Lim Ker Sheon

Singapore Office

Profile and Expertise

Ker Sheon is a Director of the firm and heads our Construction Practice. He also has vast experience in commercial disputes. Ker Sheon is also well versed in general corporate work and M&As (mergers & acquisitions) and franchising, particularly in the areas of Education, Construction, IT and Infocomm.

Ker Sheon is a vastly experienced litigator with deep experience at all levels of the Singapore Courts, including the Court of Appeal. He also regularly acts as counsel in arbitration proceedings at the SIAC as well as under the SIA regime.

For construction disputes, Ker Sheon has acted as lead counsel in numerous published decisions, both in court litigation and arbitration, and under the Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payments) Act regime. His particular expertise is in the areas of (i) time-delay analysis with acceleration and prolongation claims, as well as claims for acts of prevention and disruption, and (ii) complex issues of contractual interpretation of construction contracts involving VOs, defects and claims processes. Most recently in 2020, Ker Sheon successfully defeated a S$55 million claim by a main contractor against a sub-contractor for liquidated damages for much delayed projects, and successfully counter-claimed and was awarded about S$10 million out of a S$12 million claim for unpaid sums, prolongation and acceleration loss & expenses. Ker Sheon has also acted to defend construction clients in criminal court, primarily for fatal industrial accidents, and arising from damage to underground cables and pipes.

For commercial disputes, Ker Sheon has acted as lead counsel in many notable cases in the High Court and Court of Appeal, including (i) successfully lifting the corporate veil against an individual hiding behind a BVI company; (ii) successfully claiming a return of shares despite allegedly signed Share Transfer Forms; (iii) successfully defending clients against claims under Trust Law in several different matters, and (iv) in various different matters, successfully claiming against directors or partners in actions for accounts and breaches of fiduciary duties. Ker Sheon has also helped clients amicably resolve complex matters, in a diverse range of matters, including IT, IP and defamation disputes.

Ker Sheon is also very experienced in advising on corporate and commercial work, particularly with drafting contracts and advising on mergers and acquisitions. Ker Sheon had a 2 year stint away from legal practice where he helped start up a software development and distribution company in China and Singapore. This experience helps him bring a practical and creative perspective to finding solutions for clients’ needs. While his clients come from many different fields and industries, he is particularly involved in the fields of education, construction, IT and Infocomm.

Ker Sheon’s work in Construction and Commercial Disputes has been recognized in international guides to leading litigation lawyers. Ker Sheon helps teach Part B of the Singapore Bar Examinations. Ker Sheon also used to be an adjunct law lecturer at PSB Academy for their University of Newcastle, Australia undergraduate programme. Ker Sheon remains a frequent speaker on the seminar circuit, particularly in the areas of Contract Law and Construction Law. Ker Sheon serves as office-holder in various charities, and has also served in various sub-committees of the Law Society of Singapore.

Experience

Area of Practice
・Construction Litigation & Arbitration
・Commercial Disputes & Litigation
・Mergers & Acquisitions
・Corporate & Commercial Law