Debt Collection Lawyers

At Farallon Law, we understand the challenges of unpaid debts and the importance of swift and ethical debt recovery. Our dedicated team of debt recovery lawyers is committed to providing expert legal solutions tailored to your specific needs. We uphold the highest ethical standards, ensuring all debt recovery practices are conducted with integrity and respect.

  • Technical experts with a commercial focus
  • Proven international track record
  • Competitive and capped legal fees
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Leading Debt Recovery Team In Singapore

Debt collection is the process of pursuing outstanding payments from individuals or businesses, a critical function for maintaining financial stability and healthy cash flow. At our law firm, we understand the importance of ethical practices in this process. We are committed to employing lawful and respectful methods, ensuring that your debts are recovered efficiently and professionally. We work diligently to uphold the highest standards of integrity while securing the financial outcomes you need.

Our Approach to Debt Recovery

Our approach to debt recovery is designed to be thorough and effective, prioritising amicable solutions while being prepared for litigation when necessary:

  • Initial Consultation: We begin with a comprehensive assessment of the debtor’s financial status, enabling us to develop a tailored recovery strategy.
  • Drafting and Sending Letter of Demand: We will then draft and send a formal Letter of Demand, initiating negotiations to reach amicable settlements without resorting to court intervention. Our lawyers are skilled negotiators, striving to achieve favourable outcomes through dialogue.
  • Litigation: When amicable solutions are not possible, we initiate legal proceedings, filing claims and representing clients in court. Our team consists of experienced civil litigation lawyers, prepared to advocate strongly for your rights.
  • Post-Judgment Actions: Following a successful judgment, we implement post-judgment actions such as garnishments or property liens to ensure debt repayment, leveraging all available legal avenues.

Debt Recovery Services

We offer a comprehensive range of debt recovery services, providing expert legal support to individuals and businesses.

  • Personal Debt Recovery: We assist individuals in reclaiming personal loans or unpaid dues, providing clear and effective legal guidance throughout the process.
  • Corporate Debt Collection: Businesses can rely on us to recover outstanding payments from clients or partners, ensuring minimal disruption to their operations. Helping businesses maintain strong relationships while pursuing debt recovery is a priority for us.
  • International Debt Recovery: Our law firm is experienced in navigating varying jurisdictions and international legal complexities and will leverage cross-border enforcement treats to manage cross-border debt collection.
  • Enforcement of Judgments: We implement legal measures to enforce court-awarded debts, ensuring that judgments are effectively executed.
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Our Expertise Includes:

Letter Of Demand
Enforcing Tribunal Order
Tracing Hidden & Concealed Assets
Enforcement Of Court Decision
Negotiations With Debtors
Writ Of Seizure & Sale Arbitrations
Debtor Investigation & Asset Search
Legal Advice For Debt Recovery

Resource & Guides: Debt Recovery

Case Studies

We have experience advising on multi-jurisdictional transactions and disputes in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the Middle East, Australia, Europe and the United States and has negotiated for and against parties in New York, London, Silicon Valley, China, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Taipei, Seoul, Jakarta, Surabaya, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, France, Milan, and Frankfurt.

Our firm has significant deal experience with transactional cross-border M&A, with a specific focus on advising U.S., European or Australian companies on their acquisitions of Asian companies.

Representative transactions include:

  • Advising Temasek on its acquisition of Indonesian supermarket retailer PT Matahari Putra Prima
  • Advising Goldman Sachs Special Situations Group (SSG) on the sale of its US$500m investment in Adaro Energy
  • Advising Morgan Stanley Special Situations Fund III on its investment in a Chinese pharmaceutical company
  • Advising Warburg Pincus (New York) on its investment in an Indonesian Hotel Chain
  • Advising Neptune Orient Lines (Singapore) on its potential acquisition of a U.S. international logistics company
  • Advising E-Land Group (South Korea) on its potential acquisition of a Hong Kong group
  • Advising an Asian government linked company on its joint venture investment with T-Mobile US
  • Advising Macquarie Bank (Australia) and the owners of Risco Energy on its sale of oil assets to Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Co K.S.C. (KUFPEC)
  • Advising 1MDB (Malaysia) on its investment in Petrosaudi
  • Advising Hanwa (Japan) on its investment in a Singapore listed company
  • Advising NTS (Netherlands) on its acquisition in a Singapore family business
  • Advising Saxo Bank (Denmark) on its joint venture with private equity firm Swordfish Investments
  • Advising Toyota Tsusho (Japan) on its potential joint venture with Samsung
  • Advising Mitsubishi UFJ (Japan) on its investment in an Indonesian company
  • Advising an Indonesian listed company on sale of shares to Trafigura Limited
  • Advising an Asian state owned enterprise on its bid for Pacnet
  • Advising various Singapore and U.S. individuals on their personal investments in Singapore companies and products
  • Advising Singapore SMEs on their term sheets, agreements and corporate and regulatory matters
  • Advising Singapore companies on their regulatory matters

Get in touch with us for a discussion on how we can provide value to your business.

Nicolas Tang

Bar Admissions

Singapore (2002)   |   England and Wales (2006)   |   New York (2009)   |   Hong Kong (2009)

Nicolas is an Arbitrator at the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), Thailand Arbitration Centre (THAC) and Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). In the mediation arena, he is a Specialist Mediator at the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC), an Accredited Mediator at the Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI), an Accredited Mediator at the Singapore Mediation Centre (SMC) and a Mediation Advocate at the International Mediation Institute (IMI) in Netherlands.

