Investigations and Regulatory Affairs
Providence Law Asia is a recognised market leader regularly involved in high-profile, multi-jurisdictional investigations and enforcement actions and proceedings. We have a proven track record in providing high-quality advice and defence representation in areas of law ranging from corporate malfeasance, anti-bribery and corruption, anti-money laundering, and fraud, to leading and managing complex investigations and enforcement issues.
We support a diverse clientele, including sovereign states, state agencies, global conglomerates, and corporations, with strategic investigations and around-the-clock crisis management to navigate challenging regulatory and corporate crises, with a view to minimise economic, legal, and reputational risks and exposure.
At the individual level, we have represented individuals in regulatory and judicial proceedings on significant matters involving insider or fraudulent trading, market manipulation, corruption, and bribery allegations under local and foreign legislation such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act.
Our emphasis on a dynamic and multidimensional problem-solving approach and our strong investigative capabilities makes us the firm of choice for entities and individuals in high-stakes situations.
Our core investigatory and representation expertise includes:
- Led investigation in a multi-jurisdictional fraud case involving misappropriation of several million dollars by two senior executives in a Kazakhstan subsidiary of a Singapore company, and diversion of proceeds to Hong Kong, Ahmedabad and Liechtenstein.
- Instructed by a foreign Government to investigate substantial hospital bills rendered by a Southeast Asian hospital in respect of treatment rendered to a group of foreign patients.
- Acted for senior management members of foreign banks in Singapore as well as Malaysian UNHW who were implicated in the 1MDB Scandal, including in allegations that proceeds of the fraud on 1MDB had been channelled into these parties’ bank accounts.
- Led internal investigations for Big Four firm into a major cybersecurity breach of a bank’s systems involving nationwide service disruption caused by unauthorised system access.
- Acted for the Singapore Exchange Regulation (SGX RegCo) in dispute with Stamford Land Corporation Ltd over an issue regarding the interpretation of Rule 877(10) of the Listing Manual of Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited.
- Advised Nippon Paint Singapore in respect of CAD investigations into five senior employees, including its General Manager, who faced criminal charges under s 420 of the Penal Code.
- Advised CEO of Catalist-listed investment holding company in ongoing investigations by the Monetary Authority of Singapore concerning potential breaches of the Securities and Futures Act and related regulatory obligations.
- Advised Executive Director of a listed property consultancy firm in relating to ongoing MAS investigations into regulatory compliance matters, including potential breaches of the Securities and Futures Act.
- Served as external counsel to leading broadband and mobile service provider in internal investigations into C-suite executive concerning alleged misconduct involving unauthorised financial payouts and misrepresentation of financial information to the board.
- Advising and representing a director of a local company in connection with ongoing investigations by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau into alleged corruption offences involving former cabinet minister.
- Represented former Executive Chairman and CEO of a local company in relation to three charges of false trading under Section 197(1)(b) of the Securities and Futures Act.
- Conducted extensive fact-finding investigations into allegations of tender-rigging and fraud within leading chemical industry company.
- Acted for Singapore-based private equity firm in investigating claims of corruption within a chain of private schools in Southeast Asia that the firm intended to acquire.
