Partners

Rajasingam Gothandapani

Partner
Head, Shipping & Maritime
Head, Regulatory Compliance & Enforcement
Head, Investigation & Crisis Management
Head, Transportation
Head, India Desk
Dispute Resolution
Land Acquisition & Town and Country Planning
Crime
Energy, Natural Resources & Green Technology

Key Practices

Qualifications

  • LL. B (Hons, 1st Class), International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM)
  • LL.M (Hons, 2nd Class Upper) University of Cambridge (UK)
  • M.A, University of Cambridge (UK)
  • Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
  • Advocate & Solicitor, High Court of Malaya

Rajasingam graduated with First Class Honours from the International Islamic University in 1995 where he emerged as its Top Law Graduate and was awarded the Royal Gold Medal for Excellence by the Conference of Malay Rulers.

In University he successfully represented Malaysia and his alma mater twice in the International Rounds of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition held in Philadelphia (1994) and in New York (1995), winning a number of awards.

He was called to Bar on 24.5.1996 and commenced legal practice as a junior associate in the Firm’s Dispute Resolution wing.

In his first year at the Bar he was awarded the British High Commissioner’s Chevening Scholarship to pursue his Masters of Law (LL.M) in University of Cambridge, UK. On his arrival at the University he was awarded a second scholarship from the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Society.

On obtaining LL.M (Cantab) he rejoined the Firm as one of its litigators. He was invited into full Partnership in 2003.

Rajasingam’s shipping and maritime practice encompasses a comprehensive range of contentious (litigation and arbitration) and transactional matters on which he regularly advises a wide range of Malaysian and international maritime clients. He has continuously served on the Bar Council’s Sub Committee for Shipping and Admiralty Law Committee.

He has practical knowledge and experience in environmental matters, regulatory compliance, environmental audits, tortious liability issues as well as Energy, Natural Resources and Green Technology related matters.

In relation to Compulsory Land Acquisition matters, Rajasingam undertakes Land Reference hearings, judicial reviews and appeals at all level of the Courts under the Land Acquisition Act 1960. He also appears before the State Appeal Boards in planning permission hearings and appeals under the various town and country planning legislation.

Rajasingam frequently advises on issues relating to anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, breach of trust, and securities legislation as well as represent clients in proceedings brought by the Public Prosecutor and the Securities Commission.

Rajasingam also advises on aboriginal / native customary rights and law in West Malaysia which of recent have come into conflict with rights alienated under the National Land Code.

Shipping and Maritime

  • Acted for one of the largest carrier in the world in a bunker dispute.
  • Advised on agreements relating to construction and completion of a maritime port in Sarawak.

International Arbitration

  • Appeared as co counsel with an English Silk (lead counsel) in an international arbitration in Paris, France involving a luxury yacht.

Land and Compulsory Acquisition

  • Advised State Authority and private entities on compulsory land acquisition.
  • Judicially reviewed compulsory land acquisitions.

Crime

  • Successfully defended a client charged under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
  • Represented a large media/ advertising agency in resisting forfeiture of assets proceedings under the Anti Money Laundering and Anti Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
  • Defended employers-clients in prosecution by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health for alleged offences under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 and its regulations.

Environment

  • Represented clients against strict liability offences under the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
  • Advised international funds on civil and criminal liability for oil spills and oil pollution.

Asia Business Law Journal

One of Malaysia’s Top 100 Lawyers for 3 consecutive years (2019 - 2021)

Asialaw Leading Lawyers

Shipping, Maritime and Aviation 2014 – Leading Lawyer

Asialaw Profiles

Shipping 2014-2016 – Recommended Individual for 2 consecutive years

Asialaw Leading Lawyers

Shipping 2023 – Distinguished Practitioner for 4 consecutive years

Dispute Resolution and Litigation 2015, 2016-2019 – Leading Lawyer

Energy & Natural Resources 2015, 2016-2019 – Leading Lawyer

  • “Raja is very responsive and provides timely and well-considered legal advice.” – Asialaw Profiles 2022

