Brunei

Abrahams Davidson & Co is a Brunei-based market-leading firm in financial and corporate work established in 1986. The firm’s office is in Bandar Seri Begawan, comprising three partners, 10 associates practicing civil law and two Shariah practitioners complemented by more than 35 experienced support staff. 

The firm is a member of the Brunei International Chambers, the Chinese Chambers of Commerce and the Malay Chambers of Commerce. 
 
Focusses / specialisms  
The firm’s core practice areas are in banking, property development, corporate and commercial, securities and funds. The firm also has experience in sectors including agriculture, aviation, insurance, technology and telecommunications.  
 
Key clients  
The firm has a broad range of clientele comprising a mix of both domestic and international clients. Notable clients include Singapore Airlines, Mitsubishi Electric, HSBC Insurance Singapore and International SOS.  
 
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)   
During the research period, the firm was active in corporate finance advising overseas clients on their investments and joint ventures, divestments, acquisitions and mergers.  

The firm also advised local and overseas banks on major syndicated loan and bond facilities and high-value multimillion-dollar Islamic and conventional financing transactions as well as for major contractors bidding and contracting with government agencies.  

In the real estate and property area, the firm kept busy advising clients on the development of land and the construction of residential apartments and commercial buildings as well as related regulatory matters.  
 
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)   

Financial services regulatory 
“Good client management and prompt turnaround times.” 

Bernard Tan 

“Prompt turnaround times, good client management.” 

CCW Partnership

Active since 1980, CCW Partnership is a well-known name in the Brunei legal market. The firm was formerly known as Choo Chan & Wong and is now one of the largest full service commercial law firms in Brunei Darussalam.

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm is recognised for its high quality financial and corporate work. The firm takes on domestic and international clients and its experience covers a variety of mandates including acquisitions, joint ventures and restructurings in sectors including construction and transport. The firm often works alongside leading international law firms.

Sectors of focus include oil and gas, construction, technology and telecommunications and shipping.

Established in 1998, Dr Colin Ong Legal Services is one of the few Brunei law firms to have an international footprint. The firm is located in Bandar Seri Begawan and is led by managing partner Koh Shiao Hui. Other key figures include senior partner Colin Ong.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has experience in sectors such as aviation, oil and gas, insurance and construction.

Key clients

The firm’s clients include international firms, the Brunei government, and top banks such as Standard Chartered, Baiduri and UOB.

Research period review: 30th edition (2019/2020)

During the research period, the firm notably advised large international companies on expanding their presence in Brunei. Another highlight saw the firm advising an international client on a project in the oil and gas sector.

Harry Elias Partnership is the Brunei presence of the Singapore law firm of the same name. The firm was founded around 30 years ago and established the office in Brunei Darussalam in 2012. The firm regularly work alongside their lawyers in Singapore.

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm is recognised for its work in the financial and corporate sector and provides a full range of services to domestic and international clients. It is also active in the project development space.

Key clients 

Key clients of the firm include Bank of China, Unified National Networks, Datastream Digital, Progresif Cellula and DNV GL.

Client Feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

Project development

“Extremely friendly personalities in a professional way - not so common among practitioners in Brunei and makes a great team member when you are at the negotiation table - very responsive and understands client's needs well, a pleasure to work with. I would personally think of them first when there is work to be done.”

“Quick in responses and helpful in discussion meeting.”

Located in Bandar Seri Begawan, Ridzlan Lim is a boutique law firm with a team of 20 professionals. Key figures at the firm include senior partner Kelvin Lim.

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm is recognized for its work in the financial and corporate space.