LL.B. (Hons) London, United Kingdom, C.L.P., FIMI, ACI Arb. (UK)
Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya

Mr. Andrew Suresh Thanaraja joined Gurdial Bakan Singh as a partner in 2008. He brings a great deal of experience in litigation to the Firm. He is a member of the Investigating Tribunal of the Advocates and Solicitors’ Disciplinary Board and he is also an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, United Kingdom.

He began legal practice with leading banking law firm, Messrs Paul Chong & Kraal in 1995 and rose to the rank of partner. During his tenure, Andrew was involved in all aspects of Banking and general litigation and represented the Firm’s leading banking clients in areas of debt recovery including hire purchase, foreclosure, credit and charge cards. Currently, he advises foreign and local entities in the areas of arbitration, motor trade, sports law, shipping, aviation, intellectual property, family matters, landlord and tenant disputes and criminal law.

While Andrew has extensive experience in handling Subordinate Court and Appellate Court trials, he is also known for his negotiation skills in resolving disputes out of court.

A motoring enthusiast, Andrew regularly contributes articles to a number of leading local and foreign publications, is a Fellow of The Institute of the Motor Industry, United Kingdom (FIMI) and legal advisor to the Institute’s Malaysian chapter and other motoring clubs and associations. He is also a member of the International Association of Sports Law and Sports Lawyers Network.

Andrew heads the firm’s Motor Trade and Sports Law Group, a pioneering specialized department with in-depth understanding and appreciation of the commercial and regulatory issues that affect the motor industry in the region. He advises on the relevant areas of law in the sector; for example: the supply of goods and services, manufacturer’s liability, dealership and importer agreements, hire purchase, negligence, employment, intellectual property, leasing, agency and insurance.

In the field of motor sport, he provides practical legal advice and assistance to race team owners, drivers, agents, manufacturers, suppliers, event managers and sponsors involved in national and international automotive sporting events. Besides consultancy on local conventional laws, Andrew also appraises clients on the FIA ( Federation Internationale de l’ Automobile ) Statutes, FIA International Sporting Code and rulings of the FIA International Court of Appeal.

Apart from motor sport, Andrew also offers consultancy and advisory services to businesses, organisations and individuals involved in the sport of Equine and Golf. The firm also opens its doors to all parties and individuals (sportsmen and sportswomen) in other sporting fields, primarily to generate awareness and to educate them of their legal rights and obligations in the respective areas of sports.