Brunei

While few global or regional firms are on the ground in Brunei, many maintain Brunei practices in nearby Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok.  

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Established in 1986, Abrahams, Davidson & Co. is one of the largest firms in the country. The firm advises both local and international clients, including individuals, entrepreneurs, companies, multinationals and government bodies. Its IP practice primarily offers advice and provides trademark registration services. Partner Ahmad Basuni Hj Abbas is a key contact of the firm.  

AIP Law is a full-service law firm staffed by eight lawyers and 25 staff, and is one of the oldest law firms in Brunei. Partner Nur’Azizah Ahmad is the firm’s go-to contact for IP matters; Aisha Alkaff is the firm’s managing partner. The firm was previously known as Ahmad Isa & Partners. 

With four partners, four associates and one consultant, CCW Partnership is the winner of Asia IP’s 2024 Brunei IP Firm of the Year award. The firm was founded in 1980 and used to be known as Choo, Chan & Wong; today, it has a leading reputation in IP and other areas of commercial and civil disputes, including construction, banking, property and insurance. Partner On Hung Zheng is a key IP contact at the full-service law firm; he has appeared before the High Court and Court of Appeal of Brunei Darussalam. The firm has four partners and four associates; it filed 109 trademark and eight patent applications last year.  

Cheok Advocates & Solicitors is a full-service law firm noted primarily for its banking, corporate and conveyancing work, but the firm also handles litigation in both civil and criminal practice and patent and trademark matters. Managing partner Robin Cheok leads the team’s litigation team, which handles IP work for the firm. 

Dr Colin Ong Legal Services has a broad range of commercial practice areas and has been recognized for its international dispute resolution work. Colin Ong is highly-recommended for arbitration work.  

Singapore firm Harry Elias Partnership was founded in 1988 and established an office called HEP Law in Brunei Darussalam in 2012. After a merger with Eversheds Sutherland in 2017, the firms amicably demerged in June 2020. The firm is noted for its work in corporate, employment, international arbitration, intellectual property, litigation and dispute management as well as regulatory compliance matters.  

Mirandah Asia handles Brunei IP issues through its office in Singapore, where director Gladys Mirandah brings more than 35 years of IP experience. The firm is noted for its work in ASEAN countries and elsewhere, and has offices in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Hanoi, Manila and Bangkok, as well as significant experience in Laos, Cambodia and India.  

YC Lee & Lee provides advice on intellectual property, as well as banking and finance, civil litigation, insurance, companies and securities, insolvency, arbitration and consular relations. Managing partner Yew Choh Lee is a key contact for IP matters. He is also the owner of IP Sentinel Services. 

Yusof Halim & Partners (YHP Law) advises on contentious and non-contentious IP matters. Managing partner Eugene Loh is called a “tenacious litigator” in a wide range of matters, including commercial disputes. Partner Kamal Bin Shaari leads the firm’s IP team.