Datin Shelina Razaly Wahi

Throughout her distinguished career, Datin Shelina Razaly Wahi has led some of the most high-profile and precedent-setting cases in the region. Her representative works showcase landmark matters that continue to shape the legal landscape and invite readers to explore the full breadth of her achievements.

Aviation

1. Advising a Malaysian Labuan company on the acquisition of a Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft and the related financing with Sabah Development Bank (2023).
   
2. Advising a helicopter operator on the purchase and eventual sale, lease, technical and maintenance service of one (1) Dassault Falcon 8X aircraft (2023).
   
3. Advised a multinational ground-handling company on the joint venture between that company and an airline in Malaysia (2022).
   
4. Advised on the joint venture between a multinational ground-handling company and a subsidiary of a Malaysian listed entity, to set up a ground-handling company in Malaysia (2024).
   
5. Malaysian counsel for the sale of two aircraft and subsequent novations of the lease agreements between a Chinese lessor and a European fund (2023).
   
6. Advised Malaysia’s largest helicopter fleet operator on a joint venture between its subsidiary and Helicopter & Cooperation SAS in Italy (2023).
   
7. Advised Malaysia’s largest helicopter fleet operator in relation to a contract with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) in respect of four helicopters (2021).
   
8. Advised a Malaysian company in relation to a finance lease for the purchase of an AW139 helicopter (2021).
   
9. Malaysian counsel to three lessors and several other creditors in AirAsia X’s court proceedings whereby the airline sought to obtain the court’s leave to commence a Scheme of Arrangement to restructure its debts (2023).
   
10. Transaction Counsel advising two groups of syndicated lenders – involving both conventional and Islamic financing – in the previous restructuring of Malaysia Airlines, pursuant to the English Court approval for a Scheme of Arrangement (2021).
    
11. Malaysian counsel for a lessor in relation to a mutual early termination of lease and redelivery of aircraft, prior to the lessee seeking to restructure its overall debts (2020).
    
12. Advised a lessor in relation to a proposed change of registry for an aircraft currently on lease in a neighbouring jurisdiction, onto the Malaysian registry – to avoid a default scenario and potential debt moratorium (2021).
    
13. Advised a foreign party entering into a purchase agreement with a Malaysian mortgagee for the sale of an aircraft that was repossessed by the mortgagee in a default scenario (2022).
    
14. Malaysian law adviser to a helicopter lessor on its first entry into the Malaysian leasing market (2021) – on two leases and also the PBH support for those leases.
    
15. As transaction counsel – advised a Malaysian bank on an Islamic facility to part-finance the acquisition of a narrowbody jet, as well as the securitisation of the operating lease for the aircraft (2019).
    
16. Regularly advising various foreign banks and lessors in relation to novations and/or assignments of finance and operating leases for aircraft assets leased to Malaysian operators.
    
17. Acted as Malaysian counsel for the lessor, head lease parties and finance parties in a restructuring of a tranche of eight aircraft operating leases (2020).
    
18. As transaction counsel – advised two syndicates of Malaysian lenders (one conventional financing and one Islamic financing) in relation to the proposed novation of existing facilities, brought about by the changes in the Labuan leasing requirements (2019).
    
19. Advised a Malaysian carrier in relation to the proposed early termination and return of two aircraft, including claims for maintenance reserves reimbursements and buy-out of redelivery conditions (2020).
    
20. Acted as Malaysian counsel for a European lessor that had purchased a portfolio of aircraft, including aircraft that were on existing leases with Malaysian lessees.
    
21. Acted as the external “in-house counsel” on retainer for a start-up non-scheduled operator, advising on all legal, corporate and employment matters.
    
22. Advised a public listed entity in relation to the divestment of a majority share in a subsidiary that is an air operator – including on the shareholders’ agreements and related party transactions (2021).
    
23. Advised on the purchases of several privately operated aircraft, including rotor aircraft, and on the structuring of operations for the different aircraft in Malaysia.
    
24. Advised Rolls-Royce Partners Finance in relation to their operating leases (of engines) in Malaysia.
    
25. Acted as Malaysian counsel for lenders in relation to a pre-delivery payment financing as well as the financing for the aircraft purchase, to a Malaysian listed entity, in relation to the proposed purchase of a new private jet (2024).
    
26. Acted as Malaysian counsel for lenders in relation to the financing of a used private jet (2024).
    
27. Advising a Malaysian listed entity in relation to the proposed charter of a private jet that is owned by a related party, including in relation to the compliance requirements of the Main Market Listing Requirements (2024).
    
