Partners

Benedict Teo

Head, Banking & Financial Disputes
Director, Dispute Resolution

Key Practices

Qualifications

  • LL.B. (Hons), National University of Singapore (2004)
  • Admitted to the Singapore Bar (2005)
  • Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors of the Supreme Court of England & Wales (2008)

Benedict’s practice covers a wide range of criminal and commercial litigation, as well as complex arbitration matters. Some of his notable cases are set out below.

He is regularly sought to advise and act for prominent individuals, as well as major Singapore and foreign companies in multi-million dollar corporate disputes, with a particular focus on banking and financial disputes, as well as contentious real estate matters. Benedict heads the firm’s Banking and Financial Disputes practice.

Benedict’s clients include a number of major financial institutions, as well as leading property developers and investors. He is actively involved in all levels of trial and appellate advocacy before the Singapore courts. In a challenging appeal, the Court of Appeal commended Benedict, for ‘the candour, fairness and tenacity with which he advanced his case.’ – [2017] SGCA 70.

Between 2008 and 2010, Benedict was an adjunct tutor at the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore (NUS). He has also been a member of the Rules of Court Working Party (ROCWP) from 2010 to 2024. The ROCWP reviews and proposes changes to the procedural rules for civil litigation in Singapore. He currently chairs the Professional Development Working Group in the Professional Affairs Committee of the Singapore Academy of Law.

Benedict was placed on the Dean’s List in his final year in NUS and was the chief editor of the Singapore Law Review from 2003 to 2004. He also represented NUS in mooting competitions.

In June 2025, Benedict was appointed a Council Member of the Singapore Red Cross. He is also a Non-Executive Independent Director of a SGX mainboard listed company.

Benedict has handled a number of significant cases. Here are just a few:

  • Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (Publ), Singapore Branch v Asia Pacific Breweries (Singapore) Pte Ltd and anor and another appeal [2011] 3 SLR 540– Acted for Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) before the Court of Appeal, and successfully resisted the appeals by two foreign banks relating to claims from a S$100 million fraud committed via unauthorised accounts and facilities opened by APB’s ex-finance manager.
  • Sysma Construction Pte Ltd v EK Developments Pte Ltd [2007] 2 SLR(R) 742 – Successfully represented the liquidators of E.K. Developments Pte Ltd (EKDPL) against Sysma Construction Pte Ltd’s application in the High Court to place EKDPL under compulsory winding-up. EKDPL was already in voluntary liquidation. The Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s decision and examined novel principles relating to when the Court may compulsorily wind-up a company already in voluntary liquidation.
  • Ho Seek Yueng Novel and anor v J&V Development Pte Ltd [2006] 2 SLR(R) 742– Successfully represented a Singapore property developer in resisting an application to expunge caveats, lodged pursuant to a verbal right of first refusal, for properties worth S$11 million. This was a landmark decision as it involved novel issues of caveatable interests in land.
  • Mohamed Amin bin Mohamed Taib and ors v Lim Choon Thye and ors [2009] 3 SLR(R) 193 – Successfully represented the sale committee of a strata title development, Regent Court, in its appeal against the Strata Titles Board, which had rejected the committee’s application for a proposed S$34 million collective sale.
  • Arbitration concerning major waterfront project – Acted for a foreign public listed company in a US$3 billion dollar arbitration against a State Government for breach of a development agreement relating to the construction of a major waterfront project.

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific

Dispute Resolution 2026 – Recommended Lawyer for 3 consecutive years
White-Collar Crime 2025 – Recommended Lawyer
Banking & Finance 2023 – Recommended Lawyer for 2 consecutive years

  • “Benedict Teo leads a strong team. They lay out clear strategies, are responsive, and provide calm, focused guidance throughout disputes.”
  • ”Benedict Teo is an experienced litigator who is familiar with the concerns and issues faced by banks and financial institutions. He provides good strategic direction, is unflappable and approachable, but yet effective. He is backed by a team of generally very competent lawyers.”
  • Sources say Benedict Teo is “smart, fast, practical, energetic and simply outstanding.”
  • “Benedict Teo is ‘prepared to go the extra mile’.”

Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 

Commercial and transactions 2025 – Litigation Star; previously Future Star for 3 consecutive years

  • A client praised Benedict for being “responsive and knowledgeable.”
  • “Benedict is prompt and responsive, has good knowledge of the laws and regulations and is solutions oriented and business friendly.”
  • A client praised Benedict for his “knowledge in the industry and resourcefulness.”

Asialaw Leading Lawyers 

Dispute Resolution 2025 – Distinguished Practitioner for 4 consecutive years

  • “Comprehensive and systematic.”
  • “Commercially savvy and he puts clients’ interests first.”
  • “Ben is extremely responsive and very experienced. I have appreciated his sound legal advice, and sharp legal acumen in handling the cases on our behalf. I also appreciate that he makes himself available to speak to the business representatives when needed.”
  • “Benedict is experienced and provides good strategic advice. His team provides good, detailed work and manages timelines well. Much to recommend, not much to criticise.”
  • “Responsive, and willing to go the extra mile to ensure client's requirements are met fully.”
  • “He is a very experienced trusted adviser and sounding board. He is commercial, responsive, insightful, and he really knows the market and knows his stuff.”
  • “Commercially sound, practical and gives clear explanations."
  • “Very knowledgeable, sincere and responsive.”
  • “Responsive and commercially minded when providing legal advice.”
  • “Responsive and practical.”
  • “Prompt, responsive, solutions-oriented, and knowledgeable.”
  • Sources say Benedict is “smart, intelligent, fast, efficient, on the ball, responsive, positive approach, hands-on, good team leader, simply excellent.”
  • “Responds promptly, quality of work is good and conversant in Mandarin when necessary.”

Who’s Who Legal

Arbitration 2026 – Future Leader

Commercial Litigation 2026 – Recommended Lawyer for 3 consecutive years

Southeast Asia 2025: Litigation – Recommended Lawyer for 2 consecutive years

Global Investigations Review (GIR)

  • Benedict Teo was lauded by clients in GIR 100 2025. One client commented “Drew & Napier advised us on a fraud matter. The team was highly competent and effective, collaborating with us every step of the way. It was a true partnership. Benedict Teo stood out for his integrity, competence and client-focused approach”.

Singapore Business Review

Singapore’s 40 most influential lawyers aged 40 and under in 2015 – Listed lawyer

  • Council Member, Singapore Red Cross
  • Chair, Professional Development Working Group, Professional Affairs Committee, Singapore Academy of Law
  • Member, Law Society of Singapore
  • Member, Singapore Academy of Law
  • Co-authored the Singapore chapter of Chambers Global Practice Guide: Litigation, 2026 Edition (Chambers, 2025)
  • Co-authored the Singapore chapter of Lexology In-Depth: Banking Litigation, Edition 8 (Lexology In-Depth, 2024), and Edition 9 (Lexology In-Depth, 2025)
  • Singapore sharpens appeal as crypto arbitration hub with SIAC rule revamp (Asian Legal Business, December 2025 issue)
  • AT1 bonds regain appeal for Asian investors (The Banker, 27 February 2024)
  • Co-authored the Singapore chapter of The Legal 500 Banking & Finance Yearbook, 2023 Edition (The Legal 500, 2023)
  • Co-authored the article titled “How courts are responding to the unique challenges of cryptocurrency litigation” (IFLR Fintech Leaders Guide, 4 September 2023)
  • Contributed updates to Chapter II (Originating Applications), Chapter III (Service of Originating Process) and Chapter IV (Notice of Intention to Contest or not to Contest) of Atkin’s Court Forms Singapore, Issue 77 (Lexis Advance, June 2023)
  • Contributor, Singapore Rules of Court – A Practice Guide, 2023 Edition (Academy Publishing, 2023)
  • Co-authored the Singapore chapter of The Banking Litigation Law Review, Edition 6 (The Law Reviews, December 2022).
  • Co-authored the Annotated Laws of Singapore - Companies Act 1967 - Parts 9 (Investigations) & 10 (Dissolution) (LexisNexis, April 2022)
  • Spacs: In every opportunity, be mindful of the risks (The Straits Times, 30 October 2021 at p.B10)
  • Critical points for all parties when navigating collective sales (The Business Times, 21 April 2018 at p. 30)
  • In search of a fair bargain – balancing the rights of banks and their customers in Singapore (Financier Worldwide, November 2015 issue)