PAUL ONG
FOUNDER, MANAGING DIRECTOR
Paul has a broad ranging commercial litigation and arbitration practice. He has advised and acted for FinTech businesses, cryptocurrency exchanges, property developers, hotel owners, auditors, professional administrators, investment vehicles, banks and financial institutions. He has acted as lead counsel in proceedings at all levels of the Singapore courts, including the Singapore International Commercial Court and Court of Appeal. He has also appeared as amicus curiae before the Chief Justice of Singapore and has served as an arbitrator. As Paul has been involved in a number of cases involving cryptocurrencies, he is particularly well acquainted with blockchain technology and the emergent legal issues surrounding cryptocurrencies and smart contracts.
Prior to setting up POC, Paul was a partner in the litigation practice of Allen & Gledhill LLP (a leading Singapore law firm) where he worked with eminent senior counsel and an outstanding team of litigators.
Paul has been recommended in The Legal 500: Asia Pacific as an "excellent attorney" who provides "cogent and timely answers."
As a student of law, Paul graduated with First Class Honours and several academic awards including Best Student. He was also awarded the Law Society's Prize for Advocacy in the Singapore Bar examinations.
Experience
- Acted for a cryptocurrency exchange in the first dispute concerning the trading of cryptocurrencies to be heard in the Singapore courts, a matter which was recognised as "Matter of the Year" at the Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards 2020
- Acted for a cryptocurrency exchange in a dispute involving a claim for the recovery of loans in cryptocurrencies worth around US$15 million
- Acted for a cryptocurrency exchange in a US$22 million dispute involving the sale of tokens in an Initial Coin Offering
- Acted for a leading Singapore online marketplace provider in a dispute with a major American social network service provider
- Acted for the world's leading South Korean consumer electronics manufacturer in a multi-million dollar arbitration involving the sale of a major Android software development business
- Acted for professional administrators from a "Big 4" accounting firm in a contentious administration of an estate with assets valued at more than S$200 million
- Acted for the majority shareholders of a leading Singapore dairy and beverage company in a family shareholders' dispute
- Acted for the majority shareholder of a leading art business in a minority oppression dispute
- Acted for a minority shareholder in a shareholders' dispute involving the company behind Sheraton Towers Hotel
- Acted in a landmark Singapore Court of Appeal case concerning the arbitrability of minority oppression disputes and the court's powers to order a case management stay in favour of arbitration
- Defended a leading Singapore bank against a US$6 million claim for mis-selling of complex investment products
- Defended a leading foreign bank against a US$3 million claim for mis-selling and unauthorised trading
- Acted for a leading foreign bank in a landmark Singapore Court of Appeal case concerning the validity of margin calls
- Defended a "Big 4" accounting firm against a S$10 million professional negligence claim
- Acted for one of Singapore's leading real estate companies in a defamation action
- Acted for a leading European vehicle manufacturer in a defamation action
- Acted for a group of leading businessmen in a collective action for fraud and misrepresentation against a major real estate company in Singapore
- Acted for a national athlete in a judicial review action against the Triathlon Association of Singapore
- Acted in a novel action against a registered society involving negligence and breaches of the rules of natural justice
- Acted in a novel application for an anti-suit injunction against non-parties to an exclusive jurisdiction clause
- Appointed as arbitrator in a dispute involving the sale of tokens in an Initial Coin Offering
- Appeared before the Chief Justice of Singapore as amicus curiae in a landmark case concerning the constitutionality of the court's sentencing powers under the Misuse of Drugs Act
Memberships
- Member, Reserve Panel of Arbitrators of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre
- Member, Small Law Firms Committee of the Law Society of Singapore
- Member, Civil Practice Committee of the Law Society of Singapore
- Member, Law Society of Singapore's panel of lawyers who act in matters relating to the Legal Profession Act
- Member, Singapore Academy of Law