Accolades
2025 Accolades
General Business Law – Band 1
Ranked Lawyers:
Bernard Tan – Band 1
What the team is known for
Abrahams, Davidson & Co. is a go-to choice of legal counsel for many major international and domestic clients with a variety of Brunei-facing mandates. The firm regularly advises on complex banking, corporate and property-related transactions, as well as private equity fund formation and derivatives deals. It also advises on Shari’a-compliant financings and local investment regulatory issues.
Strengths
“They are very responsive and provide comprehensive responses”.
“Abrahams, Davidson & Co demonstrates a proactive attitude and offers quick turnarounds, leading to great client satisfaction”.
Work highlights
Abrahams, Davidson & Co. provided J.P. Morgan Chase with legal advice on cross-border sales, marketing of global custody and fund services, and regulatory and licensing requirements from a Brunei law perspective.
Notable practitioners
Bernard Tan is one of Brunei’s leading lawyers. He is respected for his expertise in financial and commercial matters, including issues relating to banking, Islamic finance, and corporate and regulatory matters. “Bernard is reliable and able to advise and provide acceptable solutions to all parties on issues”.
Financial and Corporate (Tier 1)
Lawyers:
Bernard Tan – Investment Funds, Banking, M&A (Market Leader)
Linus Tan Tarng Jaun – Financial and Corporate, Real estate, Banking (Rising Star Partner)
Reviews:
Financial and Corporate
Abrahams, Davidson & Co. is a brunei-based market-leading firm in financial and corporate work established in 1986. The firm’s office is in Bandar Seri Begawan, comprising three partners, 10 associates practicing civil law and two Shariah practitioners complemented by more than 35 experienced support staff.
The firm is a member of the Brunei International Chambers, the Chinese Chambers of Commerce and the Malay Chambers of Commerce.
Highlights
The firm’s core practice areas are banking, property development, corporate and commercial, securities, and funds. The firm also has experience in sectors including agriculture, aviation, insurance, technology, and telecommunications. During the past research cycle, the firm continued to be active provided legal advice to domestic and overseas clients with respect to cross-border transactions as well as regulatory matters from a Brunei law perspective
Key clients
Commerzbank, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Legal and General Investment Management, Credit Suisse (Singapore), and L’air Liquide.
Testimonials
Banking and Finance
“The team led by Bernard Tan is knowledgeable, professional, efficient and easy to work with. They provide prompt responses with practical advice”.
Financial services regulatory
“Abrahams, Davidson & Co.’s team are extremely responsive and were able to provide clear and detailed progress updates that helped manage the timeline of the project”.
Bernard Thiam Swee Tan
“Bernard is a very experienced and professional lawyer who provides quick responses and practical solutions for cross-border banking transactions”.
Wei Jia Lim
“Very responsive and clear communication helping manage expectations efficiently”.
Financial and corporate (Tier 1)
Banking and Financial Services (Highly Recommended)
Real Estate (Recommended)
Lawyers:
Tan, Bernard Thiam Swee – Banking and finance, Corporate and M&A (Elite Practitioner)
AsiaLaw Awards 2025:
Editor’s Choice Impact Deal and Case Awards
Icon Offshore’s RM429 Million Maritime Acquisition – Abrahams, Davidson & Co. acted as the Brunei counsel for the transaction
Analysis:
Overview
Established in 1986, Abrahams, Davidson & Co. remains one of the leading law firms in Brunei. The firm’s core practice areas are corporate, commercial, banking and finance, and property development. Managing Partner Bernard Tan wins praise from clients and peers alike as a steady, knowledgeable and experienced practitioner who frequently leads the firm’s key cases and deals. Suan Chin, Tan is another key partner for real estate, and banking and finance.
