{"id":1827,"date":"2025-08-14T12:32:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T12:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jurisasia.com\/?page_id=1827"},"modified":"2025-08-29T14:34:31","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T14:34:31","slug":"lawyer-business-law-asia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.jurisasia.com\/en\/lawyer-business-law-asia\/","title":{"rendered":"Practices"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Areas of practice<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Cross-border acquisitions <\/h2><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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International Experience in Mergers and Acquisitions<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Philippe has advised as team leader or sole adviser on several acquisition.<\/p>

Naming some of those where the client has agreed to the disclosure if its name in the deal, this includes in Europe<\/strong> the acquisition by Swiss based ABB<\/strong> of several subsidiaries of Cegelec in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands,<\/strong> the integration of the distribution and agency network of Remy Cointreau<\/strong> in Denmark, Sweden, Brazil and other countries<\/strong>, then in Asia<\/strong> as a reference the acquisition and structuring of a complex deal for the CETIM (Centre d\u2019\u00c9tudes Technique des Industries M\u00e9caniques) in Singapore.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Bilingual and Structured Support<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Conversely, Philippe has been adviser in several sales or potential sales from French entrepreneur<\/strong> owned companies in Asia<\/strong> to potential buyers in India, the USA, and continental Europe including Scandinavia.<\/strong><\/p>

We follow the civil law client, especially if french-speaking, through every step of the acquisition, from the first contacts with the management of the target company all the way to closing.<\/p>

Our involvement in the acquisition team is bicultural, French should that be the case but in any event taking the side of a civil law<\/strong> governed business to connect it to a common law environment.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Active Negotiation Phase<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Only one trusted adviser follows the client in seedless way from the negotiation and drafting if the preliminary documentation (Letter of Intent, Memorandum of Understanding non binding et binding documents: Confidentiality Agreement, Disclosure Schedule, Exclusivity Agreement)<\/strong>, to the due diligence performed in physical or virtual data room physique within the framework of a Letter of confidentiality and due diligence, and eventually the due diligence report submitted to the Board of the prospective purchaser.<\/p>

Philippe assists further in the negotiation and drafting of the Disclosure schedules, Guidelines et Timetable followed to the documents preceding the active part of the acquisition (Third party consents, Non solicitation agreement).<\/p>

At this stage, Philippe and his client are ready and prepared to enter the active stage of the acquisition.<\/p>

This includes the \u201crepresentations and warranties\u201d the \u201ccovenants\u201d and \u201cconditions precedent\u201d (Pre-closing precedents, Conditions precedent to signing, Conditions precedent to Closing et Post-closing covenants).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Key Clauses and Closing<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In the next and most crucial phase, Philippe uses his expertise and experience in the negotiation of the SPA (Sale and Purchase Agreement)<\/strong> until \u201cClosing\u201d.<\/p>

At the time of Closing, he makes sure that the Guidelines to Closing are complied with, as well as thereafter the Post-Closing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Our added value<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Philippe\u2019s involvement all along the journey of an acquisition is about team work. It goes beyond the technical aspects of the legal advice, which are in no way forgotten, but ensures that the business goals (\u201cinterests\u201d just like in a mediation)<\/strong> are understood and integrated into the negotiation from a lawyer\u2019s contribution perspective.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Advice on personal liability to non-resident directors <\/h2><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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An Essential Role of Directors<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Many companies appoint one of their managers residing in Europe<\/strong> to the board of a subsidiary overlooking the liability aspect, yet they are bound by the same fiduciary duties as a resident board member.<\/p>

