Category: Corporate & Commercial
Why Singapore Still Wins as Your APAC Launchpad
In April 2026, AI company Cognition opened its Singapore office as its Asia Pacific headquarters, following an earlier expansion into Japan, with its regional leadership team based here to oversee growth across Southeast Asia, Australia, India, and Korea. This follows a pattern that has held for years. Singapore has hosted regional headquarters for well over…
Can Insurers Deny a Claim Over a Clause You Didn’t Notice? Singapore Court Says Yes
A District Court has dismissed a policyholder’s claim that an insurer hid a key exclusion in her policy, offering a useful reminder of how Singapore courts read insurance contracts and what actually counts as fair disclosure. The Case: Cai Yanhong v Prudential Assurance Company Singapore In Cai Yanhong v Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Limited…
Unhealthy PSI Levels in Singapore: Workplace Safety and Legal Duties for Employers
When the Pollutant Standards Index breaches 100 and central Singapore hits 154, business operations cannot continue with ‘business as usual’. Smoke haze returning to Singapore often catches some employers off guard, especially when we have not seen haze at these levels for some years. While HR managers scramble to find leftover N95 masks in storage,…
Managing Underperforming Employees Part 1: Fire, Retrain, or Talk It Out – The Decision Tree
Behind every growing business in Singapore is a team of people. And where there are people, misalignments happen. Few things weigh heavier on a manager than an employee who simply isn’t performing. You want your business to succeed, but you also care about doing right by your team. When work falls short, it is easy…
Managing Underperforming Employees: A Guide for Singapore SMEs
When an employee falls short of expectations, business owners and managers face a delicate balancing act. Moving too quickly can trigger costly claims at the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) or the Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT). Waiting too long damages team morale, client trust, and your bottom line. This 5-part guide from OTP Law…
Bonus Criteria in Singapore Employment Contracts
A recent District Court decision shows why performance bonus clauses that promise a payout “subject to criteria to be agreed later” can leave both employers and employees exposed, and why an employee who unilaterally redefines what was agreed will lose. The Case: Ngai Nai Ping Jango v Banshing Industrial Co (Pte) Ltd In Ngai Nai…
Safeguarding Your Singapore Business: Navigating Complex Cross-Border Commercial Disputes
Singapore’s economy thrives on international trade and cross-border collaborations. For many SME owners, venturing into global markets offers immense opportunities for growth. However, this expansion also brings with it an elevated risk of complex commercial disputes. These disputes are becoming increasingly intricate, influenced by a confluence of factors including geopolitical shifts, evolving international sanctions, and…
Singapore’s Public Consultation on AI and Intellectual Property: What Businesses Need to Know
On 26 August 2026, the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) opened a public consultation on how Singapore’s intellectual property regime should respond to artificial intelligence. The consultation runs until 5pm on 22 October 2026 and covers two areas of law: copyright and patents. Businesses that develop, deploy or…
Loss of Bargain Damages in Singapore – To follow UK Decision?
In Great Asia Maritime Limited v Orion Shipping and Trading LLC [2026] UKSC 23, the UK Supreme Court held that a party who cancels a contract under an express contractual right, without needing to prove a repudiatory breach, can still recover loss of bargain damages. The reasoning is highly persuasive to a Singapore court, and…
Singapore Tightens Rules on Social Media Advertisers and Messaging Platforms Under New Scam Codes
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has issued three new Codes of Practice under the Online Criminal Harms Act, requiring social media platforms to verify advertisers, messaging apps to flag unknown contacts, and e-commerce platforms to strengthen login safeguards, with most requirements taking effect by 31 January 2027. What Did the Police Announce? On 17 August…
Navigating Employee Moonlighting in Singapore: What Employers and Employees Need to Know
The modern workforce in Singapore is increasingly dynamic, with many individuals exploring additional income streams or pursuing passion projects outside their primary employment. This phenomenon, often referred to as “moonlighting,” presents a complex legal and ethical landscape for both employers and employees. A recent Singapore District Court ruling underscores the critical need for clarity, robust…
The Service Frontier – AI Workflows and the New Customer Experience
AI-powered customer interactions can create binding contracts before you realise it. This article examines how Singapore SMEs can deploy AI in customer-facing workflows while managing consumer protection, data privacy, and contractual liability exposure.
