A Practice Built on
Patience and Precision
Budi Partners was founded on the conviction that commercial disputes deserve thoughtful, structured resolution — not prolonged adversarial proceedings.
Return HomeFounded on the Principle of Considered Resolution
Budi Partners was established in 2009 by a small group of advocates who had observed, first-hand, how conventional litigation could exhaust the parties it was meant to serve. The firm was built around a different premise: that most commercial disputes have a resolution within reach, provided the process is well-structured and the counsel is candid about the options.
The name "Budi" — drawn from the Malay and Javanese concept of refined wisdom and gracious conduct — reflects the firm's foundational approach. We do not seek to escalate matters. We help clients understand where they stand, what a fair outcome looks like, and how to reach it through arbitration or mediation with minimal friction.
Over the years, the firm has developed a particular focus on AIAC-administered proceedings, international commercial arbitration with a Malaysian nexus, and court-annexed mediation programmes. Our practitioners have appeared before arbitral tribunals constituted under various institutional rules, and have advised parties on enforcement across multiple jurisdictions.
Today, Budi Partners operates from Bukit Damansara — a deliberate choice of a quieter, professional address suited to the confidential nature of our work — and serves commercial parties, in-house legal teams, and foreign law firms seeking a reliable Malaysian seat.
Our Mission
To provide arbitration and mediation representation that is honest about complexity, respectful of cost, and focused on achieving durable resolutions for commercial parties.
Our Vision
A Malaysian legal practice recognised for its measured, principled approach to dispute resolution — contributing to a stronger commercial arbitration environment across the ASEAN region.
Our Values
Candour in counsel. Precision in process. Respect for the confidence placed in us by each client — and for the time and resources that dispute resolution requires of all parties.
The Budi Partners Team
Each member of our practice brings focused experience in arbitration and mediation — not a general litigation background adapted for the purpose.
Sharifah Raudhah
Managing Partner, Arbitration PracticeCalled to the Malaysian Bar in 1997. Over two decades of experience in AIAC domestic arbitration and international commercial matters. Former AIAC Practitioner Committee member. Particular expertise in construction and infrastructure disputes.
Krishnamurthy Arumugam
Partner, International ArbitrationLLM (International Arbitration), National University of Singapore. Handles cross-border matters under SIAC, ICC, and LCIA rules. Advises on seat selection, governing law, and enforcement strategy across ASEAN and Middle Eastern jurisdictions.
Nurhana Ahmad
Senior Associate, Mediation & ADRCertified mediator accredited through the Malaysian Mediation Centre. Manages court-annexed mediation mandates and AIAC mediation proceedings. Known for her methodical preparation of mediation briefs and settlement frameworks.
How We Practise
Budi Partners adheres to a structured set of professional and ethical standards that govern how each engagement is conducted — from initial instruction to final resolution.
Bar Council Compliance
All practitioners hold valid Practising Certificates under the Malaysian Bar and adhere to the Legal Profession (Practice and Etiquette) Rules 1978 and related professional conduct standards.
Strict Confidentiality
All matter information is handled under strict professional confidentiality. Physical and digital files are managed with access controls appropriate to the sensitivity of arbitration and mediation proceedings.
Written Engagement Terms
Every instruction is formalised with a written engagement letter setting out scope, fees, and cost estimates. No work proceeds without client confirmation of the terms.
Conflict of Interest Screening
All new instructions are subject to a conflict-of-interest check before engagement is accepted. Clients are informed promptly if any potential conflict is identified.
Continuing Professional Development
All practitioners complete the Bar Council's CPD requirements annually and attend specialist programmes in arbitration law, international proceedings, and ADR developments.
Malaysian Mediation Centre Accreditation
Our mediation practitioners hold current accreditation from the Malaysian Mediation Centre (MMC), meeting the standards required for court-referred and voluntary commercial mediation.
Arbitration and Mediation Expertise in Kuala Lumpur
Commercial disputes in Malaysia are increasingly resolved outside the courts. The growth of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) as a leading regional institution, combined with increasing use of mediation as a cost-effective first step, has changed how many businesses approach conflict resolution. Budi Partners operates at the centre of this development — a firm shaped specifically for this environment rather than adapted from a litigation background.
The firm's experience extends across the construction sector, financial services, joint venture disagreements, distribution disputes, technology contracts, and cross-border commercial matters. Practitioners bring analytical rigour to the process of understanding a dispute — identifying early what the real issues are, where each party's position is sustainable, and what a workable outcome requires. This clarity drives better preparation and, in many cases, earlier resolution.
Budi Partners also advises corporate and in-house legal teams on dispute resolution clauses in commercial contracts — seat selection, arbitral institution choice, governing law, and mediation-first pathways. Well-drafted clauses reduce procedural friction when disputes arise and can materially affect the outcome of any subsequent proceedings.
Start a Conversation
We welcome enquiries from commercial parties at any stage — whether a dispute is developing, has been formally commenced, or where you need advice on drafting better dispute resolution provisions.
Contact Budi Partners