Gavin NEO is a Partner in the Professional & Enterprise Disputes Practice and the White Collar & Enforcement Practice.

Gavin specialises in litigation and arbitration involving complex international commercial disputes across a myriad of industries, fraud & asset recovery, and criminal litigation.

On the fraud & asset recovery front, Gavin has investigated and defended claims involving corporate and commercial fraud, along with the recovery of misappropriated assets spanning multiple jurisdictions.

Gavin’s criminal litigation practice focuses on business crime, corruption, anti-money laundering, the Official Secrets Act, Interpol Red Notices, and corporate governance related offences.

Gavin understands that not every client defines a “win” the same way, so he works to find personalised “wins” and craft bespoke legal strategies for each case that comes through his door.

Gavin graduated from King's College London, University of London, and was admitted to the Singapore Bar in 2016.

Matters of significance that Gavin has been involved in include advising / acting for the following:

  • Successfully defended the marketing entity of a Canadian crude oil investment in a cross-border dispute, involving allegations of a ponzi scheme and misappropriation of funds, brought by a SPV representing over 1,000 investors from Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia and Singapore with claims totalling SGD 90 million: [2021] SGHC 41 and [2022] SGHC (A) 2.
  • Successfully obtained judgment for the lender against the borrower companies and guarantor who attempted to raise amongst others the defence of unlicensed moneylending: [2019] SGHC 163 and [2020] SGCA 63.
  • The marketing entity of a Brazilian land banking investment in a multi-jurisdictional dispute, involving allegations of a ponzi and pyramid scheme and dissipation of assets.
  • A factoring institution in relation to an elaborate fraudulent scheme involving corruption and fabrication of documents, including investigations into and instituting fraud and corruption claims against the perpetrators. 
  • A prominent Indonesian businessman in an SIAC arbitration claim relating to natural resources and hospitality projects in Indonesia valued at over USD 1 billion. 
  • A former senior executive level employee of a government linked entity in the crisis management of alleged breaches under the Official Secrets Act, relating to the retention, disclosure and dissemination of confidential and sensitive information.
     

Related Practice

  • Professional & Enterprise Disputes
  • White Collar & Enforcement

Contact Details

Career & Qualifications

King’s College London, University of London (LL.B., Hons.)

View All

Partners & Consultants