Donovan Cheah

Practice Areas

Employment Law and Industrial Relations

Professional Memberships

Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya

Panel Arbitrator, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (Secondary Panel)

FSIArb – Fellow, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators

FMIArb – Fellow, Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators

MCIArb – Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

Co-Deputy Chair of the Malaysian Bar Council’s Industrial and Employment Law Committee

Publications

Navigating Employment Disputes in Malaysia, Lexis Nexis, 2024 (2nd Edition)

Work Highlights

EMPLOYMENT LAW & INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

Represented various corporate clients across various industries in unfair dismissal claims filed by former employees, and in trade union disputes.

Advised multinational corporations across various industries on restructuring, right-sizing and workforce reduction exercises.

Advised an international hotel operator on employment issues relating to the sale and purchase of a luxury hotel and the corresponding migration of employees following the acquisition.

Acted as an investigator for sexual harassment complaints to conduct impartial and confidential investigations.

Represented employers in civil proceedings against former employees for fraud and breach of duties. This includes applying for and obtaining injunctive relief against the former employees to prevent dissipation of assets pending trial.

Advised corporate clients on disciplinary/termination procedures for employees alleged to be involved in gross misconduct (eg: fraud, conflict of interest, sexual harassment)

Advised various corporate clients on Malaysian employment law, including preparation of employment contracts, policies, and handbooks for their workforce in Malaysia.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Presiding as arbitrator in private education arbitrations under the Singapore CPE Mediation-Arbitration Scheme.

Represented an international retailer in a construction arbitration with claims and counterclaims totaling more than RM25 million.

Represented a global investment fund in an international arbitration involving claims of AUD$6 million.

Represented a main contractor in multiple arbitrations and court proceedings involving the construction of a multistorey retail outlet and

car park building.

Represented sub-contractors and main contractors in adjudication proceedings involving non-payment of claims in construction projects.