About Corthane
A firm built on considered practice.
We take a measured approach to commercial legal work — attentive to detail, clear in communication, and oriented toward outcomes that serve our clients' actual interests.
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Where Corthane began
Corthane was established in Johor Bahru with a simple premise: that commercial legal work should be accessible to businesses of every size without sacrificing thoroughness or clarity. Our founding practitioners had each observed, through years in larger practices, that clients often received advice that was technically sound but difficult to act on — dense in legal qualification, short on practical guidance.
We set out to do things differently. From our first year of practice, we committed to taking the time to understand the operational context of each matter brought to us. A contract is not merely a document; it reflects the expectations and risk tolerance of the parties who will live with it. A compliance review is not merely a checklist; it is an assessment of how a real business function sits within the regulatory environment it operates in.
Since those early years, Corthane has built a practice covering three closely related disciplines: contract drafting and negotiation, regulatory compliance advisory, and civil litigation support. Each of these areas calls on overlapping knowledge — of Malaysian commercial law, of how courts and regulators tend to reason, and of how businesses actually function day to day.
Our office on Jalan Wong Ah Fook sits in the commercial heart of Johor Bahru, close to the institutions and businesses we regularly work alongside. We serve clients across Johor and the broader southern region of Peninsular Malaysia, and we handle matters involving cross-border dimensions where Malaysian law is engaged.
Our Mission
To provide legal counsel that is substantive, accessible, and genuinely useful — helping our clients make informed decisions with confidence in their legal standing.
Our Approach
We take time to understand the context behind every matter. Legal advice that does not account for commercial realities is of limited value to those who must act on it.
Our Commitment
Clear communication at every stage. We explain our reasoning, flag uncertainties honestly, and avoid language designed to obscure rather than illuminate.
The People
Those behind the work
Raymond Loh
Founding Partner
Called to the Malaysian Bar with over fourteen years of experience in commercial litigation and contract advisory. Leads the civil proceedings practice.
Siti Tan
Senior Associate
Specialises in regulatory compliance and data protection matters. Previously advised financial services clients across the ASEAN region.
Kavitha Rajah
Associate
Focuses on contract drafting for SME clients, with a background in corporate transactions and business advisory work in Johor and Kuala Lumpur.
How We Work
Our professional standards
Malaysian Bar Compliance
All practitioners are members of the Malaysian Bar and adhere to the Legal Profession Act 1976 and applicable practice directions.
Client Confidentiality
Legal professional privilege is maintained strictly. Client information is handled with discretion and is not shared beyond what is necessary for the matter.
Document Quality Review
All drafted documents undergo an internal review process before being shared with clients, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
Clear Communication
We commit to explaining legal advice in plain language and to responding to client queries within one working day during active engagements.
Personal Data Protection
Client data is managed in accordance with Malaysia's Personal Data Protection Act 2010. We do not retain information beyond the period necessary for each engagement.
Conflict of Interest Protocols
We conduct conflict checks before accepting instructions on any matter and communicate transparently if any potential conflict is identified.
Legal Expertise · Johor Bahru
Commercial legal work in Southern Malaysia
Corthane operates from Johor Bahru, a city whose commercial activity spans manufacturing, logistics, trade, and a growing service sector. The legal questions that arise in this environment — around business structures, commercial contracts, regulatory positioning, and dispute resolution — call for practitioners who understand not just the relevant statutes but the practical landscape businesses operate within.
Contract drafting in this environment requires attention to how agreements interact with Malaysian statutory provisions, including the Contracts Act 1950 and the Sale of Goods Act 1957, as well as sector-specific regulations that may apply to particular industries. A well-drafted agreement reduces the likelihood of misunderstanding and provides a reliable reference point if questions arise later.
Regulatory compliance work engages frameworks including the Companies Act 2016, the Personal Data Protection Act 2010, and the relevant licensing requirements administered by bodies such as the Companies Commission of Malaysia. Businesses that maintain clear compliance positions are better placed to respond to regulatory scrutiny and to pursue growth without the friction of unresolved gaps.
Civil litigation in Malaysia proceeds through the subordinate courts and the High Court, depending on the nature and quantum of the claim. Our familiarity with these processes — the pleading requirements, the procedural timelines, and the practical considerations of court attendance — allows us to advise clients on realistic pathways and to represent their interests at each stage of proceedings.
Work With Us
Let us discuss your matter.
An initial conversation is a low-pressure way to understand whether we are well-placed to assist with what you are navigating.
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