Saranpaal Calais

Saranpaal Calais is a Partner based in the Singapore office and a technology and digital lawyer, with a primary focus on Technology Law. He advises clients in APAC on strategic technology transactions, including tech-driven collaborations and joint ventures, digital transformation projects, software development and licensing, cloud computing and complex commercial contracting.

He regularly advises on the technology and data aspects of fintech, e-commerce, payments, insurtech and digital assets, as well as the commercialisation of emerging technologies including AI, blockchain and advanced robotics. He also advises on the operational aspects of mobile telecoms and digital infrastructure deals, and on technology and operational separation and transition issues in complex M&A transactions.

His representative experience includes advising PLDT and Smart Communications on a three-year, USD 500 million enterprise-wide digital transformation programme, Asahi Australia on an AUD 200 million digital transformation programme, and IOOF Holdings on the technology, IP and data aspects of its AUD 1.44 billion acquisition of MLC Wealth.

He has also advised Alipay on the technology, data and IP aspects of a blockchain-based money remittance network, PEXA on its AUD 1.62 billion trade sale, and MIRA and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board on their AUD 1.6 billion acquisition of a 40-year concession to operate South Australia's land titles registry.

He has been seconded to two of Australia's largest banks, leading negotiations on enterprise-wide strategic digital transformation projects, and in 2015 co-founded a technology company that developed a data analytics platform for the aviation industry. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Aeronautical (Space), from the University of Sydney, and is a member of the Law Society of New South Wales and the New South Wales Society for Computers and the Law.