Our Story & Mission
Grounded in Melaka,
Trusted Across Malaysia
Claiven was established to bring considered, specialist legal counsel to the businesses and individuals who shape Malaysia's maritime, commercial, and digital economy.
Back to HomeWho We Are
The Claiven Practice
Claiven began as a response to a gap in the Melaka legal market: businesses handling shipping operations, data-intensive services, or franchise relationships had few local options for specialist legal counsel. General practitioners could handle routine work, but the intricacies of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, the Personal Data Protection Act 2010, or the Franchise Act 1998 required more focused attention.
We established Claiven at 8 Jalan Laksamana — a street long associated with Melaka's commercial and maritime history — to serve this need. Our practice has grown steadily, building relationships with shipping companies, logistics operators, SMEs processing customer data, and entrepreneurs entering the franchise sector.
The name Claiven reflects our philosophy: clarity in counsel, and the notion that good legal advice should illuminate rather than obscure. We explain our reasoning, define the scope of each engagement clearly, and keep clients informed as matters progress.
Our Mission
What We Stand For
Specialist Focus
We concentrate on three practice areas where we have substantive depth: maritime and shipping law, data privacy compliance, and franchise law. This allows us to develop genuine expertise rather than spreading our attention too broadly.
Proportionate Advice
Legal work should be proportionate to the matter at hand. We resist the tendency to over-engineer solutions, and we scope each engagement to address what is actually needed — not more, not less.
Transparent Communication
We explain our legal reasoning in accessible language, discuss fees openly before work begins, and provide realistic assessments of likely outcomes and timelines.
Rooted in Malaysia
Our practice is grounded in Malaysian law and the Malaysian business environment. We do not offer offshore structures or arrangements outside the Malaysian regulatory framework.
The People Behind Claiven
Our Team
A small, focused group of legal professionals with complementary specialisations — each committed to clear and considered counsel.
Razif Mahmud
Principal Counsel — Maritime Law
Razif has spent over fourteen years advising shipping companies and port operators on compliance matters and cargo disputes under Malaysian maritime law. He handles both non-contentious regulatory work and representation in relevant proceedings.
Lim Chee Wei
Senior Associate — Data Privacy
Chee Wei focuses on advisory work under the Personal Data Protection Act 2010. He has conducted gap analyses and drafted privacy frameworks for businesses ranging from small e-commerce operations to multi-branch service providers across Malaysia.
Nur Aisyah Zainuddin
Associate — Franchise and Commercial
Aisyah advises franchisors and franchisees navigating the Franchise Act 1998. She has experience with franchise registration requirements, disclosure documentation, and agreement review for both new entrants and established franchise networks.
Our Standards
Professional Standards We Uphold
Every engagement at Claiven is carried out within the following framework of professional practice.
Malaysian Bar Standards
All advocacy and legal work is conducted in accordance with the Legal Profession Act 1976 and the standards of the Malaysian Bar.
Client Confidentiality
Solicitor-client privilege is observed in all communications and file management. Client information is held securely and disclosed only as required by law.
Due Diligence Processes
We apply thorough research and review processes to each matter, including statutory searches, document analysis, and regulatory verification where appropriate.
Data Handling Compliance
Client data is handled in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act 2010. We maintain written records of data processing activities and apply appropriate access controls.
Conflict Avoidance
We conduct conflict checks before accepting engagements and maintain clear protocols to avoid situations where our duties to different clients might come into tension.
Continuing Legal Development
Our team regularly participates in continuing legal education programmes organised by the Malaysian Bar, ensuring our knowledge of evolving legislation and case law remains current.
Our Expertise
Malaysian Legal Counsel Adapted to Complex Business Environments
Claiven operates at the intersection of Malaysia's maritime sector, its digital economy, and its franchise market — three areas of business activity that each carry distinct statutory obligations. The Merchant Shipping Ordinance and associated port authority frameworks place substantive compliance requirements on operators. The Personal Data Protection Act 2010 creates obligations for businesses handling personal data that many organisations are only beginning to understand in full. The Franchise Act 1998 imposes registration and disclosure requirements that affect both new entrants to the franchise model and established networks seeking to expand.
Our location in Melaka is not incidental. This city's long history as a trading port — from the Sultanate era through the Portuguese, Dutch, and British periods — has shaped a commercial culture that values measured judgment, careful documentation, and long-term relationships. These are qualities we try to bring to legal practice. The address at 8 Jalan Laksamana places us within walking distance of Melaka's port-side commercial district, accessible to the shipping and logistics companies that form a significant part of our client base.
We do not market ourselves as generalists. The three practice areas we cover are ones where we have developed substantive knowledge over time, and where we believe a focused approach produces better outcomes for clients than a broad but shallow one. Clients who come to us with needs outside these areas are directed to colleagues with relevant expertise — we do not take on work simply to fill capacity.
Fee discussions take place before any work begins. We explain the basis for our fees, the scope of the engagement, and what the work will involve. Legal costs should not come as a surprise, and we take steps to ensure they do not.
Discuss Your Matter With Our Team
We welcome enquiries from businesses and individuals. A short initial conversation is usually enough to assess whether and how we can assist.
Request a Consultation