Qualifications

Viviene graduated from the University of Liverpool in 1996. She was called to the English Bar in 1997 and the Singapore Bar in 1998. She is a former adjunct fellow of the National University of Singapore (2004-2005) and tutor at the Board of Legal Education's Postgraduate Practice Law Course (2005-2008). She is also an Associate Mediator of the Subordinate Courts and Singapore Mediation Centre.

Areas of Practice

Over the 13 years of her practice, Viviene has gained considerable exposure and experience in a wide range of legal matters (both criminal and civil). She has been involved in a number of large and complicated cases in the Court of Appeal, the High Court, the Subordinate Courts and the Family and Juvenile Court.

Viviene is a specialist in insurance litigation. She has represented insurance companies as well as insured claimants on claims and recoveries in relation to ship collisions, motor accidents, personal injury claims, fatal accidents, industrial accidents , water and fire damage, workmen’s compensation and theft. Her practice also extends to acting for the ordinary person to ensure that everyone receives good quality legal advice.

Viviene's other area of specialty is family law. She has handled all kinds of matters from simple amicable divorces to complex and contentious tussles involving the division of matrimonial assets, custody, and maintenance.

Qualifications

Nicholas graduated from the University of Warwick in 1991. He was called to the English Bar in 1992 and the Singapore Bar in 1994. He obtained his Masters Of Law from the National University of Singapore in 1997. He is a former part time tutor/lecturer of Temasek Polytechnic and the National University of Singapore and currently tutors at the Board of Legal Education’s Postgraduate Practice Law Course. He is a Commissioner for Oaths and a Notary Public.

Areas of Practice

Nicholas' areas of interest are in property related matters such as Conveyancing and Strata Management matters where he has acted for Management Corporations in disputes with developers and with subsidiary proprietors in the management of Strata Titles. His other practice areas include corporate, probate and estate, family law, criminal law and the protection of intellectual property rights.

In his 15 years of practice, Nicholas has appeared at all levels of the court hierarchy, from the Subordinate Courts to the Court of Appeal. He has also appeared in hearings at the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore and the Strata Titles Board. His experience includes State Assigned Capital Cases where he is involved in the Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences to pro bono work with the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.

Qualifications

Monty graduated from the University of Liverpool in 1994 and proceeded to get called to the London Bar in 1996 (Lincoln’s Inn). Monty returned to Singapore and was called to the Bar in Singapore in 1998. He served on the Council of the Law Society of Singapore for two terms (4 years) , was co-chairperson of the Young Lawyers Committee with fellow Partner Ms Helen Chia and also became vice –chairman of the Sports Committees during his term in Council. Today he continues to serve the fraternity on the membership committee of the Academy of Law, Singapore (8 years running) headed by the Honourable Justice Lai Siu Chu.

Areas of Practice

Monty has three diverse yet related areas of practice. Monty serves the needs of numerous companies as legal counsel and advisor, and has also been appointed as independant director on several of these companies. His work centres around commercial and corporate areas of law. His work with these companies, expands into intellectual property, restructuring work, mergers and acquisitions, fund raising activities and transactional matters. His clients include onshore entities as well as offshore entities.

Monty also practices family law, prescribing a holistic approach to this traditional area of the law, he encompasses numerous private client measures and solutions to individuals facing domestic issues and conflict. Needless to say, private client work like trust and estate planning (onshore and offshore) are a main stay in this area of his work.

The third area of Monty’s practice centres around Risk and Credit management of companies and financial institutions alike. As they say, a company is only as strong as its cash flow, Monty assists numerous clients to manage their accounts receivables and the issues related to debt servicing. The firm has a team of more than 5 staff who span the island locating debtors for clients. Some areas include hire purchase agreements, personal loans, credit card debt and typical payment for services rendered.

Prior to setting up Clifford Law, he held a double portfolio of Head of Risk and Credit Management and Corporate Affairs manager of a large local law firm and one of the pioneer entities who had a joint venture alliance with a New York “Wall Street” firm.

Qualifications

Michael graduated from the NUS Law Faculty in 1988 and after his stint during National Service, was called to the Bar in Singapore in 1992. He is also a Commissioner for Oaths and a Notary Public.

Areas of Practice

His areas of focus are equally weighted in Family Law (divorce) as well as in general litigation, having been in 4 High Court trials in 2008 alone. His other area of speciality is Entertainment Law and Intellectual Property Law.

Michael approaches his family practice, both as a legal practitioner as well as family oriented individual, understanding that much of divorce as well as the aftermath of divorce involves emotional issues which may or may not be adequately addressed using only legal means. He would as best as he can, within acceptable limits, attempt to resolve such issues on a big picture basis.

As for his litigation matters, he has dealt with cases as diverse as defamation claims in the millions to disputing wills, to legal fights over joint account matters.

For his work in Entertainment Law and Intellectual Property, he counts amongst his clients some well known celebrities as well as talent management companies.

Prior to joining Clifford Law, he was employed in a large law firm dealing with the collection of credit card debts. Part of his work also involved the commencement of enforcement and bankruptcy proceeds. During these 4 years, he has gained valuable experience both legally as well as the practical side of this area of legal practice.

Vanessa joined the firm as Senior Associate and is the latest addition to the firm.

Qualifications

Vanessa graduated with LLB (Hons) from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom in 2004 and was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in 2006.

Areas of Practice

Vanessa commenced professional legal career in private practice specialising in dispute resolution (litigation, arbitration, adjudication and mediation) in a variety of civil matters predominantly in the area of construction law as well as personal injury and motor accident claims. She also has experience in non-contentious family and probate matters.

She has been involved in building and construction disputes between industry players for major public sector construction projects and private developments, and has acted in a number of prominent construction projects involving sizeable claims.

Vanessa has also advised and acted for major insurance companies in defending personal injury/non-injury motor vehicle accident claims.

Professional Affiliations/Other Activities in the Law

Vanessa has been actively involved with the work of the Law Society of Singapore since she commenced legal practice. She served as a Council Member from 2009 to 2010. She currently serves in the Social & Welfare Committee and Young Lawyers Committee. She is also part of the Law Society of Singapore's netball team. Vanessa a Committee Member on the Young Members Chapter of the Singapore Academy of Law.