Singapore

Founded in 2010, Blackletter (formerly known as Link Legal) is a Singapore boutique law firm focused primarily on private clients and dispute resolution. The firm has shifted its focus to develop and grow its offerings in the financial services space.  

The firm focused on art, banking and finance, capital markets, disputes resolution, family offices and private wealth, financial regulation, fintech, insurance, investment funds and tax practice areas.  

Highlights  

Recent examples of the firm’s deal work include advising a financial institution to review and amend its Prime Brokerage Agreement for Total Return Equity Swap Products. This matter was legally innovative as it required a departure from standard ISDA documentation.  

Key clients  

CGS International Securities, CGS International Securities Mauritius, Maybank Securities, Maybank Investment Bank, and Malayan Banking.  

Testimonials  

Banking and finance  

“Good breadth and depth with exceptional understanding of the meanderings of the local practices with consideration for international standards. Gerard [Ng] and Teck Chai have been exceptionally insightful when providing advice and services, with a high attention to detail in spotting certain matters with reference to the other departmental work that has been done.”  

“The team excels at explaining complex regulatory and transactional issues clearly and providing solutions that align with our business goals. They are consistently responsive, proactive, and thorough, with a high degree of partner involvement that ensures quality and builds confidence. As a specialized boutique, they offer deep focus yet remain flexible, providing the comfort that they understand not just the law, but also the perspectives of regulators and counterparties.”  

 Capital markets: equity  

“Blackletter provided insightful advice in structuring the transaction, backed by clear and well drafted terms and conditions.”  

“The team is committed to the delivery of high-quality work and flexibility in working with the clients' timelines. Overall, it is a compatible team with diversified experience.”  

“The team possesses an exceptional understanding of our specific financial products and operations, which allows them to provide precise, practical legal advice that aligns directly with our commercial goals. They are highly responsive and communicate complex issues with remarkable clarity, making collaborations both efficient and productive.”  

“They have very good working product knowledge as well as experience in the industry. They are able to offer practical solutions that meets our expectation. They also take the additional effort to understand more about the business so that the advice they give is not specific to the particular engagement, but rather considers the other aspects of your business.”  

 Financial services regulatory  

“Although they were only engaged to review the additional requirements for onboarding a specific group of clients, the team went beyond to review what was lacking in the original agreements.”  

“They stand out for their flexibility, collaborative approach, and client-friendly billing. Their reasonable fees, transparent invoicing, and willingness to discuss arrangements make for a smooth working relationship.”  

Gerard Ng  

“Gerard has a strong command of our business and products, quickly grasping complex features and translating them into clear, actionable insights. His ability to immediately engage with new ideas adds significant value to our discussions. He ensures communication is smooth and productive, balancing technical and business considerations with professionalism. His responsiveness and focus make him a significant asset to our work.”  

“Gerard is very detailed. He will first listen and understands our requirements before getting down to work.”  

“He has extensive knowledge and experience of the finance industry and the products, and he provides practical and feasible solutions that meets our request.”  

“He is a trusted advisor with deep expertise across banking, finance, and capital markets. His unique value comes from his prior in-house experience, which gives him a practical understanding of commercial pressures and business operations. This allows him to provide strategic, actionable advice that balances legal precision with business needs.  

“He is skilled at navigating complex regulatory issues and is valued for his calm, solution-focused approach, making him a go-to counsel for both legal and management teams.”  

“The depth and experience when working through Gerard shines through the attention to detail and insightful thinking into the nuances of the financial services industry.”  

“Timely and insightful advice in all areas of the work scope. Experienced and very competent in all areas of legal work including advisory, drafting, etc., with added value due to his familiarity with the finance industry.”  

 Teck Chai Yap  

"Commitment to the delivery of high-quality work and flexibility in working with the client's timelines."  

“Teck Chai is a standout counsel who operates as a true extension of our team. He distinguishes himself by combining deep regulatory knowledge with sharp commercial judgement, delivering practical, business-tailored solutions instead of just outlining legal risks. His highly responsive and attentive service makes him an invaluable partner.”