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TAN SHANG NENG

Practice Focus

Shang represents directors, shareholders and corporate entities in high-stakes disputes involving directors’ duties, shareholder rights, corporate governance and company litigation. Clients consistently describe him as “an exceptional litigator” and a “jewel to work with.”

Professional Background

Shang read law at the University of Manchester and was called to the English Bar in 2012. He was admitted as an Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in 2013 and became a partner at a leading litigation boutique by 2018. In 2021, he founded Tan Shang Neng (Advocates & Solicitors), where he leads the firm’s disputes practice.

With over 12 years of experience, Shang has acted in a wide spectrum of civil and commercial disputes, including matters involving contracts, banking, tort, land, probate and estate litigation. His reputation is built on sharp legal thinking, strategic execution and a client-first approach.

Industry Recognition

 

  • Recognised as a “Next Generation Partner” by Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2021)

  • Leads a disputes practice ranked in Legal 500’s Malaysia Rankings (2024 & 2025)

  • Known for delivering results in complex, multi-party litigation and advisory work


Publications & Contributions

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  • Co-author, Malaysian Litigation Series: Disclosure (Sweet & Maxwell)

  • Contributor, Law and Practice of Injunctions in Malaysia (Sweet & Maxwell)

Client Testimonials

‘Tan Shang Neng is not just a smart litigator but a jewel to work with.’  (Legal 500, 2024)

'Shang's commitment to do a professional job is unparalleled. He is sharp and punctual. He is also patient'.' (Legal 500, 2025)

'An A-team of reliable, responsive and highly competent litigators.' (Legal 500, 2025)

Practice Areas

Corporate / Commercial

  • Director duties

  • Shareholder disputes

  • Contractual disputes

  • Banking disputes

Civil

  • Land / Property

  • Wills / Probate

  • Tort

  • Negligence

Enforcement/Insolvency

  • Bankruptcy / Winding-Up

  • Debt Restructuring

  • Garnishee

  • Seizure & Sale

Selected Notable Cases

Corporate Litigation

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[2025] CLJU 519 (HC)

Acted for an insurer in a multibillion-ringgit bancassurance dispute involving enforcement of right of first refusal clauses. The case represents the first in-depth review of the enforcement of such clauses in the renewal of a long-term cooperative contract, and clarified duties of good faith and procedural fairness in contract renewals.

 

[2024] MLRHU 2681; [2019] 1 LNS 2151 (HC)

Represented the scheme manager in Malaysia’s first winding-up of an interest scheme under the Interest Schemes Act 2016. Addressed novel statutory trust issues and court-managed investor distributions.

 

[2024] CLJU 267 (HC)

Successfully obtained leave to initiate a derivative action concerning RM3.47 million in unauthorised fund transfers.

 

[2023] CLJU 2209 (HC)

Represented a shareholder in a RM170 million boardroom dispute in a listed entity. Engaged novel issues of director duties, intervention and control of corporate litigation.

 

[2022] 1 LNS 2096 (HC)

Acted for a technology company in a consortium dispute over a multibillion-ringgit national immigration system project. Though the injunction was dismissed, the case raised cutting-edge issues in consortium governance, joint venture formation and arbitration under national infrastructure contracts.

 

[2021] MLJU 1460 (HC)

Advised in a landmark multibillion-ringgit debt restructuring of a listed airline under s.366 CA 2016, involving cross-border elements, the Gibbs Rule and the Cape Town Convention.

 

[2020] 1 LNS 1095 (HC)

Successfully struck out a capital markets claim concerning mandatory takeover breaches, clarifying the interplay between CMSA thresholds and shareholder voting rights.

 

[2017] 1 LNS 2042 (CA)

Post-trial appeal involving breakdown of a strategic alliance agreement. The case dealt with fiduciary duties in joint business ventures.

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Commercial Litigation

 

[2025] CLJU 512 (HC)

Obtained RM1.5 million summary judgment under a share sale agreement for defaulted post-completion payments.

              

[2022] MLJU 1386 (HC)

Secured registration and enforcement of a RM14 million arbitral award, resisting setting-aside attempts based on jurisdiction and procedure. Presently involved in recovery efforts, including the commencement of a suit against third party beneficiaries on fraudulent disposition and constructive trust.

 

[2021] MLJU 268 (HC)

Successfully set aside RM4 million in assessed damages; involved issues on undertakings as to damages and equitable relief.

 

[2019] 6 CLJ 658 (HC)

Acted in a commercial contract suit involving generator delivery delays. Court clarified foreseeability principles under s.74 of the Contracts Act.

 

[2018] 1 LNS 678 (CA)

Involved in a long running case over ownership of one of the leading local universities. Clarified the difference between O.14A and O.33 summary trials; Court of Appeal allowed the appeal enabling clients to pursue issues on merits.

 

[2017] 6 MLJ 537 (CA)

Successfully appealed a summary judgment involving Islamic finance facilities. Addressed Shariah compliance under the Malaysia statutory framework.

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​Other Notable Cases

 

[2019] 1 LNS 1694 (HC)

Represented a law firm partner in a RM9 million Mareva injunction involving alleged misappropriation of stakeholder funds. Although the injunction was denied at first instance (granted on appeal), the matter highlighted complex fraud tracing across multiple parties. The suit for tracing and recovery remains ongoing.

 

[2019] 1 LNS 882 (HC)

Acted in a probate-related land sale dispute involving specific performance and executrix non-cooperation.

 

[2018] 1 LNS 2292 (HC)

Represented a law firm in a negligence suit arising from a defective title transfer. The case clarified duties of care in conveyancing and civil fraud standards.

 

[2018] 1 LNS 1688 (HC)

Defended a solicitor in a suit over an alleged undertaking. The case examined professional negligence and reliance.

 

[2016] 4 MLJ 282 (FC)

Contributed to a Federal Court decision recognising tortious harassment as a standalone civil cause of action in Malaysia.

 

[2016] 1 LNS 1649 (HC)

Defended a multi-party case involving allegations of fraud, corporate veil-piercing and economic unit doctrine.

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