2024 Accolades
Ranked Lawyers:
Bernard Tan – Band 1
Yvonne Sim – Associates to watch
What the team is known for
Abrahams, Davidson & Co. is a go-to choice of legal counsel for many major international and domestic clients with a variety of Brunei-facing mandates. It regularly advises on complex banking, corporate and property-related transactions, as well as private equity fund formation and derivatives deals. It also advises on Shari’a-compliant financings and local investment regulatory issues. Singapore Airlines, Barclays Bank and HSBC Insurance Singapore are among its key clientele.
Work highlights
Abrahams, Davidson & Co. advised Mitsubishi Electric on compliance issues relating to EU GDPR.
Notable practitioners
Bernard Tan is one of Brunei’s leading lawyers. He is respected for his expertise in financial and commercial matters, including issues relating to banking, Islamic finance, and corporate and regulatory matters.
Yvonne Sim works on a range of legal mandates, covering commercial financing, restructuring and employment matters. She often acts for clients in the financial, insurance and technology spaces.
General Business Law (Outstanding)
Banking and Financial Services (Highly Recommended)
Real Estate (Recommended)
Lawyers:
Tan, Bernard Thiam Swee – Banking and finance, Corporate and M&A (Elite Practitioner)
Analysis:
Overview
Established in 1986, Abrahams, Davidson & Co. remains one of the leading law firms in Brunei. The firm’s core practice areas are corporate, commercial, banking and finance, and property development. Managing Partner Bernard Tan wins praise from clients and peers alike as a steady, knowledgeable and experienced practitioner who frequently leads the firm’s key cases and deals. Suan Chin, Tan is another key partner for real estate, and banking and finance. Consultant James Chiew is known in the market for his securities and Islamic finance expertise.
General business law
Work highlights
Advised a Japanese company offering and managing entertainment facilities on Brunei law concerning of personal information.
Advised Polygon on its launch of an online comic platform.
Advised an American biopharmaceutical company on different scenarios involving import and labelling requirements of pharmaceutical products according to Brunei laws.
Key clients
Barclays Bank, HSBC Insurance Singapore, Mitsubishi Electric, Singapore Airlines
Financial and Corporate (Tier 1)
Leading Lawyers:
Bernard Tan – Investment Funds, Banking, M&A (Market Leader)
Reviews:
Financial and Corporate
Abrahams, Davidson & Co. is a brunei-based market-leading firm in financial and corporate work established in 1986. The firm’s office is in Bandar Seri Begawan, comprising three partners, 10 associates practicing civil law and two Shariah practitioners complemented by more than 35 experienced support staff.
The firm is a member of the Brunei International Chambers, the Chinese Chambers of Commerce and the Malay Chambers of Commerce.
Focuses/Specialisms
The firm’s core practice areas are banking, property development, corporate and commercial, securities, and funds. The firm also has experience in sectors including agriculture, aviation, insurance, technology, and telecommunications.
Key clients
The firm has a broad range of clientele comprising a mix of domestic and international clients. Notable clients include Singapore Airlines, Mitsubishi Electric, HSBC Insurance Singapore and International SOS.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
During the research period, the firm was active in corporate finance advising overseas client on their investments and joint ventures, divestments, acquisitions and mergers.
The firm also advised local and overseas banks on major syndicated loan and bond facilities and high-value multimillion-dollar Islamic and conventional financing transactions as well as for major contractors bidding and contracting with government agencies.
In the real estate and property area, the firm kept busy advising client on the development of land and the construction of residential apartment and commercial buildings as well as related regulatory matters.
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Financial services regulatory
“Good client management and prompt turnaround times.”
Bernard Tan
“Prompt turnaround times, good client management.”
2023 Accolades
General Business Law – Band 1
Ranked Lawyers:
Bernard Tan – General Business Law (Band 1)
Yvonne Sim – Associates to watch
What the team is known for
Abrahams, Davidson & Co. is a go-to choice of legal counsel for many major international and domestic clients on a variety of Brunei-facing mandates. It regularly advises on complex banking, corporate and property-related transactions, as well as private equity fund formation and derivatives deals. It also advises on Shari’a-compliant financings and local investment regulatory issues. Bank of China, Gulf Capital and PayPal are among its recent clientele.
