About the Firm
Built for the
Complexities of the Sea
A Kuala Lumpur admiralty practice founded on precision, professional integrity, and an enduring commitment to the maritime industry.
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Counsel Shaped by the Straits
Tuah Partners was established in Kuala Lumpur by practitioners who recognised a persistent gap in the Malaysian legal market: the need for a firm dedicated entirely to maritime and admiralty matters, rather than treating them as a peripheral department of a general commercial practice.
The name reflects the legacy of Hang Tuah — the celebrated Malay admiral whose navigational skill and loyalty to his charge became emblematic of maritime excellence in the region. We carry that spirit into every engagement: thorough, principled, and orientated toward the outcome our clients need.
Based in the heart of Kuala Lumpur's commercial district on Jalan P. Ramlee, our team advises shippers, shipowners, charterers, cargo interests, freight forwarders, and marine underwriters on the full spectrum of disputes that arise at sea, in port, and across international shipping contracts.
Over the years we have filed warrant of arrest applications in the Admiralty Division of the Malaysian High Court, coordinated London arbitration proceedings, and produced position papers on matters spanning Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, and beyond. Each engagement receives the same level of attention — methodical, documented, and directed toward a clear strategy.
Our Mission
To provide Malaysian and international maritime interests with access to admiralty counsel that combines specialist legal knowledge with a practical understanding of how the shipping industry operates — promptly, clearly, and without unnecessary complexity.
Our Approach
Every matter begins with a rigorous assessment of the facts and applicable law. We do not offer hollow reassurances. We provide a considered written position — a foundation your commercial decisions can rest on.
Our Values
- Precision over speed — without sacrificing urgency
- Transparent counsel — no withheld assessments
- Client interest above procedural convenience
- Documented work — position papers on every advisory
The Crew
Our Legal Team
Ahmad Zulkarnain
Managing Partner
Called to the Malaysian Bar in 2006. Specialises in admiralty actions in rem, ship arrests, and cargo litigation before the Malaysian High Court. Eighteen years of exclusive maritime practice.
Nurul Izzah Hashim
Senior Associate
LLM in Maritime Law from the University of Southampton. Advises on charter party disputes, demurrage claims, and P&I club matters. Fluent in English and Bahasa Malaysia.
Raymond Lim Chee Wah
Associate
Admitted 2019. Handles bill of lading dispute advisory, cargo damage assessments, and marine insurance coverage analysis. Background in commercial shipping prior to legal practice.
Professional Standards
Quality & Conduct
Our work is governed by the standards of the Malaysian Bar Council and informed by international best practice in maritime law.
Malaysian Bar Membership
All advocates are admitted to the Malaysian Bar and comply with the Legal Profession Act 1976 and the Bar Council's professional conduct rules.
Client Confidentiality
Legal professional privilege applies to all communications. Client information is not disclosed without consent except where required by law.
Written Position Papers
Every advisory engagement concludes with a written opinion — a documented assessment of liability, risk, and recommended next steps that clients can reference and share with insurers or P&I clubs.
Professional Indemnity Cover
The firm maintains professional indemnity insurance in compliance with the Malaysian Bar's requirements, providing clients with appropriate protection.
Convention Familiarity
Active monitoring of developments under the Hague-Visby Rules, Hamburg Rules, Rotterdam Rules, and Malaysian statute ensures advice reflects the current legal landscape.
Industry Memberships
Members of the Asian Pacific Maritime Lawyers Association and the Kuala Lumpur Law Society's commercial law committee, maintaining engagement with regional maritime developments.
Maritime Law Practice in Malaysia
Malaysia occupies a strategically significant position in global shipping lanes, with the Straits of Malacca serving as one of the world's busiest maritime passages. The country's legal framework for admiralty matters draws on the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1950, the Civil Law Act 1956, and the Courts of Judicature Act 1964, supplemented by the Hague-Visby Rules incorporated into Malaysian law. The Malaysian High Court's Admiralty Division in Kuala Lumpur exercises jurisdiction over actions in rem and in personam across the full range of maritime claims recognised under domestic and international law.
Tuah Partners' counsel understand the commercial pressures that drive cargo interests, shipowners, and charterers to seek resolution promptly and cost-effectively. Our advisory engagements are structured to deliver actionable guidance without unnecessary procedural delay. Position papers are produced with a defined scope, addressing the specific liability question raised by the client's circumstances rather than providing broad surveys of the law.
For matters that proceed beyond advisory to litigation or arbitration, we maintain working relationships with the Admiralty Division registry and with London maritime solicitors experienced in LMAA arbitration. Clients based across Southeast Asia — Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines — engage our services for the Malaysian law component of cross-border shipping disputes, confident that the work will be handled with the thoroughness their exposure demands.
Work with Us
Discuss Your Maritime Matter
Our counsel is available to assess your situation with clarity and candour. Contact us to arrange an initial discussion.
Contact Tuah Partners