Close-up of wave in the ocean

> Experience > Our practices > White collar defense and investigations > Serious crime

Serious crime lawyers

We regularly act for individuals and organizations being investigated or charged for criminal activity, serious crimes and white-collar offences such as corruption, insider trading and market manipulation. We also conduct prosecutions for the authorities, when the situation arises.

At Withers KhattarWong LLP in Singapore, our team of expert serious crime lawyers practice in white-collar and serious crime in the High Court and State Courts of Singapore. This includes providing expert advice on corruption, casino fraud, insider trading, forgery, fraud and market manipulation cases.

Our serious crime solicitors regularly acts for individuals affected by high-profile and complex cases that involve drugs, extortion, kidnapping, robbery, sexual offences and murder. Shashi Nathan – our partner – specialises in criminal litigation.

Shashi is described in Who’s Who Legal as one of the leading serious business crime lawyers in Singapore. He is listed as a lead counsel under the Supreme Court’s list of Assigned Counsel for Capital Cases and has defended numerous clients charged for capital offences.
 

Our serious crime lawyers

Our team of criminal defense lawyers has acted in the largest cheating cases under the Casino Control Act and was appointed by the Court to act in a high-profile double murder case involving an off-duty police officer. In addition, our serious crime legal team has worked on numerous other complex white- and blue-collar crime matters.

For example, our team is highly sought after to defend cases that involve sexual offences. As such, we act in many notorious cases of rape and outrage of modesty.

If you are wrongly accused of criminal activity or had a lapse in judgement in an incident, it is essential that you find trusted criminal defense solicitors with extensive experience in advising in – and litigating for – individuals and companies involved in serious and white-collar crimes.
 

When do you need a serious crime lawyer?

Our serious crime legal team has a wealth of experience across many different aspects of Singaporean law. We regularly act on behalf of individuals and corporations who are investigated and charged for a range of different and serious offences. 

Many of these cases are high profile and complex, which means they are often under the media spotlight. Our serious crime solicitors are highly capable in supporting our clients’ needs, without being distracted by complicated circumstances or media attention.

Other areas in which our serious crime lawyers can offer substantial expertise include defending companies facing regulatory action or conducting prosecutions for government authorities.
 

What can our serious crime legal team do for you?

As one of the few law firms in Singapore with a dedicated serious crime legal team, we are instrumental in advancing criminal procedure in the republic. It is important that you know how to find a criminal defense lawyer with the knowledge and experience to provide robust legal advice and services when needed. Our serious crime lawyers are among the best in Singapore and can act on your behalf in all matters of serious crime.

Some of the cases our serious crime lawyers act on will involve prominent individuals, who often require our assistance in an advisory capacity – as well as defending them in court proceedings. The legal advice and defense we provide in such cases are second-to-none. Our team is committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for our clients in all cases – drawing on our expansive set of skills and expertise to assist you.
 

We are also often engaged to act for professionals – such as doctors, lawyers and accountants – in their respective disciplinary proceedings.

Who is Withers KhattarWong LLP?

In Singapore, Withers KhattarWong is regarded as the leading criminal defence practice. We have one of the largest criminal law practices among international law firms. With a highly skilled and determined team, our clients can be sure of representation from eminent lawyers in their respective fields.
 

The practice is led by Shashi Nathan who is consistently recognised for his expertise in in the world’s most renowned legal directories. These include:

  • Legal 500
  • Chambers
  • Who’s Who Legal
  • Expert Guides
  • Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific
  • Best in Singapore Guide

Shashi, described by Who’s Who Legal as one of Singapore’s leading serious business crime lawyers, is also leader of the Criminal Bar. He previously chaired the Criminal Practice Committee of the Law Society of Singapore. At present, Shashi currently chairs the Criminal Justice Chapter under the Singapore Academy of Law.

Why choose our serious crime lawyers?

You can turn to the serious crime lawyers at Withers KhattarWong to act in your best interests with no exception and provide the highest quality counsel and defence. Here are some of the main reasons to put your trust in our team:

  • Experienced: In 2019, Withers Worldwide and KhattarWong agreed to combine practices and establish a fully integrated law firm in Singapore – drawing on decades of experience for the benefit of our clients.
  • Global Knowledge: Through our affiliation with Withersworldwide, our team of criminal defense solicitors can access an extensive depth of resources – with 17 offices across the world, from Singapore to San Francisco.
  • Recognition: From client testimonials to industry awards, our serious crime lawyers and wider practice are frequently recognised for the quality of our work and case outcomes.
  • Unparalleled Expertise: Our clients include 52% of Forbes Singapore’s 50 Richest list, 35% of Forbes Asia’s Richest Families list and all local banks. We also act for more than 30% of Fortune 500 companies and 85% of major foreign banks operating in Singapore.

Withers KhattarWong provides a depth of knowledge and expertise that few law firms in Singapore can match. Our serious crime solicitors have built up a strong reputation for handling complex, high-profile cases with great success.

In addition, the practice keeps close to its heart the importance of access to justice for all. This is why pro bono defence is at the heart of our corporate social responsibility efforts. It is an important aspect of our day-to-day work. As such, we regularly take on cases for persons in need of criminal defence – even if they have little or no means. We are committed to playing a meaningful role in the community life of Singapore.

What next?

For any aspect of serious or white-collar crime that you require assistance in, do not hesitate to contact our experienced serious crime lawyers. For proper and non-biased legal advice, our team is ready to support you – either as an individual or as a business entity.

Get in touch today for further help or information – call +65 6535 6844 or email us.
 

Track record

Abetment by engaging in a conspiracy

Represented a client charged for abetment by engaging in a conspiracy with 2 co-accused persons by furnishing a false statement to the Singapore Exchange Derivatives Trading Limited.

Multimillion-dollar gold investment scam

Represented one of 3 persons arrested for allegedly being involved in a multimillion-dollar gold investment scam.

One of Asia's top commodity traders

Assisted with the investigations into suspected false and misleading statements, and breaches of disclosure requirements.

One of the biggest cases of corruption involving Singapore's largest oil rig builders

Represented a client in Operation Car Wash – an ongoing criminal investigation being carried out in Brazil involving allegations of corruption between a state-controlled oil company, Petrobras, and construction firms.

Our team

Shashi Nathan

Shashi Nathan

Partner | Singapore

Shashi Nathan

Partner | Singapore

White collar defense and investigations

Carl Newman

Carl Newman

Partner | London

Carl Newman

Partner | London

White collar defense and investigations

Natalie Sherborn

Natalie Sherborn

Partner | London

Natalie Sherborn

Partner | London

White collar defence and investigations

Tessa Lorimer

Tessa Lorimer

Consultant | London

Tessa Lorimer

Consultant | London

Private client and tax

Jeremy Pereira

Jeremy Pereira

Special counsel | Singapore

Jeremy Pereira

Special counsel | Singapore

White collar defense and investigations

Caroline Thompson

Caroline Thompson

Special counsel | London

Caroline Thompson

Special counsel | London

Litigation and arbitration

Join the club

We have lots more news and information that you'll find informative and useful. Let us know what you're interested in and we'll keep you up to date on the issues that matter to you.

Sign up here

Get in touch

Our website will give you a flavour of the advice we provide - if you would like to talk to us for more information, please contact our client services team who will be happy to assist.

Get in touch