International law firm DAC Beachcroft is pleased to announce it has formed an association with Incisive Law, an independent Singapore Law Practice, to work together in Singapore.  In support of their association, both firms have also made recent investments in talent to strengthen their respective shipping practices.

The new association will see DACB and Incisive Law collaborate to provide a seamless offering to their clients, covering Singapore and English law.  With their combined expertise and international reach, the two firms will be well positioned to meet the ever-expanding needs of their clients in the Asia-Pacific region.

Established in 2011, DACB’s Singapore office specialises in providing advice on complex, high-value and international risks across all lines of insurance business and all aspects of reinsurance.  In 2022 the firm welcomed partners Summer Montague – who now leads the Singapore office – and Andrew Robinson, increasing its partner headcount and capabilities across the wider Asia-Pacific region.

With an already strong reputation in shipping, international trade & commodities and marine insurance, Incisive Law, led by Joint Managing Directors Bill Ricquier and Wai Yue Loh, also offers the full spectrum of legal services to local Singapore and multinational businesses across other sectors, including energy and infrastructure, financial services, asset finance, technology, private client matters and employment.  Wai Yue, who was previously a partner in an international law firm and based in Greater China, also has extensive experience advising Chinese clients, many of whose business interests are increasingly focused on Singapore and the region.

In addition to agreeing this new association with Incisive Law, DACB continues to build a global shipping team.  The firm welcomed legal director Joanne Waters from HFW to its London team during the summer.  Joanne specialises in commercial dispute resolution in the shipping and logistics industries, with a particular interest in maritime technology, and has previously worked in both Singapore and Hong Kong.  DACB will also welcome shipping and energy litigation specialist Nicola Tune as a legal director from Ince & Co. later this month.  Joanne and Nicola will work alongside partners Anthony Menzies and Toby Vallance in London.

In Singapore, Incisive Law has been bolstered by the recent arrival of veteran shipping lawyer John Seow as a Director & Head of Litigation, who joined from Rajah & Tann where he had been a partner in the Shipping & International Trade Department.

Summer Montague said, “We have taken the opportunity to ask clients in the region what they want and need and we are growing our offering around those needs, creating a diverse and dynamic team that is providing sector-focused solutions across the full suite of the Insurance and Shipping, Trade & Commodities sectors.  We have made no secret of our ambitions in Asia-Pacific and we continue to pursue opportunities to expand our reach in the region for the benefit of our clients.  With its excellent lawyers, sterling reputation, and market-leading shipping and marine practice, Incisive Law perfectly complements our existing offering and gives us an even stronger platform in Singapore.  We look forward to working more closely together and building stronger ties.”

Wai Yue Loh said, “There are a number of natural synergies between DACB and Incisive Law and perhaps most importantly, we share the same ethos in terms of how we should service our clients.  These will go a long way to help us achieve our ambitions for growth in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.  With the breadth and depth of services we can provide together, this association will enable us to bring further shipping, international trade & commodities, and energy expertise to clients across the globe.”

Bill Ricquier added, “We are very much looking forward to collaborating and developing deeper links with DACB.  We are both committed to international levels of service and expertise and to building personal relationships with clients.  Combined with the deep, local knowledge we offer, our clients will no doubt benefit from the enhanced proposition this association brings.”

The expansion of DACB’s capabilities in Singapore is part of its ongoing drive to be the international law firm of choice for global insurers as well as their insureds in the Shipping, International Trade & Commodities sectors.  In addition to its focus on the Asia-Pacific region, so far this year the firm has launched offices in Argentina and Italy.

DAC Beachcroft has one of the largest insurance practices of any law firm in the UK, operating from eleven UK locations, as well as internationally from offices in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia-Pacific.  It is also a founding member of Legalign Global, the alliance of best-in-region law firms working as one for multinational insurers, brokers and businesses in addressing cross-border risks and claims.