Chambers Asia-Pacific

Shipping 2022 – Band 2 for 13 consecutive years

  • A source comments: "He is very committed to protecting the interests of his clients." - Chambers Asia-Pacific 2022
  • One client remarks: "He is a very wise man who is knowledgeable in his field, always positive and a good adviser." - Chambers Asia-Pacific 2019
  • Rajasingam Gothandapani is well received by clients, who describe him as "approachable" and capable of "providing sound and practical" advice. Praised by further clients as "very knowledgeable in admiralty cases," he advised Jaldhi Mideast DMCC on its application to allow its cargo vessel to sail, after it had been arrested while sub-chartered to Al Ghurair Resources. - Chambers Asia-Pacific 2018
  • Rajasingam Gothandapani "leads an efficient team, is quick to respond to developments on the ground and is able to address any of our concerns," a client reports. - Chambers Asia-Pacific 2017
  • He has extensive High Court and Court of Appeal experience and is described by sources as "intelligent and hard-working." - Chambers Asia-Pacific 2016
  • "He has an in-depth understanding of the issues raised and is often able to answer questions on the legal points on the spot," said a client. - Chambers Asia-Pacific 2015

Expert Guides

Shipping 2017-2020 – Leading Practitioner for 4 consecutive years

IFLR1000

Energy and Infrastructure and Project Development 2021 – Highly Regarded Lawyer for 4 consecutive years

Project Development 2023 – Highly Regarded Lawyer 

Energy: Project Development 2014-2017 – Leading Lawyer for 4 consecutive years

International Law Office: Client Choice Awards

Individual Winner for Litigation for Malaysia Jurisdiction in 2019

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific

Shipping 2022 – Leading Individual for 7 consecutive years; Recommended Lawyer for 6 consecutive years (2010-2015)

Dispute Resolution 2012-2013, 2015, 2017-2018 – Recommended Lawyer

  • “Rajasingam is very meticulous in his work.” - The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2022
  • “Rajasingam provides prompt, clear and commercial legal advice.” - The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2022
  • “Flexible and willingly working odd hours to meet the client’s schedule for discussion and gathering comprehensive information in order to ensure the success of the cases/matters they are dealing with.” - The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2022
  • “Very knowledgeable, accommodative and easy to work with.” - The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2022
  • “Rajasingam and his team are prompt and provide good legal advice with good outcomes in court. The team is also diverse.” - The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2022
  • “Thorough” department head Rajasingam Gothandapani is “street-smart as well as legally knowledgeable”; he represented Samalaju Industrial Port in a dredging charter case brought by Macon Charter. - The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2019
  • Shearn Delamore & Co’s Rajasingam Gothandapani is recommended for shipping law matters, and attracts praise for his ‘industry knowledge” - The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2014
  • Rajasingam Gothandapani and … are ‘reactive and commercial, and have excellent legal and procedural knowledge’. - The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2013
  • Member, Bar Council’s Shipping and Admiralty Law Committee
  • Member, Malaysian Bar
  • Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
  • Member, International Bar Association (IBA)
  • Member, London Court of International Arbitration
  • Legal Advisor, Pure Life Society Malaysia
  • Co-authored: The Legal 500 Country Comparative Guide to Bribery & Corruption 2022 – Malaysia Chapter
  • Has contributed many articles in the International Law Office’s Legal Newsletter on Shipping and Transport including the following:
    • Specialised Admiralty Court in the Making
    • Government Reviews National Cabotage Policy
    • Arresting Ships in Malaysian Waters to Secure a Claim in Arbitration
    • Ownership, Registration, Transfer and Mortgage of Malaysian-Flagged Ships
    • Actions In Rem: Practice and Procedure
    • Act Amended to Allow Ship Arrest to Secure a Claim in Arbitration
    • Proposed Arbitration Act Amendments on Ship Arrest
    • Foreign Crew: Recognition of Competency Certificates
    • New Admiralty Court Established for Resolution of Admiralty and Maritime Disputes
    • Domestic Shipping Licence and Foreign Ship Managers
    • Pre-empting Arrest: When Ship Owners Resort to Lodging a Caveat Against Arrest”.
    • What Constitute Good Reasons For An Order To Sell A Vessel Pendente Lite?
    • Domestic Shipping Licence And Foreign Ship Managers
    • Significant Amendments To Carriage Of Goods By Sea Act
    • Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 – Provisions For Maritime Collisions