Comme pr\u00e9cis\u00e9 \u00e0 Singapore<\/strong> par le Companies Act 2013<\/strong> (Cap 50) section 157<\/strong> (1): \u201cA director shall at all times act honestly and use reasonable diligence in the discharge of the duties of his office<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Conflicts of Interest and Criminal Liability<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Non seulement l\u2019administrateur non r\u00e9sident est-il tenu aux m\u00eames obligations que s\u2019il \u00e9tait r\u00e9sident, mais s\u2019il est d\u00e9sign\u00e9 par un actionnaire (typiquement la soci\u00e9t\u00e9 m\u00e8re), en cas de conflit d\u2019int\u00e9r\u00eats, l\u2019administrateur doit faire pr\u00e9valoir les int\u00e9r\u00eats de la soci\u00e9t\u00e9 o\u00f9 il si\u00e8ge comme administrateur sur ceux de l\u2019actionnaire qui l\u2019a nomm\u00e9. La violation est passible de sanctions p\u00e9nales, par exemple en Malaisie<\/strong> au titre du Companies Act 2016<\/strong> (Act 777) section 217<\/strong> \u201cResponsibility of a nominee director<\/em>\u201d une amende<\/strong> jusqu\u2019\u00e0 600.000 euros<\/strong> ou une peine d\u2019emprisonnement jusqu\u2019\u00e0 cinq ans<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The Business Judgment Rule<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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He advises further on such aspects of the fiduciary duties as the conflicts between the interests of the appointing body and those of the subsidiary, in line with local legislation such as in Malaysia<\/strong> the Companies Act 2016 (Act 777) section 217<\/strong> \u201cResponsibility of a nominee director\u201d and the duty to apply the \u201cBusiness Judgment Rule\u201d.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Governance and Directors\u2019 Protection<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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From a governance point of view, Philippe advises the directors to implement and check the effectiveness of protocols against (Bribery & Corruption, Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism<\/strong>), and from a broader ESG including environment sand human rights, since some local legislation following the Australian model deem a failure as \u201cbreach of director\u2019s duties<\/strong>\u201d by the directors.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Our added value<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Philippe provides his guidance to non-resident nominee directors as individuals, apart from the company\u2019s liability<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Distribution and cross-border commercial partnerships <\/h2><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Building Distribution Networks in Indo-Pacific<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Philippe has advised numerous clients from various industries for the setting up of their distribution, agency of franchising network in Indo-Pacific<\/strong>. He has a real knowledge of the requirements for an effective network both from a business and local legislation point of view.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Complex Business Cooperations<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Philippe has advised numerous clients from various industries for the setting up of their distribution, agency of franchising network in Indo-Pacific<\/strong>. He has a real knowledge of the requirements for an effective network both from a business and local legislation point of view.<\/p>

Beyond that basic level of assistance, he has been instrumental in the legal structuring of complex cross-border cooperation partnerships, involving French companies as well as Japanese, India, US, Scandinavian<\/strong>\u2026etc.
\nHe usually recommends the use of Singaporean law<\/strong> as the governing law of the contract and Singapore<\/strong> as the seat for dispute resolutions.<\/p>

He sees his role just like in M&A\u2019s as being part of the business project, without interfering with the client\u2019s management but contributing with his own skills (a fine line learnt as in-house legal adviser with Procter & Gamble, Ford Motor and IBM<\/strong>) and sharing with the client his experience of successful deals.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Our added value<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Philippe does not limit his role to documenting the deal, he participates in getting it done, whilst remaining within the remits of being \u201cjust a lawyer\u201d.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Dispute Resolution <\/h2><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Resolution of Commercial Disputes<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Philippe has resolved as negotiator on behalf and with the trust of his client many cross-border disputes which are landmarks in business\u2026but must be kept confidential.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Prevention and Contractual Clauses<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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He has been asked consistently over the years to act as advocate in a mediation, whether ad hoc, institutional or Judge-led, as counsel in transnational arbitrations and in some cases as instructing solicitor conveying the instructions from his client alongside a local colleague lawyer.<\/p>

He strongly believes in the mitigation of the risks associated with commercial disputes, by reviewing the (often imperfect) dispute resolution clauses and suggesting a better (and more suited to the client\u2019s needs) arbitration, mediation and mixed forms (such as Med-Arb, Arb-Med and Arb-Med-Arb) clause in replacement of the existing ones, whether in current agreements, during the negotiation period of a new one, or at the early stage of the dispute resolution process.<\/p>

