We think out of the box to help our clients achieve win-win outcomes


Skip the legal jargon. We offer commerical and practical solutions to our clients.
We have in depth experience in our core specialties. We know your business

Singapore Disputes Lawyers
About The Firm
JLex LLC is a boutique law firm specializing in commercial dispute resolution, in particular, shipping and international trade disputes.
We believe that as a boutique practice, we are better placed to respond quickly to our clients’ needs and to provide bespoke service to our clients. We pride ourselves on not just being our clients’ disputes lawyers. We are their trusted legal advisers and friends.

Practice Areas
As disputes lawyers in Singapore, our practice is centered around dispute resolution. Apart from litigation matters, we are also experienced in handling international arbitrations across the genres of claims set out below. Being fluent in mandarin and attuned to Chinese culture, we have established strong working relationships with Chinese companies.
Below is a list of our practice areas.

Shipping
Full range of shipping disputes such as charterparty disputes, demurrage claims and claims for off-hire.

Commodities
Full gamut of disputes arising from sale and purchase agreements, trade finance and carriage of goods.

International Arbitration
Experienced counsel in ad-hoc and institutional arbitration in legal hubs like Singapore, Hong Kong and London.

Corporate & Commercial Litigation
Company and shareholders disputes, disputes involving fiduciaries’ duties, contractual and tortious disputes and civil litigation.

Family and Probate
Application for grants of probate, letters of administration, contentious and non-contentious probate, preparation of Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney, contentious and consent divorce, adoption and guardianship of children

China Practice
Represented China-based entities and high net-worth individuals in Singapore court proceedings and international arbitrations.

Shipping
Full range of shipping disputes such as charterparty disputes, demurrage claims and claims for off-hire.

Commodities
Full gamut of disputes arising from sale and purchase agreements, trade finance and carriage of goods.

International Arbitration
Experienced counsel in ad-hoc and institutional arbitration in legal hubs like Singapore, Hong Kong and London.

Corporate & Commercial Litigation
Company and shareholders disputes, disputes involving fiduciaries’ duties, contractual and tortious disputes and civil litigation.

Family and Probate
Application for grants of probate, letters of administration, contentious and non-contentious probate, preparation of Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney, contentious and consent divorce, adoption and guardianship of children

China Practice
Represented China-based entities and high net-worth individuals in Singapore court proceedings and international arbitrations.
Why Choose Us
Expertise
We are firm believers that effective legal advice cannot be rendered in a vacuum without considerations of commercial realities. With a wealth of experience handling commercial, shipping and trade disputes, we are well acquainted with your industry and business and are well-placed to render practical and relevant advice.
Creativity
Thinking on one’s feet and being versatile and adaptive in a ever-changing world is key to being a strong litigation team. We pride ourselves on being able to think out of the box and devise strategies efficiently to meet the needs of our clients.
Solutions
We recognise that clients require solutions to their legal problems that are workable, cost-effective and delivered in timely fashion.
Send us a message to schedule an appointment
Our Lawyers
Joseph Tan
Managing Director FCIArb
Since his admission to the Singapore Bar in 1998, our Joseph Tan specialises in shipping and international trade dispute resolution. He has acted as lead counsel in a number of cases in the Singapore High Court and Court of Appeal, as well as in international arbitrations in Singapore and other notable jurisdictions. Apart from his practice as a shipping lawyer, Joseph regularly acts for commodity traders and is very familiar with disputes arising from the trade of coal, iron ore and oil and gas. And being bilingual in English and Mandarin, Joseph has developed a strong portfolio of Chinese clients, including state owned enterprises and privately owned trading companies.
As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and panel member of the SCMA panel of arbitrators, Joseph also accepts appointments as arbitrators for shipping arbitrations and arbitrations related to commodities in particular, coal and iron ore.
Joanna Poh
Director
Joanna has handled a variety of commercial disputes involving arbitration, litigation and mediation. She also regularly renders pre-action advice to clients facing commercial disputes as well as operational and compliance issues involving company law, employment, tenancy and insolvency law.
In relation to shipping and international trade matters, Joanna advises clients over a broad range of issues such as cargo claims, agency law, trade finance and shipping documentation, on a regular basis.
Joanna has also represented clients in family and probate matters, both contentious and non-contentious.
News & Blog
We provide updates on legal developments in Singapore by way of our monthly newsletter “Notes from the Bar” that may be of interest to our clientele. Stay tuned on this page for the latest updates from us.

GENCON 2022 and the shipowners’ right to suspend and terminate
In this edition of the Notes from the Bar, we take a look at Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Ltd v. Maersk Tankers Singapore Pte Ltd [2022] SGHC 242 and the discussion surrounding mis-delivery claims and the issue of causation.

Delivery without presentation of the bills of lading; but did it cause the loss?
In this edition of the Notes from the Bar, we take a look at Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Ltd v. Maersk Tankers Singapore Pte Ltd [2022] SGHC 242 and the discussion surrounding mis-delivery claims and the issue of causation.

Judicial oversight of arbitrations in Singapore: is it a boon or bane for maritime arbitrations?
Our Mr. Joseph Tan delivered a presentation about the current developments in the judicial oversight of arbitrations in Singapore at the IBA Maritime & Transport