What Our Clients
Have Experienced
Commercial parties across Malaysia and the ASEAN region share their experience working with Budi Partners through arbitration, mediation, and dispute resolution proceedings.
Back to HomePerspectives from the Proceedings
Reviews from parties represented in commercial disputes
"We engaged Budi Partners for a construction contract dispute that had stalled for over two years. Their approach to the AIAC proceedings was methodical and well-prepared. The matter concluded with a result that, while not everything we hoped for, was fair and gave us certainty. The counsel was frank with us throughout, which we valued."
"Cross-border disputes involving Singapore counterparties require counsel familiar with both Malaysian and SIAC procedures. Budi Partners handled our freight and logistics arbitration with that fluency. The mediation they arranged before the formal hearing saved us considerable time and cost. A professional and capable team."
"We had concerns about the cost and length of formal arbitration. Budi Partners proposed a structured mediation track first, which resolved the commercial dispute in about six weeks. The process was less adversarial than I expected and the outcome workable for both parties. I would use them again for a complex dispute."
"Our joint venture fell apart and we needed someone who understood both commercial law and arbitration procedure under the AIAC rules. Budi Partners were composed and thorough under pressure. The award we obtained covered the principal amount and costs. The team's written submissions were particularly strong."
"Engaging foreign arbitral institutions can feel daunting when your counterparty insists on ICC rules. Budi Partners navigated this without hesitation and worked competently alongside our Singapore co-counsel. Communication throughout was clear and timely. We secured a favourable partial award on liability."
"A shareholder dispute within a family-owned business needs delicacy as well as legal rigour. Budi Partners understood that. They steered us through a mediation process that preserved the relationships that mattered while producing a binding settlement. Not an easy case — they managed it well."
Selected Dispute Outcomes
Representative matters across sectors and proceedings types
The Challenge
A Kuala Lumpur technology company faced a RM 4.2 million claim from a former software development partner following termination of a long-term services agreement. The claimant alleged wrongful termination and unpaid milestone payments. The matter was referred to AIAC arbitration under the Asian International Arbitration Centre Rules.
Our Approach
Budi Partners conducted a detailed review of the services agreement, change order correspondence, and project delivery records. We built a counter-narrative around documented non-performance and advance payments made, filed a counterclaim for RM 1.1 million in wasted expenditure, and proposed a joint technical expert process to establish the true state of deliverables.
The Outcome
The arbitral tribunal dismissed the primary claim in full. Our client's counterclaim succeeded in part, with an award of RM 680,000 plus partial costs. The proceedings concluded within 14 months of commencement. The client avoided reputational proceedings in the civil courts and maintained its ability to pursue the sector commercially.
The Challenge
Two Penang-based trading companies in a long-standing supply arrangement experienced a breakdown following a price escalation dispute and allegations of short delivery. Neither party wished to go to court and risk disclosure of commercially sensitive pricing terms. The relationship had spanned 11 years and both parties wished to preserve some form of trading continuity.
Our Approach
We recommended a structured mediation process under the Malaysian Mediation Centre rules. Budi Partners prepared both a detailed position paper and a confidential mediator's brief, identifying the genuine issues beneath the stated positions. Three mediation sessions over eight weeks addressed delivery obligations, pricing adjustment mechanisms, and the transition to a revised supply structure.
The Outcome
A binding settlement agreement was reached at the conclusion of the third session. The settlement included a revised three-year supply contract, a partial credit for disputed deliveries, and a pricing review mechanism. The trading relationship continued. Total elapsed time from engagement to signed settlement: nine weeks.
The Challenge
A Malaysian property developer entered into a joint venture with a Hong Kong-registered entity for a mixed development project in Johor. Following project delays and cost overruns, the Hong Kong party initiated ICC arbitration in Singapore, claiming RM 18 million in damages and seeking termination of the joint venture. Enforcement risk across jurisdictions was a significant concern.
Our Approach
Budi Partners engaged Singapore co-counsel and took the lead on Malaysian law issues, including the enforceability of joint venture terms, statutory planning obligations, and the proper interpretation of delay provisions. We filed a detailed Defence and Counterclaim challenging causation of delays and the quantum methodology used by the claimant's experts.
The Outcome
The ICC tribunal issued a partial award on liability finding concurrent delay. The primary claim was reduced to RM 5.3 million. The joint venture was not terminated and the project proceeded under a revised governance structure. Our client avoided a termination outcome that would have disrupted wider development financing arrangements.
Reach Our Counsel
Jalan Dungun, Bukit Damansara
50490 Kuala Lumpur
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