Given the clear acknowledgement in the legal profession that one has to choose one side over the other, in the light of the increasing concern about conflicts of interest, Philippe has made the conscious of acting only and solely for the client, as counsel in arbitration or advocate in mediation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Recognized Expertise in Mediation and Arbitration<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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He has been formally trained as arbitrator and as mediator in Sydney, Brisbane and Kuala Lumpur,<\/strong> but uses that training as counsel or advocate instead of arbitrator or mediator.<\/p>

As advocate, he believes in a structured methodology, better suited to complex, multi parties international mediation, following the evaluative model.<\/p>

Philippe\u2019s initial input consists of familiarising his client with the fundamentals of mediation: the UNCITRAL Model Law, the local legislation (Mediation Act), the Singapore Convention<\/strong>, the procedural Rules, the Codes of Conduct<\/strong> for mediators\u2026etc.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Strategic Counsel in Mediation<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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He advises the client on the most appropriate type of mediation (\u201cfacilitative\u201d, \u201ctransformative\u201d or \u201cevaluative\u201d), the choice of an institution and of its Rules (AIAC, AIADR, SIAC, HKIAC, CIETAC, THAC\u2026etc.), the choice of a simple or mixed mediation\/arbitration (Med-Arb, Arb-Med, Arb-Med-Arb), of a single or co-mediation and of the mediator.<\/p>

He assesses the merits of applying for a bifurcation, distinguishing the issues of jurisdiction, liability and quantum in separate partial awards.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Conduct of Mediation<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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He advises his client in the preparation of his opening statement,<\/strong> the drafting of the agenda, the joint sessions, the private sessions (caucus) and the exploration of options by the mediator.<\/p>

He conducts a risk analysis<\/strong> of the client\u2019s claim and reevaluates it throughout the course of the mediation.<\/p>

Philippe helps the client to identify its interests beyond its positions, present them efficiently to the mediator and to the other party, and to reply to the reframing of positions by the mediator.<\/p>

He further assists his client in the light of his professional experience in negotiations, in open and in private sessions, with the mediator, the other party and its counsels.<\/p>

Lastly, he drafts the original version and successive amendments<\/strong> of the documentation: dispute resolution\/mediation clause in the main contract, invitation to mediate to the other party, mediation agreement, \u201cSummary<\/strong>\u201d, documentation supporting the claim and settlement agreement.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Review of Dispute Resolution Clauses<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Before any dispute arises, Philippe advises that it is the right time to scrutinise the arbitration and mediation clauses in all existing contracts, which are often found toxic or defective, and assists in the negotiation with the other party in view of the replacement by a more appropriate clause in both parties\u2019 interest.<\/p>

The improvement of the existing dispute resolution clause concerns the arbitration part of it, but usually more so the mediation part is incomplete and must be completed with such provisions as: matters to be referred to mediation, confidentiality, number of sessions, place of the mediation, choice of the institution (if no ad hoc), number of mediators, choice of the mediator, sharing of costs.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Our added value<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In his capacity as Registered Foreign Lawyer<\/strong> (full registration) with the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC)<\/a>, Philippe is accredited to represent clients at the Court of Appeal, in SICC proceedings described as \u201carbitration in litigation\u201d, which combine the best practices of international arbitration with the substantive principles of international commercial law and in the proceedings following the Litigation-Mediation-Litigation Protocol<\/strong> established with the Singapore International Mediation Centre<\/strong> to provide parties options for multi-tiered dispute resolution.<\/p>

L\u2019originalit\u00e9 de cette formule est que la SICC<\/strong> reste impliqu\u00e9e dans le \u201ccase management\u201d pendant tout le cours de la proc\u00e9dure et peut \u00e9mettre \u00e0 la requ\u00eate d\u2019une partie des \u201cinterim or supplementary orders<\/strong>\u201d portant sur des sujets aussi vari\u00e9s que:<\/p>