Tan & Tan Lawyers and Barristers

About Tan & Tan Lawyers

Lawyers' Profile

Counsel's Profile

Practical legal advice that saves you money. That is our Aim. We are one of the oldest Asian law firm in Perth. The practice originated in Singapore. We are a unique multilingual law firm in Western Australia.

Our practice motto:

"Protecting your interest, saving you money"

At first glance our motto look to be conflicting i.e. how can a lawyer save me money? “Protecting your interest while saving your money” is precisely our aim. Our aim is to provide legal advice that is practical and sensible. Often the client is blinded by emotion and/or ”principles” and we consider it our job to ensure that the client understands the concept of principle vs. costs. We also pride ourselves on ensuring we are tenacious, responsible and earnest in achieving our client's needs.

The founder of the firm, Charles Tan, first built his practice in Singapore but fell in love with the Western Australian lifestyle and thus moved his practice here. His brother, Raymond Tan, the current principal and director of the Company, had a vision of creating a unique multilingual law firm in Western Australia, serving not only Western Australians but also the rest of the world. This was achieved through his imaginative use of the internet through the firm’s “Free Email Legal Advice Service” and through interaction with other independent law firms in the world. Raymond Tan is the founding member of “Gail – Global Association of Independent Lawyers.

Having served the Western Australians over more than 20 years, Tan & Tan Lawyers is one of the oldest Asian law firm in Perth. Tan and Tan Lawyers have been providing FREE email legal advice to the public for well over 5 years as part of their belief in giving back to society.

Raymond Tan, Director
From the streets of Tiong Bahru, Singapore to Perth , Western Australia, Who is Raymond?

The law practice of Tan and Tan Lawyers Pty Ltd have been around for over 25 years. The director, Raymond Tan took over the practice from his brother Charles Tan in July 2003.
Raymond and Charles come from a family of 10. They have a modest background. Mum was a seamstress while dad was a taxi driver. Raymond is the youngest son of the Tan clan.

There was not much parental control as the result of the large family. Raymond spent much of his youth hanging around his neighbourhood in Tiong Bahru, Singapore. That was the equivalent of the slums in any country.

His youngest memories are of hanging around a banana warehouse that had bananas delivered in bulk for sale to marketstall holders. That was at a ripe age of 10 years. Raymond and his young friends used to help the workers unload the bananas for distribution. The left over bananas were given to Raymond and his friends for them to sell at their discretion. Raymond would bring the bananas to the local market and sell them. He learnt a substantial amount of negotiation skills through those experiences. Those lessons in negotiations have helped him and his clients obtain the best possible results whenever negotiations are required.

Raymond has had experience working in numerous jobs including floral delivery man, teaching at a primary school, construction worker, office boy etc. He did his “A” levels in “night school” while working full time as an office boy. Those experiences have helped him to communicate easily with lay persons.

From a young age of 15, he wanted to be a lawyer as it meant helping the less fortunate who are unable to defend themselves. His brother Charles was already a lawyer and was instrumental in fostering in Raymond the love of the law.
Raymond was called to the English Bar at Inner Temple, UK in September 1988. He was called to the Western Australia bar in March 1990.

He became the first Asian Notary Public in 19 December 2003. He is currently an Honorary Legal Advisor to the Chung Wah Association, Perth WA which is the biggest association in Western Australia serving the needs of the Asian community.
Raymond believes that a lawyer must always look after his client’s interest first. To do that it is important that the lawyer stays objective.

His favourite analogy is that of a client swimming in the swamp full of crocodiles. The client does not want his lawyer with him in the swamp. He wants his lawyer on the riverbank and directing the client away from the danger. The lawyer can only do that if the lawyer does not get emotionally involved with the client’s problems.

Tan and Tan Lawyers have a simple mission statement:
Protect our client’s interest and save them money.

To find out more about Raymond, read his blog at http://www.tanandtanlawyers.blogspot.com/

Charles Tan, Founding solicitor and now the Senior Consultant to the Practice
Charles Tan, Founding solicitor and now the Senior Consultant to the Practice
Born in Singapore and educated at Singapore's premier secondary school, Raffles Institution. He completed a 5-year Apprenticeship with the British Royal Navy until the calling of the Law and Justice precipitated his entry to the University of Singapore.

In one of his first jobs, Charles worked as an articled clerk to Mr David Marshall. Those conversant with Singapore history will recognise that Mr David Marshall was the most famous criminal lawyer in Singapore in his time, widely known as the doyen of the Singapore Criminal Bar. Charles was admitted to the Singapore Bar in August 1976, Western Australia Bar in November 1979 and the Victorian Bar in August 1994.

