Partners

Sim Bing Wen

Associate Director, Dispute Resolution

Key Practices

Qualifications

  • LL.B. (Hons), National University of Singapore (2015)
  • Advocate & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore (2018)

Bing Wen practices primarily in the areas of commercial litigation, internal and regulatory investigations, and arbitration. He has appeared on behalf of clients at all levels of the Singapore Courts, including in the Singapore International Commercial Court. He often acts as lead prosecuting counsel in disciplinary inquiries involving healthcare professionals.

Bing Wen firmly believes in the need to ensure access to justice for those without means. To this end, he has represented many underprivileged persons in criminal and family law proceedings since being called to the Bar. He also regularly volunteers at community legal clinics and is the point of contact for the firm’s external partners regarding pro bono work.

Before joining Drew & Napier, Bing Wen served as a Deputy Public Prosecutor in the Attorney-General’s Chambers and as a Justices’ Law Clerk in the Supreme Court of Singapore. He holds an LL.B. (First Class Honours) from the National University of Singapore. As an undergraduate, he was placed on the Dean’s List three times. He also won prizes for academic performance and for advocacy in moot court competitions.

The following are some of the matters which Bing Wen has been involved in:

  • Acting for judicial managers and liquidators of Hin Leong Trading in multi-billion-dollar claim - Advised and acted for the judicial managers (subsequently liquidators) of Hin Leong Trading (Pte.) Ltd in investigating the collapse of one of the world’s largest oil and commodities trading companies. Currently representing the judicial managers and liquidators in a lawsuit involving claims of fraudulent trading and breach of directors’ duties against the company’s directors, seeking recovery of over US$3.5 billion. The Hin Leong insolvency was an impact case winner in the Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards 2022.
  • Representing high-net-worth Dubai-based family in multi-jurisdictional dispute - Acted for a Dubai-based high-net-worth family in a dispute with a UK-incorporated bank in claims for misrepresentation, mis-selling of financial products and breach of fiduciary duties. The case, heard in the Singapore International Commercial Court, involved issues of Singapore law as well as the law and regulations of the Dubai International Financial Centre.
  • Co-counsel in US$35 million international arbitration - Co-counsel in an arbitration under the SIAC Rules relating to a dispute over the supply of oil and bunkering services. The value of the claim is over US$35 million.
  • Acting for liquidators of slimming and beauty joint venture - Acted for the liquidators of MSB Beauty Pte. Ltd in court proceedings and advised on matters relating to the winding-up of the company.
  • Medical disciplinary proceedings - Represented the Singapore Medical Council, Singapore Dental Council, and the Singapore Nursing Board in numerous disciplinary inquiries against healthcare professionals. The inquiries have involved issues such as the failure to obtain and document informed consent, the failure to conduct adequate clinical evaluation of a patient, and medical confidentiality. Bing Wen has often acted as lead counsel in these inquiries and has argued cases against senior lawyers, including senior counsel.
  • Criminal defence - Represented accused persons as lead counsel, both before the State Courts and High Court, in a wide range of criminal matters involving offences under the Penal Code, Misuse of Drugs Act, Protection from Harassment Act, Road Traffic Act, Enlistment Act and COVID-19 regulations. Successfully helped clients obtain withdrawal or reduction of charges, and lighter sentences, on many occasions.
  • Advised a multinational company in respect of possible grounds of appeal in relation to a financial penalty imposed by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore for price-fixing.
  • Advised a Singapore company on potential competition law issues arising out of exclusive arrangements with an online delivery platform.
  • Member, Singapore Academy of Law
  • Member, Law Society of Singapore
  • Accredited Mediator, Singapore Mediation Centre
  • Member, Criminal Legal Aid Scheme Committee, Law Society Pro Bono Services (2020 – present)
  • Appointed to the Panel of Assigned Solicitors, Legal Aid Bureau, Ministry of Law
  • Appointed to the Supreme Court’s Young Amicus Curiae scheme (2020, 2022)
  • Volunteer coach for moot teams from the National University of Singapore
  • Co-author, ‘The Garnishment of Monies in Joint Bank Accounts: Timing Ltd v Tay Toh Hin [2020] SGHC 169; and Timing Ltd v Tay Toh Hin [2021] SGHC 5’ Civil Justice Quarterly 40 (4), 7