Nicolas received his pupillage training from Davinder Singh SC in 2001. He commenced practice in 2002 in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution team of Drew & Napier and has since practiced at international law firms Allen & Overy (Singapore office), Sidley Austin (Hong Kong office) and Baker McKenzie (Singapore and Indonesia offices).

His main areas of practice are civil litigation, arbitration, mediation, employment law, criminal law, defamation, mergers and acquisitions and corporate and compliance.

He also has experience as in-house counsel in supply chain management, employee disputes, subcontractor issues and compliance work arises from serving at US MNC Flex where he was responsible for contractual, compliance and litigation matters at all Singapore, Indonesian and Malaysian sites.

Throughout his career, he has advised on multi-jurisdictional disputes and corporate transactions involving clients and adverse parties from Australia, Bahrain, Bali, Bangladesh, Beijing, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Czech Republic, Dubai, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Guangzhou, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jakarta, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Las Vegas, Lebanon, London, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Silicon Valley, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa, South Korea, Surabaya, Taiwan ROC, Thailand, Timor Leste, Tokyo, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USA and Vietnam.

Professional Qualifications
  • Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (2020)
  • Mediation Advocate, International Mediation Institute (2020)
  • Level 1 Accredited Mediator, Singapore International Mediation Institute (2020)
  • Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration, University of New South Wales (CiArb) (2019)
  • Strategic Conflict Management for Professionals (Modules 1 and 2), Singapore Mediation Centre (2018)
  • Diploma in Singapore Law, National University of Singapore (2001)
  • LL.B. (Hons, 2:1), University of Nottingham (2000)

Arbitration Experience
  • Singapore company in contractual dispute against UK company in relation to a Taiwanese project
  • Singapore individual in an SIAC arbitration against one of Singapore’s casinos in defence of claims for breach of employment obligations
  • Singapore company and Singapore individuals in three concurrent SIAC arbitrations against a Singapore company in defence of claims for misrepresentation, breach of contract and breach of employment obligations, including resisting consolidation of the said three arbitrations
  • Foreign telecommunications company in a SIAC arbitration against a Singapore company for claims of breach of a joint venture agreement and minority oppression in relation to the construction of telecommunications infrastructure in a Southeast Asian country
  • Singapore individual in SIAC arbitration proceedings against a US fitness franchise chain
  • Hong Kong clothing company in SIAC arbitration proceedings against a US-branded apparel company and a Bermuda supply chain manager
  • Italian company in relation to HKIAC proceedings in Hong Kong

Frequently Asked Questions about Debt Recovery

What are the legal options for recovering unpaid debts in Singapore?

In Singapore, you have several legal avenues for debt recovery. These include sending a Letter of Demand (LOD), engaging in direct negotiation for a settlement, filing a claim with the Small Claims Tribunal for smaller debts, or initiating formal legal proceedings in the civil courts for larger or more complex cases. Our experienced lawyers can assess your specific situation and advise on the most effective course of action.


What is a Letter of Demand (LOD), and how does it help in debt recovery?

A Letter of Demand (LOD) is a formal legal notice sent to the debtor, clearly outlining the debt and demanding repayment within a specified timeframe. It serves as a crucial first step in the debt recovery process, demonstrating your intent to pursue legal action. If the debtor ignores the LOD, it significantly strengthens your position should you proceed to court, showing that you have made a reasonable attempt to resolve the matter amicably.


How long does the debt recovery process take?

The timeline for debt recovery can vary significantly depending on the method employed and the complexity of the case. Here’s a general overview:

  • Letter of Demand: Expect a response within 7-14 days.
  • Small Claims Tribunal: Cases typically resolve within 1-3 months.
  • Litigation: Civil court proceedings can take 6-12 months or longer, particularly for complex disputes.

We understand that time is of the essence, and we strive to expedite the process wherever possible, keeping you informed at every stage.


What if the debtor refuses to pay even after a court judgment?

In such cases, enforcement may be necessary. Several legal methods can be employed to enforce the judgment, including:

  • Writ of Seizure and Sale: This allows for the seizure and sale of the debtor’s assets to satisfy the debt.  
  • Garnishee Order: This enables the freezing and seizure of funds from the debtor’s bank accounts.
  • Winding-up Petition: For corporate debts, a winding-up petition can force the liquidation of the company to recover the outstanding amounts.

Our team is adept at implementing these enforcement measures to ensure that you receive the owed funds.


Is there a time limit for taking legal action to recover debts?

Yes, the Limitation Act (Singapore) sets a time limit for initiating legal action. For most debt claims, you must file within 6 years from the date the debt became due. It is crucial to act promptly to avoid exceeding this time limit.


Can I recover debts from overseas debtors?

Yes, recovering debts from overseas debtors is possible, although it often involves navigating complex international legal landscapes. This may require initiating legal action in the debtor’s jurisdiction or utilising cross-border enforcement treaties. Our team of experienced debt recovery lawyers possess the expertise to handle such international debt recovery cases, ensuring your rights are protected across borders.


Our Location

Reach out to us, and our team of M&A lawyers will try our best to assist you in any way we can.

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Singapore

Farallon Law Corporation
21 Collyer Quay #01-01
Singapore 049320

Tel: +65 6931 9000

Mob: +65 8881 8891

Fax: +65 6722 8600

Contact Us

Have a legal challenge that you might need help or advise with? Reach out to our corporate lawyers, and we will try our best to assist you in any way we can.