Strengths
“They have a good understanding of the business environment and provide comprehensive responses to our questions.”
“The team is able to provide clear advice on sophisticated matters.”
Work highlights
Assisted Deutsche Bank on the distribution in Brunei of products structured according to Islamic law.
Notable practitioners
Bernard Tan is one of Brunei’s leading lawyers. He is respected for his expertise in financial and commercial matters, including issues relating to banking, Islamic finance, and corporate and regulatory matters.
Strengths
“A very reputable figure in the field of business law.”
“He has a good understanding of the industry and commercial environment.”
Yvonne Sim works on a range of legal mandates, covering commercial financing, restructuring and employment matters. She often acts for clients in the financial, insurance and technology spaces.
Strengths
“Yvonne has really been perfect at answering our questions. She also did a nice job with filings to the authorities.”
General Business Law (Outstanding)
Banking and Financial Services (Highly Recommended)
Real Estate (Recommended)
Lawyers:
Tan, Bernard Thiam Swee – Banking and finance, Corporate and M&A (Elite Practitioner)
Peng, E-Rue – Corporate and M&A (Rising Star)
AsiaLaw Awards 2022/23:
Brunei Firm of the Year
Analysis:
Overview
Established in 1986, Abrahams, Davidson & Co. remains one of the leading law firms in Brunei. The firm’s core practice areas are corporate, commercial, banking and finance, and property development. Managing Partner Bernard Tan wins praise from clients and peers alike as a steady, knowledgeable and experienced practitioner who frequently leads the firm’s key cases and deals. Suan Chin, Tan is another key partner for real estate, and banking and finance. Consultant James Chiew is known in the market for his securities and Islamic finance expertise.
General business law
Work highlights
Advised Deutsche Bank on the distribution of Islamic structured products in Brunei.
Assisted Gulf Capital with marketing relevant financial products in Brunei.
Acted for EQT Fund Management on its global marketing survey.
Key clients
Ampol Management Services, Bank of China Brunei Darussalam, HSBC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank
Financial and Corporate (Tier 1)
Leading Lawyers:
Bernard Tan – Investment Funds, Banking, M&A (Market Leader)
Reviews:
Financial and Corporate
Abrahams, Davidson & Co. is a market-leading firm in financial and corporate work established in 1986. The firm’s office is in Bandar Seri Begawan and houses a team of three partners.
Focuses/Specialisms
The firm’s core practice areas are banking, property development, corporate and commercial, securities, and funds. The firm also has experience in sectors including agriculture, aviation, insurance, technology, and telecommunications.
Key clients
Notable clients include Bank of China (Hong Kong), Deutsche Bank, EQT Fund Management, Gulf Capital, HSBC Bank (Singapore), Standard Chartered, and Prudential Assurance Company (Singapore).
Research period review: 32nd edition (2021/2022)
During the research period, the firm was active in corporate finance acting for clients in Brunei, the US, the UK, UAE, Luxembourg, Indonesia, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
The firm was busy handling ETF, private acquisitions, restructuring, cross-border project finance, Islamic finance, and financial regulatory works.
The capital markets team also kept busy providing legal services on share offerings, derivatives, and futures trading.
2022 Accolades
Ranked Lawyers:
Bernard Tan – General Business Law (Band 1)
What the team is known for
Abrahams, Davidson & Co. is a go-to choice of legal counsel for many major international and domestic clients on a variety of Brunei-facing mandates. Regularly advises on complex banking, corporate and property-related transactions, as well as private equity fund formation. Advises on Shari’a-compliant financings and local investment regulatory issues. Bank of China, Amazon Web Services and United Overseas Bank are among its recent clientele.
Strengths
A source appreciates that the team at Abrahams, Davidson & Co. provides “punctual explanations that allow us to interpret the legislation” in Brunei.
Work highlights
Assisted EFG Bank with laws relating to granting Islamic financing products under the Murabaha principle in Brunei.
