Siow Chang Yao
About Siow Chang Yao
Siow Chang Yao appears as counsel of record in 5 reported Malaysia judgments (2025–2026). These were heard before MYHC (4) and MYCOA (1).
On the court record
Siow Chang Yao's reported practice is in commercial contract litigation, appearing mainly in the High Court and also in the Court of Appeal, and acting principally for defendants and appellants.
A recurring theme is the enforceability of settlement agreements. In related suits involving Garden Flora Exports Sdn Bhd and counterparties including MZ Multitrade Sdn Bhd, MZ Polymers Sdn Bhd and Black Tulip Trades Sdn Bhd, he acted for defendants where the central question was whether settlement agreements were sham agreements or valid and enforceable. The court examined whether there was a common intention to give a false impression, an allegation of coercion under section 15 of the Contracts Act 1950 said to vitiate consent, and the weight of police reports on alleged threats — ultimately finding no coercion proven, because the alleged offence was not identified, material witnesses were not called, and there was no corroboration, so the agreements stood.
His commercial work also includes a High Court suit involving Ann Joo Green Energy Sdn Bhd and a counterparty, in which he acted for defendants on a claim for breach of a collaboration cum sale-of-business agreement met by a counterclaim for breach of a shareholders agreement and a shares subscription agreement, the dispute turning on which side breached which agreement and on liability for sums due under invoices and a balance purchase price.
He has also appeared in tort. Acting for an appellant in a Court of Appeal negligence matter involving neighbours, a contractor and a civil engineer, he was engaged on the appellate approach to the reassessment of damages and on whether losses stemming from the loss of use of property are special damages that must be pleaded or general damages. The practice is contract and commercial litigation, with a particular focus on whether agreements are genuine and how consent to them is proved.
How many cases has Siow Chang Yao appeared in?
Siow Chang Yao appears as counsel of record in 5 reported Malaysia judgments (2025–2026).
Which courts does Siow Chang Yao appear in?
Siow Chang Yao appears before MYHC (4) and MYCOA (1).
What does Siow Chang Yao focus on in these decisions?
Commercial contract litigation, with a strong line of work on the enforceability of settlement agreements. His matters include the settlement-agreement suits involving Garden Flora Exports Sdn Bhd, a collaboration-agreement dispute involving Ann Joo Green Energy Sdn Bhd, and a negligence damages appeal.
What was in issue in the settlement-agreement suits?
Whether the settlement agreements were sham agreements or valid and enforceable. The court considered whether there was a common intention to create a false impression, an allegation of coercion under section 15 of the Contracts Act 1950 said to vitiate consent, and police reports on alleged threats. It found no coercion proven — the alleged offence was not identified, material witnesses were not called and there was no corroboration — so the agreements were upheld. He acted for defendants.
What did the negligence appeal concern?
A Court of Appeal matter involving neighbours, a contractor and a civil engineer, in which he acted for an appellant. It concerned the appellate approach to the reassessment of damages and whether losses from the loss of use of property are special damages that must be specifically pleaded or general damages.