Too many deals, too few en bloc lawyers

Singapore

EN BLOC lawyers are having to turn down deals because their plates are full. Such is the renewed fervour in the residential collective sale market, a contrast from the past couple years when few deals were launched and even fewer succeeded.

Dentons Rodyk & Davidson senior partner Lee Liat Yeang says there is a shortage of en bloc lawyers in the market. "There are fewer than 10 lawyers with good relevant experience. For those with abundant experience, it's fewer than five," he says.

Yet, the queries from eager sellers keep coming. Besides the eight en bloc deals (including one industrial property) worth S$3.5 billion that were awarded this year, and another seven that have been launched,…