Experience

Mark Cheng is the Managing Director of Mark Cheng Law Corporation, a Singapore-based law firm that emphasizes will, probate, and estate planning, alongside family law and civil litigation. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the National University of Singapore with a Minor in Forensic Science, and he has earned professional credentials including MSIArb, Cert SCI (General Insurance), and FRSM. He is admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor in Singapore and is an Assigned Solicitor with the Singapore Legal Aid Bureau, reflecting a commitment to accessible legal services for a broad range of clients.

With a diverse legal background, Mark Cheng brings experience spanning private practice and in-house counsel roles. Notably, he has served as in-house counsel for the Asia Regional Head Office of the Rakuten Group, where his responsibilities encompassed corporate legal affairs, compliance, and cross-border transactions. This experience is highlighted by his ability to advise C-suite executives in both English and Japanese, underscoring a multilingual and multinational approach to legal matters. This in-house exposure complements his private practice, providing a strategic perspective on how commercial considerations intersect with legal protections in complex cross-border environments.

In the private practice setting, Mark Cheng leads matters in wills, probate, and estate litigation, as well as related areas such as family law and dispute resolution. Notable roles include representing clients in high-stakes estate matters, including cases involving alleged undue influence, fiduciary duties, and disputes over the administration of estates. For example, he has represented a beneficiary seeking an account of profits from an administrator accused of undue influence and misappropriation of nearly SGD 3 million of the deceased’s assets, and he has represented an executrix who successfully resisted a demand from a relative alleging lack of mental capacity. These matters illustrate a focus on protecting beneficiaries’ interests and ensuring proper administration of estates within Singapore’s legal framework.

Beyond estate-focused work, Mark Cheng’s practice encompasses family law and divorce, dispute resolution including insurance and personal injury matters, criminal law, bankruptcy protection, and corporate and commercial law. His practice areas also touch on cross-border corporate transactions, joint ventures, and regulatory compliance, reinforcing a holistic approach to legal counsel for individuals and businesses. He has expanded his capabilities to include cross-border estate planning and multi-jurisdictional asset considerations, aligning with Singapore’s status as a regional hub for international matters. His language skills—English, Mandarin, and Japanese—enhance his ability to assist clients with cross-cultural and cross-border needs, including Indonesian business interests where applicable.

Mark Cheng’s professional experience is complemented by a track record of media and public-facing engagement. He has been featured in various media outlets for commentary and guidance on legal matters, reflecting his role as a thought contributor in the fields of estates, family law, and commercial litigation. This combination of private-practice leadership, in-house corporate experience, and public-facing involvement positions him as a versatile counsel for clients navigating sensitive personal matters as well as complex civil and commercial disputes.

Languages: Mark Cheng is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Japanese, with working knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia, enabling him to assist clients with cross-border and multilingual needs in Singapore and the wider region. The professional profile also notes his status as a practicing Advocate & Solicitor in Singapore and his ongoing involvement with the Singapore Legal Aid Bureau as an Assigned Solicitor, reflecting a commitment to public-facing legal service and access to justice.

Specialty

Will, Probate, and Estate Litigation
Family Law and Divorce
Dispute Resolution (Insurance & Personal Injury)
Criminal Law
Bankruptcy Protection
Corporate and Commercial Law
Employment Law Disputes
International Arbitration
Initial Public Offerings (IPOs)
In-House Counsel Experience (Rakuten Group, Asia Regional Head Office)
Cross-Border and Multijurisdictional Matters
Cross-Border Estate Planning

In his estate-focused practice, Mark Cheng offers will writing and estate planning services, assisting with the preparation of wills, appointment of executors and guardians, and the creation of testamentary trusts for minor beneficiaries. He provides guidance on obtaining Grants of Probate or Letters of Administration, handling cross-border assets, and advising on estate distribution and debt resolution. His services extend to resealing foreign grants and managing foreign-domiciled estates, reflecting a practical approach to the complexities of multi-jurisdictional asset management. In the realm of disputes, he represents beneficiaries and executors, addressing issues such as undue influence, capacity challenges, and claims under applicable inheritance statutes. His comprehensive practice in wills and estate matters is complemented by his experience across family law, insurance disputes, and corporate transactions, enabling him to tailor strategies to each client’s unique family and financial landscape. Languages and cross-border expertise augment his ability to serve clients with international connections or assets located beyond Singapore’s borders.

Education, training, and credentials support this specialization. Mark Cheng’s background includes a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the National University of Singapore, a Minor in Forensic Science, and professional designations including MSIArb, Cert SCI (General Insurance), and FRSM. He is an Advocate & Solicitor in Singapore and has been assigned as Solicitor with the Singapore Legal Aid Bureau, highlighting an integrated approach to both private clients and public-interest service. This combination of formal education, professional credentials, and public service involvement informs his approach to estate matters, emphasizing careful drafting, prudent risk management, and a patient, client-centered service ethos.

Education

Bachelor of Laws (Hons), National University of Singapore
Minor in Forensic Science, National University of Singapore
MSIArb
Cert SCI (General Insurance)
FRSM
Advocate & Solicitor (Singapore)
Assigned Solicitor, Singapore Legal Aid Bureau

Experience

Note: The information below reflects verified details from Mark Cheng Law Corporation’s public profile and the firm’s estate law practice page, highlighting Mark Cheng’s professional journey, leadership role, and notable representations in wills, probate, and related matters.

Managing Director, Mark Cheng Law Corporation, Singapore
In-House Counsel, Asia Regional Head Office, Rakuten Group—providing corporate legal affairs, compliance, and cross-border transaction support; advising C-suite executives in English and Japanese
Represented a beneficiary in an account of profits dispute against an administrator accused of undue influence and misappropriation of almost SGD 3 million of the deceased’s assets
Represented an executrix to resist a SGD 300,000 demand from a relative of a beneficiary alleged to lack capacity

MARK CHENG LAW CORPORATION Verified Firm

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