Career
Shanti has 30 years of experience in a broad commercial practice, representing clients in commercial litigation and arbitration, both domestic and international. She acts as counsel and arbitrator She is Head of the Arbitration Practice, Personal Data Protection & Privacy Laws Practice and Competition Law Practice. She is a Member of the Court of Arbitration (SIAC). She is a recognised and recommended dispute resolution lawyer. (Chambers, Legal 500, Asialaw).
Her experience covers a wide range of disputes including banking, commercial, corporate and technology related disputes.
Shanti regularly acts for banks, regulatory bodies and corporations in relation to consumer protection, data protection and privacy, defamation, entertainment, multimedia and communications dispute matters.
Shanti also has experience in the area of competition and antitrust laws, and offers advisory services, compliance audits and legal representation in competition law investigations and disputes. Specific industries she has represented in her competition practice include the pharmaceutical, insurance, energy, travel, banking, automotive, entertainment and retail sectors.
Shanti advises on regulatory compliance and activities coming under the purview of various authorities including the Securities Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Communications and Multimedia Commission.
Professional Memberships
• Member, Malaysian Bar
• Member, Court of Arbitration – Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)
• Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
• Fellow, Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators (MIArb)
• Member, Arbitration Sub Committee – Malaysian Bar Council
• Member, Arbitration Committee- International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) (Malaysia)
• Member, Legal Affairs Committee – Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI)
• Member, International Bar Association (IBA)
• Member, Inter Pacific Bar Association (IPBA)
• Member, Panels of Arbitrators of AIAC, SIAC, ICC (Malaysia)
Experience
Litigation & Arbitration
Shanti has handled many complex high dollar value disputes for clients both domestic and international in litigation and arbitration. Some of the matters are set out below:
• Represented Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission in litigation proceedings involving the revocation of designation of universal service provider in respect of the provision of universal service provision of internet and basic telephony services to underserved areas of Malaysia.
• Represented Malaysian Airport in proceedings to compel the provision of cellular access network services to the airport. This involved obtaining a mandatory injunction within a very short timeframe to prevent the shutting off of such cellular access network services which would have impacted the operations of the airport.
• Represented CJ OliveNetworks Co. Ltd in a dispute involving the proposed acquisition of a majority stake in a public listed company, Caring Pharmacy Group Berhad. The claimed sum was in excess of RM300 million and the matter involved claims of misrepresentation and contractual breaches for failing to proceed with the acquisition of a majority stake in a public listed company. The significance of the memorandum of understanding, the participation in a due diligence exercise and the absence of board approval were fully ventilated at trial.
• Represented a world-renowned steel manufacturer in a dispute involving a claim in excess of RM1 billion. The subject matter involved the design, construction and commissioning of a steel plant. The matter was administered under the ICC and presided by 3 prominent arbitrators from different jurisdictions.
• Representing a public body in a dispute with a service provider in a claim in excess of USD 100 million. The matter involves the design, management and operation of a cellular software service and system, the first of its kind in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Representing Malaysia Airports in two arbitration proceedings in respect of the KLIA-2 airport involving its joint venture partner and concessionaires, relating to charges of a district cooling plant (claim sum in excess of RM200million; and delays in the construction and operation of the KLIA-2 terminal.
• Dispute relating to breaches of joint venture agreement to carry out business in relation to hook-up and commissioning projects.
• Dispute relating to the provision of telecommunication services.
• Dispute relating to a district cooling plant and payment of charges for the supply of chilled water.
• Dispute relating to delays in the commencement of a concession agreement relating to an integrated complex.
• Dispute involving the designing, manufacturing, and supplying of a steel manufacturing plant.
• Dispute involving a contract for the supply of resources for an automated enforcement system.
• Dispute involving the design and construction of residential homes for public servants.
• Dispute relating to breach of a distributorship agreement.
• Dispute involving a scholarship training programme.
• Disputes relating to breach of contract marketing agreements.
• Dispute relating to breach of telecommunications services agreement.
• Dispute involving obligations under a Charterparty relating to ship cleanliness.
• Dispute involving the provision of spare parts for a steel plant.
• Dispute involving the provision of a cellular blocking system.
• Dispute involving a warehouse management and logistics coordination agreement.
• Dispute involving development agreements for digital electric vehicles.
• Dispute involving an agreement for the development of an integrated tourist resort.
• Dispute involving warranty claims for a car tracking system.
• Dispute involving pharmaceutical supplies to a government concessionaire.
• Dispute involving the breach of marketing agreements in respect of the marketing of coal.
• Dispute involving the provision offshore services in respect a charter party.
• Disputes involving the breach of a distributorship agreement.
• Disputes involving a hotel management project.
• Disputes involving the development and supply of a digital broadcasting system.
• Disputes relating to a software licence agreement for the supply and implementation of a software trading system.
• Dispute arising from the provision of consultancy services for the procurement of oil and gas projects.
• Dispute relating to a plantation company in respect of the sale of a plantation.
• Disputes involving a Privatisation Cum Development Agreement involving a Waterfront Project.
• Dispute in respect of a telecommunications joint venture.
• Joint venture disputes, warranty disputes, sale of business, contracts for services.
Competition Law
• Representing an insurer in challenging the decision of the Malaysia Competition Commission against Persatuan Insurans Am Malaysia (PIAM) and 22 members imposing collective fines in excess of RM 200million for an alleged horizontal price fixing agreement.
• Advised a leading worldwide supplier of industrial coatings on competition law issues arising from its contractual arrangement with third parties.
• Advised one of the largest chemical producers on competition law issues arising from its contractual arrangement with its distributors.
• Advised an international airline on matters pertaining to joint venture with another international airline and competition law issues arising from the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act 2015.