DENISE LIM

LL.B (HONS), UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS, CLP
ADVOCATE & SOLICITOR OF THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA

Denise Lim is an Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya, known for her human-centred and practical approach to family and civil law. After years of practicing traditional litigation, she now advances non-adversarial dispute resolution options for clients who wish to preserve their relationships and reduce litigation trauma. She empowers her clients to make their own informed decisions to choose the most appropriate dispute relationship method for their interest, whether that is litigation, mediation, collaborative law or otherwise. She was trained as a Collaborative Lawyer by the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) in 2022 and is a Mediator accredited by the Malaysian International Mediation Centre (MIMC). She is also currently Vice-President of the Association of Women Lawyers (AWL) for 2025-2026.

LEGAL EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

Family

  • Represented husbands and wives in contentious and non-contentious divorce cases, including matters involving adultery, child abduction, custody, maintenance, division of matrimonial assets, domestic violence.
  • Advised on pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements.
  • Acted in challenges against adoption orders.
  • Advised foreigners wishing to marry Malaysian citizens on the processes to register their marriage in Malaysia.
  • Registering/recognising foreign divorce orders locally.

Estate Planning – Wills, probate, trusts, inheritance, power of attorney

  • Acted in contentious inheritance disputes. 
  • Represented clients in applications for probate / letters of administration. 
  • Represented clients in proceedings to remove trustees.
  • Assisted beneficiaries to prepare agreements regarding changes in distribution of the estates.
  • Applied for accounts of estate from executors/administrators.
  • Drafted wills, powers of attorneys, and other estate planning devices.

Collaborative Law and Mediation 

  • Represented clients in Collaborative Law and Mediation Processes. 
  • Worked with family and mental health professionals to support parties during the process. 
  • Incorporated collaborative and mediation skills in litigation to explore and/or achieve amicable outcomes for parties.

Other General Litigation Matters

  • Represented clients in contractual disputes, including breach of tenancy agreements and promises to marry, etc.
  • Advised on sexual harassment and defamation.
  • Provided watching brief and victim support in sexual offences against children. 
  • Advised on matters concerning nuisance and trespass.
  • Represented clients in debt recovery and enforcement actions. 
  • Acted in judicial review and civil proceedings against authorities.
  • Provided watching brief services in matters regarding citizenship.

REPORTED CASES

  • HAI v. PAI & ANOR [2025] 5 CLJ 916
  • LEE HIONG KIAT & ORS v. LEE TIN HUI & ANOR [2024] CLJU 2295
  • SLSL v. TKH [2024] CLJU 2659 
  • RYAN KOH YUE LOONG @ KOH TECK LOONG & ANOR v. KOH SHING YEE & ANOR [2023] 1 LNS 2331
  • B & ORS v. ROCKWILLS TRUSTEE BHD [2023] 7 CLJ 432

TALKS / WEBINARS

  • Speaker during the “Women in Conflict Resolution: The Rising Tide” on 15 May 2024 jointly organised by BICAM and the Association of Women Lawyers 
  • Moderated during the Women in Legal Leadership Series #1, “Career Options in Fintech & Legaltech” on 30 June 2021 featuring Jenna Huey Ching, CEO of Fortnynja and Melissa Lim Shi Hui, founder of Melissa Lim & Associates
  • Moderated during the Women Lawyers Conference 2023 – Breakout #2A, “The Patter of Tiny Feet or Not, and Impact” on 26 October 2023, featuring Dr. Suchitra Dalvie, MD MRCOG, Co-Founder & Coordinator, Asia Safe Abortion Partnership 
  • Moderated during the Women Lawyers Conference 2021 – Breakout #1, “Do you need to control your emotions?” on 9 November 2011, featuring Lee San San, Chief Listener @ Deep Listening and Dr. Valerie Jaques, Integrated Psychology Network 

NEWS ARTICLES

  • ‘No mechanism for victims to remove revenge porn’ – Lawyers’ group – New Straits Times (June 9, 2025)
  • “Chasing for alimony and child support” – The Star (May 11, 2025)
  • “Mediation best option in Muslim, non-Muslim custody disputes, say lawyers” – Malaysians Must Know the TRUTH (June 17, 2023)
  • “Top tips for divorced or separated parents during the MCO” – Malay Mail (March 30, 2020)