He started Charles Tan and Co. in Singapore in 1978 and in Perth in 1982. He registered Tan and Tan Barristers and Solicitors in October 1992. Charles is a Commissioner for Affidavits of the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Charles has extensive experience in criminal law, civil litigation and general business law. Charles is also honorary legal adviser to the Indo China Chinese Benevolent Society of Western Australia (Inc) and the Chinese Aged Society of WA (Inc).

On a personal note, Charles is married with three children, is a golf fanatic and has, many times been said to have a dry wit with a wry sense of humour.

Dr. Yin Kwan Wong, Lawyer
Born in Malaysia. Graduated with degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Singapore in 1972, Master of Medicine (Paediatrics) from The University of Singapore in 1975, Diploma of Child Health from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1976 and admitted to Membership of The Royal College of Physicians ( U.K) in 1976. Migrated to Australia in 1976, and commenced general medical practice in 1978 after two years as paediatric registrar at Princess Margaret Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital . He is currently a Fellow of the Australian College of Legal Medicine.

Studied law as an external student through the University of London in 1994, graduating with LL.B in 1997. Has a special interest in medical and health law.

Has been registered as a Migration agent since 2002. His registration number is 0213334.

Annie Sim, Practice Manager
Annie Sim is the manager for Tan and Tan Lawyers. Her background includes an Arts degree from Monash University and a Diploma from the London Institute of Management.

She also has a diploma in Business Management/Real Estate.
She manages the settlement division of Tan and Tan Lawyers. She is also the licensee for www.realestateportfolio.com.au

Brian Bennett, Consultant
Brian Bennett arrived in Western Australia from South Africa in 1977. He has been admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in the State for more than 25 years.

Brian managed his own general practice for over 20 years more recently as Brian G Bennett and Co. He has dealt mainly in family law and probate matters. Brian joined our practice in March 2008 as a consultant.

Brian is a keen runner and trains regularly by running over a total of 30 kms a week.

Venu Gopal Kurup, LLB (HONS) University of Singapore
Venu graduated from University of Singapore with LLB (Hons) in 1978. He was admitted as an Advocate & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in January 1979.

Venu was in private practice in Singapore from 1979 to March 2006, when he retired to relocate to Perth. Venu was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia as a Barrister and Solicitor on 5 March 2008.

Venu’s current area of practice is Family Law, Personal Injuries, Probate and Criminal Cases

Wee Chong Tay
Born in Singapore and went to school at Maris Stella Primary School and Raffles Institution. He is bilingual in Mandarin and English. He graduated from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand in December 1992.

He was called to the bar at Lincoln’s Inn of Court, United Kingdom in July 1994. He was admitted as an advocate and solicitor in the Singapore Supreme Court in July 1995. He has practiced in Singapore as a lawyer in civil and commercial litigation as well as arbitration for 12 years. He was involved in several landmark cases reported in the Singapore Law Reports.

In 2007, he migrated to Perth and was admitted to practice in Western Australia in 2008.

Pierre S. Yang, Lawyer

Pierre graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts in 2007.

Pierre has been working as an Articled Clerk at Tan and Tan Lawyers since graduation. Originally from PR China, Pierre has been able to utilise his bi-lingual skills at work.

In his own time, he is undertaking an honours study in Political Science and International Relations at UWA and a Masters degree in Accounting at Curtin University of Technology.

Pierre has been actively involved in the community from a very young age. Pierre is a member of the Australian Army Reserve, his local RSL, the Gosnells City Roadwise Committee and a number of other community organisations.

Sometimes, in the interest of ensuring best representation for our client, we do refer cases to specialist lawyers who are experts in their selected field of law. Such persons are specialist counsel who practice as barristers.

Just like a medical practitioner who practises as a GP, if the case is complex, the GP may refer the patient to a specialist like a brain surgeon.

In the legal profession, the specialist is called counsel or a barrister.

I am sometimes asked what the difference is, between a Barrister and a Solicitor. In simple terms it dates back to the old London days. In England, a Barrister predominantly goes to court to argue cases. The Solicitor is not given the right of audience in the Courts other than the lower courts. Barristers therefore are instructed by Solicitors to represent the Solicitor’s clients when matters go to trial. The paperwork for preparing for trial is usually prepared by the Solicitor. Barristers do not see clients other than through a referral from a Solicitor.

In Western Australia, the legal profession is fused in that a lawyer like Raymond Tan can work as a Barrister or a Solicitor. Then you have lawyers like the counsel represented on this web page who decide they only want to do Barrister’s work. Hence they practise in an office called a Bar Chambers. (No, we are always informed that the Bar Chambers does not dispense alcohol though we have our suspicions).

