Vanessa Thong Chon Yen

Vanessa Thong Chon Yen graduated from Cardiff University with First Class Honours in 2018 and was called to the Bar of England and Wales in July 2019. She was subsequently admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya on 2 December 2020. She joined the firm on 9 May 2023 as an Associate and was promoted to Senior Associate effective 1 February 2025.

Vanessa’s practice focuses on Dispute Resolution, with particular emphasis on corporate and commercial litigation, land acquisition, property and land disputes, regulatory and compliance matters, tortious and contractual claims, and appellate advocacy. She has acted in a broad range of complex and high-profile disputes, including matters relating to debt restructuring involving government infrastructure projects, the removal of court-appointed liquidators, merger and acquisition disputes, breaches of constructive trust, professional negligence, and defamation.

She has also been involved in significant disputes concerning asset recovery arising from governmental investigations and related litigation, as well as landmark cases providing authoritative guidance on statutory interpretation.

Some of the notable matters Vanessa has been involved in are as follows: -

Dispute Resolution

• Represented 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and its subsidiaries in significant legal proceedings involving asset preservation and recovery arising from the 1MDB investigations and related litigation.
• Involved in high-profile suits and appeals concerning debt restructuring of companies undertaking government infrastructure projects and removal of court-appointed liquidators.
• Represented public listed companies in merger and acquisition disputes, breach of constructive trust, professional negligence, and defamation claims.
• Involved in a landmark decision by the Federal Court concerning definitive rulings in relation to the requirements under section 85 (Pre-emptive rights to new shares) and section 223 (Approval for disposal or acquisition of substantial assets) of the Companies Act 2016.
• Advised and represented the Malaysian subsidiary of a leading Hong Kong-listed global paper manufacturer in employment disputes and contractual disputes involving international counterparties.
• Advised and represented public listed companies on land-related disputes.
• Assisted in complex shareholder disputes and corporate debt restructuring matters.

Adjudication

• Acted for a public listed company in a High Court decision establishing that the limitation period under the Limitation Act 1953 applies to adjudication proceedings under the Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act 2012 (CIPAA). The High Court further recognised that declaratory relief on limitation may be sought in civil proceedings following a limitation defence in adjudication. (see: Genting Malaysia Bhd v Leika Sdn Bhd [2024] MLJU 3614)
• Involved in a Federal Court case where the Federal Court established that the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), as the statutory adjudication authority under the Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act 2012 (CIPAA), was immune from judicial review in respect of its actions and decisions in so far that its acts are done in good faith. (see: Asian International Arbitration Centre v One Amerin Residence Sdn Bhd & Ors And Another Appeal [2025] 3 CLJ 633)