Sharon Tan

Sharon Tan heads the competition law practice in Zaid Ibrahim & Co and is a partner in the firm's corporate commercial practice. With over 20 years’ experience, Sharon is in a unique position to advise on competition law matters, as she was engaged by the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism to draft the Competition Act 2010 and the Competition Commission Act 2010. Prior to the enactment of the Competition Act 2010, she advised on competition issues in the communications sector, under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. She drafted the competition law provisions in the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act 2015, which include merger regulation. Sharon advises companies on a wide range of competition law issues across various industries covering a variety of issues including alliances and joint ventures, exclusivity and non-compete restraints, distribution and licensing, resale price maintenance, tying and bundling arrangements as well as cartels and abuse of dominance enquiries. Sharon has also advised companies that have been investigated for competition law infringements and their defences. In relation to transactions, Sharon advises on exemptions and merger applications. Sharon has conducted competition law compliance audits and her advice on remedial action takes into account pro-business considerations. She also helps clients formulate possible arguments for relief from liability and reasonable commercial justification, assisting clients to conduct self-assessment of the competition law risks and feasible defences. In terms of operational compliance, Sharon prepares customised compliance manuals and conducts dawn raid preparation and training. She has clients from various sectors, including financial institutions, insurance, automotive, manufacturing, fast moving consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, oil and gas, oil terminals, transport and logistics and luxury brands. Completion of her EU competition law postgraduate studies at King's College London has given her a competitive edge and good understanding of the practical aspects of competition law in other jurisdictions. Sharon is also able to coordinate competition compliance across ASEAN countries, through ZICOlaw offices in the ASEAN region.