Notable practitioners
Bernard Tan is one of Brunei’s leading lawyers. He is respected for his expertise in financial and commercial matters, including issues relating to banking, Islamic finance, and corporate and regulatory matters.
Banking and Financial Services (Highly Recommended)
Real Estate (Recommended)
Lawyers:
Tan, Bernard Thiam Swee – Banking and finance, Corporate and M&A (Elite Practitioner)
Peng, E-Rue – Corporate and M&A (Rising Star)
AsiaLaw Awards 2021:
Client Service Excellence Awards:
Firm of the Year: Brunei – Abrahams, Davidson & Co.
Lawyer of the Year: Brunei – Bernard Tan
Analysis:
Analysis
Overview
Established in 1986, Abrahams, Davidson & Co. remains one of the leading law firms in Brunei. The firm’s core practice areas are corporate, commercial, banking and finance, and property development. Managing Partner Bernard Tan wins praise from clients and peers alike as a steady, knowledgeable and experienced practitioner who frequently leads the firm’s key cases and deals. Suan Chin, Tan is another key partner for real estate, and banking and finance. Consultant James Chiew is known in the market for his securities and Islamic finance expertise.
General business law
Work highlights
Advised United Overseas Bank and several other financial institutions on regulatory aspects and cross-border commercial rules.
Acted for a leading US investment bank on a derivative transaction with a local employee provident fund.
Provided counsel to EFG Bank on an analysis of Brunei laws with respect to Islamic credit and financing products.
Key Clients
Key clients
Amazon Web Services, Bank of China, Commerzbank
Financial and Corporate (Tier 1)
Leading Lawyers:
Bernard Tan
– Investment Funds, Banking, M&A (Market Leader)
– Ranked under IFLR Asia Best Lawyers 2021 for Brunei jurisdiction
Reviews:
Financial and Corporate
Established in 1986, Abrahams, Davidson & Co. is a market-leading firm in financial and corporate work. The firm’s office is located in Bandar Seri Begawan and houses a team of three partners.
Focuses/Specialisms
The firm is active in the financial and corporate space and has experience in sectors including agriculture, aviation, insurance, and banking and financial services.
Key clients
Notable clients include United Overseas Bank, Commerzbank, EFG Bank, Bank of China, and Amazon Web Services.
Research period review: 31st edition (2020/2021)
The firm was busy with advising several international clients on regulatory compliance matters, assisting international institutions on derivatives transactions with local funds, and advising an MNC on a cross border restructuring.
Abrahams, Davidson & Co. has a wealth of experience of working with local and international clients on all areas of corporate and commercial law as well as securities, banking and funds work. The firm also excels in advising on major property developments and frequently advises local and foreign contractors on residential developments as well as on civil engineering projects for Government agencies. Bernard Tan is the firm’s managing partner and heads the corporate and commercial department as well as its securities and funds practice. Tan Suan Chin is a key contact in the firm’s banking and conveyancing department. Ahmad Basuni Hj Abbas is another name to note and oversees the litigation department covering both criminal and civil matters.
Practice head(s):
Bernard Tan; Tan Suan Chin
Other key lawyers:
Ahmad Basuni Hj Abbas
Key clients:
United Overseas Bank Limited, International Services, S.a.r.l., Commerzbank AG Singapore Branch, Islamic Development Bank, EFG Bank AG, Lexoo Limited, MUFG Bank Ltd, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Amazon Web Services, Viet Thai International Joint Stock Company
Work highlights:
Advised United Overseas Bank Limited on cross-border rules of engagement in Brunei in relation to its private banking business and retail personal financial services business.
Advised Commerzbank on Brunei laws and regulations concerning the cross-border marketing of relevant financial products offered by Commerzbank.
Advised EFG Bank on a jurisdictional analysis of the Brunei laws in respect of the granting of Islamic credit and financing products under the Murabaha principles to Brunei corporates and individuals.