Salem Ibrahim was recently instructed as Lead Counsel in a matter involving an experienced Chinese businessman who had invested in a Singapore-incorporated private limited company that promoted Mandarin through educational services. The core issue before the High Court was whether such an implied term, said to be agreed orally, could amount to a legally enforceable guarantee. Mr Salem Ibrahim argued that any such oral promise could not amount to a binding guarantee under Singapore law as it was against section 6(b) of the Civil Law Act 1909, which provides that guarantees must be in writing. The Court agreed and dismissed the claim, finding that the purported implied guarantee was legally untenable.