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TAN SHANG NENG

 shang@tanshangneng.com

Practice Focus

Shang acts for directors, shareholders, companies and individuals in corporate, shareholder and commercial disputes.

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His practice focuses particularly on shareholder disputes, directors’ duties, corporate governance issues and company-related litigation, as well as broader commercial and civil disputes involving contracts, banking, land and estate matters.

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Shang is known for combining strategic advocacy with commercially grounded advice, particularly in complex and multi-party disputes.


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.

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He became a partner of a leading litigation boutique in 2018 before founding Tan Shang Neng (Advocates & Solicitors) in 2021, where he leads the firm’s disputes practice.

Over the course of his practice, Shang has acted in a broad range of civil, commercial and corporate disputes, including matters involving shareholder rights, directors’ duties, contractual disputes, banking litigation, tort claims, land disputes and probate litigation.

Industry Recognition

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Shang leads a disputes practice recognised by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific for Dispute Resolution in Malaysia from 2024 to 2026.

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He was previously recognised by Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a “Next Generation Partner” for Dispute Resolution.


Publications & Contributions

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

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

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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)

'Extremely responsive. Commercially oriented and creative with solutions.' (Legal 500, 2026)

'Shang is perhaps one of the best lawyers I know in Malaysia, and I would not hesitate to trust him with a matter again. Quite apart from being an excellent draftsman, Shang is great with his case strategy and always has a keen eye over detail without losing sight of the bigger picture.' (Legal 500, 2026)

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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

Shareholder, Corporate Governance & Company Disputes

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[2025] CLJU 519 (HC)
Multibillion-ringgit bancassurance dispute involving enforcement of right of first refusal clauses in the renewal of a long-term cooperative arrangement. The case examined duties of good faith and procedural fairness in contractual renewals.

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[2024] MLRHU 2681; [2019] 1 LNS 2151 (HC)
Malaysia’s first winding-up of an interest scheme under the Interest Schemes Act 2016, involving statutory trust issues and court-managed investor distributions.

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[2024] CLJU 267 (HC)
Obtained leave to commence a derivative action involving allegations of RM3.47 million in unauthorised fund transfers.

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[2023] CLJU 2209 (HC)
RM170 million listed entity boardroom dispute involving issues of directors’ duties, shareholder intervention and control of corporate litigation.

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[2021] MLJU 1460 (HC)
Advised in a multibillion-ringgit debt restructuring of a listed airline under Section 366 of the Companies Act 2016, involving cross-border restructuring issues, the Gibbs Rule and the Cape Town Convention.

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[2020] 1 LNS 1095 (HC)
Capital markets dispute concerning mandatory takeover obligations and the interaction between CMSA thresholds and shareholder voting rights.

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[2017] 1 LNS 2042 (CA)
Post-trial appeal involving the breakdown of a strategic alliance and issues concerning fiduciary duties in joint business ventures.

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Commercial, Banking & Infrastructure Disputes

 

[2026] MLJU 313 (HC)
International commercial dispute involving edible oil supply contracts, FOB risk allocation, contractual variation, expert scientific evidence and cross-border trade disruptions arising from Russian sanctions.

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[2025] CLJU 512 (HC)
Obtained RM1.5 million summary judgment arising from defaulted post-completion payment obligations under a share sale agreement.

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[2025] MLRHU 1786 (HC)
Commercial dispute arising from the organisation of an international football tournament involving contractual interpretation, reimbursement obligations and allegations of negligent performance of event management services.

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[2022] MLJU 1386 (HC)
Registration and enforcement of a RM14 million arbitral award, resisting jurisdictional and procedural challenges. Ongoing recovery proceedings involve claims concerning fraudulent disposition and constructive trust.

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[2022] 1 LNS 2096 (HC)
Consortium dispute concerning a multibillion-ringgit national immigration system project, involving issues of consortium governance, joint venture formation and arbitration within the context of a national infrastructure project.

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[2019] 6 CLJ 658 (HC)
Commercial contract dispute involving generator delivery delays and the application of foreseeability principles under section 74 of the Contracts Act.

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[2018] 1 LNS 678 (CA)
Dispute concerning ownership and control issues relating to a leading local university. The Court of Appeal clarified the distinction between O.14A and O.33 summary trial procedures.

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[2017] 6 MLJ 537 (CA)
Islamic finance dispute involving summary judgment proceedings and issues of Shariah compliance under the Malaysian statutory framework.

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​​Professional Negligence, Fraud & Other Significant Matters

 

[2025] MLJU 3614 (HC)
Acted for an auditor in a multi-party fraudulent trading and conspiracy claim arising from a construction and winding-up dispute involving issues of limitation, fraudulent trading and professional liability.

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[2019] 1 LNS 1694 (HC)
RM9 million Mareva injunction and fraud tracing dispute involving alleged misappropriation of stakeholder funds and multi-party recovery claims.

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[2019] 1 LNS 882 (HC)
Probate-related land dispute involving specific performance and executrix non-cooperation.

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[2018] 1 LNS 2292 (HC)
Professional negligence claim involving defective title transfer, conveyancing duties of care and civil fraud principles.

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[2018] 1 LNS 1688 (HC)

Professional negligence dispute concerning an alleged solicitor’s undertaking and issues of reliance.

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[2016] 4 MLJ 282 (FC)
Federal Court decision recognising tortious harassment as a standalone civil cause of action in Malaysia.

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[2016] 1 LNS 1649 (HC)
Multi-party fraud dispute involving corporate veil-piercing and economic unit doctrine allegations.

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