Some divorces are about splitting what’s on the table. Others are about finding out what’s being hidden under it. We are a divorce lawyer in Singapore who acts as lead counsel when the case is contested, the assets are high-value or cross-border, and the outcome cannot be left to chance.
Salem Ibrahim LLC acts as lead counsel in Singapore’s most contested matrimonial cases — complex divisions of high-value and internationally hidden assets, contested custody, and cross-border matters where family law collides with trust law, corporate structures and multiple jurisdictions. We are the divorce lawyer Singapore turns to when the case is high net worth where the assets are valuable, hidden, cross-border or all three.
Our record is public, because our cases are reported:
- Court of Appeal, five judges — lead counsel in the landmark UDA v UDB appeals establishing that the Singapore Family Justice Court has no jurisdiction to make orders against third parties, with previously decided cases to the contrary held wrongly decided. Our managing director, Salem Ibrahim, argued the appeal as lead counsel.
- $92 million worldwide freezing order — acting for celebrity client Jamie Chua in a hotly contested matrimonial case involving a worldwide Mareva injunction
- $7.9 million obtained for a wife in an acrimonious division of matrimonial assets — 50% of the pool.
- 100% of the matrimonial assets obtained for a wife, with the husband’s appeal dismissed
- Teo Geok Fong v Lim Eng Hock [1999] SGHC 209 — lead counsel for the wife in a contested custody battle where psychiatric evidence on parental capacity dominated the hearing. Through cross-examination of multiple expert witnesses, we elicited the husband’s concession under oath that he had never formed the view that our client suffered from a medical psychiatric condition. The High Court granted custody, care and control to the wife. Read our detailed guide to contested child custody in Singapore.
- Trust challenge won — succeeding in the High Court for the wife in defeating a purported “Ancestral Home” trust claim by the husband over matrimonial assets. Big money or modest means, you get the same team that handles the landmark cases. We also do the ordinary, uncontested and urgent matters — properly, quickly and without emotive theatre.
Big money or modest means, you get the same team that handles the landmark cases. We also do the ordinary, uncontested and urgent matters — properly, quickly and without emotive theatre.
Why Clients Choose Us for Contested Divorce
A contested divorce is won on preparation: asset maps built from disclosure, valuation evidence assembled before negotiation, and counsel comfortable taking the case to trial when settlement fails. Our matrimonial team litigates contested divorces to the High Court and Court of Appeal — including the five-judge appeal that established the family court’s jurisdictional limits in UDA v UDB — and has obtained reported outcomes including a $92 million worldwide freezing order and awards from 50% to 100% of the matrimonial assets.
The same team that wins the landmark cases also handles the straight forward ones.
How We Help
| Area | What We Do |
|---|---|
| Divorce lawyer in Singapore | 38 years as a leading divorce lawyer handling complex and cross-border cases. |
| Contested divorce | Dividing high-value matrimonial assets, complex corporate holdings, properties, shares and business interests. |
| Mareva Injunctions and asset freezing orders | Freezing assets in divorce to prevent and stop the dissipation or transfer of assets during proceedings, worldwide where necessary. See our full guide to Mareva injunctions in Singapore divorce. |
| Asset tracing and discovery | Locating and proving assets held through trusts, family companies, nominees and cross-border structures. Learn how the family court interacts with third parties in our explainer on UDA v UDB. |
| Cross-border matrimonial matters | Jurisdiction disputes, overseas assets, and enforcement of Singapore orders abroad. |
| Custody, care and control | Including highly contested battles, relocation cases, cross-border child matters, and wrongful removal from Singapore. Learn about psychiatric evidence in custody cases. |
| Maintenance and financial provision | For spouses and children, including variation and enforcement. |
| Protection orders | Personal protection orders and family violence applications. |
| Uncontested and fixed-fee divorce | The same expertise, for simpler matters. |
Why Choose Us as Your Family Lawyer in Singapore?
We are a family lawyer in Singapore for contested divorces, high-value asset fights, urgent child matters — and for the straightforward things done properly, quickly and without emotive theatre.
FAQ
Find answers to the most common questions about divorce, asset division, custody and family law matters in Singapore.
We obtain Mareva injunctions (freezing orders) — including worldwide orders — to preserve assets pending the outcome of the case. Asset tracing then locates funds held through trusts, companies or nominee structures. See our Mareva explainer and third-party jurisdiction guide.
No. In UDA v UDB, a five-judge Court of Appeal confirmed the family court has no jurisdiction to make orders against third parties. Claims against third-party-held assets must proceed through separate civil proceedings. Our full guidance on third-party assets explains the options.
The court divides matrimonial assets based on contributions, needs, and the welfare of any children. High-value cases require asset mapping and valuation evidence assembled before negotiation.
A trust that exists on paper while the settlor-spouse treats the assets as his own will be tested on evidence. Sham arrangements created to dilute the matrimonial pool can be struck down in High Court proceedings. We defeated an “Ancestral Home” trust claim in reported case law.
Jurisdiction depends on domicile, residence and habitual residence. Cross-border enforcement adds complexity. Our practice regularly handles international matrimonial matters.
This constitutes wrongful removal. Urgent interim orders can restrain removal, deposit passports, and alert checkpoints. The Hague Convention applies where the destination country is a signatory. See our guide to wrongful removal of children from Singapore.
Depends on complexity — simple contested matters may conclude within months; complex asset divisions and custody battles can extend to years. Preparation and early legal advice accelerate outcomes.
Yes. We act as lead counsel in contested divorces to the High Court and Court of Appeal.
Facing a contested divorce, or worried about where the assets really are? Speak to our matrimonial team — call (65) 6226 1233 or request a callback.