Laura Yeap
Qualifying as a Solicitor of Senior Courts of England and Wales in 2011, Laura Yeap has comprehensive experience in resolving cross-border disputes such as contractual, business and trade conflicts involving multinational corporations, state-owned enterprises, businesses, and senior company executives. Like all types of disputes, cross-border disputes have several methods available for the involving parties to resolve their differences, for example, through negotiations, mediation, arbitration and litigation. As a multilinguist appreciating diversity, Laura connects easily with a wider range of individuals from different cultural backgrounds and traditions at a professional level, facilitating smoother business relationships and collaborations transcending borders.
As a multi-lingual who speaks five languages who was born and raised in Malaysia, Laura is familiar with multi-cultural dynamics, and is committed to promote an inclusive workplace culture. She sees cultural diversity as an asset to the business, with people from different cultural perspectives bringing a variety of ideas and solutions to the table. For multinational businesses, whether they are entering new markets or maintaining international business relationships, a diverse workforce can provide better insights and connections with a broader range of clients.
Experience:
Employment
Since 2011, Laura has worked closely with many professionals and experts involving cross-border disputes and advised on a wide spectrum of business issues including employment. Bridging the differences in cultures and languages between the parties throughout business deals, or facilitating discussions during settlement negotiations in a dispute, she navigates through different jurisdictions with ease. Her practical but empathetic approach makes her popular with reputable boutique businesses and senior management level employees from multinational corporations or state-owned companies.
With the permeation of technology into wider society, businesses are obtaining and controlling more data, whether voluntarily or subconsciously. Apart from providing traditional HR and employment support, Laura advises her clients on data security and data breaches involving current or former employees, and third parties. In recent years, she has dealt with cases involving unauthorised data access, some leading to serious business harm, requiring injunctions to prevent further harm or maintain the status quo until a legal resolution. Laura believes that prevention, if possible, is always better than cure and normally encourages her clients to handle data within their hands with full transparency and adherence to relevant laws.
Business and Contractual Disputes
It is very common for parties from different countries and/or jurisdictions to enter into a contract and encounter disagreements with the terms or performance of their contractual obligations. Laura often assist the parties to engage in direct discussions to reach a mutually acceptable agreement, finding a compromise to enable settlement. This could be through negotiation, mediation or arbitration.
Laura works alongside experienced counsels for parties wishing to present their case to one of more arbitrators acting as private judges. Depending on individual circumstances, the arbitrator’s decision is usually final and enforceable.
For clients who has obtained arbitral awards from abroad, Laura advises alongside counsels on enforcement of the awards within the United Kingdom and as part of the team for awards involving assets in more than one country.
When parties cannot reach a middle point in disputes, Laura is often instructed to commence legal proceedings within England and Wales, serving the claim within or outside the jurisdiction.
Due Diligence
Legal due diligence is a fundamental aspect of a practising solicitor’s work routine, identifying potential legal risks, liabilities, obligations affecting the party/parties to a transaction, allowing parties to make informed decisions. Laura works alongside other professionals as a team to perform legal due diligence on compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This is normally in line with reviewing of corporate documents and contractual documents.
On litigious matters, Laura examines and advises on prospective or ongoing claims or disputes to determine the potential impact of the proceedings or impending proceedings on the clients.
Laura Yeap
WK Legal - Director and Senior Partner
Ai Law - Director and Designated Partner
Lee & Kan Solicitors - Litigation Consultant