28. Acted as Malaysian counsel for lenders in relation to the financing of a used private jet (2024).
    
29. Advised a Malaysian entity on the proposed discharge of existing security and termination of existing facility, to enable the Malaysian company to enter into a sale of its private jet (2023).
    
30. Advising a Malaysian operator on the proposed global refinancing and new syndicated financing for its proposed new fleet of aircraft (2025).
    

Aerospace

1. Advising an ATO (Approved Training Organisation) in relation to the proposed tenancy of a hangar, instructional and classroom facilities from a concessionaire in a Malaysian airport.
2. Advising an aviation company on the purchase of a helicopter company (with an Air Operator’s Certificate) for the purposes of serving the offshore oil and gas industry.
3. Advised on a partnership for the provision of cabin aircraft modifications, support and maintenance services within the ASEAN region.
4. Advised on the corporate set-up of a flight training academy, including in relation to foreign equity restrictions and the Shareholders’ Agreement.
5. Advised on the corporate set-up of a new air operator, and advised on the initial set-up of operations, including compliance and regulatory matters, as well as Human Resources matters (2020).
6. Advised an airport operator in relation to land and tenancy matters, including possible termination of tenancy agreements in default scenarios.
7. Represented a Malaysian purchaser in the acquisition of a company with existing rights to distribute rotor-wing aircraft in Malaysia; including negotiating the distributor agreement with the foreign OEM.
8. Advised a helicopter lessor in relation to the harmonisation of the various maintenance contracts entered into by the lessor, and to ensure that the lessees are able to obtain the same terms from the maintenance service providers.
9. Oversaw a due diligence process for a Malaysian aerospace company, looking to acquire a majority stake in a foreign company with operations in three different jurisdictions in Europe; and advised the Malaysian aerospace company in relation to the acquisition of the shares.
10. Represented a Malaysian purchaser in the acquisition of a company with existing rights to distribute rotor-wing aircraft in Malaysia; including negotiating the distributor agreement with the foreign OEM.
11. Represented the Promoters in relation to a proposed entry of new investors into an unscheduled carrier (2020).
12. Advised various new leasing and financing companies entering into the Malaysian jurisdiction, by way of a Jurisdictional Questionnaire.
13. Advised various aerospace companies in relation to COVID-19-related internal restructuring and rationalisation programmes.
14. Advised an airport operator in relation to the proposed set-up of a new cargo facility, in existing building space, based on drafts and offers already issued.
15. Advised a Malaysian hangar concessionaire in relation to its proposed renewal of its tenancy agreement with the airport operator.
16. Advised an international ground handler in a joint venture with a Malaysian listed entity to set up its first-ever operations in Malaysia (2022).
    

Logistics

• Advised POS Aviation in relation to the disposal of a substantial portion of its existing shareholding in POS Cargo (2023).
  
• Advised the key Malaysian Government agency responsible for the national regulatory sandbox for eVTOL in Malaysia (2023).
  
• Advised a Singaporean logistics and services company on its joint venture with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad in relation to the set-up of warehouse facilities (2021).
  

Banking – Transactional

• Advising a Malaysian company in relation to the financing of a Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft with Sabah Development Bank for a term loan facility of up to RM121.5 million (2024).
  
• Acted as Malaysian law counsel to a foreign financier providing pre-delivery payment (PDP) financing to a Malaysian commercial air operator (2023).
  
• Acted as Malaysian counsel for the lenders in relation to a pre-delivery payment financing, as well as the financing for the aircraft purchase, to a Malaysian listed entity, in connection with the proposed purchase of a new private jet (2024).
  
• Acted as Malaysian counsel for the borrowers in relation to the financing of a used private jet (2025).
  
• Advised a Malaysian entity on the proposed discharge of existing security and termination of the existing facility, to enable the Malaysian company to enter into a sale of its private jet (2023).
  
• Advising a Malaysian operator on the proposed global refinancing and new syndicated financing for its proposed new fleet of aircraft (2025).
  

Capital Markets, Debt Capital Markets and Corporate Finance

• Advising CIMB Bank in relation to the proposed early settlement of a facility and the discharge of security over multiple aircraft that had served as the original security for the facility (2023).
  
• Transaction counsel advising two groups of syndicated lenders – involving both conventional and Islamic financing – in the previous restructuring of Malaysia Airlines pursuant to the English Court approval for a Scheme of Arrangement (2021).