Another snippet of legal history. The next time you see a lawyer in the courts wearing one of their black gowns and wig, you will notice a pouch like pocket at the back of their gowns. Traditionally, the pouch was used by the clients to place the Barrister’s honorarium (or fees) as it was beneath the Barrister to be handed money direct. The World has changed since those times. Nowadays the pouches are sealed as we expect cheques or cash.

The Counsel that we have a close working relationship with is listed here.

Anthony John Aristei

Qualifications

Bachelor of Jurisprudence - University of Western Australia 1982
Bachelor of Laws - University of Western Australia 1983
Masters of Law with Distinction - University of Western Australia 1991
Master of Studies in Law - Oxford University (England)

Admitted to Practice

5th March 1985 (Western Australia)
1986 (Victoria, New South Wales)

Profile

1985 - 1991 - practiced as a solicitor, and later partner of Messrs Hammond King, commercial lawyers – and was principally engaged in commercial, property and civil litigation, both as solicitor and counsel.

1991 - 1994 - Awarded Chevenning Scholarship to Oxford University, UK and completed post-graduate law qualifications.

1994 - 1996 - Practiced as an associate partner of Messrs Barker Gosling - as a commercial litigation lawyer.

1996 - Joined the West Australian Bar Association and has thereafter practiced principally in the areas of commercial, corporate and property litigation.

2003 - Joined John Toohey Chambers, Perth.

Heinrich Moser

Admitted to Practice

High Court of Australia (1995)
Western Australia (1995)

Professional Appointments/Employment

Tertiary Education at University of Zürich, Switzerland and University of Western Australia, LLM (UWA)
Accredited Family Arbitrator
Articled Clerk and Solicitor, Paterson & Dowding 1990 - 1997
Partner, Paterson & Dowding 1997 - 1999
Barrister, Wickham Chambers 1999 -

Preferred Areas of Practice

Appeals / Arbitration/Mediation / Child Welfare / Civil Litigation / Coronial Inquiries / Equity & Trusts / Family Provision After Death / Family/De Facto / Immigration / Intellectual Property / International / Medical Negligence / Personal Injuries / Professional Negligence

Ken Robson

Qualifications

B Juris (Hons), LLB (Hons)

Areas of Practice

Administrative & Constitutional / Appeals / Banking & Finance / Bankruptcy & Insolvency / Commercial & Civil Litigation / Common Law / Corporations / Equity & Trusts / Insurance / Negligence / Property & Conveyancing / Trade Practices / Wills & Estates.

Profile

Company law specialist including mergers and takovers, stock exchange, compliance, insolvency, family company issues, initial public offers, securities issues, managed investment schemes, financial services and financial markets.

Also advisory and representing in commercial matters. Government clients. Appellate representation, including in the High Court.

Author of Ken Robson's Annotated Corporations Act. To be appointed to the Takeovers Panel.

Brian Nugawela

Phone	(08) 9323 7755
Fax	(08) 9323 7701
Email	bnugawela@johntooheychambers.net.au
Mobile	0419 887 811
Chambers	John Toohey Chambers Level 3, Council House 27-29 St George's Terrace PERTH WA 6000 Phone: (08) 9323 7778
Qualifications	LLB (UWA)
Admitted to Practice	1992 (WA), 1993 (HCA), 2006 (Qld)

Profile

Admitted to practice in 1993, Brian worked as a solicitor for 7 years principally in all aspects of law pertaining to personal injuries before joining the independent Bar in 2000.

Since joining the Bar, Brian has established a busy and successful practice doing opinion work and trial and appellate advocacy in all areas of personal injuries and worker's compensation litigation - appearing in all State Courts and the High Court. He joined John Toohey Chambers in 2007.

Brian is a Past President of Australian Plaintiff Lawyers Association.

Membership of Professional Organisations

Australian Lawyers Alliance
Law Society WA

Principal Areas of Practice

Appeals
Asbestos litigation
Criminal injuries compensation
Fatal accidents
Insurance ( including income protection & disability claims)
Medical & Professional negligence
Negligence
Personal injuries litigation
Torts
Workers compensation law

Robert Lindsay

Chambers	Sir Clifford Grant Chambers
Year admitted to practice	1989 (WA), 1971 (England), 1982 (VIC, SA)
Year elected to WABA	2000

Robert forms part of the team in the Tan and Tan Lawyers board of consultant barristers. Robert specialises in the field of criminal law, corporate fraud cases and migration law. He has practised in Fiji , Belize and the UK before migrating to Perth.