Anita Sockalingam

Anita Sockalingam is a Senior Partner at Zain & Co. and Head of the Dispute Resolution practice, specializing in Dispute Resolution. She has a broad range of experience in civil litigation and advisory work, particularly in commercial and contractual disputes, tortious liability, banking matters, land and real estate property disputes, professional liability, and enforcement proceedings.

Anita has maintained an active trial practice with extensive experience appearing as counsel before the appellate courts. Notable cases include resisting a suit for conspiracy to injure and defamation involving the issue of privilege against self‑incrimination; obtaining Orders for specific performance for the purchase of shares valued at approximately RM10 million and damages of RM2.5 million for a private equity firm; successfully resisting a claim for wrongful freezing of a bank account involving interpretation of section 223 of the Companies Act 1965; acting for a large Japanese manufacturer in a suit for recovery of the balance purchase price of approximately RM9 million; successfully defending a claim up to the Federal Court brought by an individual alleging beneficial ownership of land based on events dating back to 1968; and acting for a Malaysian independent power producer in a suit for nuisance and negligence brought by residents adjacent to a power plant.

Anita holds an LL.B (Hons) from the University of Nottingham (1991). She was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1992, admitted as a Barrister‑at‑Law of the Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, and called to the Malaysian Bar in 1993. She is an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya.

Anita is consistently recognised in Asialaw and The Legal 500 Asia‑Pacific as a leading practitioner in Dispute Resolution. Clients have described her as "a very competent and reactive professional" who "goes the extra mile for her clients." She serves as a member of the Disciplinary Committee Panel of the Malaysian Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board.