytime and for various reasons – not just when a company’s business is struggling but also when the entity is growing and more investors are investing with excitement. Something just goes amiss and there arises disagreements between founders. One then wonders what could have been done to pre-empt such issues? Or what can be done to address any issue that has arose? This article shares some suggestions that may help founders in managing misalignments whilst continuing their start-up’s journey in becoming the next unicorn.

Singapore Tax Incentives for Funds – Section 13U, 13O and 13D

January 5, 2023

Singapore: In this article, we set out an overview of Singapore’s tax regime for fund management. We also explain how the 13O, 13U and 13D tax incentives can address potential Singapore income tax issues. Do note that the conditions listed in this article only apply to fund vehicles which hold assets for or on behalf of third parties outside of the family(ies) which own or control the fund vehicles. A different set of conditions would apply for fund vehicles in a single family office.

ACRA/IPOS: Public consultation for an Intangibles Disclosure Framework

December 19, 2022

Singapore: The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore launched a public consultation, running from 14 December 2022 to 28 February 2023, to gather the views of the public on the Intangibles Disclosure Framework (Framework) and whether it will help businesses disclose their intangible assets and improve transparency in the market. This article will provide information on what the Framework seeks to achieve, the key principles outlined in the Framework and the rationale behind the Framework.

Legal Update: Does a doctor always have to obtain consent from a patient before stopping medication?

November 23, 2022

Singapore: We discuss the case of Chia Soo Kiang (personal representative of the estate of Tan Yaw Lan, deceased) v Tan Tock Seng Hospital Pte Ltd and others [2022] SGHC 259, where the High Court dismissed the claim and in particular clarified a doctor’s duty of care regarding advising and obtaining consent from a patient on medication that would be withdrawn. Dentons Rodyk successfully represented the defendants in this case.