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This profile reflects asialaw research. The “(asialaw)” label indicates the source of this content.

Cecil Abraham & Partners (asialaw)

Malaysia (asialaw)

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Key contacts
Partner: Sunil Abraham
Quick facts
Partners

6

Other qualified practitioners

8

Total number of lawyers

14

Languages

English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin

Network memberships

International Bar Association, Inter-Pacific Bar Association, International Council for Commercial Arbitration, The London Court of International Arbitration

Key practice areas
Construction (asialaw)
Dispute resolution (asialaw)
Firm overview

Established in 2015, Cecil Abraham & Partners is a focused set of disputes practitioners and is the only Malaysian law firm involved in investment treaty disputes with significant appearances in ICSID cases both as counsel and as arbitrator. The team has successfully arbitrated some of Malaysia’s most intricate and high-profile disputes covering commercial law, public administrative law, environmental law and constitutional law. Partners of the firm have also argued some of the seminal cases before the apex courts in Malaysia in so far as contractual claims, fraud litigation, defamation claims, public and administrative law, as well as constitutional law, to name a few.

A dispute resolution firm offering a full range of legal services – advisory, strategic, preventive and dispute resolution – Cecil Abraham & Partners regularly advises and acts for Fortune 500 companies, media conglomerates, government-linked companies and high-net-worth individuals, as well as not-for-profit entities, charities, private individuals, and private limited companies.

Key practice areas
  • Banking and finance
  • Capital markets
  • Competition/antitrust
  • Construction
  • Dispute resolution
  • Investment funds
  • Regulatory
Sector expertise
  • Agriculture
  • Automotive
  • Banking
  • Construction and materials
  • Energy
  • Financial services
  • Government and public policy
  • Industrials
  • Insurance
  • Investment management
  • Media
  • Mining
  • Natural resources
  • Oil and gas
  • Real estate
  • Shipping
  • Technology and telecommunications
  • Transport
  • Utilities
Address:
Suite 12.01, Level 12 Menara 1MK
1 Jalan Kiara, Mont’ Kiara
Kuala Lumpur, 50480
Malaysia
Tel:+60327263700 Email:Contact Us Web Address:https://cecilabraham.com/
2026 Edition
Construction (asialaw)
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Overview
Cecil Abraham & Partners is a boutique dispute resolution firm known for handling commercial disputes, especially cases heard before the Federal Court of Malaysia. Led by litigator Cecil Abraham, the team has a strong record acting on landmark litigation and arbitration matters, with a focus on corporate and commercial, administrative, and white-collar crime. The firm often acts for Fortune 500 companies, media conglomerates, government-linked companies, high-net-worth individuals, and not-for-profit entities and charities.

Client feedback

"Cecil Abraham & Partners distinguishes itself through a combination of attributes that are increasingly rare in the legal industry. From a reputational standpoint, the firm occupies a position that few can credibly claim — they are widely regarded as the foremost firm in Asia for complex, high-value dispute resolution and arbitration. Their standing in the industry is not merely a matter of perception; it is consistently borne out in the calibre of matters they are entrusted with and the outcomes they achieve. Equally notable is the manner in which they engage with those they work with. Despite operating at the highest levels of the profession, the firm maintains an exceptional standard of client communication and responsiveness. Clients and counterparts alike are kept informed, consulted, and supported throughout — a hallmark of a firm that values relationships as much as results. In our experience, it is this pairing of unimpeachable professional standing with a genuinely client-centred approach that makes Cecil Abraham & Partners truly incomparable." – Dispute resolution

"Tan Sri Cecil Abraham is hands-on and knows his file well. He is a stellar counsel and is the Rolls Royce of barristers in Malaysia when it comes to complex cases. Dato' Sunil Abraham is meticulous, efficient and detailed in his approach and preparation of cases — he is simply top-notch. Aniz Ahmad Amirudin is the go-to practitioner for construction and infrastructure disputes; he works well with in-house counsel and is very approachable. Shabana Farhana Amirudin is a future star in the area of construction and infrastructure disputes — she holds her own and is excellent on her feet." – Oil and gas

Sunil Abraham

"He is diligent, well prepared and meticulous. He is always available and delivers an excellent work product on paper and in court. He is excellent — simply top-notch."

"Sunil is, quite simply, one of the finest lawyers we have had the privilege of working with. What makes him stand out is not any single quality, but the way several exceptional attributes come together in one individual. His legal knowledge is formidable. Across the complex, high-value arbitration matters we have encountered him on, Sunil demonstrates a depth of expertise that inspires genuine confidence — he knows his subject thoroughly and it shows in every aspect of how he approaches a case. What elevates him further is his strategic thinking. Sunil does not merely apply the law — he thinks several steps ahead, bringing sharp, considered counsel to proceedings that often involve significant commercial stakes. His advice is always measured, well-reasoned, and delivered with clarity. Perhaps most refreshingly, none of this comes at the expense of warmth or accessibility. Sunil is genuinely personable — approachable, attentive, and someone who makes those around him feel heard and valued. He builds real relationships, and that trust translates into more effective working partnerships. He is an outstanding lawyer and a pleasure to work with."
Linked Reviews
Dispute resolution (asialaw)
Work highlights

Acting as counsel to Eurochem North-West 2 in proceedings before the Kuala Lumpur High Court against Tecnimont SpA and its Malaysian subsidiaries, in connection with the enforcement of a $2.19 billion Russian court judgment arising from a sanctions-disrupted ammonia and urea fertiliser plant project in Russia. The matter illustrates the growing complexity of cross-border enforcement in disputes involving sanctioned Russian entities, conflicting court orders across multiple seats, and the challenges of pursuing judgment recovery through parallel global proceedings.

Acting as Malaysian law expert counsel to the Kingdom of Bahrain in a high-value investor-state arbitration brought by Naftiran Intertrade Company — a Labuan-registered entity and subsidiary of the National Iranian Oil Company — under the Malaysia–Bahrain Bilateral Investment Treaty before ICSID, with claims totalling in excess of EUR 1.3 billion. The case raises significant questions concerning the treatment of offshore Labuan entities in the context of treaty-based investment claims and is closely watched within the international investment arbitration community. Allen & Overy Shearman acts for the Kingdom of Bahrain, while Derains & Gharavi represents the claimant.
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