CROSS-BORDER LEGAL PRACTICE
Supporting clients and counsel across Asia, Europe, the U.S. & Middle East, and other wider international markets.
About our cross-border practice
At Peter Ong & Nair, our cross-border practice is grounded in deep jurisdictional knowledge and extensive experience working with international clients and coordinating with foreign counsel across diverse legal systems. We regularly lead and manage multi-jurisdictional matters for both domestic and international clients, including multinational corporations and growth-stage businesses, across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Cross-border matters are often led by our Partner, Shamila Nair, who is strategically based between Dubai and Malaysia, with regular travel to Europe to engage directly with clients, legal counterparts, and regional collaborators. Whether in advisory, structuring, or disputes, we ensure consistency across jurisdictions by working closely with local lawyers and international counsel, providing clients with a cohesive legal experience across borders.
80% of our matters are cross-border in nature.
Our matters frequently span borders, involving foreign counsel, multi-jurisdictional coordination, and international clients or counterparts. Whether navigating regulatory requirements, contractual arrangements, or disputes across jurisdictions, our work reflects the firm’s depth of cross-border legal knowledge and its active role in managing legal matters across diverse legal systems.
FOOTPRINT
Our international reach is built on strong legal networks, trusted cross-border collaborations, and a growing presence across global markets.
Operational approach and language access
We are frequently instructed by clients and counsel based in Europe, the United States, and Asia who require legal insight in key Asian jurisdictions. Similarly, where required by the client, we coordinate with local counsel in the relevant jurisdictions to obtain a clear understanding of their local laws, procedures, and regulatory considerations. Our ability to interpret both regional and international legal dynamics allows us to serve as the central legal hub for international legal teams navigating cross-border complexities.
While we advise on a wide range of legal areas, including corporate, commercial, technology, art, climate, and AI law, the common thread across these matters is our focus on issues involving cross-border elements. For a clearer view of the types of matters we assist with, please refer to our selected experience below.
Our operations are fully digital, supported by secure virtual workflows and systems that allow us to collaborate and respond efficiently across time zones. Engaging with foreign counsel or international clients is only ever a click away. For matters involving foreign-language documents, we utilise AI-enhanced tools to review, extract, and interpret key information for instruction-taking and client briefings. This enables us to provide preliminary assessments and strategic input even before formal translations are complete, particularly in urgent matters where time sensitivity would otherwise cause delay.
To support matters involving international clients, foreign-language documentation, or overseas counsel, we work closely with independent legal professionals fluent in French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, Arabic, Hindi, German, and other languages to ensure clear communication and culturally aligned legal support.
Join our cross-border events to connect, exchange, and explore legal insight across jurisdictions.
Selected cross-border experience
Advising a global Hong Kong-based tech component manufacturer on anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws, including Adequate Procedures, for a strategic partnership venture.
Lead counsel for multiple multi-jurisdictional legal due diligence exercises across Southeast Asia for major cross-border acquisitions, including advising energy service providers based in the UAE and Cayman Islands on a USD 10 million acquisition.
Advising various European companies and their legal counsel in the retail and e-commerce sectors on the commencement of foreign proceedings in Asian jurisdictions, and facilitating legal actions in Hong Kong and other Asian jurisdictions involving claim amounts ranging from USD 200,000 to USD 1 million.
Negotiating and advising a Chinese company and its Singapore subsidiary on commercial agreements with Malaysian counterparties.
Advising a cancer research organisation in Malaysia and its associated technology companies on multimillion-dollar projects, including the structuring and negotiation of laboratory service agreements and collaboration agreements with both local and US-based parties to advance critical research initiatives.
Successfully advised and represented a Chinese national and business owner in an application to set aside a Statutory Demand for approximately USD 2 million.
Acting for foreign-domiciled Malaysian individuals in the purchase and sale of high-net-worth real estate located in Malaysia.
Advising a Singapore-based prop-tech company on commercial negotiations, preparation and review of corporate documentation, and securing foreign investments of approximately USD 250,000.
Advising and supporting a Malaysian-owned energy asset management company incorporated in Abu Dhabi with operations in Malaysia, the UAE, and the US in contractual negotiations and documentation, including participating in high-level stakeholder meetings.
Liaising with US legal counsel to support compliance for Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq, acquired by our client, an energy asset management company.
Advising a Malaysian tech company on the negotiation and execution of commercial agreements in a joint venture with a Singaporean entity for the development of cross-border technologies.
Advising a global Japanese construction company on data privacy and drone law issues arising from the implementation of smart construction technologies across thousands of sites in the Asia-Pacific region.
Advising a US-based POS and OMS commerce technology company on data protection and privacy laws across multiple Asian jurisdictions, including drafting of a Global Data Processing Agreement compliant with GDPR, CCPA, and local laws.
Representing a Singaporean construction and dormitory management company in a breach of contract dispute, and successfully resolving the matter through mediation at the Singapore Mediation Centre.
Advising a global German oil and gas company on Malaysia’s decarbonisation legal framework, regulatory compliance, and policy developments for implementation across its supply chain.
Advising an Irish national in connection with an investment dispute involving capital invested in Malaysia through a local partner.
Advising and representing clients in cross-border estate and probate matters, including acting in court proceedings for the resealing of foreign probate grants and filing of fresh applications in Malaysia and other Asian jurisdictions. Our work includes facilitating the transfer of high-value estates and shares held by foreign deceased persons to the rightful administrator or executor, with particular experience in coordinating legal processes involving offshore jurisdictions and listed corporate assets.
Armenia (February 2025)
Private International Law and Dispute Resolution Mechanisms Winter Cohort 2025, organised by Revolve Academy and the French University of Armenia, bringing together legal professionals and students from various countries.
Cambodia Legal Partner Visit (December 2024)
Visit to Cambodia to Meet Our Local Legal Partner, supporting corporate advisory, litigation, and arbitration matters. Strengthening our on-the-ground legal network within ASEAN, with counsel fluent in native Khmer, to better assist clients navigating business and dispute work in the region.
Singapore (November 2024)
CROSS-BORDER LEGAL SUPPORT
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China (November 2024)
Delegate at the 6th China–ASEAN Legal Research Forum in Chongqing, China, held alongside judicial officers, ministries of law, legal professionals, bar representatives, and students from across ASEAN. Invited as a delegate to explore legal collaboration and strengthen cross-border legal support for clients within these economies, as well as to contribute to the ongoing study of the China–ASEAN legal framework.
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