S.L.M. Counsel
Singapore business district skyline viewed through a modern office window

Corporate law Singapore

Corporate Law Advisory Built for Business

Building and protecting a business in Singapore demands more than a template. S.L.M. Counsel gives owners and in-house counsel a legal framework that anticipates growth, conflict, and regulation.

Get Corporate Assistance

A practical legal partner

Our Corporate Law Services

The right advice changes as a company grows. We handle the documents, decisions, and filings that keep your business moving.

Company Incorporation & Structuring

Choose the right structure for a private limited company, branch office, or representative office. We prepare the constitution and organise the ACRA filing.

Learn more

Shareholder & Joint Venture Agreements

Set clear rules for control, funding, reserved matters, transfers, and exits. Your shareholder agreement should address pressure points before they become disputes.

Learn more

Corporate Governance & Compliance

Meet director duties, AGM obligations, ACRA filing deadlines, and regulatory updates with a governance plan suited to your company.

Learn more

Mergers & Acquisitions

We support due diligence, deal structure, negotiations, and transaction documents for mid-market acquisitions and investments.

Learn more

Restructuring & Insolvency

Plan schemes of arrangement, judicial management, or winding up with advice that keeps directors focused on their legal duties.

Learn more

Company incorporation

Starting a Company in Singapore: Our Step-by-Step Approach

A clean start prevents expensive corrections later. We make each decision visible.

1

Initial scoping

We compare the entity type, ownership model, business activity, and capital structure against your plans.

2

Documentation

We draft the constitution, shareholders' agreement, consents, and registers so the founding record matches the deal.

3

Filing & approval

We coordinate ACRA incorporation and the regulatory notifications connected with your proposed business activities.

4

Post-incorporation

We arrange share certificates, statutory registers, signing authorities, and a governance framework for the first board cycle.

Matter highlight

How We Structured a Joint Venture for Regional Expansion

Client

A Singapore F&B group and a regional logistics partner needed a workable ownership plan.

Challenge

They needed aligned control while protecting intellectual property and investment.

Our solution

We prepared a shareholders' agreement with deadlock-breaking mechanisms, reserved matters, and phased capital calls.

Result

The partners launched in three new markets within the agreed operating plan.

9 months to launch in 3 new markets

Clear answers

Corporate Law Frequently Asked Questions

Short answers for the decisions that tend to arrive first.

What are the key differences between a private limited company and a branch office?

A private limited company is a separate Singapore legal entity with its own shareholders and directors. A branch office belongs to its overseas parent, which remains responsible for the branch's obligations.

How can a shareholders' agreement protect minority shareholders?

It can set voting thresholds, reserved matters, information rights, transfer controls, and tag-along protections. These terms give minority investors a defined voice when major decisions are made.

What are the annual compliance requirements for a Singapore company?

Most companies must maintain registers, prepare accounts, hold or dispense with an AGM where permitted, and file an annual return with ACRA. The exact work depends on size, status, and reporting requirements.

How long does a typical M&A transaction take?

A straightforward private transaction may take several months. Due diligence findings, regulatory approvals, financing, negotiations, and the number of entities involved will affect the timetable.

Plan the next decision

Build Your Corporate Foundation With Confidence

Discuss your corporate legal needs with the business law team at S.L.M. Counsel.

Request a consultation